PRINCESS CRUISES has announced three vessels will be deployed in the Australian market in 2026-27, offering 62 departures between October 2026 and August 2027.
Crown Princess is listed to spend the 2026 winter in Australia and will conclude that deployment in October of that year with a 28-day Round Australia cruise before repositioning to the Caribbean.
Grand Princess will arrive in Australia in November 2026 after its own season in the Caribbean and will initially operate from Sydney (9 cruises) before relocating to Brisbane in December for 12 seven- to 14-night cruises to Tasmania, Fiji, New Zealand and Queensland.
In what the travel industry is characterising as a ‘welcome return’ Grand Princess will offer the first Circle Pacific cruise in ten years. Departing Sydney, Brisbane, and Auckland in June 2027, the Circle Pacific itinerary features 32 destinations across 13 countries, including the United States, Canada, Tahiti, Japan, Singapore, and Vietnam, and crosses the equator and the international dateline twice, offering an extensive exploration of the Pacific Rim.
Highlights of the 79-night voyage includes an overnight stay in Hong Kong as well as late-night departures from Honolulu, Juneau, Los Angeles, Osaka (for Kyoto), Singapore, Suva, Tahiti (Papeete), and Canada’s Victoria.
“It has been 10 years since our last Circle Pacific voyage and we’re thrilled to bring back this extraordinary journey for our guests,” Princess Cruises chief commercial officer, Terry Thornton, said. “This will be our longest-ever Circle Pacific itinerary, offering guests the chance to explore some of the world’s most captivating destinations, all while enjoying the luxury and comfort of Grand Princess.”
Finally, Royal Princess will return to Australia in late November 2026 after spending the northern summer in Alaska. After completing a summer deployment in Alaska, the Royal Princess arrived in Australia in late November 2026.
The 3,600-passenger ship sails from Sydney during most of the local season, which includes three- to 13-night cruises to New Zealand, the Sapphire Coast, Queensland, Fiji and Tasmania.
