By Veronica Shine
Princess mega ship in the Caribbean
Founded in 1965 by Stanley B. McDonald, Princess
cruises established itself as a new endeavor in tourism. It is now a global cruise company owned since 2002 by the Carnival Corporation.
Humble Beginnings
The first ship, Princess Patricia, was chartered from the Canadian Pacific Railroad. The aging ship was profitable for McDonald and sailed winter cruises for tourists bound for Mexico out of California.
Expansion
"The Love Boat" helped make cruising popular .
In 1977, the hit television series "The Love Boat" used the Pacific Princess, making the company a household name and garnering great interest in cruise vacations.
Destinations
The company offers 350 ports of call all around the world, with larger ships sailing to Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean. Smaller ships are intended for travel to exotic areas, such as Antarctica, the Amazon and China.
Activities
Princess appeals to families, singles and couples, featuring enrichment program workshops for adults and age-appropriate activities supervised by cruise staff for children.
Milestones
As of 2009, Princess Cruises had 18 ships in its fleet with several new ships on the horizon. The expansion was put on hold because of the economic downturn.
Resources
About the Author:
Veronica Shine's professional writing career began in 2005, after successful careers in fashion, travel and show business. Her published works are featured in magazines and on websites, and she has contributed to three books, including "Chicken Soup for the Soul-Book of Miracles." Shine earned her associate degree in merchandising and buying from the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Photo Credits:
Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of all good) (pete
Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of all good) (pete
