After an absence of almost four years, Princess Cruises return to Bermuda?s shores in the summer of 2006 with the debut voyage of the 116,000-ton .

This marks Princess? first ever roundtrip Caribbean sailing from New York and the inaugural cruise season features nine-day roundtrip voyages marking the line?s return to Bermuda.

Beginning June 14 and running through October 18, 2006, will offer 10 cruises on an Eastern Caribbean itinerary with calls at Bermuda, San Juan, St. Thomas and a new port of call for the Princess, Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Princess? senior vice president of customer service and sales Jan Swartz said recently that the company was especially pleased to once again offer passengers a regular opportunity to enjoy the British flavour and pink sand beaches of Bermuda.

Princess last offered regularly scheduled calls in Bermuda in 2002, but on this new itinerary, will call on the Island during weekends, offering a less congested experience for passengers as most cruise ships make Bermuda calls during the week.

The will introduce a number of new design innovations to the Princess fleet, including a dramatic new piazza-style atrium, new casual dining venues and expansion of some favourite shipboard areas.

Within the new street caf? environment of the atrium, passengers will find an International Caf? serving up fresh pastries and baked goods in the morning and assorted other offerings throughout the day, as well as a wine and seafood bar.

Several signature Princess venues have been further enhanced, including an expanded Trattoria Sabatini with a new piano lounge area and the addition of pub fare to the trademark Wheelhouse Bar.

A new Steak and Seafood restaurant expands on the Sterling Steakhouse concept with an open, theatre-style kitchen where chefs will custom-prepare steamed shellfish and cooked-to-order steaks and chops.

The ship will also offer Movies Under the Stars poolside movie screen, multiple dining and entertainment options, the Lotus Spa with fitness centre, an extensive children and teen?s centre and a wedding chapel.