Princess Cruises has announced the sale of two of its Aussie based ships – the Sun Princess and Sea Princess.
The Sun Princess and Sea Princess which have been sailing since 2007 and 2011 respectively in Australia, have been a staple of Princess’ local itineraries and have been sold to undisclosed buyers.
Thousands of Australians have sailed on the two vessels and when the Sun Princess arrived, she was the largest ship to ever sail under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, causing quite a spectacle.
The original Sun Princess became a household name during the 70s when the hit TV show ‘The Love Boat’ was filmed on the ship.
The newer version of the Sun Princess which graced our shores for 13 years, hosted Captain Stubing from ‘The Love Boat’ when he visited Australia for Valentine’s Day.
The first ship from the Sun Class, the 2,000-guest Sun Princess also sailed in Alaska and the Panama Canal. She was also one of the first Princess ships in Japan.
The Sea Princess is known for carrying thousands of guests on six full world cruises since 2013. Prior to joining the Sun Princess in Australia, the Sea Princess sailed in Europe, Alaska as well as the Caribbean.
“Sun Princess and Sea Princess contributed to significant growth in Australian cruising,” said Princess Cruises President Jan Swartz.
“Both ships defined the premium cruise experience with Australians and New Zealanders spending close to 14 million nights aboard these ships. While it is never easy to say goodbye to any ship in our fleet, this will allow us to deploy newer ships enhancing our offerings for Australia cruisers and focus on bringing into service exciting newbuilds like the upcoming delivery of Enchanted Princess.”
The imminent departure of these two ships from the fleet, Princess Cruises will cancel published itineraries which include:
- Sun Princess sailings from December 28, 2020 through August 14, 2021
- Sea Princess sailings from December 23, 2020 through November 9, 2021
Guests with bookings will be notified, and along with their travel agents, will receive information on how to book another Princess Cruise when operations resume. Guests who prefer a refund will be accommodated.
I think they meant the first “Princess” ship to sail under the bridge.
The ships will be replaced probably with larger “newer” ones. My first cruise was on the Sun in happier times. Really looking forward to cruising again.
My husband and I have had many trips on the Princess ships and have never been disappointed,
We can’t wait to continue doing so,
Once the holidays start to be advised again ,
Dorothy and Hector Baird
Elite status.
I sailed under the bridge in 2009 on the Dawn Princess. ( sister ship to the Sea and Sky). It was the start of the first world trip. Love those three ships as they are not too large. Sad to see them go.
Sadly I have just had my cruise next year on the Sea Princess cancelled because of the sale. And I had my cruise on the Sun this month cancelled because of Covid. The Sea and Sun were my two favourites and I loved their design and layout. Being a senior and having sailed on them several times, I found they were the perfect size. I hope Princess introduces similar sized ships to Australia to replace them.
I sailed under the Harbour Bridge in the Flavia in 1967 when migrating to Australia with my parents but she was nowhere the size of these Pricesses.
Can’t wait to Cruise again
I think you will find the article said it was the larget ship to sail under the bridge when it commenced sailing out of Australia- not the first ship to sail under the bridge . Ships were also sailing under the bridge since it was constructed , and long before White Bay terminal – hmmm , so what is it about getting facts correct ?
First, the Fair Star was not a real cruise ship, she was virtually a cattle ship and actually a converted Italian aircraft carrier. carrying immigrants from Europe, together with the Fair Sky, which I arrived on.
Second, the White Bay terminal has only been used recently since the Barangaroo Casino was started being built at Darling Harbour. I was on the Sun Princess for my first cruise in 2008 and we passed under the bridge and moored alongside the Darling Harbour where the Crown Casino is now located. I was also on the Dawn when she went into Sydney, after her World Cruise, in 2011.
Apples and apples size of cruise ship bit different to the old Fairstar lot smaler ship in height and gross tonnage.
Sad news as I had many cruises on these two ships. Looking forward to cruising again.
Jan, Brisbane.
The fairstar was going under the bridge many years before the sun princess and the pacific princess was the love boat
Get your facts correct, she was NOT the “first ship to ever sail under the Sydney Harbour Bridge” – All cruise ships that used the White Bay Terminal sailed under the Bridge.