Princess adds Swan Hellenic’s only ship to its fleet

It’s just like a fairy tale. Our heroine began life as the R8, a ship in the Renaissance fleet. Then she wised up and became the Minerva II, the only child of Swan Hellenic. But in April 2007, she will embrace the glorious life she knew she was born to lead when she joins Princess Cruises and becomes the Royal Princess.

Princess announced yesterday it will be adding this 680-passenger ship into its fleet next spring. The new Royal Princess will be sisters with the Tahitian Princess and the Pacific Princess, and will sail in the Mediterranean and Black Sea. Princess hopes this smaller ship will provide a “boutique version” of the line’s cruising program, including multiple dining options and balconies on three quarters of the cabins.

But without its only ship, can Swan Hellenic live happily ever after? That’s a story yet to be written.