One of the world’s leading cruise lines, Princess Cruises has announced its first ever year-round program of sailing from Fremantle in a move which reflects the growing popularity of cruises from Western Australia.
Releasing its new 2015-16 cruise schedules, Princess Cruises revealed that the popular Sun Princess will be based in Fremantle from November 2015 to March 2016, offering 11 different cruises to and from the port in the cruise line’s first Fremantle summer season.
The new cruises will combine with a record winter Fremantle season for Princess Cruises, with Sun Princess’ sister ships Dawn and Sea Princess sailing on 12 itineraries from the port from April to October 2015, to give the cruise line its first year-round program of Fremantle departures.
Princess Cruises Vice President Australia & New Zealand Stuart Allison said the decision to extend its Fremantle sailings followed continued strong demand for cruises among Western Australians since the cruise line offered its first winter season in 2008.
Mr Allison said the new cruises meant that Princess Cruises would carry more than 45,000 passengers to and from Fremantle from April 2015 to March 2016, with the cruises expected to generate an estimated $20 million for the local economy.
“Cruising is booming around Australia, with an annual average passenger growth rate of 20 per cent for the past decade, and Western Australia is no exception,” Mr Allison said. “Princess Cruises will be the only premium cruise line to offer summer cruising from Fremantle so we’re expecting the cruises to be in strong demand.”
The new Princess Cruises 2015-16 program also includes the Australian debut of Golden Princess, which will be the largest cruise ship ever based in Melbourne, as well as Princess Cruises’ biggest presence in Brisbane.
The addition of Golden Princess and the new itineraries will result in a 35 per cent increase in the cruise line’s local capacity in 2015 compared to 2014. The move cements Princess Cruises’ position as the nation’s biggest cruise line, with Australians now spending more nights onboard Princess Cruises’ ships than on any other line. With a record five of its 18 ships sailing in Australian waters, Princess Cruises ranks Australia as its number one market outside America.
A highlight of the Western Australian summer program will be the return of Princess Cruises’ 46-night cruise to India and South Africa – a popular itinerary last offered by the cruise line in 2011. Visiting 15 ports including Colombo, Maldives, 2nts in Capetown and Mauritius, the cruise is priced from $8.339 per person twin share.
Other itineraries will include 12 and 14-night cruises through southeast Asia as well as 15-night roundtrip cruises to Indonesia priced from $2,579 per person twin share including a Christmas and New Year departure, sailing from Fremantle on 20 December, 2015.
Carrying 2000 guests, the 77,000-tonne Sun Princess features more than 40 per cent of staterooms with private balconies, a steakhouse, pizzeria, boutiques and signature innovations such as the popular Movies Under the Stars poolside theatre and The Sanctuary, an exclusive top-deck retreat. The ship also features a new sushi and seafood restaurant and atrium café along with a restyled spa following a major refurbishment last year.
For more information and bookings see a licenced travel agent, call 13 24 88 or visit princess.com
*Fares are per person twin share. Subject to availability, conditions apply
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