Cruise News: Princess Cruises' Next New Ship Will Be Named Regal Princess

Regal Princess' Keel is Laid

Princess Cruises marked the beginning of construction of the second of its new generation of ships with the official keel laying ceremony yesterday at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. At the same time the line announced that the ship’s name will be Regal Princess. The vessel, a sister ship to Royal Princess, will debut in Spring 2014. The company and shipyard officials started the countdown to the ship’s launch today as the keel, the bottommost part of the ship, was ceremoniously lowered into position in the building dock.

“Just as Royal Princess was named after one of our iconic early vessels, Regal Princess also takes a name from our past that we think is well suited for this spectacular ship,” said Alan Buckelew, president and CEO of Princess Cruises. “Today’s keel laying is an exciting event as it marks a key milestone in our newbuilding program.”

Following a traditional blessing by a priest, the ship’s keel, which weighs approximately 500 tons, was moved into position by a huge crane onto the keel blocks. The computer-guided maneuver took only minutes, belying the more than 2 million man hours that will ultimately go into building the vessel. The 3,600-passenger, 141,000-ton ship will remain in the building dock until its float-out next summer.

Regal Princess will offer many of the same special features as Royal Princess, which debuts in June 2013. Among these are a greatly expanded atrium, the social hub of the ship; a dramatic over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending more than 28 feet beyond the edge of the vessel; plush private poolside cabanas that appear to be floating on the water; the new Princess Live! television studio; a pastry shop; a special Chef’s Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surrounds diners in a curtain of light; and balconies on all outside staterooms. More information and video previews of Royal Princess are available at the Princess Cruises website. Additional details including schedules and itineraries for Regal Princess will be announced next year.

The original Regal Princess, launched in 1991 (pictured at right) was a controversial design created by one of the world’s most gifted and daring architects, Renzo Piano. Suggestive of a dolphin’s silhouette, the domed observation lounge of the 70,000-ton ship housed a unique entertainment complex that included the casino, a bar, and a dance floor. Nearly 25% of her accommodations offered what was to become a Princess Cruises hallmark—affordable balconies.

Images Courtesy of Princess Cruises