Princess Cruises Reunites Television's Favorite Mothers and Daughters to Christen Two New Ships and Celebrate Mother's Day

Princess Cruises Reunites Television's Favorite Mothers and Daughters to Christen Two New Ships and Celebrate Mother's Day

Florence Henderson ('Mrs. Brady') and Marion Ross ('Mrs. Cunningham') Launch Contest for Deserving Mother and Daughter to Join Them at Historic Dual Naming Ceremony in Santorini, Greece

SANTA CLARITA, Calif., March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of the historic dual naming of its two newest ships, Emerald Princess and Royal Princess -- which takes place over Mother's Day weekend in Santorini, Greece -- Princess Cruises will reunite a pair of television's favorite mothers and daughters to christen its pair of vessels. Television icons Florence Henderson, best known as "Carol Brady" on The Brady Bunch, and Marion Ross, aka "Marion Cunningham" of Happy Days fame will christen the larger Emerald Princess, while their TV daughters, Susan Olsen ("Cindy Brady") and Erin Moran ("Joanie Cunningham") will christen the more intimate Royal Princess.

In addition, these stars united today to announce a contest for a real mother and daughter duo to join them in Greece for the christening festivities. Contestants may enter by logging onto www.princess.com/mothersdayescape for a chance to win "The Ultimate Mother and Daughter Mediterranean Escape." The winners will sail on the May 5-17 Greek Isles/Mediterranean Emerald Princess sailing, the inaugural celebration cruise during which the ships will be simultaneously named on May 12. The winning mother and daughter will be announced on April 12.

"Millions of Americans have grown up knowing Florence Henderson and Marion Ross as America's quintessential mothers and Susan Olsen and Erin Moran as their daughters. What better way to celebrate Mother's Day and the launch of our pair of new ships than to have this pair of iconic television mothers and daughters as christeners," said Alan Buckelew, president of Princess Cruises. "We're extremely honored to have them perform the role of godmothers."

Florence Henderson is known worldwide as "America's favorite mom, Carol Brady," from the hit television series The Brady Bunch. The show ran for five seasons, from 1969-1974, has never been off the air in the U.S., and is currently broadcast in 122 countries around the world. Ms. Henderson recreated her popular role in several Brady-related shows including the recent VH1 reality show, My Fair Brady, which starred her TV son, Peter Knight. She is one of the most respected and beloved performers of our time and the Wall Street Journal rated her number five out of ten top television endorsers, based on consumer appeal and a career built on trust and talent.

Marion Ross, the "best known matriarch on television" has played a variety of motherly roles over the years. She is best known as the mom, "Mrs. Cunningham," on the classic television show Happy Days, which ran for 11 seasons, from 1974-1984. According to TV Land, if there was a "Sitcom Hall of Fame," Happy Days would have a cherished spot. The show was a regular in the Nielsen "Top 10" while airing and has been called one of America's favorite family shows. In addition to her role on Happy Days, she played a mother on The Drew Carey Show, That '70s Show, The Gilmore Girls, Brooklyn Bridge, and most recently, as Sally Fields' mother on ABC's hit, Brothers & Sisters.

Susan Olsen, best known as the youngest Brady, "Cindy," started her acting career while still in kindergarten. She reprised her famous role in several Brady Bunch reunion movies and the series, The Bradys. Expanding her role as one of the best-known daughters and little sisters ever on television, she also created and was the executive producer for Brady Bunch Home Movies, a CBS prime time special, and is currently working on a book, which offers a humorous look at the Brady Bunch Variety Show. She is also serving as one of the editors on an upcoming Travel Channel special, The Bradys Back in Hawaii.

Erin Moran also started her acting career at the young age of five, appearing in several television commercials and then feature films before landing her most famous role, as Joanie "Shortcakes" Cunningham on Happy Days, at the age of 12. In the show's tenth season, America's then-favorite daughter left the show to star in a series spinoff, Joanie Loves Chachi.

Florence Henderson, Marion Ross and Erin Moran also share the distinction of guest-starring in episodes of The Love Boat, which was set on Princess Cruises' Pacific Princess.

Princess' two new ships will both offer passengers the best of Europe with a variety of cruise experiences and itineraries. Emerald Princess will sail to the most sought-after ports in the Greek Isles and Mediterranean, while Royal Princess' boutique onboard experience is the perfect complement to its series of "Elite" itineraries which takes advantage of the ship's small size to introduce four exotic new ports.

Emerald Princess -- The 113,000-ton Emerald Princess, a sister ship to the line's Crown Princess, will be the company's first vessel to make its debut from Rome's seaport, the town of Civitavecchia. Emerald Princess' first cruise, a 12-day Greek Isles itinerary, is scheduled to set sail on April 11 on a voyage to Venice that will take passengers to some of the most scenic spots in the Mediterranean and Aegean. Thereafter the ship will offer a series of Greek Isles and Grand Mediterranean cruises before repositioning to Fort Lauderdale for Caribbean sailings in the fall.

Emerald Princess will include the many design innovations introduced aboard Crown Princess including a dramatic new piazza-style atrium, new casual dining venues, and a brand new adults-only retreat called The Sanctuary.

Royal Princess -- Princess will expand its fleet with an intimately-sized sister vessel to the line's popular Tahitian Princess and Pacific Princess. The 710-passenger Royal Princess takes the name of a much-beloved former Princess ship, and joins the fleet on April 19 with a series of unique Mediterranean itineraries including four brand new ports that are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The 30,000-ton ship originally entered service in 2001 as a Renaissance vessel and is currently cruising as Swan Hellenic's Minerva II. After a drydock to transform the ship into a "princess," Royal Princess will join its sisters to give passengers a cruising environment with all the hallmarks of choice for which Princess is known -- including a variety of dining and entertainment options and a large number of cabins with private balconies - all offered in intimate surroundings.

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. Additional contest rules and regulations and prize details can be found at www.princess.com/mothersdayescape.

About Princess Cruises:

One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise and tour company operating a fleet of 15 modern ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided in an environment of exceptional customer service. A recognized leader in worldwide cruising, Princess offers its passengers the opportunity to escape to the top destinations around the globe, with sailings to all seven continents, ranging in length from seven to 30 days. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL)(NYSE:CUK).

Princess Cruises is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, Windstar Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. Together we offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.

Source: Princess Cruises

CONTACT: Julie Benson, +1-661-753-1530, jbenson@princesscruises.com, or
Karen Candy, +1-661-753-1540, kcandy@princesscruises.com, both of Princess
Cruises

Web site: http://www.princess.com/mothersdayescape

Web site: http://www.princess.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: News, background information and photography are available 24/7 at www.princess.com/news.

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