Sun Princess in Sydney

Princess Cruises is offering a trifecta for globe-trotting Australians, with a record three world cruises set to depart from Australian shores in 2013.

The cruise line announced today that its superliner Sea Princess would remain in Australian waters over the 2013 winter, sailing alongside its sister ships Sun Princess and Dawn Princess to offer holidaymakers three roundtrip world cruise options, ranging from 75 to 104 days.

The world cruise trio is a highlight of the new Princess Cruises’ 2013 Australian program, which will go on sale on Friday December 16.

Revealing details, Princess Cruises Commercial Director Stan Birge said Australians would be spoilt for choice, with the program offering 10 different cruises sailing from Sydney and Fremantle between April and November 2013.  It includes four new ports of call for the cruise line – Colombo in Sri Lanka, Mytilene on the Greek island of Lesbos, Christmas Island in Australia and Semarang in Indonesia.

“From 16-day cruises to Asia to full world voyages visiting 29 different countries, the 2013 program reinforces Princess Cruises as the destination experts. We really are delivering the world to Australia in style and comfort,” Mr Birge said.

Highlights of the 2013 program include:

• A new 90-day Grand Europe World Cruise on Dawn Princess taking Australians to the continent during the Northern Hemisphere summer. Destinations include Venice, Rome, Florence and the Greek Isles as well as a poignant visit to Turkey’s ANZAC Cove.  Departing Sydney on July 13, prices start from $17,399* per person twin share.
• Sea Princess’ first Round World Cruise – a 104 night roundtrip cruise visiting 43 destinations including exotic ports of Northern Europe and a cruise by ANZAC Cove.  Departing Sydney on May 20, prices start from $20,999* per person twin share.
• A 75-day Grand Pacific World Cruise on Sun Princess visiting 31 destinations around the Pacific Rim, from Alaska and San Francisco to Beijing and Osaka. Departing Sydney on April 26, fares start from $14,449* per person twin share.
• A new 16-night Indonesian cruise from Fremantle featuring calls to Bali, Lombok and Semarang as well as a cruise by the historic HMAS Sydney site off the coast of Western Australia. Departing Fremantle on June 10, 2013, the cruise is priced from $2799* per person twin share.

Mr Birge said the move to introduce three world cruises reflected the growing popularity of longer voyages from Australia. Princess Cruises pioneered the annual world cruise itinerary in 2008 and extended to two world cruises in 2012 in response to demand.

“The decision to leave Sea Princess in Australian waters for the winter after her 2012-13 summer deployment gives us even more flexibility to introduce some great new cruise itineraries,” he said.

“Australians will be able to explore exciting destinations around the globe while enjoying all the hallmarks of a Princess cruise, from great entertainment and cuisine through to special features like Movies Under the Stars and The Sanctuary retreat.”

The 77,000-tonne Sea Princess, Sun Princess and Dawn Princess are all tailored to the local market, with cuisine and entertainment reflecting Australian tastes. All three ships also feature Australian currency onboard, with no tipping required.

*Subject to availability, conditions apply