Almost 3,000 guests departed Sydney on Sunday aboard Crown Princess, embarking on Australia’s only world cruise departure in 2026, a 114-day voyage spanning 44 destinations across 26 countries and five continents.
The journey, which covers more than 36,000 nautical miles and includes 47 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, departed Sydney on May 10 and returns September 2.
Matthew Rutherford, Princess Cruises Vice President Asia Pacific, said demand from Australians for longer-duration voyages was strong and growing.
“Departing from Sydney means guests can start their world cruise close to home, avoid long-haul flights and settle into life on board as the journey begins,” Mr Rutherford said.
Among those aboard are best friends June and Lesley, who have travelled together for more than 60 years and are returning for another Princess Cruises World Cruise. Also joining are Port Macquarie couple Terence and Dolor Hodge, among Princess Cruises’ most experienced guests with almost 3,000 days at sea across more than 200 voyages.
For Sydney-siders Lindsay Beaton and her husband, the appeal was simple. “Being able to just wake up, grab a cab and go see the world made it an easy choice for us,” they said.
For the voyage, Crown Princess loaded 280 pallets of locally sourced provisions in Sydney, including almost 2,000 jars of Vegemite.
World cruising continues to appeal strongly to older travellers, with the average age of guests aboard sitting at 71 years. The ship returns to Sydney on September 2, marking the start of Princess Cruises’ 2026/27 summer season.
