In a “ruby red” themed ceremony celebrating romance, Princess
Cruises today named its newest ship, Ruby Princess. America’s reigning
reality couple, Trista and Ryan Sutter of The Bachelorette did the
honors, breaking the traditional bottle of champagne to mark the ship’s
launch, and their own fifth anniversary. The new godparents were
surrounded by hundreds of guests decked out in ruby red-tie formal
attire, and a ruby-haired singer serenaded the crowd. As befitting the
most romantic cruise line, and an event celebrating “romantic moments
and milestones,” the official naming was followed by the ultimate
romantic milestone – a wedding in the midst of the festivities. The
California couple joined in matrimony not only had Trista and Ryan as
wedding attendants, but the Love Boat captain himself, Gavin MacLeod,
gave away the bride.
Tonight the ship hosts a “Ruby Red Tie” gala and sets sail on a
two-night cruise for hundreds of VIP guests who will enjoy a special
preview of Princess’ newest vessel. During the mini sailing, the ship
will host an array of romantic activities, including a massive renewal
of vows for all couples tomorrow while the ship is at sea. Ruby
Princess then returns to Port Everglades on November 8 for its
inaugural seven-day sailing to the Western Caribbean.
“It’s only fitting that as the most romantic cruise line in the
industry, we celebrate the naming of our newest ship with a tribute to
‘romantic milestones,‘“ said Alan Buckelew, Princess Cruises president
and chief executive officer. “It was exciting to have Trista and Ryan
Sutter serve as godparents of Ruby Princess and of course the wedding
during the ceremony added an appropriate touch to the festivities.”
Princess Cruises has long been associated with romance on the high
seas, dating back to its days as the setting for the now-iconic TV show
The Love Boat. Cementing that connection, Princess was just named the
“Best Cruise Line for Romance” and “Best Cruise Line for Weddings” in
the 2008 Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards. The Ruby Princess naming
ceremony continued the line’s tradition of romance with godparents
Trista and Ryan, who were introduced to America in 2003 on the
television hit The Bachelorette.
Trista and Ryan Sutter became America’s reigning romantic couple as
millions of viewers followed their courtship and witnessed their
nationally televised wedding. To this day they are the only couple
from the Bachelor or The Bachelorette shows to actually get married.
The ceremony fulfilled the dream of yet another couple as Kip
Hickman and Danielle Vurpillat tied the knot as part of the ship’s
naming ceremony. The couple, from Dunsmuir, Calif., met on a blind
date and expressed their desire to be married onboard Ruby Princess
during a recent contest held with national newspaper, USA Today. The
minister who officiated the nuptials, Phil Roberts, is also a member of
Princess Cruises’ Department of Romance.
The Ruby Princess naming ceremony will be available for viewing on line at http://www.princess.com beginning November 7.
The 3,080-passenger Ruby Princess includes a dramatic piazza-style
atrium featuring small-bite eateries and an ever-changing line-up of
street performers. Passengers will also enjoy Princess’ other array of
dining venues including the signature Sabatini’s Italian restaurant and
the Crown Grill steak house, plus a relaxing oasis just for adults
called The Sanctuary. The new ship will also offer the many other
innovations that define the Princess experience, including the popular
Movies Under the Stars poolside movie screen, Personal Choice Dining
featuring traditional or Anytime seating, multiple entertainment
venues, a relaxing Asian-style Lotus Spa with fitness center, an
extensive children and teen’s center, and a wedding chapel.
During Ruby Princess’ inaugural season she will make seven-day
weekly sailings from Fort Lauderdale to the Western Caribbean. Calls
include Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Cozumel,
Mexico and Princess Cays in the Bahamas. Next spring the ship will
move to Europe for 12-day sailings in the Mediterranean and Greek
Islands.
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 http://www.princess.com.
