Princess Cruises’ Crown Princess and Diamond Princess will dock in Sydney Harbour on Saturday, 11 January, marking a historic first as the sister ships meet in the iconic harbour on the same day. Together, they will bring more than 9,500 international and domestic visitors and over 2,000 crew to Sydney’s shores, generating over AU$2 million into the local economy in a single day.
Crown Princess, fresh from a South Pacific New Year’s cruise, will welcome 3,300 guests embarking on a new journey to New Zealand, while Diamond Princess arrives from an Eastern Australia itinerary featuring stops in Eden, Port Arthur, and an overnight stay in Hobart.
Crown Princess’ Captain Mario Consentino said, “We’re delighted to be in Sydney today with our sister ship, Diamond Princess in this beautiful city. It’s the first time our ships are together in Sydney and it’s also the first time I’ll see my colleague Diamond Princess’ Captain Bartolomei in almost ten years. We’ll celebrate this special occasion in style with an espresso looking over the harbour.”
Chief Commercial Officer for Princess Cruises, Terry Thornton said, “Our guests love Sydney and it remains an important homeport for Princess in the region. Today our guests from Diamond Princess and Crown Princess will enjoy the city’s world-class shore excursions, vibrant retail precincts, and cafes and restaurants.”
Sydney Kayak Experience Tour Guide Tierna Maguire said having both ships in Sydney Harbour on the same day enhanced her guests’ overall experience. “A kayaking encounter with two cruise ships at sunrise on Sydney Harbour is a double bonus for the guests. The size and scale of a cruise ship gently sailing past us on our kayaks is unmatched with our guests telling us it is one of the main highlights of the tour.”
This season, Crown Princess is set to contribute more than $120 million to the national economy making 78 visits to 21 different ports across Australia—a record for any Princess ship.
Diamond Princess, built in Japan and weighing 115,875 tonnes, brings her own unique features including the largest Japanese bath house at sea. Homeported in both Melbourne and Brisbane over the 2024-2025 summer season, Diamond Princess will make four calls to Sydney before returning to Japan in March for the Japan northern summer season.
While in port, Crown Princess will provision 140 tonnes of locally sourced fresh produce – supporting Australian farmers and ensuring guests enjoy exceptional dining experiences during their voyages.
The simultaneous visit by both ships in Sydney Harbour demonstrates the importance of cruising to Australia’s tourism industry, with a projected 1.2 million passengers and crew visiting NSW ports in summer season of 2024-2025*. From small local businesses to large-scale agricultural producers, the cruise industry delivers widespread economic benefits to communities throughout the country.
Additional information about Princess Cruises is available by visiting princess.com or connecting with a professional travel advisor, by calling 13 24 88. Travel agents are encouraged to call 1300 587 473 or visit onesourcecruises.com.au
