BOUTIQUE cruise ship Pacific Princess‘s program for its four-month deployment to Australasia during the summer of 2020-21, with a number of maiden calls.

Pacific Princess’ program is to include a 90-day round trip voyage from Sydney around South America, a 13-night cruise visiting ports in New Zealand and a 21-night sailing to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

Across the program, the 670-guest ship is to make 15 maiden calls, including inaugural visits to Kaikoura and New Plymouth in New Zealand, Wewak and Gizo Island in the Soloman Islands and Madang in Papua New Guinea, as well as its first call to New Zealand’s Stewart Island on a cruise from Australia.

Australia is seen as increasingly attractive for the cruise sector, Australian Cruise Association chief executive Jill Abel telling a conference recently that there was “definitely a big focus from the cruise lines around shore excursion take-up and growing those destination partnerships”.

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“We are now seeing that the cruise lines are really focused on the destination,” Ms Abel said.

Princess Cruises senior vice president Asia Pacific Stuart Allison said Pacific Princess’ return to Australia reflected strong demand.

 “Pacific Princess was christened in Australia and became a popular favourite amongst Australian cruisers, offering the first premium cruise experience in the region,” Mr Allison said.

“We can’t wait to welcome her back to our shores and celebrate our 45th anniversary at the same time.”