• Official Season Launch: Crown Princess arrived at Station Pier as the first ship to inaugurate Victoria’s 2026-27 cruise season.
• Australian Circumnavigation: The vessel is currently undertaking a 28-day voyage around Australia before heading across the Pacific toward the Caribbean.
• Future Homeport Return: Princess Cruises confirmed that Crown Princess will officially homeport in Melbourne for the 2028-29 summer season.
• Economic Boost: The upcoming Melbourne homeporting is anticipated to provide substantial economic contributions and support local tourism businesses

Princess Cruises has officially kicked off the 2026-27 cruise season in Victoria, Australia, with the magnificent arrival of the Crown Princess at Melbourne’s Station Pier. The 3,080-passenger vessel marked the start of an exciting regional summer by inaugurating its current voyage as part of a grand 28-day circumnavigation around the Australian coast. Local tourism leaders and cruise executives celebrated the arrival, highlighting how convenient local departures provide tremendous economic benefits and unforgettable travel experiences for vacationers starting their holidays closer to home.

Adding to the excitement, Princess Cruises announced that Crown Princess will make a highly anticipated return to homeport in Melbourne for the upcoming 2028-29 summer season. This future homeporting marks the first time in several years that a beloved Princess ship will be based out of Melbourne, directly answering feedback from local cruisers who missed having regional departures. The upcoming deployment is projected to inject millions into the local economy while offering travelers fantastic new itineraries and seamless connections to world-class cruising.