Princess Cruises will be the largest North American line “Down Under” in the 2012-2013 cruise season.
Diamond Princess, Sun Princess, Dawn Princess, and Sea Princess will sail over 40 voyages with eight different itineraries.
A special sailing will offer the unique opportunity to view the November 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.
“Australia and New Zealand are home to some of the world’s great cruise destinations,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president.
“Whether someone wants to explore the Great Barrier Reef, sail to scenic spots in New Zealand such as the dramatic Fiordland National Park, or even circumnavigate the entire Australian continent, we offer unforgettable vacation experiences.”
Princess’ 2012-13 Australia/New Zealand cruise season includes:
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.
Queensland (Solar Eclipse Cruise) – A special cruise itinerary especially for viewing the total solar eclipse on November 14, 2012. This roundtrip voyage from Sydney sails north to Brisbane, Willis Island (scenic cruising), Port Douglas, and Airlie Beach, and then head off the coast for a day at sea for the opportunity to view the eclipse. Dawn Princess departs on November 6, 2012.
Round Australia & New Zealand – A 33-day grand tour sailing roundtrip from Sydney features both Australia and the North & South Islands of New Zealand. Sea Princess will call at Brisbane, Port Douglas (for the Great Barrier Reef & Cairns), Darwin, Lombok, Geraldton, Perth (Fremantle), Adelaide, Melbourne, Fiordland National Park (scenic cruising), Wellington, Napier, Tauranga, and Auckland. The sailing departs on October 18, 2012.
Round Australia – A chance to circle the continent in 28 days aboard Dawn Princess. The roundtrip voyages from Sydney sailing visits Brisbane, Airlie Beach (for the Whitsundays), Port Douglas (for the Great Barrier Reef & 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 & 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 and scenic cruising through Fiordland National Park. Sailings depart between October 24, 2012, and March 16, 2013.
Land tours are also available. Contact your travel agent for more details.
Source: Princess Cruises
