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Princess Cruises has gone big in Australia’s cruise market. The line has unveiled three ships for its 2028–29 season and a 129-night world cruise. That is long enough to make the usual holiday look like a weekend away.

The star attraction is the 2029 Grand World Odyssey. Grand Princess will sail about 37,300 nautical miles, visiting 61 destinations across 31 countries and five continents. For anyone who has ever said a cruise ended too soon, Princess seems to have taken the hint.

Yet the big trip is only part of the news. Princess also plans more than 90 sailings on more than 70 routes in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. Trips range from two to 46 nights. The ships are Grand Princess, Emerald Princess and Royal Princess.

It is a bold pitch to the local cruise trade. Princess wants room for everyone, from first-time guests to those who see four months at sea as a fine excuse to leave the lawn unmown.

Around the world, with time to spare

The world cruise will take guests through the South Pacific, the Americas and Europe. Ports on the route include New York, Miami, Reykjavik, Lisbon, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Tahiti and Auckland.

Grand Princess will cross the Equator twice. It will also cross the International Date Line twice and make two full trips through the Panama Canal’s newer locks. It is the sort of trip where a calendar is just as useful as a map.

The ship is due to pass near Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and Pitcairn Island. These are scenic sail-bys, not promised trips ashore. For sites as remote as these, that is a detail worth knowing before you pack your bags.

Princess says guests may have the chance to visit 51 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Those are potential shore visits, not 51 guaranteed stops. What people can see will depend on their chosen tours and local access. The line also plans eight late-night calls and one overnight stop, giving guests more time in port.

The Australian program offers 129-night roundtrip sailings to Sydney and Brisbane. Other ways to join the world trip are listed from Melbourne, Adelaide and Fremantle, as well as Dover in England. These do not all have the same length or end port. A good travel adviser will check both before promising a neat round trip from home.

Princess chief commercial officer Jim Berra says the company is “giving guests more ways to discover remarkable destinations, immerse themselves in different cultures and see the world in new ways.”

Three ships, six ports and one old friend

Closer to home, the 2028–29 season spans 42 places in six countries, according to Princess. Guests can sail from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Fremantle or Auckland. The range includes trips around Australia, voyages across the Tasman and South Pacific breaks.

Emerald Princess is the familiar face in the fleet. She last sailed an Australian season in 2016–17. Her return will stir fond memories among loyal cruisers. Melbourne will also see more Princess homeport sailings, while New Zealand gains a wider choice of routes.

Plenty will tempt people off the ship. The Kimberley Coast offers red cliffs and wild shorelines. Kangaroo Island is known for its sea lions, koalas and native birds. Phillip Island is famous for its little penguins, which come ashore at dusk with no regard for human dinner plans.

Across the Tasman, New Zealand’s Fiordland offers sheer slopes, deep waters, and scenery that scarcely needs a sales pitch. The North and South Islands offer coastal towns, local food and rich Māori culture. In the South Pacific, island calls bring warm seas and a slower pace.

One catch to all this wildlife and wonder: not every stop appears on every cruise. Penguin tours, in particular, need the right port hours. Nature does not work to a ship’s printed schedule.

Why an extra evening ashore counts

Princess is selling more than distance. The regional season includes 11 calls with more time ashore, plus nine on the world trip. Late sailings and overnight stays give guests time to see a place after the main rush.

That matters for the local travel trade. An extra evening can mean dinner at a family-run café, a guided walk or a visit to a night market. It can also mean more trade for local guides and shops. Of course, that only happens when guests head ashore and spend.

More home ports are another gain. A cruise from a nearby city may save some travellers the cost and hassle of an extra flight or hotel stay. Others may need to plan a one-way flight. The best deal is not always the longest cruise or the biggest discount. It is the one that fits the guest.

When Australians can book

Australian cruise sellers say bookings open on Wednesday 11 November 2026 at 9 am AEDT. Princess’s global news release lists 10 November. For local customers, the Australian sale date applies. Guests should still check the final time with Princess or their adviser.

Local launch offers include up to A$750 off and up to A$750 in onboard spending money per cabin on eligible Australia and New Zealand voyages. A half-price deposit, a room-location upgrade and early access to dining reservations may also apply. The main offer runs from 11 November to 11 December 2026.

For the world cruise, Princess is offering up to A$3,000 in onboard spending money per cabin. Past guests may also save up to a further A$3,000. Australian trade reports say the offer runs for a longer booking period, ending 31 August 2027. The fine print matters: amounts depend on the fare, cabin and trip, and deals may change.

Princess bets Australians still want to see the world by sea, whether in small bites or on an epic scale. The 2028–29 schedule gives them both. Some will take two nights to test the waters. Others will take 129 nights to see how they feel.

At least nobody can say they didn’t have time to unpack.

Bookings and Further Information

Princess Cruises’ 2028–29 Australia and New Zealand season, together with the 2029 Grand World Odyssey, offers travellers everything from short coastal escapes to an extraordinary 129-night voyage around the globe.

Australian bookings open on 11 November 2026, with early-booking incentives available on selected departures, subject to applicable terms and conditions.

For further information, detailed itineraries, current fares, special offers and reservations, travellers are encouraged to contact their preferred professional travel adviser or visit the official Princess Cruises website at www.princess.com.

Full details of the upcoming itineraries are also available through Princess Cruises’ New Cruise Itineraries webpage.