PRINCESS POSTS CRUISE STORIES

Gather thousands of people on a ship and what do you get? Lots of stories about their experiences, some of which are extraordinary. Princess Cruises is choosing the best of those stories for their new blog, “Linked by the Sea.” The first five have been published, and touch on subjects like romance, friendship and weddings. Each week Princess will post a story that "will illustrate how a cruise not only offers a relaxing retreat from which to explore the world, but often includes the discovery of new friends that lead to meaningful or lifelong relationships." Readers are encouraged to share their own “Linked by the Sea” stories through the blog as well. Submit at www.linkedbythesea.com/share-your-story to be considered. Here are capsules from Princess of the first five:


Brooklyn Pals Reconnect in the Outback – Passenger Joan Shifrin was surprised when a fellow traveler on an Australia cruisetour turned out to be a long-ago friend from her childhood in Brooklyn. The two former neighbors reconnected on their cruise after 50 years apart.

Touched by Dominic – Hotel General Manager Melania Parnisari found that one passenger, an 8-year-old boy named Dominic who suffers from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), touched everyone who met him with his cheerfulness and joy for life.

Meeting My Perfect Match – Passenger Carla Figueroa wasn’t looking for love when she sailed on Crown Princess with a group celebrating a wedding. By the end of the cruise, however, she and Christian were inseparable, and married three years later.

“Do You Know Danny Reznich?” – Sommelier Thai Reznich was shocked to meet a passenger who had been best friends with his grandfather some 60 years ago. He became the link to reconnect the two long-lost friends who hadn’t seen each other since World War II.

Clicking Over a Kilt – Passenger Steve Deas tells how wearing a kilt onboard became an icebreaker that led to an ongoing friendship with Princess Maître d’ Generoso Mazzone. This friendship led to a unique opportunity for Steve to surprise his wife with a secret vow renewal ceremony.