Discovery Princess is coming to Australia – itineraries, hidden gems and where to go

• Discovery Princess will arrive for its ever season this December, staying on our shores through to April.
• She’ll be one of the newest ships to visit Australia, having entered service in 2022.
• Here’s what will be new for Aussies, some hidden gems onboard and the best itineraries to snap up.

This summer, Aussie cruisers will be treated to the Discovery Princess, which is set to visit Australia for its first and only season. 

This is particularly exciting because it’s not very often that Australia gets to see such a new ship on its shores. Discovery Princess only entered service three years ago in 2022, a modest 16 years younger than the other Princess ship we’ll see, Crown Princess.

However, this Princess season is selling quickly and given that it’s already confirmed that Discovery won’t be back for the 2026/27 season, Aussie cruisers only have one shot at getting onboard. 

If you do want to get onboard, it likely won’t come cheap. Due to high demand and the fact that it’s a shiny new ship, prices are a touch above what you might expect from a Princess ship.

For most cruises you’ll be looking at least $350-400 a night, even for an interior cabin. 

While none of the cruises on Discovery Princess are completely sold out just yet, many already have several cabin categories sold out, so if you do want to get onboard this summer, you should act quickly. 

Options for itineraries range from quick three-day escapes up to longer two-week cruises to New Zealand. 

Whether you’re already booked to get onboard, or tossing up whether a summer booking is worth the trouble, Cruise Passenger has you covered with how Discovery differs from the Princess ships we’re used to, some hidden gems onboard and our pick of itineraries. 

What’s new for Aussies?

For Aussies who have only sailed locally with Princess, Discovery Princess will offer a few new surprises. 

The first will be found in the design and lay-out, Discovery Princess holds a strong Japanese influence, which can be felt in the decor and some of the venues across the ship.

All across the ship you’ll run into venues and shows that generally only exist on the newer Princess ships. 

Here are a few stand outs to make sure you check out on Discovery.

Spotlight Bar

Spotlight Bar is a bit different to your average cruise watering hole. It is actually a show bar, but focuses in on a more intimate ambiance, rather than the extravagance that you might generally associate with a cruise ship show. 

Within the bar the audience will meet local storytellers that share tales through song, so you can enjoy a cruise ship show while feeling like you’re in the local watering hole.

The Catch by Rudi

The go-to seafood spot on Discovery Princess has to be The Catch by Rudi, developed with Chef Rudi Sodamin. 

Here you can enjoy locally sourced seafood and find yourself eating oysters on ice, picking from a raw seafood bar or enjoying the catch of the day. 

Dishes are always changing and evolving so be sure to ask the staff for a recommendation. 

Wake View Pool Bar

The perfect spot for a cocktail on Discovery Princess is the Wake View Pool Bar. While it might feel exclusive, this is a public space with a small pool and two hot tubs. 

It’s positioned at the aft of the ship to offer vast views of the sea and you can chat to waiters and mixologists to find the perfect cocktail for you.

360 dining

Discovery Princess is one of only two ships that features Princess’s immersive 360 dining experience. 

While it might be pricey at $149, this experience involves a seven-course meal with wine pairings, that is shared through audiovisual storytelling, as the 360 immersive design places you into the heart of the Mediterranean. 

You might find yourself enjoying dishes like lavender honey parfait or Greek meza as this 360 experience shows you a new way to enjoy your food.

Insider tips for the Discovery Princess

• Make sure to check out the Take Five Lounge. Nestled into Deck six, here you can often find live jazz music, a nice way to relax in one of the quieter corners of the ship.
• Another place to catch some live music is in the Piazza atrium, where live music will start each afternoon.
• Right up deck 17, you can find a hidden mini-golf course, and try your hand at the holes with a great view of the ocean.
• The International Cafe is open 24 hours, so if you’re looking for late night eats this will be the place to go. 
• Gigi’s pizza is the same as Alfredo’s. While it might seem like Alfredo’s is missing on Discovery Princess, Gigi’s Pizzeria is actually the same restaurant with the same menu!
• If you head up to the Pastry Shop on deck 16, this is also where you’ll find fresh juices.
• Even if you’re not a jogger, head up to the jogging track to enjoy the murals painted around the running track and the endless ocean views.

What itinerary to go for?

• The first thing to note is that every Discovery Princess itinerary leaves from Sydney, so if you’re not a Sydneysider, you’ll have to fly to get onboard. 
• Some sailings already have a few cabin categories sold out, and it’s expected that most sailings will sell out or come close to selling over the coming months.
• Here’s a few recommended itineraries, depending on what you’re looking for.

For the best deal on New Zealand

The highlight itineraries on Discovery’s Aussie season are definitely the getaways to New Zealand. However, many of them are already costing well over $400 a night just for an interior room.

To get the best price still going, try this 14-day New Zealand cruise, which is still starting from about $300 a night and sails on January 31, 2026.

You’ll visit Tauranga, Auckland, Picton, Wellington, Christchurch and Fiordland, and have plenty of sea days to enjoy the ship.

For a quick getaway 

If you’re just looking for a quick escape, you can choose between two different three-day ‘seacation’s from Sydney, that visit Eden. They leave on January 15 and March 12 respectively, starting from $857. 

The only other short itinerary on offer is a five-day Australia ‘seacation’ right towards the end of the season, sailing on April 7. This cruise isn’t a round-trip and will actually end up in Auckland, starting from $1429.

For heading to the tropics

If you want to enjoy a Discovery Princess sailing up into Queensland, you’ve got one option to do it. It’s a 10-day Great Barrier Reef sailing, starting from $3400.

Guests will stop by Willis Island, Port Douglas, Yorkeys Knob, Airlie Beach and Brisbane. 

For something different 

If you’re searching for something different, this 12-day Southern Australia Explorer will whisk you away to a few different states of Australia.

The ship will head past Melbourne, Kangaroo Island, Adelaide, Port Lincoln, Port Authur and Hobart, meaning you’ll get to see some of Australia’s best scenery.

Oceanview rooms are already sold out, so move quick. Find more deals on Princess and other ships on our own deals site here.