Short answer: Princess Cruises plans to double its New Zealand port calls from the 2028/29 season, 1News reported on 30 August 2026. Its 2028/29 Australia and New Zealand programme, published in October 2026, lists Auckland among six departure ports. For agents, that means more cruise clients starting or ending in Auckland who need hotel nights, transfers and touring around the ship.
This briefing is for travel agents and tour operators who sell cruises and want to add a land programme in New Zealand before or after the voyage. It covers what Princess has announced, what it has not, and how we plan the days on land.
What has Princess announced for 2028/29?
- More New Zealand calls. 1News reported that Princess plans to double its New Zealand port calls from the 2028/29 season, and that the company says this would make it New Zealand's largest cruise operator.
- The ports named. The same report names nine New Zealand ports, including Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Lyttelton, Dunedin, Picton, Napier and Timaru, plus scenic cruising through Fiordland.
- The wider season. Travel Today NZ reported on 29 October 2026 that the 2028/29 Australia and New Zealand season has more than 90 departures across 72 itineraries, from two to 46 nights, on Grand Princess, Emerald Princess and Royal Princess.
- Departure ports. Sydney, Brisbane, Fremantle, Melbourne, Adelaide and Auckland, according to Travel Today NZ.
- On sale. Travel Today NZ reported that fares go on sale in November 2026.
What is not confirmed yet?
- Which ship sails from Auckland. The reports we read do not say which of the three ships departs from Auckland, or on which dates.
- Port rotation. No published report lists which New Zealand ports each itinerary calls at. We confirm the call list from the cruise line's own schedule before planning.
- Season dates. The start and end dates of the 2028/29 season in New Zealand were not given.
How do we plan the days around an Auckland cruise?
- Hotel nights before. A night or two in Auckland before embarkation protects the sailing against a late flight. See our Auckland stopover briefing.
- Airport to ship. We plan coach or car transfers from Auckland Airport to the hotel and the cruise terminal. See our Auckland Airport transfers guide.
- Touring after. Clients ending a cruise in Auckland can add Rotorua, the Bay of Islands or a South Island leg before flying home.
- Shore days. For groups that want a private programme in port, see our cruise shore excursions guide and our note on the cruise border processing levy.
How Explera DMC New Zealand can help
We are the Auckland DMC for travel agents and tour operators, and we plan land days before and after a cruise, as well as days in port in Tauranga, Wellington, Napier and Dunedin. We do not sell cruises; the cruise is booked through the cruise line or the agency.
FAQ
Is Princess Cruises increasing its New Zealand calls? Yes. 1News reported in August 2026 that Princess plans to double its New Zealand port calls from the 2028/29 season.
Does Princess sail from Auckland in 2028/29? Auckland is one of six departure ports listed for the 2028/29 Australia and New Zealand season. The ship and dates had not been reported when we checked.
Which New Zealand ports are included? 1News named Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Lyttelton, Dunedin, Picton, Napier and Timaru among nine ports, plus scenic cruising through Fiordland. Each itinerary's calls should be checked with the cruise line.
When do Princess 2028/29 fares go on sale? Travel Today NZ reported that they go on sale in November 2026.
Does Explera DMC New Zealand book the cruise? No. We plan the hotel nights, transfers and touring around the cruise; the cruise is booked through the cruise line or the agency.
Sources
- Cruise season underway as operator plans to double NZ port visits, 1News, 30 August 2026
- Princess Outlines 2028/29 ANZ Season, Travel Today NZ, 29 October 2026
Talk to the trade desk
Explera DMC New Zealand trade desk — b2b@explera.co.nz, WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090, B2B portal b2b.expleradmc.com.
