Princess Cruises has marked an historic milestone in Sydney Harbour as it celebrates 50 years of cruising across Australia and the South Pacific.

In honour of the nation’s longest running cruise line, Discovery Princess made her inaugural arrival down under, the newest ship ever to homeport from Circular Quay.

Princess Cruises Vice-President Asia Pacific Matthew Rutherford said the arrival of Discovery Princess was a fitting way to commemorate half a century of creating unforgettable moments for Australian guests and international tourists who love cruising onboard Princess.

"For 50 years, we've proudly shared the wonder of cruising with Australians who love to explore their own background and beyond," Mr Rutherford said.

"Discovery Princess is a state-of-the-art vessel that will be homeported in Sydney from today to 7 April 2026 for her maiden Australian season. She, along with our entire fleet, showcases our unwavering commitment to the region and our guests, crew, partners and suppliers who have made every voyage memorable.

“She embodies the very best of our Royal-Class design and innovation – a ship that combines modern elegance with all the hallmarks of the Princess experience that Australians know and love. She brings a truly-world class style of cruising to our waters."

Princess Cruises Global President Gus Antorcha (above) flew into Sydney for this special occasion and expressed his gratitude to Australia for five decades of loyalty and partnership.

"Australia holds a truly special place in the heart of Princess Cruises. We are honoured to have been part of so many cherished memories for millions of guests, and we look forward to creating many more together in the years ahead,” Mr Antorcha said.

“We have a long and successful history in Australia and New Zealand, and we understand the preferences of Australian guests. Our itineraries continue to be tailored for both seasoned cruisers and those new to cruise, offering everything from short coastal escapes to longer, bucket-list voyages including our renowned World Cruises and extensive sailings across Asia, the South Pacific and beyond.

“We look forward to continuing our strong partnerships with state and federal governments, supporting the cruise industry’s growth and delivering economic benefits to local communities across Australia.”

The anniversary underscores Princess Cruises' deep connection to Australia and its ongoing investment in delivering world-class cruise experiences to the region. The cruise line remains committed to bringing people together, creating lasting memories, and continuing to call Australia home.

Fast facts

  • The arrival of Discovery Princess marks the youngest, newest ship ever homeported in Sydney. Her maiden Australian season runs from 6 December 2025 to 7 April 2026.
  • To celebrate more than 50 years cruising Australia, Sydney Swans players, Love Boat actor Ted Lange and guests attended an event aboard the Discovery Princess on Sydney Harbour.
  • In 2026-27, one-third of the Princess fleet will be based in the Asia Pacific, reflecting strong global interest in discovering Australia, Japan, Singapore, New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands.
  • In 2026-27, two Princess Cruises ships will be homeported in Sydney including Royal Princess and Grand Princess, with Crown Princess visiting for a 28- day round-Australia cruise, making 62 total departures across 42 unique itineraries.
  • Next year, Princess Cruises will make hundreds of calls to Australian ports, contributing millions of dollars both directly and indirectly to the visitor economy.

Pictured main: Discovery Princess docked at Circular Quay.