Ahoy! Majestic Princess heading for our waters
In a sign of Carnival Australia’s increasing engagement in Australia, the cruise behemoth has announced Majestic Princess will be based in Sydney for the 2018-2019 Summer season.
Majestic Princess sailed on her maiden voyage in Italy, commencing on April 4 and during its upcoming Australian season will sail to 16 destinations including Tasmania, Fiji and New Zealand.
Speaking to assorted trade media and travel agents aboard Emerald Princess yesterday, Princess Cruises vice president Australia and New Zealand, Stuart Allison, was enthusiastic about the newly launched flagship.
“Majestic Princess will arrive on September 15, 2018. At 143,000 tonnes and carrying 3500 passengers, she will be the largest in the Princess fleet to arrive in this part of the world,” he said.
The ship will feature 13 dining spaces with two restaurants helmed by Michelin-star chefs, while 81 per cent of staterooms come with private balconies. Voyages for the 2018-2019 season go on sale at 9am on Thursday April 27, Allison added.
Carnival Australia’s executive chairman Ann Sherry was also bullish about the company’s record 2016 year in Australia.
“Carnival Australia brands made 227 calls into Sydney in the last 12 months. In addition we had 21 ships in Australian waters from October to April. In all there were 598 calls made to Australian ports in the last year – inconceivable a decade ago – and a 20 per cent year on year increase.
“We also saw Queensland domination for the first time this year – with 192 calls – which was 11 more than New South Wales. But as we’ve said before, we feel there are more opportunities to explore in this state.
Sherry also provided an update on far north Queensland, from where she had just returned in the wake of cyclone Debbie.
“My experience was that it’s very much business as usual. A major storm has clearly been through, but hotels are operating as normal. Tourism operators need to stand shoulder to shoulder in the Whitsundays and the cruise industry will lead the way in bringing people back,” Sherry said.
And if you can’t get enough cruise, you can check out Carnival Australia’s slick new video for Majestic Princess below.
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