Cruise comeback: Luxury liner takes first step to rebuilding Victoria's battered industry

Princess Cruises is taking a first, tangible step toward rebuilding Victoria’s cruise business, with the Crown Princess calling at Station Pier in Melbourne for the first time in years. The ship arrived on Sunday in Port Phillip Bay to begin the 2026/27 summer cruise season, and the operator also confirmed it will homeport an as-yet-unveiled vessel in Melbourne for 2028/29. Ports Victoria CEO Craig Walker said Sunday, October 11 effectively kicked off the cruise season for 2027 with the Crown Princess, backed by forward bookings. The comeback follows a sharp downturn after Covid and after the Victorian Government’s 15% rise in site occupation and berthing fees at Station Pier in 2024. The 290m Crown Princess towers 59m above the water, carries 3,080 passengers and 1,200 crew, and will sail a 28-day round-Australia voyage.