Cruise comeback: Luxury liner marks first step in rebuilding Victoria's battered industry

Princess Cruises is bringing back cruise calls to Victoria, with the Crown Princess arriving at Melbourne’s Station Pier on Sunday to start the 2026/27 summer season. Ports Victoria says the visit also marks the kickoff of the 2027 season, with CEO Craig Walker citing strong forward bookings. Princess Cruises will also homeport another ship in Melbourne for the 2028/29 season, though details are not yet released. The return follows years of disruption after Covid and a 15% increase in site occupation and berthing fees at Station Pier in 2024, which prompted cruise operators to cut Melbourne calls and redeploy ships elsewhere. The 290m Crown Princess can carry 3,080 passengers and 1,200 crew and will run a 28-day round-Australia itinerary. Stops include Adelaide, Fremantle, Broome, Darwin, Cairns and Brisbane, before returning to Sydney.