A voyage visiting 31 countries headlines Princess Cruises’ 2028–29 Australia and New Zealand season, alongside shorter holidays departing from ports around the country.
How long could you happily spend at sea? A fortnight? A month? Princess Cruises is putting a rather more ambitious option on the table: 129 days.
Its newly announced 2029 Grand World Odyssey will visit 61 destinations across five continents, covering about 37,300 nautical miles. Princess describes it as the longest world cruise ever offered from Australia.
For anyone contemplating a substantial retirement adventure, there is plenty to pore over. The itinerary includes full transits of the Panama Canal’s new locks, an overnight stay in Lima and late-night calls in Lisbon and New York.
Passengers will cross the Equator twice, with scenic cruising near Easter Island and Pitcairn Island. The voyage features more than 50 UNESCO World Heritage sites, with embarkation options including Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland.
It is a considerable commitment of time and money. Fortunately, the wider season offers holidays that fit more modest leave allowances and travel plans.
Grand Princess, Emerald Princess and Royal Princess will operate more than 90 departures across over 70 distinct itineraries. Voyages range from two to 46 days, visiting 42 destinations across six countries, with departures from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Fremantle and Auckland.
Australian highlights include the Kimberley coast, Great Barrier Reef and Tasmania, along with regional food and wine experiences. Selected calls allow more time ashore, including at Phillip Island for its Little Penguin Parade.
Across the Tasman, the programme includes Fiordland National Park, the Marlborough wine region and opportunities to explore Māori heritage. South Pacific options take in Tahiti, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia.
For readers who remember The Love Boat, Princess already has a place in their holiday imagination. Its association with the television series helped make the ship itself part of the dream.
Today, the onboard offering gives that dream a practical shape: a proper sit-down dinner, a theatre production afterwards, or a film beside the pool at the line’s Movies Under the Stars screenings.
“Princess’s relaxed style of cruising appeals to travellers who want to explore further afield while enjoying the familiarity of the same ship and cabin,” says Cola Maurirere, Head of Sales and Operations at Travel at 60.
“The Grand World Odyssey gives our members the chance to sail from Sydney or Brisbane and visit 61 destinations across five continents. For anyone who has dreamed of an extended holiday at sea, it’s an exciting prospect.”
There are casual dining options when a leisurely meal feels like too much effort, and live music for passengers who prefer a lounge to a theatre. The appeal is having choices close at hand, particularly on longer voyages when sea days become part of everyday life.
Princess’s wearable Medallion also handles useful details, including unlocking your cabin door as you approach. Specific venues and experiences vary by ship, so it pays to check the vessel as carefully as the itinerary.
Readers can pre-register with Travel at 60 from today (October 28). A cruise consultant will contact them before general sales open at 9am AEDT on Wednesday, November 11, to discuss options and prepare to book when sales begin.
Pre-registration is an expression of interest rather than a confirmed booking.
For the Grand World Odyssey, Princess has announced an early booking offer of up to $3,000 onboard credit per stateroom, or up to $3,000 in instant savings per stateroom for past Princess guests. The offer ends August 31, 2027, with eligibility and conditions applying.
Before committing, ask the consultant to explain the total fare and what costs extra, including drinks, shore excursions and any dining or internet packages you want. On a voyage lasting several months, those details deserve as much attention as the destinations.
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