This week in the cruise industry has seen a number of cruise lines announce major developments in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.
For the 2018-2019 season, Princess Cruises will homeport four ships in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, including the inaugural season for the 3,560 guest Majestic Princess. Majestic Princess will sail itineraries from Sydney and Auckland on voyages from six to 13 days in length, and will call in ports at destinations including New Zealand, Tasmania, Fiji and other islands in the South Pacific.
Meanwhile, Sun Princess will sail 13 roundtrip departures from Sydney to New Zealand, Fiji, Tasmania and Queensland, as well as an Asia & Australia voyage sailing 19 days from Hong Kong to Sydney. Sea Princess will make maiden calls to the Conflict Islands on 11-day Papua New Guinea itineraries sailing from Brisbane. Finally, Sun Princess will sail an Australia Getaway departing January 5, 2019, with a maiden call to Moreton Island.
Royal Caribbean, meanwhile, has announced a number of new Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific cruises of its own for the 2018 - 2019 season. Available to book starting May 16, 2017, Ovation of the Seas will sail from Sydney, Australia for its third and longest season in the country, offering 13 sailings beginning November 2018. Radiance of the Seas will have an expanded open-jaw program with three new itineraries in Australia in 2019. Finally, Explorer of the Seas will join Ovation of the Seas for its fourth season based in Sydney with 23 sailings exploring the island destinations of the South Pacific and Fiji.
Previously, Oceania Cruises had announced a number of cruises in the region as part of its Tropics & Exotics Itineraries for 2018 - 2019. Oceania Marina will sail a number of voyages in Polynesia, while Oceania Regatta will add a number of voyages roundtrip from Auckland. Tasman Traveler will overnight in Sydney.
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