Receive $2,000 per couple - or $1,000 per person - Shipboard Credit on select Europe 2009 Cruises.

The generous “All Inclusive - As You Wish” spending credit can be used toward:

* Any Crystal Adventure shore excursion,
* Any spa treatment
* Any wine
* Any cocktail
* Any boutique purchase
* Any gratuities
* Any Vintage Room experience
* And anything else on board except Casino gaming

Applicable Sailings/Departures:

* Every Mediterranean cruise aboard Crystal Serenity in July through November
* All 11-day Baltic and British Isles cruises aboard Crystal Symphony between June 19 and August 23
* Crystal Symphony’s Northern Europe Transatlantic cruise from London to New York

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The ship will be christened on November 6 by celebrity couple Trista and Ryan Sutter from ABC’s hit reality series, The Bachelorette. In keeping with the launch’s “romantic milestones” theme, Princess will help the duo celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary.

Ruby Princess will debut a number of new services and amenities on board, including new dining options such as a pub lunch in the Wheelhouse Bar, unique enrichment programs and the new Ultimate Ship Tour. The vessel also includes a dramatic piazza-style atrium featuring small-bite eateries and an ever-changing array of performing street entertainers, Princess’ signature adults-only oasis called The Sanctuary, Sabatini’s Italian restaurant, Crown Grill seafood and steak house, “Movies Under the Stars” giant outdoor movie screen, and Hearts & Minds wedding chapel.

Ruby Princess will then set sail on her maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale on November 8, beginning a program of Western Caribbean sailings taking passengers to Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Princess Cays. Following her inaugural Caribbean season, the ship will offer a program of Mediterranean voyages in summer 2009.

In the Caribbean, Princess will sail six ships on 13 itineraries with 129 departures visiting more than 25 ports in these fabled islands. Ruby Princess will take over the line’s 10-day Eastern and Southern Caribbean itineraries, offering some of the less-visited ports in the region. Emerald Princess sails on the line’s Eastern Caribbean itinerary and Crown Princess will feature the Western Caribbean with an enhanced itinerary now featuring the lovely island of Roatan, Honduras. Caribbean Princess continues to sail on alternating seven-day Southern Caribbean sailings from San Juan. Grand Princess returns with an extensive 14-day Caribbean Collection route and Sea Princess will again sail on 14-day voyages from Barbados.

On the Pacific side, Princess again returns to its “south of the border” cruising roots with two ships - Sapphire Princess sailing on the classic seven-day Mexican Riviera route from Los Angeles and Star Princess cruising on 10-day voyages from San Francisco.

“The Caribbean and Mexican Riviera both offer the delightful sense of fun and make for a wonderful warm weather escape,” said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president. “And passengers will also be able to enjoy an array of fantastic ships on these routes, including Caribbean Princess and Star Princess with brand new piazza-style atriums and a number of new features.”

Princess’ Caribbean and Mexican Riviera itineraries for 2009-10 include:

Caribbean

Emerald Princess - Emerald Princess sails to the Eastern Caribbean, with roundtrip cruises from Ft. Lauderdale on Sundays. The itinerary features calls in line’s own Princess Cays, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Grand Turk. Emerald Princess offers 28 sailings between October 11, 2009 and May 2, 2010.

Crown Princess - Crown Princess takes over the line’s roundtrip seven-day sailings to the Western Caribbean from Ft. Lauderdale with an enhanced itinerary that now offers calls in Roatan. The ship will sail on 27 Saturday departures with stops at Grand Cayman, Roatan, Cozumel and Princess Cays. Crown Princess’ season will run from November 7, 2009 through May 8, 2010.

Caribbean Princess - Caribbean Princess sails from San Juan on two alternating seven-day itineraries. The Classic Southern Caribbean route features 14 sailings to the ports of St. Thomas, Tortola, Antigua, Barbados and St. Lucia, while 14 Southern Caribbean Explorer sailings travel to St. Thomas, Dominica, Grenada, Bonaire and Aruba. Cruises depart between November 1, 2009 and May 9, 2010. Caribbean Princess will also offer one eight-day Bermuda & Eastern Caribbean sailing from New York to San Juan calling at Bermuda, St. Kitts, Antigua and St. Thomas, departing October 24, 2009.

Ruby Princess - Ruby Princess offers a set of alternating 10-day sailings roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale - one to the Southern Caribbean and the other to the Eastern Caribbean. The Southern Caribbean Medley itinerary, offered on 10 sailings, includes calls at Princess Cays, St. Thomas, Dominica, Grenada, Bonaire and Aruba. The Eastern Caribbean Voyager itinerary, featured on nine sailings, offers calls at Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Kitts, St. Thomas and Princess Cays. Emerald Princess’ Caribbean season runs between October 25, 2009 and April 29, 2010.

Grand Princess - Grand Princess offers more time to explore the islands with a 14-day Caribbean Collection itinerary roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale. The ship sails to Grand Turk, La Romana, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, St. Vincent, Barbados, Trinidad, Curaçao and Aruba. Grand Princess offers nine departures between December 21, 2009 and April 23, 2010. The ship also offers a new 11-day Grand Southern Caribbean sailing on January 4, 2010, calling at Princess Cays, St. Thomas, Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Bonaire and Aruba.

Sea Princess - Sea Princess will offer a series of alternating 14-day Caribbean voyages from Barbados. Seven sailings of the Grand Caribbean Islander route feature calls at St. Lucia, Trinidad, Grenada, Bonaire, Curaçao, Montego Bay, Samaná, Tortola, St. Maarten, Antigua and Dominica. The ship will also offer seven sailings on a Grand Caribbean Adventurer itinerary that features stops at St. Vincent, Grenada, Bonaire, Aruba, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay, Samaná, Tortola, St. Kitts, Antigua and Dominica. To begin her season, Sea Princess offers a seven-day Southern Caribbean sailing from Ft. Lauderdale to Barbados featuring calls at Princess Cays, Tortola, St. Maarten, Antigua and St. Lucia. In spring the ship sails back to Ft. Lauderdale from Barbados with a six-day sailing to Grenada, Bonaire and Aruba. Sea Princess sails between October 10, 2009 and May 1, 2010.

Mexican Riviera

Sapphire Princess - Sapphire Princess will again set sail from the Port of Los Angeles on 32 departures to the sunny Mexican Riviera. This favorite seven-day roundtrip route takes in the prime ports of call of Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas. Sapphire Princess will depart on Saturdays between September 26, 2009 and May 1, 2010.

Star Princess - Star Princess will a offer a longer, 10-day roundrip Mexican Riviera voyage from San Francisco featuring calls at Acapulco, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. The ship will sail on two cruises on April 16 and 26, 2010.

Caribbean and Mexican Riviera cruises are available for booking on June 5, 2008. Escape Fares for seven-day sailings start at $599 per person, based on double occupancy. Past Princess passengers are eligible for up to $50 in Captain’s Circle Launch Savings on bookings made by December 31, 2008.

Panama Canal passengers marvel at this dramatic transit through the Canal’s locks, but often wish they could also explore the country’s natural beauty and culture. To give travelers more time in Panama, Princess Cruises is introducing a new “Two-day Canal Experience” on all 2009-10 Canal transits of 15 days or longer, featuring a second day in port so passengers can enjoy both the engineering wonder of the Canal and further discover the country.

This new double dose of Panama will be offered on 23 sailings on four ships. In addition, Princess will also offer two other favorite itineraries, with a shorter 10-day full-transit option and the convenient 10-day roundtrip voyage from Ft. Lauderdale featuring a partial transit to Gatun Lake - giving passengers three distinct options for visiting the Panama Canal. In total, the season will feature 44 Canal sailings, with calls at 20 ports in 10 countries.

The Two-day Canal Experience will feature the full Canal transit plus a day with the ship at anchor at Fuerte Amador, on the Canal’s Pacific side. Passengers can take advantage of this day to enjoy a variety of shore excursion options including the Panama Canal Railway, Panama City, Soberania National Park Rainforest or a visit to an authentic Embera Indian Village. The intimate Royal Princess’ 20-day sailing will also introduce a new port for Princess, Puerto Chiapas in Mexico, the gateway to the rich culture of the Mayan region featuring opportunities to explore coffee plantations and architectural landmarks.

“Panama is such a rich country with so much to see, and many passengers don’t get the opportunity to experience it because they naturally want to savor the marvel of engineering that is the Panama Canal,” said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president. “So we’re now offering the opportunity to do both - spend one day on the ship as it is lifted and lowered through all three sets of locks, plus have a day in port to venture further into Panama.”

Panama Canal Two-Day Experience - Coral Princess and Island Princess will feature 15 sailings on this 15-day Los Angeles/Ft. Lauderdale route, with the two-day Canal experience plus calls at Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Huatulco, Costa Rica (Puntarenas), Cartagena, and Aruba. In addition, Island Princess and Sea Princess will offer three similar sailings between San Francisco and Ft. Lauderdale. Royal Princess will offer one 20-day itinerary from Ft. Lauderdale to Seattle, offering the two-day Canal experience, plus calls at Aruba, Costa Rica (Puntarenas), new port Puerto Chiapas, Huatulco, Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, and San Francisco. Coral Princess and Island Princess also offer longer 17-, 18- and 19-day options, sailing to and from Vancouver. Coral Princess sailings depart between September 21, 2009 and April 21, 2010. Island Princess sailings depart on September 14, 2009 and April 29, 2010; and Sea Princess sailings depart September 25, 2009 and May 7, 2010. Royal Princess sails on April 30, 2010.

Full Transit Sailings - The 10-day Panama Canal Adventurer route between Ft. Lauderdale and Acapulco offers a full Canal transit plus a focus on Central America with visits to Costa Rica (Puntarenas), Nicaragua (San Juan del Sur) and Guatemala (Puerto Quetzal), as well as Ocho Rios and Huatulco. Island Princess offers eight sailings on this route, with departures between December 10, 2009 and March 20, 2010.

Roundtrip Panama Canal - Island Princess will sail on this classic 10-day itinerary from Ft. Lauderdale, which offers a partial Panama Canal transit to Gatun Lake followed by a call in Cristobal, plus calls in the Caribbean ports of Aruba, Cartagena, Limon (Costa Rica), and Ocho Rios. The ship offers 13 departures between October 1, 2009 and April 19, 2010.

Panama Canal cruises are available for booking on May 22, 2008. Escape Fares for 10-day sailings start at $1,199 per person, based on double occupancy. Past Princess passengers are eligible for up to $50 in Captain’s Circle Launch Savings on bookings made by December 31, 2008. For more information contact PrincessCruiseDeals.com: 800-925-8572

Anchorage is an intriguing blend of wilderness and sophistication, with enough sightseeing to keep you busy for months. Below are a few of the highlights. Be sure to check the walking tour and drives north and south for more ideas.

Wcities Destination Guide & Mobile Device Download | See Sailings Departing Anchorage

General Attractions

Alaska Botanical Garden- Take Tudor Rd. east to Campbell Airstrip Rd., park in the Save II School parking lot. An interpretive nature trail introduces you to two gardens of Alaska vegetation in phase one of a five-phase project to develop comprehensive botanical gardens. Development began in 1991 through an entirely volunteer effort. The gardens are continually being expanded and will feature vegetation from Alaska and areas with similar climates throughout the world.

Chester Creek Sports Complex- on 16th Ave. between A St. and Old Seward Hwy. Includes the George M. Sullivan Arena with seating for 7,000 for hockey, rodeo, concerts, fairs and other events (call event hotline at 279-2596); the adjacent Ben Boeke Ice Arena; an outdoor rink and speed oval; the Anchorage Football Stadium and the Mulcahy Stadium. The complex borders the 300-acre/120 hectare Chester Creek Greenbelt with trails for hiking, biking and groomed Nordic ski trails.

Elmendorf State Hatchery- Corner of Reeve Blvd. and Post Rd. A visitor viewing area is located within the compound. The best time for viewing coho salmon is October. Hatchery is open year-round. Call 274-0065 for hours.

Lake Hood Air Harbor- Lake Northern Lights Blvd. west to Aircraft Dr. and follow it around Lake Hood. Lake Hood and Lake Spenard form the world’s largest and busiest floatplane harbor, a popular starting point for flightseeing trips by float- or ski-equipped planes. Portage Glacier. One of Alaska’s most visited attractions, the Portage Glacier area features the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center with displays and a film that explains glaciers and the history of the area. (See the Anchorage South Driving Tour for more information.)

Westchester Lagoon Overlook- Take L St. south to Hillcrest Dr. exit and turn right for a panoramic view of joggers and bikers during the fall or skating and Nordic skiing in the winter with the Anchorage skyline as backdrop. Great photo stop.

Library Z.J. Loussac Public Library- 36th Ave. and Denali St. An architectural mix of shapes and forms sitting on 17 acres/6.8 hectares. Winter ice fountain on building’s south side was designed by Carl Nesjar. Bronze sculpture of William Seward, secretary of state who negotiated the purchase of Alaska, welcomes you at top of stairs. Inside, library features a large Alaskana section plus Anchorage Assembly’s meeting chambers and the Wilda Marston auditorium. Art work includes bronze mural “Alaska’s Five Governors” and paintings by Alaska artists Sydney Laurence and Eustace Ziegler. The library was named for Anchorage merchant who set up a foundation to build a new library in the early 1950s. Open Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Starting Sept. 12, also open on Sun. 1-5 p.m. Phone: 261-2846.

Museums

Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum- 4721 Aircraft Dr., on the south shore of Lake Hood. Presents the state’s unique aviation history. Museum features 21 vintage aircraft, a 60-seat theater that regularly shows short films, observation deck and special exhibits such as the Alaskan military aviation gallery. Through Oct. 1 open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Winter hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Closed mid-March through April. Phone: 248-5325. Alaska Heritage Library-Museum, corner of C St. and Northern Lights Blvd. Features

Alaska Native culture- Native baskets and artifacts, paintings from Alaska artists such as Sidney Laurence, photos and rare books are among the items displayed year-round. Open noon-4 p.m., Mon.-Fri. Phone: 265-2834.

Anchorage Museum of History & Art- 121 W. 7th Ave. (See “Downtown Anchorage” for description.) Phone: 343-4326. Elmendorf Air Force Base Wildlife Museum. Visitors can see mounted wildlife displays and hands-on exhibits year-round. Look for the 10 ft. 6 in./3.2 meter brown bear exhibit, which misses the world record by 1/8 inch/38 mm! Building 4- 803 (near commissary). Open year-round noon-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Phone: 552- 2282.

Fort Richardson Alaskan Fish and Wildlife Center- Rm. 114, Bldg. 600. Displays mounted Alaska fish and game. Open year-round. Hours 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; Phone: 384-0431.

Oscar Anderson House/Elderberry Park- 420 M St. Anchorage’s first wood-frame house, built in 1915. (See “Downtown Anchorage” page XX for description) Reeve Aviation Picture Museum, 343 W. 6th Ave. (See “Downtown Anchorage” for description.) Phone: 272- 9426.

Municipal Parks

Anchorage is packed with neighborhood parks that are great for a quiet walk or cross-country skiing just minutes from your hotel. See “Anchorage Skiing” section page XX for detailed information on cross-country skiing trails. Below are some of the larger parks that offer activities. Call 343-4474 for more information.

Centennial Park- off Muldoon Rd. on Boundary Rd. This 70- acre/28 hectare park, developed during the 1967 Centennial celebration of Alaska’s purchase from Russia, has 83 camp sites, some for RV, through fall. Restrooms, hot showers, cross-country skiing trails plus sledding hill. Phone: 248-4346.

Delaney Park- Known locally as the “Park Strip,” runs east/west from A to P streets, north and south between 9th and 10th avenues. (See “Downtown Anchorage” section page XX for description.)

Earthquake Park- W. Northern Lights Blvd. Interpretive display shows the results of Anchorage’s 1964 Good Friday Earthquake and explains the area’s geology, flora and fauna. At 9.2 on the Richter scale, the most powerful tremor ever felt in North America, the quake leveled a number of area neighborhoods. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail runs through the lower area of the park and offers fine views of Cook Inlet.

Far North Bicentennial Park- South of Tudor Rd. near Muldoon Rd. Covers 4,030 acres/1,612 hectares of forest and muskeg in east central Anchorage. Features more than 20 miles/32 km of trails for hiking. During winter these trails are used for dog mushing.

Goose Lake- Corner of E. Northern Lights Blvd. and Providence Dr. Miles of bike/walking/cross-country skiing trails that connect with University of Alaska Anchorage’s trails. Activities include picnic area, playground and ice skating. World Championship Sled Dog Race during Fur Rendezvous follows trail bordering lake.

Hillside Park- On Abbott Rd. Features scenic mountain views and wildlife photo opportunities on 420 acres/168 hectares of wooded land. Offers miles of cross-country skiing, including a lighted trail, plus the Hilltop Ski Area for downhill skiing and the Karl Eid Ski Jump with three jumps.

Point Campbell/Kincaid Park- Minnesota Rd. south to Raspberry Rd. Go west into park. This 1,400 acres/560 hectares of mostly wilderness has hiking/cross-country skiing trails, some lighted for night skiing. Great wildlife viewing. A heated chalet offers panoramic views of Mount Susitna and Mount McKinley. Center open Mon.-Fri. 1-9 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Phone: 248-4346. Russian Jack Springs Park. East on Debarr Rd. to entrance near Boniface Pkwy. These 300 acres/120 hectares offer golf links summer through fall and miles of hiking/ cross- country ski trails, including lighted trails, a novice downhill ski hill and heated chalet. Call Chalet at 333-8338. Municipal greenhouse at park entrance features a tropical plant display, exotic birds and tropical fish. Open to the public year-round, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Phone: 333-8610. Free admission.

Ship Creek Salmon Overlook & Waterfowl Nesting Area- Off Whitney Rd. Watch for spawning salmon swimming upstream June through September; wild geese and ducks live in the warming ponds year- round. Ship Creek is the historical site of Dena’ina Indian fish camps. Later, miners and trappers used trails through this area on their way to Interior Alaska.

Westchester Lagoon Waterfowl Sanctuary- 19th Ave. and Spenard Rd. Year-round home to a variety of waterfowl. Offers a half-mile/.8 km marked nature trail.

Parks, State & Federal

For a complete rundown on what to see and do in Anchorage-area state and federal parks, contact the Alaska Public Lands Information Center, 605 4th Ave. Phone: 271-2737.

Chugach State Park- One of the nation’s largest parks, with 495,000 acres/198,000 hectares, Chugach State Park surrounds the Anchorage bowl on the east and south. Sculpted by glaciers into a land of sharp peaks, attractive lakes and broad valleys, the park offers wilderness experiences including hiking, fishing and camping in the spring, summer and fall. The park has three campgrounds, ranging in size from 36 to 17 spaces, and five picnic sites. The park is home to a variety of wildlife including moose, bear, Dall sheep, mountain goats, wolves, lynx and bald eagles.

Chugach National Forest- The nation’s second-largest national forest and one of the oldest. Established in 1907, Chugach encompasses 5.6 million acres/2.24 million hectares and 200 miles/322 km of maintained hiking trails starting south of Anchorage and stretching into the Kenai Peninsula and to Prince William Sound. A mixture of mountains, glaciers, wetlands and tumbling streams, Chugach contains some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. The most northerly and westerly of all national forests, Chugach is considered the most diverse of all 155 national forests. Highlights include: Portage Glacier, the most visited recreational area in Alaska; Columbia Glacier, one of the largest tidewater glaciers in the world; and the Copper River Delta, one of the world’s greatest birding areas. Within the Chugach National Forest are 15 campgrounds and 43 recreational cabins for rent. For cabin rental call Alaska Public Lands Information Center at 271-2737. The forest is accessible by road from Anchorage and by boat or small plane from Seward, Cordova, Valdez and Whittier. Call U.S. Forest Service at 271- 2500.

Onboard, celebrate the New Year Princess-style while champagne flows and snow falls in the atrium. Tempt your taste buds with festive feasts of roast turkey or goose, gingerbread mousse and delicious chocolate Yule logs. Grab the kids for a unique gingerbread house-building challenge, or catch a classic holiday film. And enjoy spectacular entertainment nightly – including special variety shows, comedy acts and charming musicals.

Every day’s a holiday when you escape completely with Princess. Offer expires June 15, 2008.

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