Princess Cruises has confirmed it will return to Western Australia, announcing that Sapphire Princess will be based in Fremantle as its home port from late 2027.
The move marks a major milestone for the state’s cruise sector, with Princess set to become the only large premium cruise line both returning and homeporting a ship in WA. The deployment is expected to inject more than $140 million into the local economy, supporting small businesses, regional tourism operators and the wider community.
Vice President Asia Pacific, Matthew Rutherford, said Princess’ long history with Western Australia made the decision a natural one.
“Princess Cruises has long held a deep affection for Western Australia,” he said. “For many years we have welcomed guests from across the globe to experience the extraordinary landscapes and vibrant culture this remarkable region has to offer. Today, we are proud to reaffirm our commitment to Western Australia, showcasing its breathtaking beauty to travellers from around the world.”
Princess has homeported four of its ships in Fremantle since 2008, with the last season a sell-out series of Indian Ocean voyages in 2019-20. The number of regional WA ports to feature on Sapphire Princess’ season will be revealed later this year, with itineraries set to form part of the line’s 2027-28 Australian Summer Program, due to be announced in November.
WA Tourism Minister Reece Whitby welcomed the announcement, saying Fremantle’s ability to attract another superliner highlighted the state’s strength as a cruise destination.
“Having the Sapphire Princess in Fremantle not only benefits WA’s economy, but it will also bring large cruise ships back to regional ports, stimulating the tourism sector with a series of calls scheduled over the summer school holidays,” he said.
The return has been made possible with the support of the WA Government and Tourism WA. Princess said the new deployment reaffirms its goal of making Western Australia “the place to visit” as international cruising demand continues to rise.
