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| The Diamond Princess is one of four ships participating in Princess Cruises' Australia and New Zealand 2012-2013 itineraries. // (c) 2011 Princess Cruises. |
Princess Cruises’ 2012-13 season of “Down Under” cruising offers new routes, a solar eclipse cruise, a new cruise tour to the Outback and more sailings to New Zealand.
Four ships – Diamond Princess, Sun Princess, Dawn Princess and Sea Princess – will sail on 40 voyages of eight different itineraries in the region. Among them are a longer 14-day Australia and New Zealand itinerary that adds two ports, Wellington and Picton, compared to previous seasons; as well as an extensive 33-day Round Australia and New Zealand route.
Additionally, a sailing will offer the opportunity to view the Nov. 14 solar eclipse in its area of totality around northern Australia. This 11-day Queensland cruise aboard Dawn Princess includes a day at sea especially for the opportunity to view the solar eclipse.
Passengers who want to see more of Australia can opt for one of four land and sea cruisetours that combine a land itinerary with an Australia/New Zealand cruise. A new seven-night tour option debuts this season, featuring a train ride into the Outback from Adelaide aboard the Ghan Railway.
Princess’ 2012-13 Australia/New Zealand cruise season includes:
Australia and New Zealand – Expanded Itinerary – This 14-day journey between Sydney and Auckland adds two ports, Picton and Wellington, and all departures feature Fiordland National Park. Diamond Princess will offer six sailings between Dec. 14, 2012 and Feb. 22, 2013 on an itinerary to Melbourne, Hobart (Tasmania), Fiordland National Park (scenic cruising), Dunedin (Port Chalmers), Christchurch (Lyttelton), Picton (or Marlborough Sounds scenic cruising on select departures), Wellington and Tauranga.
Aussie Experience Sailings
Locally based ships Sun Princess, Dawn Princess and Sea Princess offer “Aussie-style” cruising to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. A special Queensland soar eclipse cruise itinerary is available for viewing the total solar eclipse on Nov. 14, 2012. This roundtrip voyage from Sydney sails north to Brisbane, Willis Island (scenic cruising), Port Douglas, Airlie Beach and then heads off the coast for a day at sea for the opportunity to view the eclipse. Dawn Princess departs on Nov. 6, 2012.
Round Australia and New Zealand – A 33-day grand tour sailing roundtrip from Sydney features both Australia and the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Sea Princess will call at Brisbane, Port Douglas (for the Great Barrier Reef and Cairns), Darwin, Lombok, Geraldton, Perth (Fremantle), Adelaide, Melbourne, Fiordland National Park (scenic cruising), Wellington, Napier, Tauranga and Auckland. The sailing departs on Oct. 18, 2012.
Round Australia – A 28 day itinerary aboard Dawn Princess that circles the entire continent of Australia. The roundtrip voyages from Sydney sailing visits Brisbane, Airlie Beach (for the Whitsundays), Port Douglas (for the Great Barrier Reef and Cairns), Darwin, Lombok, Perth (Fremantle), Bunbury, Albany, Adelaide, Melbourne, Burnie (Tasmania),and Hobart (Tasmania overnight). The sailing departs on March 31, 2013.
Northern Australia Explorer – Sailing between Sydney and Perth (Fremantle), passengers can explore Airlie Beach (for the Whitsundays), Port Douglas (for the Great Barrier Reef and Cairns), Darwin, Kimberly Coast (scenic cruising), Broome, Lombok and Geraldton. The 17-day sailings depart aboard Sun Princess and Dawn Princess on April 12, 29 and June 10, 2012; plus April 26 and May 13, 2013.
New Zealand – Three different itineraries sail from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane aboard Dawn Princess, Sea Princess and Sun Princess. These 13- or 14-day sailings include opportunities to explore ports such as Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, as well as scenic cruising through Fiordland National Park. Sailings depart between Oct. 24, 2012 and March 16, 2013.
Cruisetours
Four guided land tours of Australia can be added to a cruise to create a full land and sea vacation, covering some of the continent’s undisputed wonders. All cruisetours include the 14-day Australia and New Zealand cruise seamlessly combined with a four- to seven-night land adventure.
Classic Australia and Ghan Rail – An overnight rail adventure between Adelaide and Alice Springs that tours Australia's Outback and visits the inland landmark Uluru, or Ayers Rock. The seven-night tour features two nights in Adelaide, one night aboard the Ghan Railway, one night in Alice Springs, a night at Ayers Rock and two nights in Sydney.
Australian Outback Adventure – This six-night tour visits the country’s renowned Great Barrier Reef and ventures into the Australian Outback with two nights in Sydney, one night at Ayers Rock, one night in Alice Springs and two nights in Cairns. In the Outback, travelers will visit the Uluru (Ayers Rock), and will experience Aboriginal cultural.
Ultimate Australia – This seven-night tour features the Great Barrier Reef and Ayers Rock plus visits to Darwin and Kakadu National Park. This land itinerary offers two nights in Sydney, one night at Ayers Rock, one night at Kakadu, one night in Darwin and two nights at Port Douglas for the Great Barrier Reef.
Tropical Highlights – A four night tour of the Great Barrier Reef, featuring two nights in Sydney and two nights in Cairns. Travelers will spend a day at the Great Barrier Reef, plus nearby nature parks and cultural attractions.
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