Discovery Princess will be the biggest Princess ship to sail from Australia in its 50-year history cruising from Down Unde

Princess Cruises  announced that its current flagship vessel – Discovery Princess – will make Sydney its home port in the 2025/26 summer Australia season.

Built in 2022, the 145,000-ton ship measuring 330 metres in length, and 19 decks high will be the biggest ship Princess Cruises has ever homeported in Australia in its 50-year history of cruising down under. The 3,660-guest, ship will debut in her home port of Sydney in October 2025, offering a number of itineraries from Australia.

Princess Cruises’ President John Padgett in Sydney yesterday to officially welcome Royal Princess on her debut summer season in Australia shared the news in an early reveal of the line’s 2025/26 program.

“Nearly half a century has passed since Princess Cruises introduced the Pacific Princess ship to Sydney’s shores. In commemoration of this milestone, we are delighted to unveil the future deployment of the Discovery Princess today, further solidifying our belief in the Australian market,” said Padgett.  “We are confident that both our international and Australian guests will be excited about the spectacular experience aboard Discovery Princess as she sails from Sydney in late 2025.”

Discovery Princess, the third vessel designed from the ground up with Princess MedallionClass and the sixth Royal-Class ship to be built shares all the spectacular style and luxury of her sister ships – Enchanted Princess, Sky Princess, Majestic Princess, Regal Princess and Royal Princess. With an array of spectacular features, guests will enjoy 270-degree sweeping views from the largest balconies in the Princess fleet with the Sky Suites, unwind in the ultimate comfort at the Sanctuary and indulge the senses with world-class dining options including new to Australia 360: An Extraordinary Experience now available for all guests sailing on Discovery Princess. The Award-winning 360: An Extraordinary Experience is exclusively offered on Discovery Princess and Enchanted Princess taking guests on a sensory journey through world-class cuisine with a fusion of master story-telling and visual entertainment.

In addition, Discovery Princess elevates the guest experience with an abundance of amenities including 14 restaurants, 10 bars and additional lounges, and entertainment options. Among its dining options is The Catch by Rudi, Crown Grill, Sabatini’s Trattoria and Gigi’s Pizzeria.  Other features include the SeaWalk, a breathtaking glass-bottomed enclosed walkway that extends nearly 9 metres beyond the ship’s edge, treating guests to awe-inspiring views while suspended 39 metres above the sea.

Other notable features include private poolside cabanas, four main pools including two top deck pools, Retreat Pool and Wakeview Pool, 10 hot Tub spas, the Enclave and Lotus Spa featuring Princess’ largest-ever thermal suite, and an exquisite Chef’s Table Lumiere dining option, where guests are magically surrounded by a curtain of light. Meanwhile, more than 82 per cent of the ship’s staterooms offer a private balcony.

In addition to the incredible amenities aboard Discovery Princess, guests also enjoy the Princess exclusive MedallionClass experience, offering a level of service personalisation previously only available on small ships now delivered on a large ship, amenity-rich platform.

The connected guest experience maximises guests’ time by delivering a host of onboard conveniences including contactless payment for anything on board; expedited embarkation; keyless stateroom entry; muster anywhere; friends and family locator; and ordering food, drinks, retail items or requesting service from their smart device or a crew member and having their order delivered directly to them…even if they move.

Padgett added the cruise line is thrilled to announce the addition of Discovery Princess to its Australian fleet for the 2025/26 summer season. The ship will sail in local waters with other Princess ships Crown Princess and Grand Princess as part of the summer program to be revealed in full next month including the longest World Cruise yet.

“Discovery Princess will continue to set new standards for premium cruising when she sails from Australia in the 2025/26 summer season.  She’s an incredible ship with many wonderful features for our guests, from superb cuisine to world-class entertainment and facilities.”

The program will be announced in full on 15 November, 2023 and on sale 29 November, 2023.