In a bid to attract former customers of
Ocean Village, which will cease to exist as a brand later this year,
Princess Cruises has decided to increase its Mediterranean fly-cruises programme
The firm launched its biggest plan in Europe for 2011, which revealed it will have seven ships next year, up from the current six sailing in the region.
British cruise lovers will be well-catered for as
Grand Princess and
Crown Princess will be based in Southampton once more, while
Ocean Princess will offer itineraries from Dover.
Pieter van der Schee, head of brand marketing for the firm, which will also offer three-night weekend voyages from Southampton for the first time, was bullish about its prospects.
"With the additional capacity of fly-cruises, we think we will appeal to Ocean Village customers looking for other opportunities.
"Princess has a more American style and it's a slightly more upmarket version of the more informal style of cruising which Ocean Village offers."
A number of cruise ship operators have been relocating vessels to Europe to capitalise on the growing market.
Written by Chris Smith.
