Princess Cruises will base seven ships in Europe in 2011, its largest-ever deployment there.
Princess will have six ships in Europe this summer, and the Emerald Princess will make it seven, offering 11-day Baltic cruises. The Emerald will sail the Caribbean out of Fort Lauderdale this summer.
In total, Princess will offer 42 itineraries originating in Europe and call at more than 135 ports. The line will overnight in Venice; Istanbul, Turkey; St. Petersburg, Russia; Alexandria, Egypt; Edinburgh, Scotland; and Dublin on various cruises.
Princess will visit five new European ports in 2011, including Aahus, Denmark; Motril, Spain; Sete, France; Aghios Nikolaos on the Greek island of Crete; and Antwerp, Belgium.
Princess is the latest cruise line to ramp up its European presence; Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line are increasing European capacity in 2011.
Bookings for Princess' 2011 Europe season open March 25.