Royal Princess, the newest passenger cruise liner of Princess Cruises, arrived in Istanbul this morning on her maiden voyage. ABOUT ROYAL PRINCESSMS Royal Princess is a cruise ship operated by Princess Cruises.Royal Princess is the flagship of the Princess fleet, a designation held up to that point by Grand Princess.Princess Cruises ordered Royal Princess, as well as the sister ship Regal Princess, both at the time unnamed, on 17 February 2010. The final contract was signed on 4 May 2010.Construction of Royal Princess began on 15 March 2011 at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy when the first plate was cut. The next major milestone in construction occurred on 20 October 2011, when the ship's keel was laid. She was launched in August 2012; fitting out continues, and Fincantieri delivered her to Princess Cruises in June 2013.The ship measures 141,000 GRT and has a capacity of 3,600 passengers. Her amenities include a pair of public areas cantilevered over the side of the ship on the top deck—a walkway on the starboard side and a bar on the port side. She also has fewer pools than previous Princess Cruises ships and features expanded public areas, including the movie theater, the "Sanctuary" bar and the central Piazza atrium. The ship will also have more dining options than previous Princess vessels. The ships of this class are one of the first passenger vessels built compliant to the new safe return to port requirements.On 9 April 2013, it was announced that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge will name Royal Princess in a naming ceremony in Southampton on 13 June 2013. The ceremony will uphold British ship-naming traditions including the blessing, a performance by the Royal Marines and the pipers of the Irish Guards. Royal Princess will arrive at the Ocean Terminal in Southampton on Friday 7 June, where a series of events will commence for customers and travel agents, including a special naming gala on the evening of Wednesday 12 June. The ship’s inaugural celebrations concluded with her maiden voyage on 16 June.
Name: Royal Princess
Owner: Carnival plc
Operator: Princess Cruises
Port of registry: Bermuda Hamilton, Bermuda
Builder: Fincantieri (Monfalcone, Italy)
Laid down: 20 October 2011
Launched: 16 August 2012
Christened: 13 June 2013 by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge
Completed: June 2013
Acquired: 4 June 2013
Maiden voyage: 16 June 2013 (planned)
In service: 2013
Identification: Call sign: ZCEI3
IMO number: 9584712
MMSI: 310661000
Status: In service General characteristicsClass & type: Royal class cruise ship
Tonnage: 142,714 GT[1]
Length: 330 m
Beam: 38 m
Capacity: 3,600 passengers
Name: Royal Princess
Owner: Carnival plc
Operator: Princess Cruises
Port of registry: Bermuda Hamilton, Bermuda
Builder: Fincantieri (Monfalcone, Italy)
Laid down: 20 October 2011
Launched: 16 August 2012
Christened: 13 June 2013 by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge
Completed: June 2013
Acquired: 4 June 2013
Maiden voyage: 16 June 2013 (planned)
In service: 2013
Identification: Call sign: ZCEI3
IMO number: 9584712
MMSI: 310661000
Status: In service General characteristicsClass & type: Royal class cruise ship
Tonnage: 142,714 GT[1]
Length: 330 m
Beam: 38 m
Capacity: 3,600 passengers