"Cruise ship passengers are lining up for "authentic, sustainable onshore experiences", such as beach clean-ups and tree planting, but New Zealand cruise destinations have yet to cash in on the demand.

Passengers have become more environmentally minded, and so have their favourite onshore activities, industry magnates said at the Cruise Association's annual conference in Blenheim on Friday.

Princess Cruises marketing manager Chloe Jones said passengers wanted to experience nature, and cared about the environmental impact of their holiday."

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/106540635/beach-cleanups-the-new-onshore-activity-craved-by-cruise-ship-passengers

"Launching in the Mediterranean in October 2019, new for Sky Princess will be the addition of a Wake view pool on its aft decks.

In addition to the pool, the ship will feature a couple of new deep-tank top deck pools, a Retreat Pool, and even more Jacuzzis than the previous Royal-Class ships, including two cantilevered over the deep-tank pools.

Sky Princess will introduce more ways for guests to unwind, with its relaxing Sanctuary area offering a new contemporary design and twice as many private cabanas as its sister ships."

http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/Top-Stories/princess-cruises-unveils-more-standout-features-for-its-new-sky-princess-35976
 

"Silverstream Technologies today announced that Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise vacation company, has successfully retrofitted the Silverstream System air lubrication technology, onto the Diamond Princess from its Princess Cruises brand.

The system has been in operation since June 2017, reducing fuel consumption and related CO2 emissions. It recently completed its final contract trials, which demonstrated that the original performance expectations were exceeded with net efficiency improvements of over 5% at the design service speed, verified by Lloyd’s Register."

https://shipinsight.com/articles/silverstream-retrofits-air-lubrication-system-in-carnival-corporations-princess-cruises

"SANTA CLARITA, Calif., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Ernesto," the signature burger of The Salty Dog Gastropub aboard select Princess Cruises ships will now be available on land for the first time, added as a featured item on the dinner menu of chef partner, Ernesto Uchimura's Los Angeles based neighborhood restaurant and bar, Electric Owl."

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/princess-cruises-exclusive-burger-now-available-at-electric-owl-in-los-angeles-300692211.html

"Princess Cruises has announced the line has significantly expanded its Across the Ditch Program ahead of the 2018-2019 summer cruise season.

The cruise line will take guests to places less traveled with the launch of two industry-first overland excursions in New Zealand’s North Island and over twenty exclusive shore tours this summer, according to a statement.

Under the cruise line’s global Local Connections Program, guests will be able to experience the destination through with local expert partner visiting their favorite local food, beverage and art establishments in every New Zealand port, Princess said."

 https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/19514-princess-launches-overland-excursions-in-new-zealand-s-north-island.html

"Passengers sailing on UK-based Sapphire Princess will now have access to in-cabin tea- and coffee-making facilities.

Kettles were added by Princess to allow the ship -- which is currently sailing roundtrip itineraries from Southampton through October and will return from April to October 2019 -- to better cater for the English market."

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=8815

"By 2019, more than 45,000 Princess Luxury Beds will be fully rolled out to over 22,000 staterooms onboard all 17 ships.  Currently the Luxury Bed is available onboard 14 ships with Diamond Princess getting her Luxury Beds fitted by the end of August.  Royal Princess and Regal Princess will have theirs fitted in 2019.

“Princess Cruises is always innovating to offer a wide variety of new discoveries and relaxing options for our guests who seek unique experiences. The Princess Luxury Bed is an excellent example of one such innovation. Our guests in this region will be able to experience the Luxury Bed first-hand onboard Sapphire Princess and Diamond Princess during the upcoming homeporting season in Singapore from November 2018 to March 2019,” said Farriek Tawfik, Director Southeast Asia, Princess Cruises."

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/19443-princess-cruises-launches-luxury-bed-in-singapore.html

"The new craft cocktails include:

Mayan Heat: Patrón Silver tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice, agave syrup, muddled jalapeño;
Italian Sunset: Aperol, Bombay Sapphire gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, Angostura bitters;
Ver-Jus: St. George Terroir gin, St-Germain, muddled green grapes, lemon juice, simple syrup;
Princess Punch: Absolut Elyx vodka, St. George raspberry liqueur, fresh lime, simple syrup, Gosling’s ginger beer; and
A Trip to the Tropics: Absolut Elyx vodka, apricot liqueur, orange juice, pineapple juice, pomegranate juice
Rounding out the new drinks are zero-proof cocktails, made without alcohol.

"People want to cut back on sugar and have a lighter drink," said Floyd, "but they still want the experience and the flavor."

These modified drinks include:

Zero Mojito: Fresh mint, lime, simple syrup, Sprite
Strawberries on Fire: Fresh strawberries, lime juice, agave syrup, jalapeño, soda."

http://www.latimes.com/travel/cruises/la-tr-cruises-princess-rolls-out-new-cocktails-20180814-story.html

"The line’s Wedding Planner tool streamlines the entire wedding at sea process. Guests can choose, plan and purchase wedding package and reception options from their computer or smartphone. The tool also offers online help from a personal wedding coordinator."

"Princess guests can also create their own honeymoon website with the Honeymoon Gift Registry App. Available on their IOS device, the App lets couples add items, send out RSVPs and upload photos. The customized wedding website, blog, online photo album, RSVP and Save the Date features can also be posted on social media with the App. And, wedding invitees can use the gift registry to gift money to the couple to spend on their cruise."

https://www.travelpulse.com/news/cruise/princess-cruises-introduces-new-romance-tools.html