These photos were taken on-board Princess Cruise Lines EMERALD PRINCESS in Fort Lauderdale Florida. On January 29, 2009 our franchise class participants of Cruise Planners were taken to the pier in order to participate in the ship inspection.

From its modest beginnings in 1965 with a single ship cruising to Mexico, Princess was catapulted to stardom in 1977 when Pacific Princess was cast in a starring role on a new television show called The Love Boat. The weekly series, which introduced millions of viewers to the still-new concept of a sea-going vacation, was an instant hit and both the company name and its "seawitch" logo have remained synonymous with cruising ever since. Building on past success, Princess is continually evolving to meet the needs of the today's vacationer. The signature emphasis on Personal Choice Cruising, the concept of putting passengers in control of their own cruise experience, is apparent across the fleet, with each vessel offering its own unique version on a host of multiple dining options and locations; flexible and varied entertainment selections; renowned customer service; and a full complement of onboard activities including a variety of enrichment classes. In addition to incorporating a wide range of choices, vessels in the Princess fleet are specifically designed to provide the ultimate in affordable luxury, with an emphasis on "big ship choice with small ship feel." No matter the size of the ship, public spaces are designed to feel intimate and are decorated in a contemporary style, allowing passengers to enjoy themselves in an informal, relaxed onboard atmosphere that mirrors today's lifestyles. The company has also long been the leader in building ships specifically designed to accommodate an extensive number of the most sought-after shipboard luxury -- the private balcony.