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News Article
11/6/2008
Princess Cruises Christens Newest Ship, Ruby Princess
Befitting the "Most Romantic Cruise Line," Reigning Reality Couple Trista and Ryan
Sutter of "The Bachelorette" Christen Ship to Celebrate Their Fifth Wedding
Anniversary
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (November 6, 2008) -- 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
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
www.princess.com.
