princess cruise hits dock

Princess cruise ship hits dock in San Francisco

A Princess Cruises ship hit a dock at Pier 27 in San Francisco Thursday morning.

The line’s Ruby Princess vessel “made unexpected contact” with the dock at 6:05 a.m. local time on arrival at the Port of San Francisco, a Princess spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

“There were no injuries and at no time were any guests or crew in danger,” the spokesperson said. “The ship is safely alongside and disembarkation is complete.” The ship was returning from a round-trip sailing to Alaska that departed on June 26, according to CruiseMapper .

"I noticed we were spinning pretty quick, to be that close to the dock, and I was mid-ship, portside, looked out the window and we smacked into the dock," passenger Paul Zasso told the Bay Area’s ABC7 News .

Cruise insurance: Should you buy it through a cruise line? Maybe not, experts say

The Princess spokesperson said an assessment of the damage to the vessel and pier were underway. While the departure time of its next voyage “is still being determined,” embarkation began at 11:30 a.m. local time.

The incident is not the only one of its kind in recent years. MSC Cruises’ MSC Opera ship hit a dock and tourist river boat in Venice, Italy in 2019 and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Epic crashed into a dock in San Juan, Puerto Rico earlier that year.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

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Ruby Princess leaves SF for Alaska 4 days after crash at Pier 27, nearly 600 passengers fewer

The ship has been sitting at Pier 27 in San Francisco since colliding with the dock Thursday morning.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- After colliding with the dock and sitting at Pier 27 in San Francisco since Thursday, the Ruby Princess cruise ship finally embarked on its journey to Alaska.

The U.S. Coast Guard announced Sunday morning repairs to the Ruby Princess have been completed and the cruise ship is "free to depart" for Alaska.

The coast guard said it lifted the Captain of the Port order at 1 a.m. Sunday.

Now, the cruise line said it was expected to depart the Bay Area at 2:30 p.m. Our ABC7 cameras saw the Princess ship move around 3:40 p.m.

Passengers had until 11 a.m. to decide whether they will stay on the ship to to continue the trip or leave.

Cruise passenger Anita Lawhon from Reno captured the moment the Ruby Princess finally set sail from San Francisco Sunday afternoon, she thought her "bon voyage" would never happen.

"Who would've thought we'd be sitting here in San Francisco for four days? I'm so excited go out toward the Golden Gate for the first time in my life, exciting," said Lawhon.

The ship's captain told passengers the green light was given overnight to sail.

"Actually, I just walked down because I wanted to see the state of repairs and was pleasantly surprised it looks great to me," said passenger Alexandra Shannon.

In a statement, the cruise line said, "Princess Cruises can confirm that repairs on Ruby Princess have been completed, and following inspection and certification by the United States Coast Guard the ship is safe and fit to sail."

"I got off the ship I decided to take the deal they offered," said Simon from Rio Vista, who declined to give his last name.

Ruby Princess had 3,256 guests and 1,161 crew onboard. Now, they are departing with 2,677 guests and 1,161 crew onboard. A difference of 579 passengers.

The delayed 10-day sailing will now be a 7-day cruise returning to San Francisco on Sunday, July 16.

RELATED: 'Go with the flow': Ruby Princess passengers anxious to leave as ship repairs continue

"The Ruby Princess is about 950 feet long and about 115,000-tons," Captain Allan Post with the Texas A &M Maritime Academy pointed out. "With that much weight and that much sail area, the vessel is affected by wind, by current, and by the technical abilities of its design," he said on Friday as repairs were being made.

On Friday, ABC7 saw crews from the Port of San Francisco and Coast Guard inspecting the hole in the vessel and repairs which have been done so far.

"Our main concern is the vessel able to transport passengers and operate safety," said U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Levi Read on Friday.

Passengers who boarded the ship Thursday have been asked to stay on board and not come ashore. Originally, there were 3,256 guests and 1,161 crew onboard as the ship remains docked at Pier 27.

Princess Cruises says guests who elect to cancel their cruise will receive a 100% refund of their cruise fare, post-cruise hotel packages and transfers booked through Princess, prepaid shore excursions and other prepaid items and taxes, fees and port expenses. Each guest will also receive a 50% Future Cruise Credit of the cruise fare paid on this voyage, which may be applied to any future Princess cruise that is booked by February 1, 2024 and sails by February 1, 2025. They may remain onboard until 1100 local time on Sunday, July 9 to better assist with alternative plans they may be making.

Guests who continue with their Princess vacation will receive a 75% refund of the cruise fare paid as well as unused pre-paid shore excursions booked through Princess and the refundable portion of the taxes, fees and port expenses for the missed ports. Each guest will also receive a 75% Future Cruise Credit equal to the cruise fare paid on this voyage, which may be applied to any future Princess cruise that is booked by February 1, 2024 and sails by February 1, 2025.

VIDEO: Cruise ship hits iceberg in Alaska, returns to Seattle for repairs

Investigation into the bar pilot

We learned more about the Ruby Princess pilot. In some ways, this is an elite group. There aren't many bar pilots, 52 at the moment with four trainees in the pipeline according to the Board of Pilot Commissioners Executive Director.

The investigation into what went wrong with the Ruby Princess during docking at San Francisco's Pier 27 Thursday morning is in the early fact-finding phase.

"It appears the port quarter of the Ruby Princess made contact with Pier 27," said U.S. Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander William Williams.

The Coast Guard which is assisting in the investigation says the pilot is being drug and alcohol tested which is standard in a serious marine incident.

"The Coast Guard has sent two teams, an investigations team and an inspection port state control team to the vessel and will be conducting those inspections and investigations," said Williams.

The San Francisco Bar Pilots are responsible for safely navigating ships they board over the offshore sand bar to docks throughout the Bay Area.

A Spokesperson working with the San Francisco Bar Pilots told ABC7 News on Thursday, "We can confirm a pilot was involved in a hard landing at Pier 27 this morning. We are cooperating with all necessary agencies in looking into this matter and cannot comment further."

The Board of Pilot Commissioners tells ABC7 News the pilot is on the Pilot Evaluation Committee which is responsible for trainees and that anyone on that committee would have to be a pilot more than 10 years.

The investigation is now in the hands of the U.S. Coast Guard and other federal agencies who were notified about the early morning incident.

ABC7 News reporters Tim Johns, Suzanne Phan, Melanie Woodrow, Amanda del Castillo and Cornell Barnard contributed to this report.

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live

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Cruise ship still docked in San Francisco after hitting pier

Ruby Princess' estimated departure is now Sunday, according to officials.

The Ruby Princess cruise ship that startled sleeping San Francisco residents Thursday morning when it collided with a pier while docking won't likely depart until Sunday, officials said.

"Repairs are underway and our technical experts estimate that repairs are likely to take upwards of 24 hours," said Princess Cruises on Friday, giving an estimated departure time of Sunday at 4 p.m. PT.

The ship was returning from a 10-day cruise to Alaska, which had 3,328 guests and 1,159 crew members on board, none of whom were injured and all safely deboarded, according to Princess Cruises.

The damage done to the vessel did not slow down new passengers from boarding at 4 p.m. PT, set to embark on the next 10-day cruise. As of Friday afternoon, 4 p.m. locally, the ship was still docked, according to a live shot from ABC affiliate KGO.

Following an inspection from the U.S. Coast Guard, Ruby Princess will be cleared to sail once all damage from Thursday has been fully repaired, according to the cruise line.

According to the cruise line, there are over 3,000 guests currently boarded, who are being given the option to cancel and receive "a 100% refund of their cruise fare, post-cruise hotel packages and transfers booked through Princess, prepaid shore excursions and other prepaid items and taxes, fees and port expenses."

While also being given a 50% voucher for a future cruise, guests are being given the option to decide by Sunday at 11 a.m. PT, and in the meantime, they are free to come and go from the cruise ship to explore San Francisco.

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Guests who do decide to stay aboard and embark on a now 7-day journey to Alaska, will receive a partial refund of 75%.

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The collision was so loud, residents told KGO that they could hear the impact and they were awoken by the sounds of the crew scrambling.

MORE: 2 firefighters die while battling blaze aboard ship in New Jersey

Witnesses said the dock took the brunt of the damage from the crash.

The Coast Guard is investigating the incident, according to police. A spokesperson for the San Francisco Bar Pilots group told ABC News in a statement that it is cooperating with the investigation.

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U.S. Coast Guard investigating San Francisco cruise ship crash

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The Princess Cruises ship that collided with a dock at San Francisco's Pier 27 Thursday morning is under investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard.

“We have members of our investigations and inspections teams at the scene looking at the damage,” Lt. Junior Grade Benjamin Wathen said. “We’re trying to get a road map of what we’re dealing with here.”

The ship’s “port quarter,” which stretches from the front left side toward the back, was damaged in the early morning incident, Wathen said.

Princess Cruises and Port of San Francisco officials were also assessing damage after the 951-foot cruise ship, called the Ruby Princess, tore its hull against a pier.

A Princess Cruises spokesperson said in a statement that the ship made "unexpected contact" with the Pier 27 dock near Lombard Street and the Embarcadero at 6:05 a.m.

No passengers were hurt, and all of the 3,328 passengers and 1,159 crew members have been removed from the ship without incident, the spokesperson said.

The ship was returning to San Francisco after leaving the city on a 10-day round-trip cruise to Alaska. A new round of passengers boarded the ship around 11:30 a.m. for another Alaskan trip scheduled to depart at 4 p.m., but a specific time of departure was “still being determined," the statement said. 

A spokesperson for the San Francisco Bar Pilots said a pilot was involved in the crash. 

“We are cooperating with all necessary agencies in looking into this matter and cannot comment further,” the spokesperson said.

The Port of San Francisco did not respond to an interview request by press time.A National Weather Service forecast for San Francisco coastal waters had called for mixed seas of 2 to 3 feet in deep-water channels and 4 to 5 feet at the bar, with a maximum ebb current of 3.7 knots at 6:37 a.m.

Kimberly and Henry Varela—first-time cruisegoers who were waiting to board the ship for their trip to Alaska—heard the details about the incident through media gathering at the scene.

“I’m not worried about it too much,” Henry said. “It’s a big ship. If it wasn’t safe to go on they wouldn’t be letting us get onboard.”

Richard Varay—who was boarding the Ruby Princess with his wife and son—said the damage troubled him, but he was not “overly concerned.”

“It didn’t look like a big integrity breach. It looked more like a fender bender,” Varay said. “We’ve waited over a year for this. It’s a first for us.”

Joel Umanzor can be reached at [email protected] George Kelly can be reached at [email protected]

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Princess Cruises ship hits San Francisco pier while docking

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Officials are assessing damage after a cruise ship crashed into Pier 27 in San Francisco while docking Thursday morning.

The ship Ruby Princess “made unexpected contact” with the pier just after 6 a.m., a spokesperson for Princess Cruises said. No injuries were reported, and the cruise line said passengers and crew were not in danger during the incident.

News images showed damage to the side of the ship.

The Ruby Princess had just returned from a 10-day voyage to Alaska with 3,328 guests and 1,159 crew members. The ship departed San Francisco on June 26.

Princess Cruises said the departure time for the next trip to Alaska was uncertain, but passengers began boarding the ship at 11:30 a.m..

Officials said they would provide more details later.

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Cruise ship Ruby Princess strikes dock on arrival at San Francisco pier

By Betty Yu

Updated on: July 6, 2023 / 7:34 PM PDT / CBS San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO -- Crews are assessing the damage to a Princess cruise ship in San Francisco after the ship struck the dock upon arrival Thursday morning.

Princess Cruises confirmed in a statement to KPIX that the Ruby Princess cruise ship "made unexpected contact with the dock at Pier 27."

UPDATE:   Ruby Princess set to depart San Francisco after repairing Pier 27 collision damage

The incident happened at 6:05 a.m. There were no injuries and Princess Cruises said no guests or crew were in danger. The ship eventually docked safely and passengers were able to disembark.

UPDATE: Ruby Princess remains docked in San Francisco after collision with pier 

There was no immediate word on what caused the collision.

The damage could be seen from Chopper 5, and on the ground, passengers embarking on the Ruby Princess' next 10-day trip to Alaska got an up-close look.

"I was certainly thinking about how the Titanic's been in the news lately and so all of a sudden, I didn't know anything about this until she told me, the next person in line, and I'm thinking there's a hole in the boat? it feels a little iffy," said Maryann Will.

But Will, a resident of Monterey, still got in line with about 3,300 other passengers to board the Ruby Princess. The process began at 11:30 am.

"I've come all this way and was planning for three years so here we are," she said. "We planned once and then the COVID..."

There were no injuries and Princess Cruises said no guests or crew were in any danger. An assessment of the damage to both the ship and the pier was underway.

"I just happened to see it on the news from my hotel room, I was waiting to check out," said Ann Portillo from Scottsdale, Arizona. "I'm sure they know what's best, I have been on many cruises and I don't see this as being a huge issue, it didn't look that bad."

The collision didn't dull the excitement for some passengers like Rence Dimalanta.

"It's my first cruise so I'm still excited about it," he said.

"I just hope it's safe because of what happened this morning, I'm sure they wouldn't let everybody get on the boat unless it was safe," said Debbie McIntosh.

"As long as the lifeboats work," Mike McIntosh said as he laughed.

The San Francisco Bar Pilots spokesperson said in a statement to KPIX 5:

"We can confirm a pilot was involved in an incident at Pier 27 this morning. We are cooperating with all necessary agencies in looking into this matter and cannot comment further."

"I guess I'm willing to accept that they wouldn't be getting all these people on a boat if they had concerns is my hope," added Will.

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Betty Yu joined KPIX 5 in November 2013 as a general assignment reporter. She spent two years at WTVJ, the NBC-owned station in Miami, as a reporter before moving to San Francisco.

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Cruise ship that hit San Francisco dock sets sail

Princess cruises has offered passengers who decide to go home a full refund of their cruise fare, and a 75% fare refund to passengers who continue on the cruise, by nbc bay area staff and alyssa goard • published july 9, 2023 • updated on july 9, 2023 at 9:36 pm.

The Ruby Princess, a cruise ship that hit a dock at San Francisco’s Pier 27 Thursday morning , departed from the city at around 3:40 p.m. Sunday. Passengers waved and cheered as the ship departed from the pier.

This comes after the ship was cleared to set sail by the U.S. Coast Guard early Sunday morning. 

Chief Petty Officer Levi Read, a public affairs specialist with the Coast Guard, told NBC Bay Area the ship was given a go-ahead around 1 a.m. after a final inspection of repairs.

Cruise ship that hit San Francisco dock remains in port, waits for clearance to sail

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Crews have been working to repair the hull since the ship “made unexpected contact” with a dock Thursday while docking. No one was hurt, according to the Princess Cruises company. 

Ruby Princess was originally supposed to depart for Alaska on Thursday afternoon.

In a statement released on Friday , the company announced the ship, once underway, would sail a modified route of a 7-day Pacific Northwest/Alaska voyage before heading back to San Francisco on July 16, as originally scheduled. 

The company also offered the roughly 3,300 passengers a full fare refund if they decided not to continue with the cruise, or a 75% fare refund if they continue on the shortened trip. According to Princess Cruises' statements Sunday, 2,677 guests opted to go on the cruise despite the schedule change.

Some loved ones of passengers showed up Sunday to watch the ship depart.

One mother of a passenger, who didn't want to be named explained, “I wanna make sure that I saw the ship, that it's really fixed.” 

She said she was satisfied to see the hole repaired with only a dent to the hull visible.

Jonathan Canio of New York said he and his family opted to go on the cruise because they all wanted quality time together.

Canio said his family is, “still gonna make the most of it, it will be fun going out there and enjoying a cruise.” 

Other passengers decided they didn't want to travel on this modified voyage.

"I am really frustrated right now because I have to go home, it's not worth it staying in Alaska for a day," explained one passenger who opted not to go on the cruise.

Alicia O'Donnell, a Pennsylvania resident, explained that her family booked this trip two years ago as a chance to bring everyone together. However, her family decided not to go on the cruise after seeing the damage to the ship.

"When we arrived at the Pier during our scheduled boarding time, the damage was visibly significant," O'Donnell said. "With no additional information or any reassurance from Princess, we decided we were not willing to take that risk and did not board the ship. Princess at that time did not communicate that they still needed inspection and approval from the U.S. Coast Guard."

O'Donnell said that while Princess promised her family a full refund, they haven't received any details about when that will happen.

The company released the following statement Sunday:

"Princess Cruises can confirm that repairs on Ruby Princess have been completed, and following inspection and certification by the United States Coast Guard, the ship is safe and fit to sail. With the certification, Ruby Princess is expected to depart the Port of San Francisco on Sunday at 2:30pm PT for a 7-day Pacific Northwest/Alaska voyage, and will visit Ketchikan on July 12 and Prince Rupert on July 13, returning to San Francisco on July 16 for disembarkation as originally scheduled. Ruby Princess now has 2677 guests and 1161 crew onboard."

#Developing Anchors Aweigh! The Cruise Ship Ruby Princess is finally leaving SF after repairs are completed. Last week the ship hit the pier while docking. @nbcbayarea https://t.co/qRerDfbK3v pic.twitter.com/R2nNm1hFq0 — John Zuchelli (@tvzuke) July 9, 2023

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Crashes and disasters | cal poly humboldt closes campus for rest of semester over gaza protests, crime and public safety, crashes and disasters, crashes and disasters | ‘we were spinning pretty quick’: ruby princess cruise ship crashes into san francisco pier.

A Princess Cruises ship crashed into a pier in San Francisco as it was preparing to dock after a 10-day Alaskan cruise, officials said.

The 113,561-ton Ruby Princess “made unexpected contact with the dock at Pier 27” at the port of San Francisco Thursday morning, Princess Cruises said in a statement obtained by CNN.

“There were no injuries and at no time were any guests or crew in danger,” the company said. “The ship is safely alongside and disembarkation is complete.”

Passenger Paul Zasso said he knew something seemed off as the ship approached the pier.

“I noticed we were spinning pretty quick, to be that close to the dock,” Zasso told CNN affiliate KGO . “I was mid-ship, portside, looked out the window, and we smacked into the dock.”

The US Coast Guard is now investigating the crash, Petty Officer Hunter Schnabel told CNN.

The ship, which can accommodate 3,080 guests and 1,200 crew , suffered damage to its left rear side. The dock was also damaged, Princess Cruises said.

While investigators assessed damage to both the ship and the pier, Princess Cruises said it was still planning to board passengers for another 10-day, roundtrip journey to Alaska. But it was not immediately clear when the Ruby Princess would be able to start its next voyage.

“I don’t swim that good. I just think they patch it up,” Simpson told KGO .

But he said he’s not worried.

“It’s a 10-day cruise, there’s plenty of time,” he told the affiliate. “We can make up time moving and things like that. So I don’t think it’s going to be an issue.”

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Breaking news, princess cruises ship carrying more than 3,000 guests makes ‘unexpected contact’ with san francisco dock: ‘spinning pretty quick’.

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A Princess Cruises ship carrying nearly 4,500 people smashed into a San Francisco pier Thursday while the crew was attempting to dock.

The Ruby Princess “made unexpected contact” with Pier 27 just after 6 a.m. while returning from a 10-day roundtrip cruise to Alaska, the cruise line said in a statement.

There were no reported injuries among the 3,328 guests and 1,159 crew members who were on board the ship.

“I noticed we were spinning pretty quick, to be that close to the dock, and I was mid-ship, portside, looked out the window and we smacked into the dock,” Sacramento resident and passenger Paul Zasso told ABC7 News.

Another passenger said the effects of the crash were minimal, but that “you could definitely feel it.

“It wasn’t like things falling off the shelves or anything like that, kind of like when you get the tugboats coming up against us. So yeah … it was different,” Jeremy Jordan said.

“It was so funny, because one of the dock guys, you can hear him yell out like ‘whoa’ and then you can kind of hear it just slowly going in.

“It’s ironic, because I think it was yesterday the captain was talking about how he goes into docks and how unpredictable the currents are. So yeah, it’s a challenge for them to be able to do that.”

A Princess Cruises spokesperson said the 18-deck liner was left with a dent in its port side rear, and photos show that large, black circular smudges were etched along its port side.

The pier appears to have borne the brunt of the crash — some of the metal spokes that help stabilize the orange buoys against the cruise’s side have been ripped from their stations.

The San Francisco Port could not immediately say how severe the damage along the pier was.

The extent of the boat’s damage has yet to be determined and could delay an upcoming Ruby Princess voyage to Alaska.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but at the time of the crash, the liner was under the partial control of a San Francisco Bar Pilot, a spokesperson for the organization confirmed.

The pilots are mariners who help large ships navigate the 11-mile stretch between the San Francisco Bay opening and their final destination at the pier.

A spokesperson for the San Francisco Bar Pilots said the organization is cooperating with the investigation, but could not comment beyond their involvement.

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'smacked into the dock': cruise ship hits pier while arriving in sf.

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A Princess Cruises ship docking in San Francisco on Thursday morning knocked Pier 27, damaging both the boat’s hull and the city’s cruise ship terminal, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

Princess Cruises reported no injuries and said in a statement, “At no time were any guests or crew in danger.”

Lt. Jr. Grade Ben Wathen said the ship’s left backside struck the pier, but he could not provide specific details on the extent of the damage to the boat or the dock.

“The investigation is still ongoing,” Wathen said. “There will be extensive surveys.”

Princess Cruises said the ship was arriving in the city after a 10-day Alaska cruise when the collision occurred.

“The ship is safely alongside and disembarkation is complete,” the cruise line said.

The ship had 3,328 guests on board, with 1,159 crew members, ABC 7 News (KGO-TV) reported.

“I noticed we were spinning pretty quick, to be that close to the dock, and I was mid-ship, portside, looked out the window and we smacked into the dock,” Sacramento resident and passenger Paul Zasso told the TV station.

A Ruby Princess cruise that crashed into a San Francisco pier caused delays for thousands of passengers set to sail to Alaska

• A 113,000-ton cruise ship collided with a dock in San Francisco on Thursday. 
• The crash resulted in a hole in the ship's left side and delays for passengers on the next trip.
• One passenger said the ship was "spinning" as it approached the dock before the collision.

A passenger who watched the Ruby Princess cruise crash into a San Francisco pier on Thursday said the ship was "spinning pretty quick" as it approached the dock.

The cruise ship, one of over a dozen sailing under Princess Cruises, had been returning from a 10-day cruise from Alaska when it collided with Pier 27 in San Francisco. The crash resulted in a hole in the ship's left side as well as damage to the dock, local station KGO reported.

No injuries were reported, and guests and crew on board were not in danger during the "unexpected contact with the dock," Princess Cruises said in a statement to Insider.

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Officials with the US Coast Guard told the San Francisco Chronicle that as of Thursday, they would be investigating the crash. Coast Guard Petty Officer Levi Read told KGO that the concern was whether or not the ship could "transport passengers and operate safety."

One passenger, Paul Zasso, told the outlet that the ship had been "spinning" and that he had caught the crash as he looked out the window.

At least one video online posted to YouTube by user Christine Calara shows the rear of the ship scraping against the port as a loud creaking noise is heard.

Crews managed to weld the hole shut by Friday morning, and Princess Cruises said repairs would likely "take upwards of 24 hours."

For the new set of passengers supposed to set sail on Thursday, the ship will now depart on Sunday evening, shortening the 10-day trip into a 7-day sail to Alaska and back, according to the statement from Princess Cruises. In an updated statement sent to Insider on Sunday, Princess Cruises confirmed that "repairs on Ruby Princess have been completed, and following inspection and certification by the United States Coast Guard, the ship is safe and fit to sail." There are currently 2,677 guests on board, down from 3,328 guests on Thursday, per the statement.

"Guests will be free to come and go from the ship while alongside in San Francisco beginning this afternoon. Princess has considered all possible alternatives and has selected this itinerary to preserve as much of our guests' precious vacation time as possible," the statement read. "We deeply regret the disappointment the delays have caused and appreciate our guests' understanding as we manage this unexpected situation."

Guests who decide to take the shorter cruise will receive a 75% refund, as well as an equal amount of credit for a future cruise, per the statement. 

The Ruby Princess ship , built to carry over 3,000 passengers and 1,200 crew members , is 950 feet long and weighs over 113,00 tons , according to Princess Cruises.

The US Coast Guard did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Update: July 9, 2023 — This story was updated with a new statement from Princess Cruises confirming that the repairs on the Ruby Princess have been completed as of Sunday afternoon. 

Watch: The rise and fall of the cruise industry

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Cruise ship smacks into San Francisco's Pier 27, thousands on board

Cruise ship smacks into san franciscos pier 27, thousands on board.

Thousands of travelers were on a cruise ship early Thursday morning that smacked into San Franciscos Pier 27, causing a gash in its underside, said Princess Cruises.

SAN FRANCISCO - A cruise ship remains docked in San Francisco after it smashed into a pier Thursday morning. 

A spokesperson with Princess Cruises tells KTVU they are awaiting clearance from the U.S. Coast Guard to see if the ship is deemed fit to sail. As of 9:40 p.m., no departure timeframe was confirmed. 

Thousands of travelers were on the cruise ship early Thursday morning when it smacked into San Francisco's Pier 27, causing a gash in its underside, a Princess Cruises spokesperson said. 

Despite the "unexpected contact," Princess Cruises spokeswoman Briana Latter said in a statement that there were no injuries to passengers or crew members.

The cruise ship was sailing with 3,328 guests and 1,159 crew members when it collided with the pier at 6:05 a.m., she said. Travelers were allowed to get off the ship, as scheduled, at 11:30 a.m.

Most passengers said they didn't know about the collision. Some felt the jolt, but did not know anything was amiss. 

"We had gotten up and we were in our stateroom and I just felt a bump and thought, ‘here we are,’" said Melinda Van Nort, a passenger on the Ruby Princess. "Just felt like a little nudge that we'd run into something."

A dent in the port side rear is visible, and Latter said officials are currently assessing other damage to both the ship and the pier.

Cruise ship damaged after hitting Pier 27

Thousands of travelers were on a cruise ship early Thursday morning that smacked into San Franciscos Pier 27, said Princess Cruises.

Photos shared by Paul Zasso showed that there were some black, circular smudges on the bottom of the white ship.

The U.S. Coast Guard is running two parallel investigations – one into how the collision occurred, and another to make sure the ship was safe to set sail. The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed it is also investigating the incident. 

The San Francisco Bar Pilots confirmed that the ship was under the command of a bar pilot at the time of the collision. They said they are cooperating with all necessary agencies looking into the matter. 

Latter said the cruise line is working with the Coast Guard to get clearance to sail to Alaska for another scheduled trip.

"We are keeping our Ruby Princess guests up to date with the latest information as we receive it," she said.

Latter said the cruise line's technical experts and shoreside team will continue working on the situation. 

Crews spent the day restocking the ship. Some passengers felt confident the ship is seaworthy. 

"I saw the picture of the damage," said Thang Le. "It looks to me like it's OK. Get a good welder, maybe an hour or two."

Latter said the cruise line will provide a "goodwill gesture of compensation" once they know more about how passengers are affected by the change of schedule. 

The ship had just completed its 10-day journey to Alaska, which left San Francisco on June 26.

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Update: Cruise Ship Hits Dock, Not Sailing Until Sunday

Doug Parker

• July 7, 2023

(Updated July 7, at 8:00 PM ET) — Guests on Ruby Princess aren’t going anywhere until Sunday. That’s the latest news from the cruise line as the ship sits at Pier 27 in San Francisco after hitting the dock early Thursday morning.

A statement from the cruise line said the repairs will likely take upward of 24 hours.

Additional welders are being flown in from Los Angeles for more repairs and the ship won’t be cleared until the work is completed. The new departure time is 1600 hours on Sunday.

This means the ship will now sail a modified seven-night cruise. The new voyage will now include one stop in Ketchiakan, Alaska and Prince Rupert Island in Canada to satisfy the obligatory foreign port call as part of the Passenger Vessel Services Act .

Compensation letters delivered to guests room are giving guests two options. Option one is is stay onboard and complete the modified sailing for a 75 percent refund and a 75 percent future cruise credit. The other is to disembark the voyage and get a 75 percent refund and a 50 percent future cruise credit.

( Updated July 7, at 1:00 PM ET) — A guest onboard Ruby Princess has told Cruise Radio that the repairs are complete and the United States Coast Guard is onboard inspecting the vessel.

The departure time is still to be determined as is the new itinerary. The captain will provide another announcement at noon local time.

Original Story: Cruise Ship Hits Dock

A cruise ship that hit a San Francisco dock early yesterday morning is still awaiting clearance to sail.

On Thursday morning, while returning to San Francisico’s Pier 27, Princess Cruises’ Ruby Princess made contact with the pier while attempting to dock.

Both the ship and the pier were damaged during the incident. Damage to the ship included a dent in the ship’s hull. Pierside, a bumper was knocked out of place, and some concrete was damaged.

There were no injuries to the guests or crew during the incident, which occurred at 6:05 a.m. on Thursday.

. @PrincessCruises confirms: “during arrival at the port of San Francisco at 0605 local time that Ruby Princess made unexpected contact with the dock at Pier 27 while docking.” Passengers on-board describe the jolt! I’ll have that and more at 11a. #abc7now #RubyPrincess pic.twitter.com/TgWmVB4WLE — Amanda del Castillo (@AmandaABC7) July 6, 2023

Damage After Cruise Ship Hits Dock

The shipping website MarineTraffic.com shows that Ruby Princess tried to dock twice before coming in for what the Coast Guard calls “a hard landing.”

All the damage occurred above the waterline, and the vessel’s seaworthiness has not been impacted.

A team from the company Oceanside Ship Repair spend the day welding the ship’s port quarter. They eventually wrapped up repairs late Thursday afternoon, pending an inspection by the US Coast Guard.

New Itinerary Unknown After Cruise Ship Hit Dock

The following cruise, a planned 10-night cruise to Southeast Alaska, has already been delayed by a day, resulting in an itinerary change. The new itinerary depends on when the Coast Guard releases the vessel from the pier.

During Friday morning’s update, a passenger sailing Ruby Princess this week told Cruise Radio that they anticipate being cleared to sail today. The ship is currently waiting on the Coast Guard to sign off.

The Coast Guard sent two investigation teams to the ship following the accident. The immediate cause of the collision is under investigation.  The harbor pilot and the captain were on the navigational bridge at the time of the accident.

Pier 27 is located at a bend in the channel, diagonal from Alcatraz, with historically strong currents.

Princess said they would be compensating guests depending on the outcome of the new itinerary.

This article will be updated as more information becomes available.

Go Deeper : Ruby Princess Returns to Sailing

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New Sun Princess Named by Hannah Waddingham

• April 23, 2024

In a celebration today at the Port of Barcelona, award-winning actress and performer Hannah Waddingham officially welcomed the newest Princess Cruises ship – Sun Princess – serving as godmother during a star-studded naming ceremony, according to a press release.

The time-honored maritime tradition took place onboard Sun Princess in the all-new Princess Arena and Waddingham, alongside the ship’s Captain Craig Street, joyously pronounced, “I name this ship Sun Princess. May God bless her and all who sail on her.”

She then released the celebratory bottle of Champagne to smash against the ship wishing good fortune to all of the ship’s guests and crew sailing to incredible destinations all over the world.

“Hannah is globally admired and adored for her immense talent and determination. Those qualities coupled with her family’s deep connection and love for the sea make her the perfect godmother for our sensational new Sun Princess,” said John Padgett, Princess Cruises president. “We are honored that she has joined us for this pinnacle moment, and that she will remain a treasured part of the ship’s legacy forever.”

Known for her adored role as Rebecca Welton in “Ted Lasso,” Waddingham said being named Sun Princess godmother is a “pinch me” moment as she joins an esteemed group of women, including members of the Royal Family, who have also served as godmothers to Princess ships: Diana, Princess of Wales (Royal Princess, 1984); Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales (Royal Princess 2013); Audrey Hepburn (Star Princess, 1989); Sophia Loren (Crown Princess, 1990); Martha Stewart (Crown Princess, 2006); among many notable celebrities and dignitaries.

Waddingham grew up boating and has fond memories of weekends in Dunkirk. In addition, her grandfather served in the Royal Navy during World War II.

“As much as theatre has always rippled through my bloodstream so too has a strong, historic familial connection with the Royal Navy and all things nautical,” said Waddingham. “I have of course seen over the years the iconic godmothers who have been asked to represent these magnificent ships and looked on in awe. It is therefore such a great privilege to have been asked to act as Godmother to the Sun Princess, first of her class. I can’t quite believe it.”

Actor and magician Michael Carbonaro served as master of ceremonies for the event, and joined by a host of celebrities and TV personalities including Tyra Banks, Romero Britto, Randy Fenoli, Jeff Corwin, Rob Floyd, along with celebrated chefs Dario Cecchini, Makoto Okuwa, and beloved original “Love Boat” cast members Jill Whelan (Vicki Stubing), Ted Lange (Isaac) and Bernie Kopell (Doc).

In addition, Natasha Bedingfield was on hand to fittingly perform her smash hit “Pocket Full of Sunshine,” along with other award-winning hits including “Unwritten.”

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Bigger ship, better views: 3 takeaways from Princess Cruises' newest vessel

I was rushing to make my dinner reservation on Princess Cruises’ new ship. But when I arrived at the restaurant, the view made me stop.

From the windows at the sushi eatery Makoto Ocean – part of a sphere-shaped structure near the middle of the vessel – I saw the sun sinking below the horizon, a reddish-orange dot on the Mediterranean Sea. The Sun Princess facilitates scenes like that by design.

“We wanted to make sure that within how we designed the (venues) and placed the furniture, we gave maximum opportunity for our guests to be able to celebrate those outward views,” Denise Saviss, Princess’ vice president of entertainment experience, told USA TODAY. “It is really, really unique to have so much glass on the ship.”

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That was one of several striking features during a recent sailing (the ship is now cruising the Mediterranean before it moves to the Caribbean in October). Here are three takeaways from the first in the line’s aptly named Sphere Class.

1. The design showcases views at sea and in port

Makoto isn’t the only venue that offers that kind of view.

Other spaces inside the Sphere – which also houses lobby-slash-entertainment venue The Piazza – feature similarly sweeping vistas across decks 7, 8 and 9. I watched the light sparkle on the water while I sipped coffee one morning at International Café, and patrons dining at Alfredo’s Pizzeria can take in the scenery during their meal from many seats.

That’s also true elsewhere on the ship. At Horizons Dining Room, floor-to-ceiling windows face the ship’s wake. At the other end of the vessel, the Dome, a geodesic structure that Princess has said was inspired by the hills of Santorini, is like a massive solarium.

The space – which will also host shows including acrobatics – has multiple tiers of loungers, an indoor-outdoor pool and the Cascade Bar (which comes in handy for cooling off, as it felt a bit muggy in the Dome at one point on a sunny sea day).

The overall effect helped to bring the outside in.

2. The ship is bigger but still intimate

Sun Princess is the largest ship in the Princess fleet, and the 21-deck vessel can accommodate 4,300 guests. But that doesn’t mean everything is huge.

Given the scale of the offerings, a number of spaces on board feel notably intimate. One night, I walked to Good Spirits at Sea, a cocktail bar crafted in partnership with mixologist Rob Floyd that also hosts classes, and thought I was lost before stumbling upon it tucked around a corner on Deck 7. Inside, the 40-person venue offered a laid-back alternative to other more boisterous nightlife options.

On Deck 9, the ship’s buffet-like venue, The Eatery, gives way to narrower hallways toward the aft with backlit wood paneling and benches. At the end, they open back up to reveal specialty restaurants The Catch by Rudi and The Butcher’s Block by Dario (from Princess’ head of culinary arts, Rudi Sodamin, and in partnership with famed butcher Dario Cecchini, respectively).

Even the multi-configuration Princess Arena felt cozier than its near-1,000-guest capacity would suggest. I sat in the second-to-last row of my section for a performance by the vocal group ODY·C and was still close enough to see clearly.

3. The line leans into family-friendly activities

Part of Sun Princess’ expanded footprint has been used to broaden the line’s family offerings.

Park19, a new space on the ship’s top decks, features a variety of activities in an open-air setting. Saviss said the line worked to balance the interests of core customers and a growing family market “and make sure we're prioritizing spaces that everybody can enjoy.”

“There are some attractions that I think naturally, at first blush, people would say, ‘Oh, it's just for kids,’ but actually, the space is really comprehensive,” she said. “Our attractions are available for many different levels of ability and mobility.”

Those include Coastal Climb, an obstacle course that culminates in 360-degree views from The Lookout observation deck (the highest point accessible to guests on the ship, also reachable via elevator) and The Net ropes course.

On Sea Breeze, billed as the first Rollglider on a cruise ship, passengers will glide along the outer edges of the ship on an electric track (the ride will also be ADA-accessible, though Saviss said some mobility is required for maneuvering into the seat).

It’s as close as the ship gets to an amusement park (Princess’ version). “We're not running the rat race, if you will, of like, who can do it bigger, better,” Saviss said. “If you want to just have a really incredible bird's-eye view of Sun Princess, and in and around where the ship is sailing, you can do that. But there is an option to push a little lever while you're riding it and dial up the speed a bit faster, and then it does become a bit more thrilling.”

The ride was not yet available when I was on board, as the line moved through a testing, certification and training process, but is expected to open on April 27. Sun Princess’ original launch was delayed with the cruise line citing “additional technical work” needed at the shipyard, which pushed back the opening of some onboard amenities.

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There is also a hammock area to chill when guests need a break, a recreational court that can host activities from pingpong to morning meditation, a jogging track and more. Elsewhere on board, guests will find the Firefly Park kids club and hangout spaces Neon Grove and The Underground for tweens and teens, respectively.

The reporter on this story received access to this sailing from Princess Cruises. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.  

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bigger ship, better views: 3 takeaways from Princess Cruises' newest vessel

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Award-Winning Actress Hannah Waddingham Officially Christens Sun Princess in Awe-Inspiring Ceremony

Michael carbonara, tyra banks, britto, randy fenoli, original “love boat” cast members, celebrity chefs and tv personalities on hand to celebrate plus musical performance by natasha bedingfield.

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BARCELONA, Spain, (April 23, 2024) – In a spectacular celebration today at the Port of Barcelona, award-winning actress and performer Hannah Waddingham officially welcomed the newest and most innovative Princess Cruises ship – Sun Princess – serving as godmother during a star-studded naming ceremony.

The time-honored maritime tradition took place onboard Sun Princess in the all-new Princess Arena and Waddingham, alongside the ship’s Captain Craig Street, joyously pronounced, “I name this ship Sun Princess. May God bless her and all who sail on her.” She then released the celebratory bottle of Champagne to smash against the ship wishing good fortune to all of the ship’s guests and crew sailing to incredible destinations all over the world.

“Hannah is globally admired and adored for her immense talent and determination. Those qualities coupled with her family’s deep connection and love for the sea make her the perfect godmother for our sensational new Sun Princess,” said John Padgett, Princess Cruises president. “We are honored that she has joined us for this pinnacle moment, and that she will remain a treasured part of the ship’s legacy forever.” 

Known for her adored role as Rebecca Welton in “Ted Lasso,” Waddingham said being named Sun Princess godmother is a “pinch me” moment as she joins an esteemed group of women, including members of the Royal Family, who have also served as godmothers to Princess ships: Diana, Princess of Wales (Royal Princess, 1984); Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales (Royal Princess 2013); Audrey Hepburn (Star Princess, 1989); Sophia Loren (Crown Princess, 1990); Martha Stewart (Crown Princess, 2006); among many notable celebrities and dignitaries. 

Waddingham grew up boating and has fond memories of weekends in Dunkirk. In addition, her grandfather served in the Royal Navy during World War II.

“As much as theatre has always rippled through my bloodstream so too has a strong, historic familial connection with the Royal Navy and all things nautical,” said Waddingham. “I have of course seen over the years the iconic godmothers who have been asked to represent these magnificent ships and looked on in awe. It is therefore such a great privilege to have been asked to act as Godmother to the Sun Princess, first of her class. I can’t quite believe it.” 

Actor and magician Michael Carbonaro served as master of ceremonies for the event, and joined by a host of celebrities and TV personalities including Tyra Banks, Romero Britto, Randy Fenoli, Jeff Corwin, Rob Floyd, along with celebrated chefs Dario Cecchini, Makoto Okuwa, and beloved original “Love Boat” cast members Jill Whelan (Vicki Stubing), Ted Lange (Isaac) and Bernie Kopell (Doc).

In addition, Natasha Bedingfield was on hand to fittingly perform her smash hit “Pocket Full of Sunshine,” along with other award-winning hits including “Unwritten.”

What’s New, What’s Next Princess to Add Ship-within-a-Ship Concept to Sun Princess, Star Princess  Sanctuary Collection Debuts in September Prior to the Sun Princess naming ceremony, Princess President John Padgett shared a few details on what’s ahead for the world’s most iconic cruise brand. Notable news included introducing the exclusive, next-level Sanctuary Collection aboard Sun Princess, as the ship prepares to debut this select, all-inclusive oasis in October 2024. Guests reserving in the Sanctuary Collection will enjoy exclusive access to the ship’s top-deck retreat area, along with many additional bespoke events and high-end amenities designed to enhance their voyage. 

Star Princess to Sail Alaska Voyages in Summer 2026 Also announced, the next Sphere-Class ship, Star Princess, will sail her first full summer in 2026 in Alaska, making it the first of its class to ever sail to the Great Land. Star Princess is currently under construction and scheduled to debut in the Mediterranean in September 2025.

Princess Collaborates with Celebrities to Launch Love Line Premium Liquors Princess also revealed its newest indulgence - the "Love Line Premium Liquors" collection. Crafted in collaboration with renowned celebrities Pitbull, Jason Aldean and Romero Britto, this exclusive line of wines and spirits promises an unparalleled experience for guests sailing aboard ships from the Love Boat. The new premium collection features meticulously selected wines and spirits, each bearing the unique touch of its celebrity partner including Voli Vodka by Pitbull, Love Prosecco by Britto, and Melorosa Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon from Jason Aldean. The Love Line collection is currently available aboard Sun Princess, and will roll out to all the ships in the Princess fleets throughout the summer.  

Love by Britto Officially Debuts Aboard Sun Princess During the day’s festivities, Love by Britto, an artistic-inspired dining experience from world-renowned artist Romero Britto, made its debut. Known for his bold, colorful, and joyful style, and a global advocate for happiness, Britto has created a dining concept that serves as an exquisite showcase of the artist’s iconic and joyful designs against the backdrop of a boutique restaurant designed to immerse couples in a world of vivid colors, bold patterns, and heartfelt emotions. Unlike anything else in cruising, the venue also highlights the talents of Princess Cruises’ Head of Culinary Arts Rudi Sodamin who has created an array of tantalizing choices that embody profound passion, exquisite flavor, and boundless creativity with a seven-course, prix fixe menu ($149 per person) that begins with a flute of Champagne upon arrival and features luxury ingredients including lobster, caviar and truffles, and dessert options that always include chocolate fondue.

More About Sun Princess Godmother Hannah Waddingham British actress and singer, Waddingham is beloved for her role as Rebecca Welton in Apple TV+’s “Ted Lasso,” in which her performance garnered a Primetime Emmy, Critics Choice Television Award and Screen Actors Guild Award, as well as two individual Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations. She will next be seen in the highly anticipated Universal film “The Fall Guy” opposite Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt in theaters on May 3, 2024. Earlier this year, Waddingham earned a BAFTA TV Award nomination for her own Apple TV+ holiday special “Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas.” Waddingham made her worldwide hosting debut in April 2023 at The Olivier Awards (she returned as host for the 2024 ceremony) followed swiftly by the BBC Eurovision Song Contest 2023, for which she has gained her second BAFTA TV nomination and won The Royal Television Society award for “Best Entertainment Performance” in 2024. Her upcoming films include Sony Animation film “Garfield” out May 24, 2024 and in 2025 “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two.”

More About Sun Princess The new 177,882-ton, 4,300-guest Sun Princess introduces an innovative new ship platform designed exclusively for the world’s most iconic cruise brand. A true engineering marvel, Sun Princess officially started its inaugural cruise season on February 28, 2024, and currently is sailing a series of Mediterranean voyages before debuting in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., in October for the ship’s first Caribbean season. 

Princess ships are renowned for offering spacious venues and Sun Princess takes that to the next level. Sun Princess debuts new eye-catching experience venues including The Dome, a groundbreaking geodesic, glass-enclosed structure at the top of the ship inspired by the terraces of Santorini. The outward and suspended Sphere Atrium, the namesake of this new class of ship, takes the central Piazza hub of the ship into a new dimension. Here guests are enveloped with expansive ocean views and an open concept, inspired to deliver the desired lifestyle of relaxed indoor and outdoor living.

Sun Princess offers an extraordinary cruise experience with not-to-be-missed culinary, entertainment and luxury accommodations, including: 

The Greatest Foodie Destination at Sea Sun Princess serves up 30 inviting restaurant and bar venues with an unprecedented collection of celebrity collaborators, high-end ingredients and culinary experiences from: 

• Spellbound by Magic Castle : Blending the captivating world of magic with the art of culinary and mixology to create an extraordinary, innovative and immersive dining experience, steeped in magic and adventure. 
• Makoto Ocean : Reshaping traditional sushi with a creative approach, the Master of Edomae-style sushi, Chef Makoto Okuwa brings his 25 years of experience with a new concept crafting playful, exquisitely presented dishes paying tribute to Japanese traditions. 
• Love by Britto : A high-end boutique restaurant with the most romantic view from the ship celebrating love and art from world-renowned artist Romero Britto. 
• The Butcher’s Block by Dario : A new specialty pop-up restaurant from the world’s most famous butcher Dario Cecchini, guests enjoy perfectly prepared beef and steak, including Cecchini’s signature cuts. 
• The Catch by Rudi : An exceptional dinner concept from renowned Chef Rudi Sodamin showcasing delectable treasures from the sea. 
• Good Spirits at Sea with Rob Floyd : Destination-inspired, one-of-a-kind cocktail creations from celebrity mixologist Rob Floyd.

Debuting a three-story dining room with endless aft views, inaugural menus have been created in collaboration with the Culinary Institute of America. While retaining what guests love about Princess, the ship also features favorites like Crown Grill, Sabatini’s and Crooners with new design elements to impress.

Showstopping Entertainment in Technically Advanced Spaces The Princess Arena is the most technologically advanced theater at sea, offering showstopping and original productions including performances in the round. At night, The Dome astonishes audiences with acrobatic Cirque Éloize performances while the Piazza dazzles with a retractable stage and immersive Champagne Waterfall. 

Elevated & Welcoming Areas & Accommodations Sun Princess also features the cruise line’s largest casino, two-story Lotus Spa, and an expanded retail environment with more than 200 premium brands. The retail space also includes several firsts a sea including an upscale showroom dedicated to luxury horology showcasing TAG Heuer and Breitling and more than 25 new brands available to cruise guests like Italian handbag brand, Pinko and athleisure favorites Beyond Yoga and Varley. 

With diverse accommodations to suit every preference and more than 1,500 cabins with balcony views, Sun Princess’ re-imagined staterooms include exceptional suites and new Cabana Mini-Suites with extra space for secluded outdoor relaxation.

Rooted in sustainability, Sun Princess is the first LNG (liquefied natural gas) vessel for the cruise line, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and features ingenious energy recovery systems for eco-conscious cruising.

Sun Princess cruises to the Mediterranean and the Caribbean are on sale now. More ship details can be found at www.princess.com/sunprincess . 

More information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-Princess (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting www.princess.com . 

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About Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is The Love Boat, the world’s most iconic cruise brand that delivers dream vacations to millions of guests every year in the most sought-after destinations on the largest ships that offer elite service personalization and simplicity customary of small, yacht-class ships. Well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities blend with exclusive Princess MedallionClass service to create meaningful connections and unforgettable moments in the most incredible settings in the world - the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK).

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