The arrival of the Crown Princess in Australia on 26 October will mark a few feats for Princess Cruises.
The biggest achievement for the cruise line, quite literally, will be the honour of boasting Australia’s largest full-time cruise ship, a title currently belonging to Carnival Splendor, which returns to Sydney in September after upgrades in Singapore.
The 113,561-tonne Princess vessel, which can carry a maximum of 3,090 guests, just pips fellow Carnival Corporation liner Carnival Splendor for size and passenger capacity.
In its first year of cruising Down Under, Crown Princess will make 78 visits to 21 ports around Australia – a record for a Princess vessel – and significantly, will also embark on the biggest world cruise ever undertaken by a cruise line as some 3,000 holidaymakers set off in May 2025 for a 113-night journey around the globe.
Princess Cruises Senior Vice President Asia Pacific, Europe and UK Stuart Allison said Crown Princess’ capacity is “50 per cent more than any other Princess ship based full time in our waters”.
“Her deployment is a major milestone which reflects Australians’ enduring love of cruising and loyalty to Princess in Australia,” he said.
“Furthermore, Crown’s world cruise in 2025 will be bigger than ever before with 3000 guests travelling together continuously on a full world cruise. Never have that many people come together to sail the globe on a Princess ship which speaks to the unique popularity world cruising has in the region.”
What to expect on the new cruise ship
The Crown Princess features over 200 suites and mini-suites, a variety of dining options including Sabatini’s and Crown Grill, and numerous activities like live entertainment in the Princess Theatre and Movies Under The Stars.
The ship also offers four swimming pools and the luxurious Lotus Spa.
“Plus with almost 900 of her staterooms featuring private balconies – more than any other ship ever based here full-time – Crown Princess will give more Australians the chance to cruise in style,” Allison added.
Between October 2024 and September 2025, Diamond Princess and Royal Princess will join the Crown Princess, offering 117 departures from two to 113 days.
For the first time, departures will be from seven ports including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Fremantle, Hobart and Auckland.
Princess Cruises’ Plus and Premier packages offer savings of up to 65 per cent on amenities like wi-fi, beverages and more, while the Princess MedallionClass experience – available on all 16 Princess ships – provides personalised service, luxurious staterooms, top-notch dining, and a variety of entertainment and activities.
Princess Cruises predicts the new cruise ship will contribute around $120 million to the Australian economy during her first year of sailing Down Under.
For more information, travel agents can call 1300 587 473 or visit onesourcecruises.com.au.
Elsewhere, Princess Cruises will embark on its biggest-ever Europe sailing season in 2026, offering a bumper 222 cruises on a fleet of five ships, including the just-launched Sun Princess.
In June, Princess Cruises unveiled its new Captain’s Circle Loyalty Accelerator program with double cruise credits on all-inclusive Princess Plus and Premier packages.
