Princess Cruises Heads for a New Record Down Under as Diamond Princess Becomes Second Sydney Ship

Princess Cruises will carry a record number of Australians on cruise holidays next summer, with the magnificent Diamond Princess calling Sydney home as she sails on her first ever series of roundtrip cruises from the harbour city.

In a move which highlights the continuing success of Princess Cruises in the local market, the 2670-passenger Diamond Princess will join Sun Princess in November 2014 to offer the cruise line’s largest Sydney season.

Already popular with local cruisers, Diamond Princess’ new focus on roundtrip cruises from Sydney will cement Princess’ position as Australia’s biggest cruise line, with Australians now spending more nights on Princess ships worldwide than on any other cruise line.

Diamond Princess’ Sydney deployment will follow a $30 million refurbishment which will see the ship fitted with a host of new features including a new sushi restaurant and the biggest Japanese bath area at sea.

The 116,000-tonne Diamond Princess will offer six different roundtrips from Sydney including two circumnavigations of Australia, a cruise to Tasmania, a five-day break to Melbourne and its first roundtrip cruise to New Zealand.

Travellers will also be able to experience a Diamond Princess cruise between Sydney and Fremantle, with new Top End and Southern Australia sectors between the two cities now available in November 2014 and February 2015. Fares start from $1799* for a 12-night cruise ex-Sydney departing November 16 and visiting Hobart, Melbourne, Adelaide, Albany and Bunbury.

Meanwhile fares on Diamond Princess’ full 28-night circumnavigation of Australia, departing Sydney on November 16, 2014, start from $3999*. 

The new range of roundtrip cruises is a significant shift for Diamond Princess, which has previously only offered one-way cruises between Sydney and Auckland during summer months.  It will see her capacity ex-Sydney increase by 64 per cent this coming summer compared to 2013-14.

Princess Cruises Vice President Australia & New Zealand Stuart Allison said the new itineraries were testament to Princess Cruises’ growing popularity with Australian and New Zealand passengers.

“Diamond Princess’ new roundtrip itineraries will see the ship carry more Australians than ever before and really affirm its position as the cruise line’s premier homeported ship,” Mr Allison said.

Diamond Princess is presently undergoing an extensive drydock in Singapore to add a range of new features including an 817 square-metre Japanese bath and garden complex, the largest at sea.  During the refurbishment, the ship will also receive a new sushi restaurant, enhanced shopping areas carrying a range of designer watch and fashion labels, a revitalised Horizon Court, additional staterooms, a new sports court and new interior furnishings.

Launched in 2004, Diamond Princess is 290 metres long and is one of the largest ships to sail in Australian waters.  The new features add to the ship’s current impressive array of dining and entertainment options plus signature innovations such as the popular Movies Under the Stars poolside theatre and The Sanctuary, an exclusive top-deck retreat. 

For more information, see a licensed travel agent, call 13 24 88 or visit www.princess.com   

*Fares are per person, twin share. Subject to availability, conditions apply.

Information supplied by : Princess Cruises.

Cruise The Seas Travel And Media, Cruising Australia the HOME of Australian Cruising !