Princess Cruises Kicks Off "Sail with the 12s" Fan Cruise with Ultimate Sailgate Party Including Special Appearances by Seattle Seahawks Players

Fans Rally Aboard Crown Princess at the Port of Seattle

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Jun 20, 2015, 07:36 ET

SANTA CLARITA, Calif., June 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Princess Cruises, the Official Cruise Line of the Seattle Seahawks, kicked off the "Sail with the 12s" Seahawks Fan Cruise today with a spirited onboard rally featuring Seahawks Wide Receivers Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse, the high energy Blue Thunder drumline, Sea Gals and mascots Blitz and Boom. Attended by hundreds of fans, the rally featured a special "Spirit of the 12s" flag-raising ceremony by local military veteran John Kaiser.

Seattle Seahawks players and alumni were joined by the SeaGals and Blue Thunder to fire-up fans before Princess Cruises "Sail with the 12s" fan cruise departed from the Port of Seattle.

The seven-night Alaska cruise, sailing over Father's Day, departed Seattle this evening aboard Crown Princess and offered fans the exclusive opportunity to meet with current players and alumni, including:

Former Safety Jordan Babineaux (2004-2010)
Former Guard Edwin Bailey (1981-1991)
Tackle Justin Britt (2014-present)
Tight End Cooper Helfet (2012-present)
Hall of Fame Quarterback Warren Moon (1997-1998) and current commentator for Seahawks Radio
Defensive End Gregg Scruggs (2012-present)
Ring of Honor Quarterback Jim Zorn (1976-1984)

Fans will hear them talk about off-season moves, the 2015 game schedule and their favorite memories as Seahawks during Q&A sessions, meet-and-greet autograph signings and photo opportunities.

The cruise to Alaska will feature spectacular glaciers, abundant wildlife and the area's incredible natural beauty with stops in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Victoria, B.C., with scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord. On board, guests will also enjoy the line's new North to Alaska! program, created in partnership with local experts and featuring a variety of authentic Alaska culinary, educational and entertainment experiences designed to delve deeper into the fascinating frontier guests are exploring around them.

The fan cruise builds on the partnership Princess Cruises and the Seattle Seahawks established last fall, offering fans special cruise deals on Princess cruise vacations and opportunities to win a cruise. Princess Cruises also shows NFL games on its giant "Movies Under the Stars" poolside LED screen and throws tailgate parties at sea on Caribbean cruises and West Coast cruises, allowing football fans to catch the action-packed season during their cruise vacations.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel consultant, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company's website at princess.com.

About U.S. Army Veteran John Kaiser (Spirit of the 12s Flag Raiser):
John Kaiser joined the U.S. Army in 1997 and served 10 ½ years on active duty as an infantryman. He was deployed on two tours in Iraq in 2003 and 2006. On October 16, 2006, an enemy mortar round landed in front of Kaiser's Stryker inflicting severe damage including the loss of his right eye, a shattered cheek bone, temple, multiple skull fractures, broken jaw and gunshot wound to the right shoulder. After multiple reconstructive surgeries, Staff Sergeant Kaiser was medically retired. Kaiser was honored for his brave service with a Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge and Jump wings.

He now volunteers with Northwest Battle Buddies, an organization that provides service dogs to veterans struggling with PTSD and/or traumatic brain injury. The organization trained his chocolate lab, Ruger. Kaiser was born and raised in Washington state and is a Seahawks fanatic, flying a 12s flag year round under the American flag in his front yard.

Princess Cruises is hosting John, his family and service dog Ruger on the Seahawks Fan Cruise to thank him for his service.

Alaska Cruises:
In 2016, the cruise line's award-winning Alaska itineraries will feature 106 departures from Seattle, San Francisco, Vancouver and Whittier featuring 15 unique ports and destinations. Options abound for exploring Alaska, including:

Voyage of the Glaciers – Princess' most popular Gulf of Alaska offering sailings between Vancouver and Whittier features two glacier-viewing experiences on every voyage, with visits to the UNESCO-listed Glacier Bay National Park plus either Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord.

Inside Passage –This breathtaking part of Alaska, known for its lush scenery and wildlife-filled fjords, will be featured on seven- and 10-day roundtrip voyages with the option to visit Glacier Bay on select sailings from Seattle and San Francisco.

About Princess Cruises:
One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise line and tour company operating a fleet of 17 modern cruise ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided in an environment of exceptional customer service. A recognized leader in worldwide cruising, Princess carries 1.7 million guests each year to destinations around the globe ranging in length from three to 114 days. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE: CUK).

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SOURCE Princess Cruises