This was published 5 years ago
Princess Cruises' newest ship Majestic Princess to arrive in Sydney for first Australian season
Majestic Princess will arrive in Sydney for the 2018-2019 cruise season.
In just under three weeks' time, Majestic Princess will arrive in Sydney for its inaugural Australian season. On the way from Shanghai, the 3650-passenger ship will call at Darwin, on September 8, and Brisbane, on September 13, before docking on September 15 at Sydney's Circular Quay, its home for the following six months.
Majestic Princess is Princess Cruises' newest ship and its largest to cruise Down Under. It launched in 2017 and is a sister to Royal and Regal Princess, and the upcoming Sky Princess.
As ships in a new class do, Majestic has evolved since Royal set sail in 2013. It shares many features, such as the cantilevered SkyWalk and a spa that has the beautifully designed Enclave pool and thermal suites; however, it is the first in the fleet to boast two restaurants designed by Michelin-starred chefs: Richard Chen's Harmony and Emmanuel Renaut's La Mer. Majestic also claims to have the largest shopping space at sea, where passengers can browse and buy luxury goods from Bvlgari, Burberry, Cartier, Fendi and more.
Princess Cruises' Majestic will have the brand's popular spa with pool and thermal suites.
Princess Cruises will have four ships (Majestic, Sun, Sea and Golden Princess) cruising out of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Fremantle and Auckland over the summer. A fifth ship, Pacific Princess, will call at Sydney, Cairns and Darwin in February 2019 on its world cruise from America. Golden Princess, which had a major refurbishment earlier this year, will be based in Melbourne for its fourth season and will sail nine round-trips to New Zealand.
New ports for the line are the unspoilt Conflict Islands in Papua New Guinea and Moreton Island in Queensland, a stunning sand island that is 98 per cent National Park. Sea Princess will call at Panasea in the Conflicts on an 11-night cruise from Brisbane in December, and Sun Princess will visit Moreton Island in January on a four-night cruise from Sydney.
Australians are big fans of Princess Cruises – one in five cruisers sail with the line and Australia is Princess' biggest market outside the US. Its locally-based ships will take more Australians to New Zealand than any other cruise line in the upcoming season, on 40 cruises that call at 10 New Zealand ports.
The 2019-20 season will be even bigger, with the 3084-passenger Ruby Princess joining Majestic, Sea, Sun and Golden Princess in Australia. Meanwhile, three more Royal-class ships will launch in the next four years: Sky Princess makes its Mediterranean debut in October 2019, Enchanted Princess is due in 2020, and the sixth in the series in 2022.
See princess.com
SHORE THING
THE PORT Hvar, Croatia
WHO GOES THERE Azamara, Cruise Croatia, Cunard, Hapag-Lloyd, P&O UK, Ponant, RSSC, SeaDream, Silversea, Star Clippers, Tauck, Windstar.
WHY WE LOVE IT In recent years, this once peaceful town has become party central for sun-seeking European jet-setters. However, the island still retains much of its old-world charm and you don't have to stray too far from the throbbing waterfront bars to discover an abundance of history in Stari Grad – the oldest city in Croatia – beautiful beaches and, inland, olive groves, lavender fields, orchards, vineyards and traditional villages.
TAKE A TOUR OR GO IT ALONE? Cruise ships usually anchor in the bay near Hvar town and tender passengers to the seafront promenade. The historic centre is pedestrian-only, so it's easy explore on your own or take a guided walking tour. You can join an organised tour to the Paklenis islets, for swimming or kayaking, or take a taxi-boat from Hvar. Further afield is the deserted 16th-century village of Humac and nearby neolithic Grapceva Cave (one of the most important archeological sites in Croatia), best reached by taxi or on a tour. Local operators include Natural Hvar Tours, which offers hiking, biking and private car tours of the island, plus vineyard and wine-tasting trails. See naturalhvartours.com
MUST SEE Hvar Cathedral in the main square, built between the 16th and 17th centuries; Venetian-era castle, Fortica Spanjola; the walled 15th-century Franciscan Monastery, which houses a small museum; and Stari Grad, about eight kilometres from Hvar town.
MUST EAT The Groda area of Hvar, off the main square, is packed with restaurants and cafes serving up everything from fish, seafood and snacks to sophisticated takes on traditional Croatian food. Lamb barbecued over coals at Konoba Humac is a favourite – there is no electricity in the village.
NEED TO KNOW Croatia's currency is the kuna, which is divided into 100 lipas. It's advisable to exchange some money before you get there, but ATMs are readily available.
ESSENTIALS croatia.hr
CRUISEFACT
The Panama Canal opened on August 15, 1914, just two weeks after the start of World War I. . The cargo vessel SS Ancon was the first ship to pass through the canal.
NEWS
Crystal's 2020 record breaker
Itineraries for Crystal Cruises' first expedition ship, Crystal Endeavor – launching in August 2020 – are now available. Its inaugural season includes voyages to Russia, Asia, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand and Antarctica, and the ship promises to be the world's largest, most spacious purpose-built polar-class expedition vessel, at 19,800 gross registered tonnage and accommodating just 200 passengers. "We can now offer discerning travellers a truly luxurious expedition experience – the Crystal Experience – which, coupled with the ship's innovative design and captivating itineraries, will be a highly sought-after travel choice," says Karen Christensen, Crystal's senior vice-president and managing director for Australia and New Zealand. Crystal Endeavor will be fitted with two helicopters and a submarine as well as Crystal's renowned uber-luxury accommodation, dining and spa facilities. See crystalcruises.com
Explore with Tim Flannery
Professor Tim Flannery, the internationally acclaimed scientist, explorer and conservationist, is hosting an expedition cruise through the Solomon Islands this October, onboard the 50-passenger Spirit of Enderby. Flannery – once described by Sir David Attenborough as "in the league of the world's all-time great explorers" – has undertaken many expeditions throughout Melanesia, where he has discovered numerous mammal species and subspecies, and studied how climate change is affecting amphibians. The 12-day cruise will sail from Honiara and to the outer Solomon Islands, including Santa Isobel, the Duff Islands, and Makira and Malaita. Snorkelling, birdwatching and meeting the Kwai people, who are being mentored by Flannery on a conservation project, are among the highlights. Fares are $US5495 per person. See worldexpeditions.com
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