Princess Cruises has opened the curtain on its 2028-29 season in Australia and New Zealand. The plan brings Emerald Princess back to Australian waters for the first time since the 2016-17 season. It also adds a new 129-night Grand World Odyssey that starts and ends Down Under.
The line announced the program on October 27, 2026. Bookings open November 10 in the United States, according to the Princess release on PR Newswire. Australian outlets report a local on-sale date of November 11.
Three ships, six homeports
The season uses three ships: Grand Princess, Emerald Princess and Royal Princess. Together they will run more than 90 departures across more than 70 itineraries. Trips range from two nights to 46 nights.
Ships will sail from six homeports:
- Adelaide
- Auckland
- Brisbane
- Melbourne
- Fremantle (Perth)
- Sydney
Melbourne marks a renewed homeport for the line. Princess says the season visits 42 destinations in six countries, including 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
More Ashore and Round Australia trips
Princess lists 11 More Ashore experiences for the season. These are late-night or overnight stays in port that give guests more time on land.
The line also counts 17 Round Australia voyages in its schedule. These longer trips circle the continent and suit travelers who want to see several states in one go. Cruise Industry News also covered the season's scope.
Jim Berra, chief commercial officer for Princess Cruises, framed the program as a big step for the line. "Princess Cruises has a long and proud history of inspiring guests to explore the world, and our 2028–29 season takes that spirit of discovery to extraordinary new heights," he said.
The 129-night Grand World Odyssey
The headline voyage is the 2029 Grand World Odyssey on Grand Princess. It covers about 37,300 nautical miles over 129 nights. Princess says it calls at 61 destinations in 31 countries and reaches 51 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Guests can board in Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne. Dover, England, is also listed as a boarding point.
The route includes:
- Two Panama Canal transits through the newer, larger locks
- Scenic cruising near Easter Island and Pitcairn Island
- Two crossings each of the Equator and the International Date Line
- Calls in New York City, Miami, Reykjavik, Lisbon, Barcelona and Copenhagen
- South Pacific stops including Tahiti and Auckland
The voyage also has nine More Ashore experiences. Eight are late nights in port, and one is an overnight stay.
Booking offers
US guests who book during the launch window can use an Early Booking Bonus. According to Princess, it includes up to $500 in instant savings and up to $500 in onboard credit. It also offers reduced $100 deposits, early access to dining reservations and a free cabin location upgrade. Captain's Circle loyalty members can get up to $300 more.
World cruise guests get a larger offer of up to $3,000 in onboard credit. Captain's Circle members can add up to $2,000 on top. Princess says both US offers run from November 10, 2026, to February 16, 2027.
Australian travelers have their own launch deals. Local reports list up to AU$750 in savings and AU$750 in onboard credit from November 11 to December 11, 2026.
What it means for cruisers
For Australians and New Zealanders, the season means more choice close to home. Three ships and six homeports put a Princess departure within reach of most major cities.
For long-haul fans, the Grand World Odyssey is a rare chance to sail around the world from an Australian port. With nearly four months at sea and stops on several continents, it is one of the line's longest trips on the books. Fares and full sailing dates will be visible once bookings open in November.