Princess Cruises has revealed that it will be adding the small boutique Pacific Princess to its already extensive list of ships, homeporting in Australia for the 2020-21 season.

This momentous arrival coincides with the celebration of the 45th anniversary of the line’s first roundtrip cruise from Australia, a voyage on the original Pacific Princes which starred in the popular TV series, ‘The Love Boat’.

The Pacific Princess itineraries will be on sale for Princess Elite guests from July 11 and available to the general public on July 12. The program includes an epic 90-day roundtrip voyage from Sydney around South America, a 13-night cruise visiting ports on New Zealand’s north and south islands and a special 21-night sailing to remote locations in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

The ship will also be making 15 maiden calls including inaugural visits to Kaikoura and New Plymouth in New Zealand, Wewak and Gizo Island in the Soloman Islands and Madang in Papua New Guinea, as well as its first call to New Zealand’s Stewart Island on a cruise from Australia.

“Pacific Princess was christened in Australia and became a popular favourite amongst Australian cruisers, offering the first premium cruise experience in the region. We can’t wait to welcome her back to our shores and celebrate our 45th anniversary at the same time,” said Princess Cruises senior vice president of Asia and Pacific, Stuart Allison.

Mr Allison said highlights of the new Pacific Princess’ program included:

  • A 90-day circumnavigation of South America featuring more than 25 ports including five destinations new to Princess’ cruising from Australia – Santos, llhabela and Natal in Brazil, Guayaquil in Ecuador and the Caribbean Island of Grenada – as well as overnight visits to Buenos Aires, Lima and two days in Rio de Janiero at the start of Carnival. Overland options to the Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu will also be on offer. Sailing from Sydney on January 3, 2021, the cruise is priced from $22,499* per person twin share with an early booking benefit of up to $2,000 onboard credit per stateroom.
  • A 21-night cruise to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands visiting remote destinations including Alotau and Conflict Islands and featuring the cruise line’s maiden visits to Madang, Wewak and Gizo Island. Departing April 3, 2021, fares start from $4299* per person twin share.
  • A 13-night cruise to some of New Zealand’s most beautiful ports including Princess’ first cruise from Australia to Stewart Island in the south, and visits to Fiordland National Park, Dunedin, Akaroa, Kaikoura, Picton and New Plymouth. Fares for the voyage departing Sydney on December 21, 2020 start from $3199* per person.

The program also includes a 24-night voyage from Sydney to Tokyo departing April 24, 2021 calling at ports in Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Japan’s Okinawa Island with fares from $3499* per person.

Pacific Princess joins the Sapphire Princess, Sun Princess, Sea Princess as well as two of the fleet’s largest ships, the Majestic Princess and new Regal Princess.