New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea To Experience A Tourism Boom As Grand Princess Delivers Ultimate Cruise Experiences Across Asia, North America, And The South Pacific

Saturday, June 7, 2025

New Zealand, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea are set to play a starring role in Princess Cruises’ most exciting deployment to date, as the Grand Princess launches year-round operations from 2027, connecting the South Pacific with Asia and North America like never before. With departures from key Australian and New Zealand ports, this ambitious schedule includes show-stopping voyages such as a 28-night Round Australia journey and a spectacular 79-night Circle Pacific cruise. The program promises immersive, multi-continent adventures that showcase the rich cultures, vibrant landscapes, and world-class destinations of the Pacific region, firmly placing these island nations at the heart of a luxurious new era in long-haul cruising.

Princess Cruises has announced a major development for its Australia and South Pacific operations with the deployment of the Grand Princess on a year-round schedule beginning in 2027. This move will see the seasoned vessel replace the Crown Princess, marking a strategic reshuffling in the cruise line’s global operations and reinforcing its commitment to the Australasian cruise market.

Built in 1998, the Grand Princess will be assigned to serve as the flagship for Princess Cruises’ operations in Australia and New Zealand. The vessel will officially begin her new schedule in March 2027, offering a variety of sailings ranging from short coastal getaways to extensive transoceanic voyages. Her homeport rotation will include key cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Fremantle, Auckland, and more.

The ship will initially wrap up a winter season sailing from Brisbane before transitioning to a robust itinerary spanning multiple countries and regions. The deployment covers destinations throughout Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, and as far afield as Southeast Asia, the Far East, Hawaii, and North America.

A standout feature of the 2027 cruise schedule is a highly awaited 28-night voyage that will fully circumnavigate Australia, setting sail from Sydney in early April. This grand journey promises to offer passengers a truly immersive experience, with calls at major ports around the continent—an opportunity to discover the vast geographical and cultural diversity of Australia in one seamless voyage.

Perhaps the most ambitious offering from the Grand Princess will be its extraordinary 79-night “Circle Pacific” voyage, departing in June 2027. This roundtrip cruise will embark from Brisbane, Sydney, and Auckland, journeying through the Pacific with visits to an impressive lineup of international ports.

The “Circle Pacific” itinerary will include a mix of exotic and iconic destinations. Travelers will visit key stops in Southeast Asia and East Asia before heading to the Pacific Islands and eventually reaching North America. Notable port calls on this epic itinerary include San Francisco and Los Angeles in California, Victoria and Vancouver in British Columbia, and remote ports in Alaska such as Wrangell and Whittier. The cruise will also offer scenic sailing near the breathtaking Hubbard Glacier—an awe-inspiring highlight for nature lovers.

This announcement marks a significant milestone, as it will be the first time that the Grand Princess operates full-time from Australia and New Zealand. The ship is scheduled to offer cruises ranging in duration from four nights to an extended 116-night itinerary, providing diverse options for both local travelers and international cruise enthusiasts.

In addition to expanding its offerings in the Pacific, the arrival of the Grand Princess signals the departure of the Crown Princess from the region. After wrapping up its final voyages in Australian waters by the end of 2026, the Crown Princess is scheduled to transition to the Caribbean for the 2026–2027 winter cruising season. From San Juan, Puerto Rico, the vessel will operate seven-night voyages exploring the vibrant islands of the Southern Caribbean.

The Crown Princess will also feature Panama Canal transit cruises, offering unique itineraries that connect Fort Lauderdale on the US East Coast with Los Angeles on the West Coast. These trans-canal journeys are especially popular with travelers seeking to experience the marvels of the Panama Canal while enjoying diverse port calls on both coasts.

For its 2026-2027 Australian season, Princess Cruises is also deploying the Regal Princess to sail alongside the Grand Princess. The two-ship presence underscores the cruise line’s focus on growth in the region and its intent to meet the increasing demand for premium cruise vacations from Australian and New Zealand travelers.

The Grand Princess, while not the newest in the fleet, has undergone updates that continue to make it a strong offering in the premium cruise segment. The vessel features a range of onboard amenities, including fine dining restaurants, elegant lounges, a theater, pools, spas, and a variety of accommodation options, from interior cabins to spacious suites with balconies.

With its wide-ranging itinerary and long-haul capabilities, the Grand Princess is well-positioned to cater to a growing appetite for extended cruise vacations in the Pacific. The addition of exotic and far-reaching destinations will appeal to seasoned cruisers looking to embark on bucket-list journeys without needing to fly long distances to embarkation ports.

Princess Cruises’ enhanced deployment in the region is also expected to have a positive economic impact on local tourism and hospitality sectors in ports of call across Australia, New Zealand, and the broader Pacific region.

As the cruising industry continues to rebound, the deployment of larger ships like the Grand Princess on year-round schedules reaffirms the increasing popularity of cruise travel and Princess Cruises’ intention to be at the forefront of that growth in Oceania.

As demand is anticipated to be high, prospective passengers are advised to secure their spots early—especially for signature journeys such as the 28-night voyage around Australia and the epic 79-night Circle Pacific cruise, both expected to attract significant interest.

New Zealand, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea will headline Princess Cruises’ most ambitious cruise season yet, as the Grand Princess begins luxurious year-round sailings from 2027. Featuring epic voyages like a 79-night Circle Pacific and 28-night Round Australia, this new deployment redefines long-haul cruising in the South Pacific and beyond.

In short, the arrival of the Grand Princess heralds a new era of destination-rich cruising from Down Under—one that blends the comfort of a premium cruise experience with the adventure of multi-continent exploration.