Cruise Lines

Things are shaping up for a right royal battle in Europe next summer with Princess Cruises announcing its biggest-ever programme for the Med and Baltic just days after Royal Caribbean International president and chief executive officer Adam Goldstein revealed Royal will have a record 10 ships in Europe next year.

Princess will have seven ships on this side of the pond, which they clearly feel good about.

But add that to all the Royal ships, the Celebrity ships, the MSC ships, the Costa ships, the Holland America ships, the fact Carnival will be back sailing in the Med, that Norwegian Cruise Line will have its giant Epic over here and you have to wonder whether Europe can really deliver all the passengers needed to fill all that tonnage.

Or if it can, at what kind of prices. Only time will tell.

Princess's 2011 programme marks the line's first step into the world of the mini-cruise. It's offering three-night voyages from Southampton on Grand Princess next summer, in between the usual 14-night Med cruises, to encourage bookings from passengers who have never tried the brand before.

Prices are keen - from £349 per person for an inside cabin for bookings made by June 30, or you can pay another £40 and get a balcony - so you won't have lost much in time or money if you don't like it (which is unlikely).

Two ships - Ruby Princess and Star Princess - will be sailing the 12-night Grand Mediterranean and Greek Isles cruises, and there's a new 11-night Baltic cruise on Emerald Princess (it's a 10-night cruise this year but they've added a call to Aarhus in Denmark).

Ocean Princess will be reprieving its 18-night Land of the Midnight Sun voyage from Dover, but they've added a visit to Spitsbergen - and a second departure. The ship will also be sailing seven-night cruises to the fjords and Baltic from Dover, and in the Med, as it is this year.

The 2011 programme goes on sale to Captain's Club members on April 24 and to everyone else on April 26. For more details see your travel agent.

You'll get up to $300 per couple on-board credit if you book by June 30, or up to $600 per couple if you upgrade to a balcony or suite.