[Santa Clarita] – With the holidays fast approaching, Princess Cruises is getting ready for a festive season at sea, and is highlighting four tropical sailings where passengers still have an opportunity to experience Christmas cheer or ring in the New Year in the Caribbean or Panama Canal.

With limited space available, these cruises offer a special opportunity to passengers who would like to spend their holidays in a warm tropical setting. Choices include two Christmas cruises – one through the marvel of the Panama Canal on Coral Princess departing December 15 and the other to the Southern Caribbean aboard Emerald Princess departing December 17. New Year’s choices include sailings to the Panama Canal aboard Coral Princess and Island Princess on December 29 and 30.

Holidays aboard a Princess Cruises ship offer a festive atmosphere, complete with a daily snowfall – passengers won’t even miss out on a white Christmas as snow magically falls in the ships’ multi-story atriums, transforming them into winter wonderlands. With the halls decked out in holiday décor – including a Christmas tree on the mast – and strolling carolers filling the air with the sounds of the season, Princess ships will offer a seasonal cruise experience from bow to stern.

Holiday cruises with availability include:

Panama Canal with Two-Day Canal Experience – December 15

Coral Princess sails from Los Angeles to Ft. Lauderdale for a full Panama Canal transit combined with a full day at Fuerte Amador on the Pacific side of Panama. The 14-day itinerary includes calls at Puntarenas (Costa Rica), Cartagena and Aruba in addition to the Two-Day Canal Experience. Balcony staterooms begin at $1,499.

Southern Caribbean Cruise – December 17

For Christmas in the Caribbean, passengers on Emerald Princess’ roundtrip sailing from Ft. Lauderdale will enjoy the festive season with 10 days in the Southern Caribbean. The cruise itinerary calls at Aruba, Bonaire, Grenada, Dominica, St. Thomas, and Princess Cays. Balcony staterooms begin at $1,499.

Round trip Panama Canal Cruises – December 29 and 30

Coral Princess (December 29) and Island Princess (December 30) each offer an opportunity to celebrate the New Year while enjoying this classic 10-day roundtrip itinerary from Ft. Lauderdale. Passengers will experience a partial Panama Canal transit to Gatun Lake followed by an evening a call in Colón, plus calls in the Caribbean ports of Aruba, Cartagena, Limón (Costa Rica), and Grand Cayman or Ocho Rios. Balcony staterooms begin at $1,699.

All rates are per person, based on double occupancy.

The 16-ship Princess Cruises fleet will cover the globe this holiday season, also sailing to destinations such as Australia/New Zealand, South America, Hawaii and the South Pacific.

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 www.princess.com.

About Princess Cruises

One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise and tour company operating a fleet of 16 modern ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided in an environment of exceptional customer service. Two ships are under construction and will join the fleet in 2013 and 2014. A recognized leader in worldwide cruising, Princess carries 1.3 million passengers each year to destinations around the globe ranging in length from three to 107 days. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc.