Princess Cruises has debuted its 2016-2017 Exotics program which will take guests to fascinating cruise destinations around the globe. With 58 departures ranging from three to 111 days, these exotic cruise itineraries go on sale May 28 at www.Princess.com .
The new program features four cruise ships sailing on 38 unique itineraries throughout six continents, visiting 70 destinations and 40 countries. Guests will be able to book cruises to South America, Southeast Asia, Japan and China. Cruisers can also experience less-traveled ports aboard the Princess’s small ship that will circumvent the globe on 111-day World Cruise sailings roundtrip from Los Angeles or Ft. Lauderdale.
“Our Exotics program will continue to offer our guests the chance to travel to fascinating destinations around the globe resulting in lifelong memories of different cultures and people,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. “We’re proud that our award-winning itineraries position us as a destination leader in the cruise industry.” Princess’ 2016-2017 Exotics cruise program includes:
South America: Crown Princess will be Princess’ largest ship ever to sail a full season of cruises to South America, cruising between Santiago (Valparaiso) and either Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires on itineraries sailing the southernmost tip of South America and the Chilean Fjords. With nine departures during the season, Crown Princess will offer cruises around Cape Horn on 14- and 33-day itineraries including overnight calls in Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Lima (Callao) on select departures. Crown Princess will sail between two continents and cross the Equator on an Andes and South America cruise featuring Peru, Ecuador and Costa Rica with an optional overland tour of Machu Picchu.
Asia: A long-time favorite, the 17-day Grand Asia cruise between Singapore and Beijing (Tianjin) visits such Asian destinations as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam and Thailand. A special highlight on the itinerary will be an overnight and two full days in Hong Kong, with an optional overland excursion to UNESCO World Heritage Site, Angkor Wat, Cambodia. In fall 2016, Diamond Princess will offer the 17-day Grand Asia from Tokyo (Yokohama) visiting many popular Asian ports, such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh City and Osaka. In spring 2017, Diamond Princess will sail from Singapore to Yokohama for a 14-day voyage visiting Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan.
For her first full season sailing from Singapore, Diamond Princess will sail on a variety of roundtrip voyages ranging from three to 11 days beginning in November 2016. Destinations include Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Borneo. Diamond Princess will also offer 14 combination voyages ranging from nine to 21 days for an even greater opportunity to explore the Asia region.
Golden Princess will also be in Asia on two special voyages starting or ending in Australia. With cruises ranging from 21 to 25 days sailing between Sydney or Melbourne and Hong Kong or Beijing, these sailings include stops in Darwin, Bali, Singapore and Nha Trang (Vietnam). For Christmas, New Year’s and Chinese New Year, Princess has a variety of Asian cruises ranging from 10 to 21 days visiting ports in Southeast Asia.
World Cruise: Pacific Princess will sail on the third annual roundtrip World Cruise roundtrip from Los Angeles or Ft. Lauderdale. The 111-day voyage will visit 38 destinations, 30 countries and include overnight stays in Hong Kong, Dubai and Venice, as well as maiden calls to Acajutla (El Savador), Bodrum (Turkey), Yap (Micronesia), Hvar and Sibenik (Croatia). Guests can also opt to join the World Cruise for a portion of the journey including a 22-day Hawaii and South Pacific, 18-day Australia and New Zealand, 18-day Southeast Asia and India, 18-day Dubai cruise to Europe, 18-day Mediterranean Passage and a choice of a 17-day Panama Canal sailing between Los Angeles and Ft. Lauderdale.
Land & Sea Vacations: Princess is offering land and sea vacations in South America for guests aboard Crown Princess and in Asia for voyages starting or ending in Beijing. New for South America the Andes & Argentina Wine Experience will allow guests the opportunity to cross the Andes from Santiago, Chile to Argentina and visit three wineries in the acclaimed Mendoza wine region. At the tour’s end, a special evening in Buenos Aires will feature an authentic tango show and dinner. Additionally, the Iguazu Falls Adventure visits Rio de Janeiro with a full-day sightseeing tour taking guests to Sugar Loaf Mountain and the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. The tour continues into the jungle at the border of Brazil and Argentina to incredible Iguazu Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the Machu Picchu Explorer cruisetour, guests will ascend into the Andes to magical Machu Picchu, another UNESCO treasure. Guests will then visit the historic city of Cusco and the Sacred Valley with sightseeing to Sacsayhuaman, Ollantaytambo and an authentic Pisac Market.
In Asia, guests can visit the Great Wall, Beijing’s Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Xian and the Terra Cotta Warriors on the Best of China land and sea vacation. The Yangtze Experience includes three nights cruising the Yangtze River and visits Beijing and Xian.
