Princess Cruises Details Short Getaway Sailings for 2010-11

Every year cruise ships move from one cruising region to another and next year Princess Cruises features some repositioning voyages that allow you to test your sea legs on a getaway cruise. The spring and fall cruise seasons in 2010-11 bring opportunities for Princess passengers to escape on the line’s short West Coast sailings. Ranging from an overnight cruise to a week-long journey, these “coastal” getaways offer passengers the chance to sample the Princess experience as they explore the Pacific coastline. Passengers can choose from among 18 sailings, including a special 7-day cruise to coastal wine regions with themed onboard presentations, 4- and 5-day samplers of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, plus shorter sailings of one to three nights. Princess’ seasonal getaways offer an opportunity to sail on ships that are traveling along the Pacific coast to begin or end a summer of Alaska cruises.

“People need to escape today more than ever and these short sailings are a great way to fit a cruise into the schedule–and budget,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president.

Princess coastal sailings for 2010-11 include:

Wine Country Coastal – A 7-day cruise geared towards wine lovers, this special sailing will offer the chance to explore the California wine regions of Santa Barbara and the San Francisco area – as well as visit the microbreweries of Astoria, Oregon. The cruise aboard Sapphire Princess will depart from Los Angeles on May 7, 2011, sailing to Vancouver with calls at Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Astoria, Seattle and Victoria.

California Coastal – Sailing on a 5-day journey down to California from Vancouver, Sapphire Princess will call at Victoria and San Francisco before arriving in “the city of angels,” Los Angeles. The sailing will depart on Sept 20, 2010.

Alaska Sampler – This quick roundtrip sailing from Vancouver will give travelers a taste of the 49th state, with visits to the Alaskan ports of Juneau and Ketchikan. The 5-day cruise on Coral Princess will set sail on May 10, 2010.

Northwest Sampler – Royal Princess will take visitors on a 4-day trip through the scenic Inside Passage with visits to Vancouver and Victoria. Sailing roundtrip from Seattle, the voyage will depart May 20, 2010.

Pacific Coastal: Los Angeles/Vancouver – Passengers can relax with two full days at sea as they cruise up the Pacific coast on these 3-day journeys between Los Angeles and Vancouver. Golden Princess will offer two departures on Sept 26, 2010 and May 11, 2011, and Coral Princess sails on Sept 18, 2010.

Pacific Coastal: San Francisco/Vancouver –Several cruises travel between San Francisco’s legendary Golden Gate and picturesque Vancouver. Coral Princess offers a 4-day sailing with calls in Astoria, Oregon and Victoria, BC on May 19, 2011. For a 2-day option, Island Princess offers sailings on Oct 4, 2010 and May 14, 2011, while Star Princess sails on May 11, 2011.

Pacific Coastal: Vancouver/Seattle – These convenient overnight sailings between Vancouver and Seattle offer the perfect opportunity for a first taste of Princess hospitality. Sapphire Princess will sail May 15, 2010 and Sept 19, 2010. Golden Princess will offer departures on Sept 25, 2010 and May 14, 2011. Royal Princess will cruise on Sept 13, 2010 and May 18, 2011. And Star Princess will depart on May 13, 2011.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company's website at Princess.com.