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And how travel on the seas has changed in the last 50 years it’s Panama that and my little Princess.

Long before she came to reign over all of us The Scary One loves to remind us that she sailed the world.

Crossed the Equator, partied with Neptune, the King of the Oceans.

And crossed the Panama Canal.

All on the way back from Australia to England on a working ship with her parents.

The very programme from those halcyon days emerged as we continued clearing The Major’s endless library.

In the pages of the little Princess’s early atlas of the world.

Fifty years of cruising

The programme, of course, is a time capsule of 1974.

With the evening movie on board the western True Grit.

John Wayne apart it appears that what we all enjoyed then we still do today.

Keep fit, deck games, the pool, and, of course, cocktails.

This night’s was Brandy Alexander.

And music, the Fairskys.

And parties, with Neptune heralding the 1974 fare with the promise of Neophites.

The Princess reign

Where once Sitmar took ex-pats back to Britain from Australia our favourite pleasure cruisers Princess have stepped in.

And they have only dropped us details of their September 2027 through April 2028 season programme.

With 22 departures on five ships.

Including Caribbean Princess, Island Princess, Coral Princess, Emerald Princess and the new Star Princess.

And nine itineraries with cruises sailing from Fort Lauderdale.

Or ocean-to-ocean between Los Angeles or Vancouver on the west coast.

And Fort Lauderdale or Port Canaveral on the east coast.

Tick off your countries

There are 21 destinations in nine countries.

Including seven UNESCrld Heritage sites such as the Port Fortress of Cartagena.

And The Archaeological Site and Historic District of Panama (from Puerto Amador).

While there are more ashore late-night stays including Cartagena, Aruba and Puerto Amador.

Because we all know that Neptune gains his strength from his queen.

And every queen starts off life as a Princess.

We found a sample 12-day Panama Canal with Costa Rica & Caribbean round trip from Fort Lauderdale from $935.

Taking in Aruba, Cartagena, Panama Canal Partial Transit New Locks, Colon, Panama, Limon, Costa Rica, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands and Cozumel, Mexico.

MEET YOU ON THE SEAS

Countries, Cruising

Plain sailing with the McConaugheys as godparents

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And, of course, I’d never have swapped my own but wouldn’t it be plain sailing with the McConaugheys as godparents?

Which is exactly what Princess Cruises are offering us.

Our old sailing buddies have only brought the Hollywood superstar and his glamorous business partner and wife on board.

With the Princesses: On our cruise ships

As godparents, as is cruise tradition, for their new Star Princess vessel.

To follow in the footsteps of such luminaries as Princess Diana, Audrey Hepburn, and Sophia Loren.

And boy are they big shoes for Matthew and his missus to fill.

Hot shots

Now party animals Matt and Camila will bring their own zest to the job.

That zest being their Pantalones Organic Tequila.

Proud Texan that Matthew is it’s little surprise that he slipped that in in his acceptance of the role.

‘With Princess, it’s not just a vacation,’ he said.

‘It’s time well spent, families and friends coming together, meeting new folks, and making memories.

‘This ship’s got that spirit built right in, and we’re proud to be part of her story from the beginning.’

Tequila a week cruising

All on board: Star Princess

And that means Princess serving signature cocktails featuring Pantalones Organic Tequila.

Including the guest favourite 24K Gold Margarita.

Their tequila is also part of Princess’ Love Line Premium Liquors collection.

And that includes a selection of curated wines and spirits, offering both spirited selections and non-alcoholic* creations.

Bubbly Malala

Of course no two godparents are the same and while Matthew and Camilla may be all about the shots and cocktails.

Our own cruise godparent Malala Yousafzai was no less bubbly but without the hard stuff.

When she pulled the lever on the Celebrity Edge launch cruise from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas.

Although we made up for it, Alesha Dixon, Mark Wright and a host of invited guests on board, with our own party.

United Stats

Now some background on Star.

It’s a 177,800-tonne, 4,300-guest sister to the award-winning Sun Princess.

And it features 30 distinct dining and bar venues, curated entertainment and activity offerings.

And, of course, luxurious accommodations across a wide range of categories.

Unique to Star Princess and Sun Princess is The Sanctuary Collection.

An elevated private escape at sea with access to an exclusive restaurant; the Sanctuary Club.

It boasts a tranquil, adults-only pool deck.

With more than 1,500 balcony staterooms, guests can enjoy panoramic views from the privacy of their own rooms.

To the ents degree

Standout venues include The Dome, a next-generation relaxation and entertainment space.

The Princess Arena, the most technologically advanced theatre yet.

And The Piazza, the centerpiece of the ship with its dramatic curves, floor-to-ceiling windows and sweeping ocean vistas.

Starting today, October, Star Princess will debut in the Mediterranean, sailing roundtrip from Barcelona.

Before crossing the Atlantic to begin a season of Caribbean voyages from Fort Lauderdale on November 7.

Following her Caribbean season, she will sail through the Panama Canal heading west to begin her inaugural Alaska season.

While 2025-, 2026- and 2027-Star Princess voyages are now available for booking.

Countries, Cruising

Goodbye to newly wed, overfed and nearly dead cruise cliches

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It was the standard joke but it’s changing and we can now say goodbye to newly wed, overfed and nearly dead cruise cliches.

While our cruising days in our 13 years in our ancestral Irish home were in our early 50s that’s now higher than the average cruise age.

Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) latest annual passenger study has revealed that Irish cruisers are getting younger.

With the average guest age dropping to 46.3 years in 2024 from 46.7 in 2023.

On the up

The finding comes as overall Irish cruise passenger numbers increased last year.

By 11.3% to 65,000, the highest total recorded.

The Mediterranean remains their destination of choice, with 61.3% of all voyages taken.

The Caribbean came in second at 17.7%, while northern Europe was at 6.1%.

The latter scored a 25% uplift in overall journeys taken.

Representing the highest growth among the main cruise itineraries.

With an average length of a sailing is 7.9 days.

Fjord fiesta

Presented with a choice by our pals at MSC to showcase Meraviglia we opted for a cruise around the fjords.

In preference to Europe, having sailed the Western Med, and the Persian Gulf.

While I’d opted to be a landlubber in the Caribbean, Barbados and Tobago.

Now My Little Mermaid soon befriended a Fortysomethings couple on our passage around Denmark and Norway.

And had them upgraded on our hospitality.

In exchange for a crash course in His hobby, tunnelling.

Forties’ forte

Toast of the seas: My date with a Princess

Fortysomethings, and I was one once, come in all shapes and sizes.

And they have all the moves as our cruise crew can testify.

Having partied everywhere from the Med to the English Channel and the Bahamas.

While we don’t even have to leave dry dock as we like to live it up whenever the boat comes in.

Whether Princess, a Royal, a Celebrity or a Swan.

Ship shape

Love me Tender: Celebrity Cruises, Bahamas

And yes, we know that the first rule of cruising is to give Her the deference She deserves as a ship and not a boat.

Andy Harmer, CLIA UK & Ireland managing director, said: ‘Cruise is thriving among Ireland passengers.

‘The convenience and value-for-money a holiday at sea offers shining through.’

All of which means we can say goodbye to newly wed, overfed and nearly dead cruise cliches.

Countries, Cruising, Deals

Live like a Princess for €1

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And what else can you can get for a shiny euro, well you can get a down payment on a cruise and live like a Princess for €1.

Our old pals at Princess Cruises are only bringing back their popular €1 per person deposit offer for three days only.

The limited time offer will run from May 6-8 May and is applicable to more than 1,000 select voyages across the Princess fleet available in 2025, 2026 and 2027.

And what’s more the €1 deposit deal can be combined with Princess’ current offer of savings up to €500 per stateroom across selected cruises.

Star of the sea

The offer includes all voyages on the soon-to-launch Star Princess, which joins the Princess fleet this autumn.

Following two Mediterranean cruises in October, Star Princess will sail her inaugural season in the Caribbean before repositioning to Alaska in spring 2026.

With fares starting from €729pp for a seven-night Alaska voyage. The sailing from Seattle to Vancouver departs on September 20, 2026, and calls in on Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway.

Other sample cruises included in the €1 deposit offer are:

A seven-night Mediterranean with Greece & Italy cruise onboard Sun Princess, sailing from Athens (Piraeus) to Barcelona. Departing Saturday, 13 September 2025, and calling at Barcelona, Corfu, Sicily (Messina), and Mallorca (Palma). Fares start from €868pp.
A 14-night Southeast Asia & Japan cruise onboard Diamond Princess, sailing from Tokyo (Yokohama) to Singapore. Departing Wednesday 25 November 2026, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, Ishigaki, Taipei (Keelung), Hong Kong, Da Nang/Hue (Chan May), and Ho Chi Minh City. Fares start from €1,692pp.

The best of terms

Dip your toe in: On deck of Star Princess

And Eithne Williamson, vice president Princess Cruises UK and Europe reminds us that “guests can choose to spread the cost of their cruise with Princess Pay Monthly without any extra fees, providing even more flexibility for their next Princess holiday.

And, of course you’ll be wanting to read through the terms and conditions.

Prices shown are subject to availability based upon two adults sharing the lowest available grade within the stateroom type specified.

The €1pp low deposit applies to all passengers and if the cruise falls within 90 days before departure then the full balance would be required as per standard terms and conditions.

Fine dining: Only the best on Star Princess

The £1 deposit offer is available from May 6-8 May and applies to all cruises in this limited time offer only.

And you can save up to €500 per stateroom on selected voyages, based on a maximum discount of €250 per person, applying only to guests 1 & 2.

Maximum discount of €500 is applicable to voyages of more than 17 nights included in the offer.

The prices shown include discount, and are subject to availability on selected stateroom categories and sailings. The discount varies per stateroom type and duration of cruise.

And it runs until June 30.

Medallion men and women

Phew, now those T&Cs are the only work you will do on Princess.

We all know and have been treated to port visits where we’ve been allowed to inspect.

The well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment.

And check out their exclusive Princess MedallionClass service.

With Princess, of course, sailing the high seas to the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and around the globe on World Cruises.

Tag: http://www.princess.com

It’s Panama that and my little Princess