PRINCESS CRUISES will return to basing one of its seasonal Oceania market ships in Melbourne in 2028-29, after an absence of some years.
The Carnival Group company joined forces with Ports Victoria yesterday [12 October] at Melbourne’s iconic Station Pier to announce the homeport commitment, which coincided with this season’s first visit by the vessel in question, Crown Princess.
Princess is also celebrating 50 years of “cruising down under in style”.
Yesterday’s officially launch of Victoria’s 2026-27 Cruise Season saw Crown Princess bring 3,000 passengers and 1,200 crew to Port Melbourne, the first of 120,000 expected to arrive and depart from Station Pier this season.
Ports Victoria chief executive Craig Walker said it was wonderful to be working with Princess Cruises and other cruise lines to connect them with the best of what Victoria has to offer visitors.
“Station Pier has a strong history of welcoming and farewelling people to our state and Australia and yesterday marks the start of a busy six-month stretch that will bring thousands of visitors to Victoria,” he said.
“Ports Victoria is proud to work with cruise lines to ensure our ports meets their needs, so this important tourism gateway continues to play a key role in growing our economy. It has been a pleasure to work with (Princess Cruises’ vice president Asia Pacific) Matthew Rutherford and his global team in understanding each other’s interests and where we can, match these now and into the future.”
Ports Victoria said the 2028-29 season current bookings reflect a healthy 24.6% increase in total ship visits to Station Pier across all cruise lines, compared to the prior season, “which is great news for local businesses and for those cruise fans travelling into Melbourne to join their chosen cruise.
“Moreover, the 2028-29 season indicates a 32.4% increase in all ship visits to Victoria, including to regional ports, which will extend economic benefits more broadly across the state.”
Ports Victoria said cruise ship passengers, crews and shipping lines generate a total economic output of over $400 million in Victoria per season, supporting over 1,200 full time equivalent, direct and indirect jobs.
Mr Rutherford said the arrival of Crown Princess marked the start of what promises to be an exciting summer cruise season for Victoria.
“For 50 years, Australians have trusted Princess to create memorable holiday experiences, and Melbourne has long been an important part of that story," he said.
"The enthusiasm we continue to see from Victorian cruisers reinforces our confidence in the market and our commitment to offering more opportunities for guests to sail with Princess in the years ahead.”
The Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne said Station Pier was a much-loved heritage asset, and its role as Victoria’s premier cruise shipping location supported the busy cruise shipping season. “To have a Princess Cruise ship homeport back in Melbourne shows how our cruise shipping numbers are on the rise.”
Melbourne is currently the third most visited cruise destination in Australia by domestic and international passengers and Station Pier a key turnaround venue for southern Australian and New Zealand cruise itineraries. Ports Victoria manages, operates and maintains Station Pier to host cruise ships and other visiting vessels.
Victoria’s regional cruise destinations like Geelong, Phillip Island, and Portland have strong offerings in First People-led experiences, wellness, arts and culture, food and drinks, and nature-based experiences, with the potential for significant growth in cruise tourism, to the benefit of regional visitor economies, the government said.