Princess Cruises has announced that 2020 will be its biggest UK and European season, with three ships sailing a full season out of Southampton for the first time.

The line has also revealed that its newest ship, Enchanted Princess, will be named in Southampton in June 2020 – the first Princess vessel to be named in the UK since Royal Princess in 2013. It will then be deployed in the Mediterranean. 

Ex-UK capacity is up 30 per cent from 2019, representing 1.4m cruise nights on board.

The 3,080-guest Crown Princess will sail for more than 150 days from Southampton, from May to November, sailing to the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Northern Europe, while the 2,200-guest Island Princess – which will be based in Southampton – will spend June to October sailing from Southampton to Northern Europe and the 3,560-guest Regal Princess will head round Britain from May to September.

Prior to Crown Princess’ UK season, the ship will sail a shorter series of fly-Mediterranean cruises in April and May.

In addition, European capacity will increase in 2020 by 15 per cent on 2019.

Meanwhile, the 3,660-guest Sky Princess, which launches next year, will spend its first spring and summer season sailing Scandinavia and Russia roundtrip from Copenhagen.

The 2020 programme also includes sailings across Europe as well as Asia, the Caribbean, Alaska and Canada & New England.

UK-based ships – Crown Princess and Island Princess – go on sale on 8 November 2018 at 9am with the rest of Europe, Caribbean and Canada & New England sailings available from 5pm the same day.

Alaska and Japan voyages are on sale on 15 November 2018 at 5pm.

Tony Roberts, vice president Princess Cruises UK and Europe, said: “Europe remains the most popular holiday destination for our UK guests so we’re delighted to offer more choice than ever before in 2020.

“The fact Southampton will see the launch of Enchanted Princess and that we have two of our newest ships, Sky Princess and Regal Princess, sailing in Europe, is a testament to the ever-growing popularity of Princess Cruises in the UK.

“If you’re already looking ahead to your 2020 holiday, now is a great time to book with deposits of just £50 per person available until 31 April 2019.”