One of cruising's most advanced passenger vessels, Island Princess, arrived today at the port of Vancouver, where it will be christened later this evening in a historic naming ceremony. The 92,000-ton, 1,970-passenger ship will be the first cruise ship ever christened in Vancouver as Princess Cruises pays tribute to its more than three decade-long relationship with the Canadian city. Canadian ice skating champions and Olympic gold medalists Jamie Salé and David Pelletier were selected as "godparents" for the ship and will perform the naming honors.

"Vancouver has long been home to our Gulf of Alaska cruise ships, so it seems only fitting that our latest vessel now begins her life here," noted Dean Brown, Princess' executive vice president of customer service and sales. "We are excited to be bringing this maritime tradition to Vancouver for the very first time, and to be able to launch this beautiful new vessel here today."

Island Princess will be officially named in a 6:00 pm christening ceremony featuring the traditional champagne-bottle smash, using instead sparkling wine from the award-winning Kelowna-based Summerhill Pyramid Winery. Invited guests will also enjoy other local highlights during the celebration, such as a specially created regional menu and entertainment by the renowned hometown Dal Richards Orchestra.

The new ship will be based in Vancouver throughout the summer, offering seven-day Gulf of Alaska cruises, and will depart on her first voyage tomorrow afternoon. Island Princess is a sister ship to Coral Princess, which is also sails on the Gulf of Alaska route from Vancouver.

Island Princess follows in the wake of her sister ship, offering the same vast array of public room space as Princess' renowned larger "Grand-class" ships but, in a twist, spread over two decks and with fewer passengers aboard. Island Princess combines all the options of Princess's other ships, plus more staterooms with private balconies than any other ship in its fleet, while still possessing the ability to pass through the Panama Canal, ensuring flexibility in deployment.

Among the ground-breaking features aboard Island Princess, passengers will find the Bayou Café, the first New Orleans-style restaurant at sea, featuring traditional Cajun and Creole specialties and live jazz; as well as the Universe Lounge, a dramatic two-deck performance venue equipped with the latest lighting and digital sound and video systems, and home to the new ScholarShip@Sea program, offering passengers the opportunity to participate in a variety of enrichment programs during the course of their voyage on topics such as culinary arts, photography, web design and ceramics. Additional unique features include the Churchill Lounge, a haven for cigar aficionados, Crooners, a 1960s-era martini bar, and a Paris-themed casino. As on the line's largest ships, the new vessel also offers a full Lotus Spa, a wedding chapel, a nine-hole putting course, a 24-hour Internet Café, and an extensive children's center.

In addition, the vessel features an advanced power-generation technology, with a unique gas turbine/diesel enviro-engine combination that has proven to be both highly efficient and environmentally sound, creating lower exhaust emissions and minimal oil waste. The new gas turbines are installed in the funnel, freeing additional space for the ship's wide range of public rooms and onboard facilities.

One of the best-known names in North American cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise and tour company. Part of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK), its current fleet of 10 ships sail on approximately 150 different itineraries around the globe, calling at more than 260 ports on all seven continents. By 2006 a further five ships will be introduced. Additional information is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company's website at www.princess.com.