News Article

Princess Innovates At-Sea Meals with Personal Choice Dining.
Passengers can Enjoy Round-the-Clock Culinary Options to Suit Every Taste

Only Cruise Line to Offer Both Traditional Fixed Seating and Restaurant-Style Anytime Dining

"Where Should I Eat?"-- It may be the hardest decision to make on a Princess cruise. Passengers will find one of the most innovative dining programs in the cruise industry, which offers them multiple dining rooms, specialized alternative restaurants, flexible dining times and award-winning cuisine for nearly every taste and prepared by expert chefs.

Princess has been pioneering the cruise ship dining experience for years, offering up the industry's first 24-hour restaurant, the first Southwestern restaurant, the first New Orleans-style cafe, and many other unique options. Most notably, Princess broke new ground by introducing Personal Choice Dining?, a unique program which features two options for main dining room seating -- the restaurant-style Anytime Dining and Traditional Fixed-Seating. Passengers have raved about this unusual versatility, which is the only such option in the cruise industry.

Princess maintains considerable pride in its long tradition of fine cuisine prepared by as many as 150 galley staff working day and night on each ship, preparing approximately 45,000 meals a day. Passengers are able to choose from more than 450 items on the main dining room menu alone each cruise.

The quality of Princess dining experience has been recognized by the prestigious Cha?ne des R?tisseurs, which has inducted all of the company's ships into the exclusive gastronomic society. This honor, which is usually presented to individuals, is unique because for the first time it recognized the culinary achievements of an entire fleet.

Some of the aspects of the Princess dining experience that make it worth such acclaim include:

Main Dining Room Choice

Anytime Dining -- Just like a restaurant at home, Anytime Dining enables passengers the freedom to dine when and with whom they wish, at any time between 5:30 and 10 pm. Reservations are available through an onboard dining hotline or Princess Concierge Service, but are not required, and diners may choose to eat only with their own group, or be seated with other passengers. Anytime Dining is available on all Princess ships with more than one main dining room.

Traditional Dining -- For passengers who prefer the traditional cruise ship dining experience, Princess also offers a main dining room option in which they can enjoy having the same dining time, waiter and tablemates each evening. Every ship offers at least one dining room dedicated to Traditional Dining, with two seatings, usually scheduled at 6:30 and 8:30 pm.

Array of Alternative Venues

With Princess' customized Personal Choice program, dining options abound. The line's newest ships, in particular, offer a bounty of choices including:

Trattoria Sabatini -- Imagine having a favorite neighborhood Italian restaurant with attentive waiters who present your first course the moment you sit down -- and follow that with a tantalizing parade of dishes, one right after another. Just such a dining experience can be found in Sabatini's, where, in true trattoria fashion, courses arrive with a flourish on platters fresh from the kitchen. With a menu specializing in Italian cuisine and premium seafood, Sabatini's offers a refined yet casual atmosphere that includes extensive personal attention from the ship's top European waiters and perhaps even a song from the pizza chef as he creates Princess' famous pies. $20 cover charge. (Featured on Grand Princess, Golden Princess, Star Princess, Coral Princess, Island Princess, Tahitian Princess, Pacific Princess, Diamond Princess, Sapphire Princess, Caribbean Princess, Crown Princess, Royal Princess, Emerald Princess))

Bayou Cafe and Steakhouse -- A spicy mixture of French, Spanish and African influences, New Orleans cuisine is one of the oldest culture-driven cooking styles in American history, but new to the cruise industry. Princess introduced the very first New Orleans-style restaurant at sea -- the Bayou Cafe -- aboard Coral Princess in 2003. Here, passengers can enjoy live jazz along with traditional Cajun- and Creole-influenced dishes such as peel-and-eat shrimp, alligator ribs, gumbos, jambalaya and a host of fun drink selections. Steak lovers can choose from premium beef selections such as Garlic Mustard Grilled or Blackened Sterling Silver bone-in New York Strip Bourbon and Smoked Chili Marinated Sterling Silver Porterhouse Steak $15 cover charge. (Featured on Coral Princess, Island Princess.)

Sterling Steakhouse -- The perfect choice for meat lovers, the Sterling Steakhouse features special cuts of beef from the famous "Sterling Silver" brand, cooked to order, and other steakhouse favorites. Passengers even enjoy the unique option of choosing their own cut of beef from a presentation tray, and watching as the chef cooks their selection. $15 cover charge. (Featured on Sun Princess, Dawn Princess, Sea Princess, Pacific Princess, Tahitian Princess, Star Princess, Golden Princess, Grand Princess, Caribbean Princess, Diamond Princess, Sapphire Princess, Royal Princess).

Crown Grill -- Featuring premium beef and seafood items, the Crown Grill offers a showplace eatery with an open, theater-style kitchen where chefs custom-prepare steamed shellfish -- such as lobster, scallops, clams and mussels -- and cooked-to-order steaks and chops. Passengers can choose to sit at the kitchen's eat-up counter and watch the show as they dine, or settle into a comfortable booth with an order of grilled tiger prawns or a filet mignon. The restaurant also offers a dedicated cocktail bar, wine display cabinets and a new signature 16-ounce Crown Grill Margarita. A $25 fee applies for dinner, some items may carry an additional charge. (Crown Princess, Emerald Princess)

Cafe Caribe -- This themed buffet captures the tastes of the Caribbean. An industry first, this elegant but casual dining option presents a changing menu of Caribbean themes with specialties such as Grilled Caribbean Rock Lobster, Paella-Style Prawns, Whole Roast Suckling Pig, Jerk Chicken, Guiana Pepperpots and Curries, and many more local favorites. Sporting colorful Caribbean decor and live music, the space features an open kitchen where passengers can order their meal cooked to their specifications. (Caribbean Princess, Crown Princess, Emerald Princess)

Pizzerias --- Offering authentic Italian-style pies that have long been a Princess trademark, these restaurants offer a lunch and dinner menu perfect for pizza lovers, and are often open late into the night. (Featured on Sun Princess, Dawn Princess, Sea Princess and Regal Princess). Poolside pizzerias serving fresh pizza by the slice are featured on many ships as well (Grand Princess, Golden Princess, Star Princess, Island Princess, Coral Princess, Caribbean Princess, Crown Princess, Diamond Princess, Sapphire Princess, Emerald Princess).

'Round-the-Clock Buffets, Snacks and Special Taste Treats

Dining aboard a Princess cruise can literally turn into a morning-to-midnight experience with the numerous options available.

Horizon Court (also known as the Lido Cafe or Panorama Buffet on certain vessels) -- At the forefront of 24-hour dining, the Horizon Court offers a round-the-clock venue for buffet meals or snacks. In addition, the restaurant operates a late-night bistro with a set menu and sit-down service from 10 pm to 4 am. A primary feature of Princess ships, the top-of-the-ship restaurant features floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning sea views as a backdrop for a quick breakfast or casual dinner.

International Cafe -- A new generation in Princess' 24-hour dining concept, this atrium-level cafe in a piazza-style setting serves a changing menu of a la carte items throughout the day. Passengers may enjoy freshly baked croissants or beignets in the morning, gourmet panini sandwiches at lunchtime, afternoon tea or chocolate fondue later in the day, or pre-dinner tapas in the evening. Those looking for a sweet pick-me-up will also find displays of caramel apples, chocolate truffles, gelato and other assorted desserts. Coffee lovers will find an expanded coffee program featuring a variety of specialty coffee drinks made from a selection of six different coffee beans. The International Cafe menu features both complimentary and modestly priced items. (Crown Princess, Emerald Princess)

Vines ? A wine and seafood bar that tempts passengers in the evening with an assortment of fine wine and cocktail pairings accompanied by a selection of chilled seafood "cocktails"-- appetizers including salmon, oysters, sushi, gravlax or other treats from the sea. The extensive wine menu features an extended ?by the glass' selection and a series of wine flights. Seafood appetizers are available for a modest per-item charge. (Crown Princess, Emerald Princess) Poolside Grill -- For a quick poolside lunch, many Princess ships offer outdoor venues where hungry passengers can get freshly grilled burgers and hot dogs for a tasty al fresco meal.

La Patisserie -- For cappuccino, espresso and other coffee specialties, as well as fresh pastries throughout the day, La Patisserie offers a comfortable, casual sidewalk cafe-style setting.

Wine and Caviar Bar ---Fine caviars for an elegant evening snack plus premium wines.

Afternoon Tea -- All ships offer Princess' trademark British-style afternoon tea daily, complete with tablecloths, gleaming Samovars, easy listening music in the background, and tea boxes for herbal and specialty teas. Passengers can enjoy freshly prepared finger sandwiches, cookies, biscuits and cakes served by white-gloved waiters in smart, formal attire.

Ice Cream Bar --- The perfect place to indulge a sweet tooth, several Princess vessels offer an ice cream counter featuring premium treats at prices comparable to landside ice cream shops. Princess' own homemade ice cream is available at meals in the main dining rooms as well as an afternoon sundae bar in the Horizon Court.

Room Service -- And if all this isn't enough, Princess even provides 24-hour room service, enabling passengers to enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in the privacy of their own staterooms or enjoying the view from their balconies. In addition to the always-available room service menu, passengers can also enjoy items from the day's main menu in their staterooms, as well as special room service-only offerings, such as a special Champagne Balcony Breakfast ($28 per couple) and an elegant four-course Caribbean Lobster Balcony Dinner available on Caribbean Princess, featuring delicate sweet lobster tails plus a full evening of special touches (cover charge applies).

Specialized Menus

Some other dining options for select audiences include:

Children -- Princess' young passengers will find special menus in the main dining room featuring a variety of childhood favorites. Plus, participants in the Princess Kids youth program can join in the fun at special pizza parties, ice cream socials, and other fun dining events.

Lotus Spa-- On the main dining room menus, passengers will always find a daily selection of healthy Lotus Spa options designed for those watching their diets. Choices include vegetarian dishes, lower-calorie entrees and salads, as well as options lower in cholesterol, fat and sodium. Sugar-free desserts are included on the daily dessert menus as well.

Special Diets -- More specific dietary needs can be accommodated upon request. This includes Kosher meals, as well as selections for passengers following vegan, salt-free, low MSG or sulfites, dairy-free, or gluten-free diets. All are available if pre-arranged in advance of the sailing.

Award-Winning Quality

Quality is as important on Princess ships as quantity, and menus are regularly changed to keep up with the latest dining trends. Passengers will find traditional European dishes blended with contemporary cuisine, focusing on seasonal foods, flavorful sauces, herbs and lighter fare to please a wide variety of tastes. Most of the food items aboard have been freshly prepared or baked, including a daily offering of mouth-watering breads and desserts.

The finest-quality meal ingredients used on board come from throughout North America and Europe. And, as available, specialties from the ships' ports of call and cruise region often appear on the menus. Alaska cruise passengers, for example, might enjoy freshly caught salmon, while in the Caribbean local seafood and tropical fruits are featured.

In addition, an attentive dining staff and a creative variety of menus make each meal a unique event. Dishes prepared tableside, a Princess hallmark, add to the festive nature of the meals, and might include the always-popular Caesar salad, pastas, carvings or flaming desserts.

All of these many options are served up by a staff -- from chefs to waiters -- dedicated to making the dining experience something special. Together, Princess' unique combination of gracious dining staff, fine continental cuisine and new friends make every meal onboard a memorable occasion.