Fremantle Welcomes Sapphire Princess: A New Era for WA Cruising

Fremantle is set to shine in the international cruise spotlight, with iconic liner Sapphire Princess confirmed as the Princess Cruises homeport ship for the Western Australia summer of 2027-28. The highly anticipated announcement was made during the recent Australian Cruise Association Conference, held right in the port city itself, with government officials and industry leaders gathering to celebrate the milestone.

The Sapphire Princess, renowned for her impressive 3,200-guest capacity, will operate nine roundtrip itineraries from Fremantle over the season. While the exact destinations along the WA coast are yet to be revealed, this deployment is forecast to inject over $140 million into the local economy and support more than 1,000 jobs, delivering a welcome boost to hospitality, tourism operators, and small businesses across the state.

Tourism Minister Reece Whitby highlighted the significance of the cruise sector in Western Australia’s broader economic strategy. “Homeporting the Sapphire Princess in Fremantle not only benefits our economy, but also brings cruise ships back to regional ports—a huge win for local communities,” Whitby said at the announcement. The move is part of ongoing efforts by the WA Government to blend economic diversification with targeted investment in the tourism sector, including upgrades at the Fremantle Passenger Terminal.

Princess Cruises’ Asia-Pacific Vice President, Matthew Rutherford, expressed his excitement over the company’s renewed WA partnership: “Princess Cruises has long held a deep affection for Western Australia…today, we are proud to reaffirm our commitment to showcasing its breathtaking beauty from the Kimberley to the Great Southern to travellers from around the globe.” Rutherford acknowledged the vital support from Tourism WA and the state in realising this return.

Sapphire Princess’s arrival continues a legacy of Princess homeport seasons in Fremantle, following the sold-out voyages of Sun Princess in 2019-20. Cruise lines and regional ports alike are preparing for the increased attention, with the full program of destinations and special itineraries to be released in November. Industry excitement is palpable as the state positions itself more firmly on the international cruising map, and local businesses look forward to welcoming tens of thousands of cruise tourists in the years ahead.

With this marquee deployment, Western Australia reasserts its role as a premier cruising choice for worldwide travellers, promising memorable journeys and substantial economic benefits in the years to come.