Princess Passengers Select Best Tour Experiences in the Caribbean

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (May 29, 2007) - As the 2006-07 Caribbean cruise season comes to a close, Princess has announced the winners of its ninth annual C.R.U.I.S.E. service awards, which honor passenger choices for best tours of the season plus favorite tour guides in many of the Caribbean ports of call Princess ships visit throughout the season.

The awards recognize the importance of local tour operators and their staff as a vital part of the Princess experience in the Caribbean and are based upon the number of positive passenger comments. Winners include tour companies and individual guides from Princess' extensive line-up of more than 820 shore excursion options throughout the Caribbean. All recipients receive their awards at ceremonies held aboard the line's ships.

"Local tour operators really represent their destinations in our passengers' eyes, and they are so important to ensuring that Princess' high service levels continue even off the ship," said Steve Nielsen, Princess' vice president of Caribbean and Atlantic shore operations. "We were quite pleasantly surprised by passenger response this season - in many ports it was difficult to choose a winner because so many tours had been highly rated by our passengers. It's also noteworthy that the Americas Cup 12-Metre Yacht Regatta tour has now been voted 'Shore Excursion of the Season' in St. Maarten for the ninth year in a row."

Begun in 1999 as part of Princess' C.R.U.I.S.E. (Courtesy, Respect, Unfailing In Service Excellence) customer service program, these tour operator awards cap off a season-long effort to recognize the role that local tour partners play in passengers' cruise experiences. Tour Guide of the Season award winners receive 0, a letter of commendation, a C.R.U.I.S.E. pin, a plaque, a ship tour and lunch onboard with their family. Operators of the Shore Excursion of the Season receive a plaque and a letter of commendation, a tour of the ship, and lunch onboard for company officials. Winning tours will also be indicated in next year's shore excursion booklet.