A New Fun Way for Guys to Pop the Question––
Making Him and His Sweethart 'Big Screen' Stars

(BNN) For centuries male suitors have agonized over how to surprise their girlfriends with a marriage proposal. Should he "pop the question" during a quiet picnic in the country? Or kneel down in a romantic European piazza to pose that surprise question --"Will you marry me?"  In recent years, madly in-love guys have conjured up ever more novel ways to ask for their chosen one's hand--ranging from aerial banners flown over crowded beaches to "I love you” signs lighting up stadium scoreboards.

Now, enamored men will have yet another unconventional venue to surprise the lady in question: Princess Cruises “Engagement Under the Stars” – a pre-arranged proposal on a giant shipboard movie screen, on the high seas under the stars, displaying the gentleman's proposal. Starting in June, with the launch of its newest ship, Crown Princess, the program will complement line's successful "Tie the Knot" shipboard-wedding program.

Not only will the new program surprise the unsuspecting lady, it will also turn the couple into instant shipboard celebrities, starring in their own real-life show--by having the prospective groom make his wedding proposal via a personal video displayed on the ship's top-deck 300-square-foot LED movie screen, before an audience of fellow cruise passengers. A photographer standing by will capture the couple's special moment when he surprises her with the ring on deck.

Princess Cruises, one of whose ships was famous as the romantic setting for The Love Boat television series, will coordinate the surprise proposal to take place just prior to one of the ship's nighttime outdoor feature films. At a prearranged time, the proposer will bring his girlfriend to the scene under the guise of watching the movie. The proposal, in fact, will have been filmed in a secret session with the ship’s videographer to create a personalized and unique segment.

On that special evening, the couple will receive a celebratory glass of champagne and a red rose immediately following the proposal and a bottle of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries in their stateroom that night.

Throughout the voyage they will be treated to a series of special amenities including a dinner for two at one of the ship’s intimate dining venues, a romantic balcony breakfast and participation in a pottery class offered through the ship’s learning program, ScholarShip@Sea, at which the couple will design a commemorative “engagement plate.”

Other super perks include candid photographs of the proposal, plus an engagement portrait session, a pampered, couple's massage in the shipboard Lotus Spa and a $100 credit toward a wedding-at-sea package on a future voyage.

After its debut on Crown Princess, “Engagement Under the Stars,” will later be extended to all Princess ships that feature Movies Under the Stars. Those intrigued by the magic of an engagement at sea may visit www.princess.com or call 1-866-444-8820for more information.

In effect, after arranging for the innovative setting, any “Regular Joe” will be able to proffer, to his prospective bride-to-be, an unforgettable marriage proposal--without having to do any of the heavy-duty planning. Says Jan Swartz, Princess' senior vice president of customer service and sales: “All the gentleman has to bring is the ring and the question." And if he forgets the ring? "Not to worry," adds Swartz. "The shipboard boutique has a range of fine jewelry – including engagement rings - just in case he overlooked that important detail!."

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Editors Note: To obtain print-resolution images please contact Sheila Sullivan at 212-599-6228.