“We have some really nice plans we’re working on that we’ll be able to communicate soon,” said Princess vice-president UK and Europe Eithne Williamson during a shipyard visit on Wednesday (8 March).

Sun Princess, under construction in Italy, is due to start sailing the Med next February, and will make an overnight stop in Southampton in September 2024. “There will be a celebration," said Williamson, speaking to TTG. "It’s also a chance to get not only senior agents but front-line agents on the ship."

Williamson said Princess would look to "get as many people onboard as we can", adding she was hopeful some agents would be able to sail Sun Princess in Europe "potentially on a shakedown cruise or on the cruise sailing into Southampton".

Agents, said Williamson, remain "absolutely critical" to Princess, confirming the line would put new material about Sun Princess on its training academy platform.

Heralding new features such as Signature suites and cabana cabins with their own private deck area, Williamson said: “There’s a point to encouraging our guests and agents to book early to make sure they are getting what suits them."

Sales for the 4,300-passenger ship opened in December. “Bookings are positive across all markets," she continued. "It’s more successful than when Discovery went on sale.

"In the UK, people are still booking more for 2023 than 2024 – that’s not just cruise – so our current campaign for additional onboard spend is just on 2024 cruises.”