New Zealand’s summer cruise season opened with the arrival of Crown Princess in Auckland, marking the beginning of a busy schedule of ship calls set to deliver strong visitor spend and regional benefits.
The 2025/26 New Zealand cruise season officially launched with Crown Princess sailing into Waitematā Harbour on 23 September. Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, the Honourable Louise Upston, joined Princess Cruises at Queens Wharf to welcome the ship and formally mark the start of the season.
Crown Princess concluded a 114-day world voyage with 3,090 guests onboard. Departing Auckland on 31 May, the ship travelled through 22 countries across five continents before returning to the city.
A busy season ahead
Across the 2025/26 season, New Zealand will host 663 cruise ship port calls. Auckland alone will welcome 80 ship visits between September and May, according to the Port of Auckland schedule.
Princess Cruises accounts for around 20 per cent of all calls this season, highlighting its strong role in the market. Four ships will operate itineraries around Aotearoa: Crown Princess, Discovery Princess, Coral Princess and Island Princess. Together, they are scheduled to make 52 port calls across the country, including Auckland, Bay of Islands, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Milford Sound.
Discovery Princess makes debut
In December, Discovery Princess will make her first visit to New Zealand as part of her inaugural deployment in the region. The ship, launched in 2022, has capacity for 3,660 guests and is the largest Princess ship ever to be based in Australia and New Zealand.
Coral Princess and Island Princess will also add to the season’s activity, with both ships arriving from the United States. Coral Princess departs Fort Lauderdale before sailing into Auckland, while Island Princess will sail from Los Angeles, arriving in February and April.
Commitment to Aotearoa
Princess Cruises Vice President Asia Pacific Matthew Rutherford said the line’s history in New Zealand is a key part of its brand.
“New Zealand is one of the world’s most spectacular cruise destinations, and our guests are drawn here for the incredible landscapes, rich Māori culture, and warm Kiwi welcome,” he said.
“Through our Princess Local Partnerships programme – a world-first for the cruise industry – we’re proud to be playing an important role in preserving and promoting what makes this country so special.
“Princess Cruises has been sailing here for 50 years, and our commitment remains stronger than ever. We’re dedicated to continuing to bring the world to New Zealand, delivering both economic benefits for local business and unforgettable experiences for our guests.”
Cruise delivers regional impact
Figures from CLIA and NZCA highlight the role of cruise in the economy. The 2023/24 season generated an annual economic contribution of NZ$1.37 billion and supported more than 9,700 jobs across New Zealand communities.
NZCA Chief Executive Jacqui Lloyd said cruise provides essential revenue and employment.
“Cruise tourism offers a much-needed boost for communities around the country, and a reminder of the important role cruise plays in supporting a vibrant economy,” she said.
“While overall cruise visit numbers are down this season, today is about celebrating the cruise season ahead and recognising cruise lines like Princess which continue to demonstrate a strong, long-term commitment to bringing visitors to our shores and the valuable benefits that commitment brings.”
Cultural welcome
The launch event began with a traditional Māori welcome followed by speeches onboard Crown Princess from Minister Upston, Matthew Rutherford and the ship’s Captain, Christopher B. Lye.
Crown Princess will continue her deployment across the region, with her next major port call scheduled for Sydney on Friday, 26 September.
Princess expands Mediterranean offering
Looking further ahead, Princess Cruises has announced new ports of call on select Western Mediterranean itineraries onboard Sun Princess in 2026 and 2027. The enhanced seven-day voyages, operating between April 2026 and October 2027, will include maiden calls in Ajaccio, Ibiza and Santa Margherita.
These new inclusions provide opportunities for travellers to experience destinations such as Mallorca, Corsica and the Ligurian Coast, along with overnight stays in La Spezia for access to Florence and Pisa. Shore excursions include visits to Napoleon Bonaparte’s childhood home in Ajaccio, Cinque Terre explorations from Genoa, Provence tours from Marseille, and wine and food experiences across Spain and Italy.
The new Mediterranean itineraries are now on sale, departing between Barcelona and Civitavecchia (Rome).
KARRYON UNPACKS: With Princess Cruises accounting for one in five ship calls this New Zealand summer, agents can expect strong demand for local shore excursions, pre- and post-cruise stays, and trans-Tasman cruise bookings. The expanded Sun Princess program also provides fresh opportunities to market Europe sailings with high-value itineraries for Australian travellers.
