Australia’s summer cruise season is taking off following the spectacular maiden arrival of the international superliner Majestic Princess in Sydney this morning on the world’s first floating “runway”.
The largest Princess Cruises’ ship ever to visit Australia, Majestic Princess “touched down” in Sydney shortly after sunrise, sailing into her new homeport along a 1,550metre-long illuminated runway.
The floating sea-strip was created by 62 buoys with bright red and white flares guiding her path into Sydney Harbour.
Speaking in Sydney today, Princess Cruises Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific, Stuart Allison said Majestic Princess’ maiden Sydney season was testament to the popularity of cruising among Australians.
“Majestic Princess was only launched last year and is the flagship of our fleet, so it’s an incredible vote of confidence in both the Australian cruise market and the appeal of Australia as a cruise destination for such a spectacular ship to be based here for six months,” Mr Allisonsaid.
The newest ship in Princess Cruises’ fleet, Majestic Princess is the first international ship to visit Australia for the nation’s busy summer cruise season. The 3560-guest ship will be based in Sydney for the next six months, carrying close to 70,000 Australian and international travelers on 18 cruises this season.
At 143,700 tonnes, Majestic Princess is equivalent to 126 Sydney Manly ferries, while her height of more than 68 metres makes her taller than the Sydney Opera House
Majestic Princess will join three other Princess Cruises’ ships – Sun Princess, Sea Princess and Golden Princess – in Australia this summer, with the four ships sailing on itineraries from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Fremantle, Adelaide and Auckland.
With more than 1.34 million Australians cruising in 2017, Australia is now the fifth largest source market for cruising in the world and has the highest market penetration rate, with the equivalent of 5.7 per cent of the population taking a cruise last year.
Majestic Princess will be clearly recognisable as she visits ports around Australia and New Zealand over the next six months, with her dramatic over-the-ocean glass walkway, the SeaWalk, hovering 39 metres above water and extending more than eight metres beyond the edge of the ship.
The ultimate in premium cruising, Majestic Princess offers 13 dining options including specialty dinner menus by two Michelin star-awarded chefs: Chef Richard Chen at Harmony and Chef Emmanuel Renaut at La Mer. The ship is also home to the largest retail shopping space at sea, with more than 1000 square metres of luxury brands.
Majestic Princess will return to Australian shores again in late 2019 for another season of cruising from Sydney. Fares for a 12-night cruise onboard Majestic Princess to New Zealand sailing roundtrip from Sydney departing 25 January 2019 start from $2,079 per person twin share.
For more information visit www.princess.com, call 13 24 88 or see a licensed travel agent. *Subject to availability, conditions apply.
SOURCE: Princess Cruises
