A Royal Cruise Boom - Australia to Welcome Two Princesses in 2008
Date: 23 Mar 2007
Growing demand for premium cruising from Australia has prompted Princess Cruises to announce it will base two of its superliners in Sydney and Melbourne to offer a range of voyages to Tahiti, Asia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and around Australia.
The stylish 77,000-ton Dawn Princess will sail from Melbourne over the 2008-09 summer, becoming the first superliner to be deployed from the Victorian capital for a season, while its twin, Sun Princess, returns for a second season cruising from Sydney.
Dean Brown, Acting Managing Director of Carnival Australia, which represents Princess Cruises in Australia, said both superliners would be tailored for Australians, featuring Australian dollars and Australian entertainment on itineraries designed to appeal to the local market.
“Over the past few years demand for our product has grown significantly. We’ve decided to meet this growth by offering Australians the choice of two superliners next year and creating a new homeport in Victoria, where interest in premium cruising is very strong,” Mr Brown said.
The pair of Princesses will start their summer season with two memorable Discovery Voyages: a new 28-night sojourn to Tahiti, Noumea, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa and American Samoa on Dawn Princess departing Sydney on October 21, 2008, and a 28-night circumnavigation of Australia on Sun Princess, visiting 13 superb ports and departing Sydney on October 26, 2008.
After its Tahitian cruise, Dawn Princess will sail to Melbourne to commence a 28-night circumnavigation of Australia, departing Melbourne on November 20 and visiting 13 ports. Other itineraries from Melbourne include three 13-night cruises around New Zealand’s stunning coastline and three cruises to some of the South Pacific’s most delightful ports: Noumea, Isle of Pines, Ouvea, Lifou and Vila.
Meanwhile Sun Princess’ itineraries include another exciting Discovery Voyage – a new 42-night cruise to China and Japan. Passengers will depart Sydney on March 7, 2009, to travel in style to an array of exotic destinations including Brunei, Hong Kong, China, Guam and Papua New Guinea. The cruise includes visits to three Japanese ports - Nagasaki, Osaka and Yokohama – timed to coincide with the nation’s spectacular cherry blossom festivities.
Other Sun Princess cruises from Sydney include four cruises around New Zealand, two South Pacific explorations, a Tasmania voyage and a new cruise to Queensland.
Mr Brown said the development of the longer Discovery Voyages for Sun Princess and Dawn Princess – including a record three Australian circumnavigations – reflected strong passenger interest in longer cruise experiences with diverse ports of call.
The two ships each carry 1950 passengers and have 975 staterooms - almost half with private balconies - including 38 suites and mini-suites. Their many features include a grand four-storey atrium with a stained-glass dome and glass elevators, eight restaurants and cafes, seven lounges, four pools and five whirlpool spas.
“Both Sun Princess and Dawn Princess offer a superb premium cruise experience, which particularly appeals to couples aged 40 years and over,” Mr Brown said.
Mr Brown said the dual visits of Sun Princess and Dawn Princess represented a six-fold increase in capacity since Princess Cruises launched premium cruising in Australia with the debut of the 680-passenger Pacific Princess in 2002.
The summer 2008-09 program will go on sale on April 10, 2007. For more information and bookings see a licensed travel agent or phone Princess Cruises on 13 24 88.
