Princess steps up aus commitment
Princes Cruises has stepped up its commitment to the Australia market, announcing that selected ships will operate in Australian currency on board from next summer. While Princess ships based in Australia currently have local currency on board, Princess’ seasonally deployed visiting ships Diamond Princess and Golden Princess will also operate in local currency while sailing from Australia. The changes are set to come in to effect from next summer season, with Diamond Princess to return to Australian waters in September 2015 and Golden Princess to debut in October. Announcing the move at Cruise3sixty in February, Princess Cruises vice president Australia and NZ Stuart Allison said the shift from US to local currency marked a “big investment” for the cruise line that followed continued success in the Australia market. “Australia is now a big piece of our business… and moving to Australian currency helps to give customers more confidence in what they spend on board,” he said. Meanwhile, Princess Cruises has partnered with Singapore Airlines Holidays to package competitive land, air and cruise
Spackages tailored for the Australian market. The deal comes ahead of expected “substantial growth” in cruising out of Asia, according to Princess Cruises head of sales Brett Wendorf, who added that the tie up would see Princess Cruises deliver more “innovative and dynamic” product to consumers. The ‘Treasures of Asia’ on Dawn Princess is one of the feature trips following the tie up, departing Fremantle on 25 July. With calls to port in Bali, Phuket, Penang and Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur, prices lead in from $4490 including meals, on board activities and oneway economy fares back to Perth.