Sydney, Australia welcomed two ships–Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas and Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess–for the first time. Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas arrived on Sunday, October 22, 2023, for her debut port of call, while Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess arrived on Monday, October 23, 2023 after her 27-night transpacific crossing from Vancouver, Canada. Both ships are embarking on a six-month summer season down under in Australia and New Zealand.
Brilliance of the Seas will sail 5- to 18-night cruises that offer 20 different immersive itineraries to 40 destinations in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. Ports of call include Port Douglas, Melbourne, Newcastle, Kangaroo Island and Gladstone, Australia; Lifou, Loyalty Islands; Denarau and Suva, Fiji; and Luganville, Vanuatu. Longer itineraries will visit destinations along Australia’s Top End and West Coast, as well as the New Zealand Sounds.
Gavin Smith, vice president and managing director of Australia and New Zealand, Royal Caribbean International, said, “The start of Royal Caribbean’s Australian biggest summer season is officially here with the arrival of the intimate and unforgettable Brilliance of the Seas in Sydney. With such destination-rich holidays as well as the variety of dining, entertainment, ways to relax and more on board, Brilliance is a spectacular new way to explore top destinations in style and in great company with everyone in the family and group of friends. This is just the beginning of a bold summer as we look forward to a bumper season packed with three ships delivering the best family holiday experiences from Australia.”
Brilliance of the Seas will not be the only Royal Caribbean ship down under though. Quantum of the Seas is returning down under Saturday, October 28, 2023, to offer 3- to 9-night itineraries from Brisbane to the South Pacific islands and the Queensland coast. Additionally, Ovation of the Seas is returning to Sydney on Friday, November 3, 2023, to offer 3- to 12-night itineraries around Australia’s East Coast, the South Pacific and New Zealand.
Royal Princess will be offering 14 round trip cruises from Sydney during her six month season down under with the first having departed on Monday, October 23, 2023. Her inaugural cruise is a 10-night roundtrip cruise to Queensland with maiden calls to Brisbane, Cairns, the Whitsundays and Port Douglas.
Princess Cruises Senior Vice President Asia Pacific, UK and Europe Stuart Allison said, “Royal Princess set new standards for premium cruising when it was launched and continues to turn heads wherever she sails around the globe.”
“Not only is she a fantastic looking ship, she’s packed with wonderful features for guests, from superb cuisine to world-class entertainment and facilities. We know guests will especially love the Sanctuary and Retreat areas over the summer season.”
Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess will also not be alone down under. She will be joined by Coral Princess, Grand Princess, and Majestic Princess. With these ships in Australian waters offering 44% more guests capacity, and 85% more guests passing through Australia, Princess Cruises is looking at the biggest season the cruise line has ever had in Australia.
Ships from Disney Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line will also be in the region meaning if you are looking to cruise down under this season, you will find the ship for you.