Until the early 1990’s,  part of the fun of taking a cruise was the traditional bon voyage party,  when family and friends joined you aboard ship to toast your departure.   Cruise lines banned bon voyage parties because , they said, of security concerns.

Princess Cruises has announced that it will bring back — sort of — this festive tradition with a new program, the “Bon Voyage Experience, that allows cruisers to invite family and friends aboard their ship on embarkation day for lunch and a tour of the ship.  The only catch is that, unlike earlier bon voyage programs, each guest will be charged $39 per person, which can be applied to a future Princess cruise.

Starting March 6, the bon voyage program will be offered aboard select Princess ships in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Fort Lauderdale.   Once their cruise is booked, passengers will receive an reminding them of the program.   In-port guests can be booked through a travel agent or by calling (800) PRINCESS beginning 120 days before the cruise and up to six days before the sailing date.

Would you invite guests to party with you on a Princess ship?