Media Releases 

Giant Liner Squeezes into Hobart

One of the world’s largest moving objects, the luxury megaliner Sapphire Princess, arrived in Hobart today, sailing straight into the history books as the biggest and newest cruise ship ever to visit the city.

Christmas Gem Squeezes into Melbourne

One of the world’s largest moving objects, the luxury megaliner Sapphire Princess, arrived in Melbourne today, sailing straight into the history books as the biggest and newest cruise ship ever to visit the city.

Floating Tourism Boom Nears Australia

The biggest single influx of tourists in Australian history will float into Sydney this Thursday, December 23, with the arrival of the largest and youngest cruise ship ever to sail here – Sapphire Princess. More than 2½ times the size of the Titanic and carrying 3800 passengers and crew - the equivalent of 11 full jumbos – the 116,000-ton Sapphire Princess will sail through Sydney Heads around 4.15am and dock at Circular Quay about 5.15am. A skywriter will draw a huge “Sapphire is Here!” message above the city about 8am on Thursday.The megaliner will sail for Melbourne the same day (Dec 23) at 9pm when a spectacular10-minute fireworks display over the 18-storey ship will accompany her departure from the Overseas Passenger Terminal.This week’s visit by the six-month-old ship is expected to generate even more excitement than Sapphire’s ‘smaller’ sister, the 109,000-ton Star Princess, did last year.Sapphire Princess’ visit is the first of four to Sydney this summer as part of a sell-out three month season of cruises between Australia and New Zealand that will see 22,000 passengers, including 4500 Australians, sail on the vessel in Australasian waters. She will visit Sydney again on January 18, February 11 and March 7.Each visit to Sydney will generate more than $1 million for the local economy through passenger and crew spending, stores and port fees.Operated by P&O Cruises’ US-based sister line, Princess Cruises, Sapphire Princess carries 3800 passengers and crew and took three million hours, 281,000 litres of paint and 3000km of wiring to build.Sporting a Star Trek-like bridge and jet-engine-style pods on her funnel, Sapphire Princess is dubbed the ‘clean machine’ because of the revolutionary dual diesel and gas propulsion system that makes her one of the world’s most environmentally friendly liners.Sapphire Princess boasts five pools, eight jacuzzis, nine restaurants and cafes, a wedding chapel with a live webcam, a mini golf course, 13 bars and lounges, the biggest internet centre at sea, two nightclubs including one overhanging the ship, a luxury spa sanctuary and 1337 cabins – 750 of them with their private balcony.For more information, contact P&O Cruises on 132 469 or visit www.pocruises.com.au

Fireworks Herald Christmas Gem for Australia

Australia's Most luxurious Liner Opens VIC Cruise Season

Australia’s most luxurious cruise liner, the ‘Love Boat’ Pacific Princess, arrived in Melbourne today to open Victoria’s summer cruise season.

Australia's Most luxurious Liner Opens SA Cruise Season

Australia’s most luxurious cruise liner, the ‘Love Boat’ Pacific Princess, arrived in Adelaide today to open SA’s summer cruise season.

Sea Europe with a Princess

Olympia - the ancient home of the Olympics featured in this year’s Athens Games - will be a highlight of Princess Cruises’ line-up of luxury cruises through Europe next year.

Enjoy a Private Balcony with Australia's Princess

Australia’s very own princess – Pacific Princess – has launched her biggest season of South Pacific and New Zealand cruising in response to popular demand from her followers.

Mega Gem Soon to Shine in Australia

The countdown to the Christmas arrival of the biggest and newest cruise ship ever to sail to Australia has begun, with the US christening of the megaliner Sapphire Princess today.