Major cruise line to homeport ship in Australia's 'top tourism town'
Princess Cruises has announced it will return to Western Australia and homeport a ship in the state.
Sapphire Princess will be deployed to Fremantle, recently crowned Australia's 'Top Tourism Town', in late 2027.
The move makes Princess the only large premium cruise line both returning and homeporting a ship on our west coast.
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A major cruise line is returning to Fremantle port in Western Australia. Getty
"Princess Cruises has long held a deep affection for Western Australia," Princess Cruises Vice President, Asia Pacific, Matthew Rutherford said.
"Today, we are proud to reaffirm our commitment to Western Australia, showcasing its breathtaking beauty, from Kimberley to the Great Southern, to travellers from around the world."
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Princess has homeported four Princess ships in Western Australia in the last 15 years.
The first was the second-generation Sun Princess in Fremantle back in 2008, and the last homeport was the sell-out 46-night Indian Ocean voyages across the 2019-20 summer season.
Sapphire Princess will homeport in Fremantle in 2027. Supplied
Sapphire Princess' planned deployment in Western Australia will generate over $140 million for the Western Australian local economy.
"Having the Sapphire Princess in Fremantle not only benefits WA's economy, but it will also bring large cruise ships back to regional ports, stimulating the tourism sector with a series of calls scheduled over the summer school holidays," Western Australian Tourism Minister Reece Whitby said.
Princess will reveal the number of regional Western Australian ports the cruise line plans to visit as part of its season later in the year.
The announcement comes hot on the heels of Fremantle being crowned Australia's 'Top Tourism Town' for 2025.
Fremantle is Australia's top tourism town for 2025. Getty
The port city won gold in the major award category in the Top Tourism Town Awards during a ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra.
The Top Tourism Town award recognises Australian towns with a population over 5000 people.
"Freo", as it is nicknamed, was called out for its "historic streets, lively festivals, and UNESCO World Heritage sites".
Bungendore, near Canberra, won gold in the Small Tourism Town category, with Trentham in Victoria taking out the Tiny Tourism Town section.
