Seatrade Cruise News is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

Fanfare kicks off Royal Princess US West Coast debut

Royal Princess in LA
A fireboat welcomes Royal Princess to the Port of Loa Angeles on Saturday
Ushering in Princess Cruises' biggest US West Coast season, Royal Princess arrived to fanfare at the Port of Los Angeles on Saturday. The ship will be sailing to the Mexican Riviera, along the California coast and in Alaska.

Long ties with LA

Princess has the longest history of any cruise line to sail from the Port of Los Angeles, including its run on the hit television series 'The Love Boat.'

To mark the ship’s maiden call and the start of its West Coast season, the University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band, under the direction of Arthur C. Bartner, provided pageantry and fanfare from a location on board Battleship Iowa. As Royal Princess departed and sounded its 'Love Boat' harmony-tuned horn, the USC Marching Band played back the theme song.

Mexican Riviera legacy

Passengers and onlookers were treated to a fireworks display that sent the ship off on its first seven-day Mexican Riviera cruise, the same itinerary made famous by Princess and 'The Love Boat.'

Alaska

Royal Princess will sail weekly to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles through April 27, before heading north to Vancouver, BC, for a season of Alaska cruises. Then, returning to Los Angeles in September, Royal Princess will remain on the West Coast for six months, continuing cruises to Alaska, the Mexican Riviera and the California coast.

Royal Princess is among the small but growing number of MedallionClass ships that provide a wearable device, OceanMedallion, to expedite embarkation, automatically open stateroom doors and help personalize service on board.

Royal Princess first debuted in Southampton in June 2013, where it was named Her Royal Highness, Catherine, the duchess of Cambridge. The original Royal Princess (1984) was named by Princess Diana.