Recognized for offering the best itineraries in Europe, Princess Cruises continues to offer top-rated journeys in the Mediterranean and North Europe for the upcoming 2018 season.

Open for sale Dec. 1, these itineraries also include the cruise line’s new “Local Connections” program, featuring enriching vacation experiences ashore and onboard that connect guests with authentic resident experts.

Highlights from Princess Cruises 2018 cruise vacations to Europe, include the maiden call of Sapphire Princess to this region, as well as roundtrip British Isles voyages aboard Royal Princess departing from Paris (Le Havre). The 2018 season features five ships sailing to 115destinations from the corners of the Mediterranean to the northernmost tip of Europe. Guests can choose from 57 unique itineraries on 168 cruise departures, visiting 35 countries.

“We’re proud to continually earn awards for the best cruise itineraries around the globe and we’re sure to live up to our reputation with the 2018 Europe season,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. “We’ve worked hard to not only showcase the famous sites of Europe to our guests but also provide them authentic local experiences to immerse themselves in the culture, food, landscape and charm of these iconic destinations.”

The industry-first “Local Connections” program aims to inspire the line’s guests by sharing the passion and pride the company’s port partners have for their destination, while taking full advantage of the suggestions and creativity of those partners who know the destination best. Elements include a video series of local port partners sharing their thoughts, experiences and recommendations of the places they call home, local expert onboard speakers, new tours, partner port guides and walking maps, new port welcome and departure experiences, and an insider’s guide including “cool things” made in each port.

Highlights of the April – December 2018 Europe season include:

New for 2018
Sapphire Princess makes her maiden call to the British Isles, Northern Europe and the Mediterranean out of London, in addition to a 38-day maiden voyage between Singapore and London. The cruise ship will also make the cruise line’s first port call to Skagen (Denmark).
New 12-day British Isles cruises, round-trip from Paris/Normandy (Le Havre) will be offered aboard Royal Princess, christened by The Duchess of Cambridge in 2013.
As part of the cruise line’s More Ashore program, offering more time in port, a 12-day European Capitals voyage aboard Pacific Princess features an overnight stay in Amsterdam and a late departure from Antwerp.

Cruises to the Mediterranean
Crown Princess will depart on 55 cruises, featuring 13 unique itineraries, including 27 destinations in the Mediterranean and Aegean. All seven-day departures from Rome to Athens include visits to Salerno, Kotor, Corfu, Crete and Mykonos. The ship’s 11-day cruises from Barcelona to Rome visit Marseille (for Provence), Florence/Pisa, Katakolon (for Olympia), Mykonos, Santorini, Kotor and Naples (for Capri and Pompeii).

Sapphire Princess will also offer 14-day cruises from London (Southampton) to the Western Mediterranean, with later departures from Barcelona.

With 12- to 28-day voyages on Pacific Princess, guests will visit a variety of destinations throughout the Mediterranean such as Croatia, Greece, Malta and Monte Carlo, with overnight stays in Venice on all 12-day voyages between Rome and Venice.

Northern Europe Cruises
New for 2018, Royal Princess will offer 12-day roundtrip British Isles Voyages from Paris/Normandy (La Havre), in addition to roundtrip cruises from London (Southampton). Select sailings on this itinerary will feature overnight stays in Dublin and all cruises will include late a departure from Belfast.

Guests will have an opportunity to attend the notable Edinburgh Military Tattoo on select eight-day Pacific Princess sailings and 12-day Royal Princess cruises, with overnight stays in Edinburgh on Pacific Princess.

Sapphire Princess makes her maiden call to Northern Europe, along with returning ships Regal Princess and Pacific Princess for 11- to 14-day Scandinavia & Russia sailings from either Copenhagen or London. All cruises feature overnight stays in St. Petersburg.

Pacific Princess also offers roundtrip cruises from London (Dover), visiting a variety of remote Northern Europe destinations in Iceland, Norway and the Shetland Islands, in addition to a special Summer Solstice sailing visiting Spitsbergen.

More Ashore
Offering guests more time to explore local cultures and culinary offerings, select itineraries in Europe provide overnight stays in 32 ports including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, St. Petersburg, Stockholm and Venice and late evening departures from Belfast, Berlin and Oslo.

European Land & Sea Vacations
Guests can enhance their European travel with four unique Land & Sea Vacation options, which combine certain sailings with a fully-escorted land tour. Choices include Paris and the French Countryside; Ireland’s Ring of Kerry; Classic Italy, visiting popular sites in Venice, Florence and Rome; and Imperial Treasures of Budapest, Vienna, Prague and Berlin.

Captain’s Circle Savings
Princess Cruises past guests are eligible for a special promotion when they book before August 31, 2017. Captain’s Circle members booking a cruise less than seven days will receive a savings of $50 per person. For those booking a seven- to 20-day Europe cruise, a discount of $100 per guest will be applied and those booking a cruise more than 20 days will receive a $200 discount (does not apply to third and fourth berth guests).

Club Class
Summer 2018 Europe guests can choose a new premium stateroom category featuring VIP amenities and exclusive dining with the new Club Class Mini-Suite. This elevated mini-suite category features select perks including new Club Class Dining, a reserved dining area with expedited seating and expanded menu options; priority embarkation and disembarkation; complimentary wine and luxurious bathrobes.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company’s website at princess.com.