Princess Cruises Senior Director of Sales & Marketing Asia Pacific Nick Ferguson shares the latest about Star Princess, the changing profile of Princess cruisers and their preferred cruise destinations, plus his own travel industry journey.
The arrival of Star Princess – the 17th ship in the perennially popular Princess Cruises fleet, a near identical sister to 2024’s Sun Princess and set to make her inaugural voyage (a seven-night round-trip from Barcelona in October 2025) – is among the highlights of the 2025-2026 cruise season.
And the good news for travel advisors is Princess Cruises plans to host many of you on board to celebrate her debut.
Princess Cruises Senior Director of Sales & Marketing Asia Pacific Nick Ferguson said: “Both ships share a similar foundation and features that are firsts for Princess’s Sphere class.”
“These include the spectacular multi-purpose glass Dome space, The Sphere, a glass-enclosed Piazza at the heart of the ship, and the Sanctuary Collection, which comprises luxurious ship-within-a-ship accommodation and exclusive-use facilities including a pool, dining room and private lounge area.”
New to Star Princess will be the SkyDeck Sports Court & Track, which will have a sports court for pickleball and basketball, plus a jogging track, splash pad and shaded areas for relaxation. O’Malleys Irish Pub and the dining venue Love by Britto will both be expanded to host more guests.
After Star Princess completes her inaugural cruises in the Mediterranean, she will join Sun Princess in the Caribbean for the northern summer. She will then embark on her maiden season in Alaska in 2026, along with seven sister ships – a record for the classic cruise line in the region.
Fly-cruise or go local?
Ferguson said Alaska is one of the most popular overseas destinations for Princess Cruises’ Australian and New Zealand cruisers, along with Europe, Japan and Southeast Asia.
“This trend reflects the growing interest in fly-cruise, where guests are keen to explore diverse and culturally rich locations while still enjoying the comfort and convenience of a cruise holiday,” he said.
“Longer itineraries and in-depth destination experiences are also gaining popularity, with travellers wanting more overnight stays and late departures to make the most of their time in each port.
“And, of course, the convenience and value of cruising make it an attractive way to explore multiple countries seamlessly,” he said.
Ferguson said Crown Princess’s 113-night journey around the world, departing from Sydney in June 2025, will see the greatest number of Aussies at sea for the line. Crown Princess will visit 39 ports across Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Pacific, before returning to Sydney in May 2026.
Demand has also been “unprecedented” for Grand Princess’s 79-day Circle Pacific voyage, departing Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland on staggered dates in June 2027 and calling at 32 destinations in 13 different countries.
Ferguson, who is responsible for generating demand for Princess Cruises across the Asia Pacific region, strongly suggests that travel advisors should waitlist their clients if they can’t secure space.
“Otherwise, we still have availability on our 114-night, 2026 Round World Cruise departing Sydney, Brisbane or Auckland in May 2026, sailing to 48 destinations across 31 countries,” he said.
Demographic shift
So, who is today’s Princess cruiser? “We are observing a demographic shift among Australian and New Zealand Princess cruisers with more and more families and Gen X travellers joining the Princess family,” Ferguson said.
“They are particularly drawn to our onboard entertainment, kids and teen clubs, and educational programs. This trend is evident across both local and international voyages, indicating a broadening appeal of our offerings.”
Ferguson is well placed to observe these changes, both in his role with Princess Cruises and as a father of three young sons who have taken to travelling like, well, just like their dad.
“Travel has certainly become a big part of our family’s life, and my children have definitely caught the travel bug. They love exploring new destinations, experiencing different cultures and, of course, cruising! Cruising is such a fantastic way for families to travel together, offering something for everyone,” he said.
“As part of my role in the cruise industry, travel is an essential and exciting aspect of my work. On average, I travel every couple of months, attending industry events and experiencing new ships, as well as taking some regular breaks with my family.
“I’ve lost track of how many countries I’ve visited over the years, but my best guess would be around 25. It’s always difficult to pick favourite destinations, but Hawai’i and Italy are definitely at the top of my list. Italy is pure magic, from the rich history to the Amalfi Coast. And of course, the food is a major highlight.”
Ferguson added: “I was born and bred in Sydney and now live on the Northern Beaches. While I spend a lot of time visiting incredible destinations, there’s nothing like returning home to the stunning beaches and laidback atmosphere here. It’s the ideal place to recharge before the next adventure!”
Why I chose a career in travel
Ferguson said that he always had a “strong passion” for travel when he was growing up and knew that this was the industry for him. His first role was in marketing with Qantas and then he discovered the world of cruising.
“Being part of the travel business has been an incredibly rewarding journey, allowing me to help others create holiday memories at sea. I’m excited to see how the industry continues to evolve and inspire the next generation of travellers,” he said.
“I’ve been fortunate to experience many incredible moments throughout my career in the cruise industry, but a few stand out as particularly memorable.
“One highlight that comes to mind was the recent successful program launch for our 2026/2027 Australia Program, including the 79-night Circle Pacific voyage. The whole Princess Cruises team put so much work into this release, which resulted in a record-breaking booking day.
“It was so pleasing to see the incredibly strong demand for Princess Cruises in this market, which is a testament to the enduring appeal of our brand and the exceptional experiences we offer.”
For more info, visit princess.com
