Princess Cruises - 2028 Circle Pacific

An Extraordinary Journey Around the Pacific

The Princess Circle Pacific 2028 is an extended round-trip voyage from Australia, connecting the islands, cities and coastlines of the Pacific within one remarkable cruise.

Sailing aboard Grand Princess, the complete journey is available as a 94-night round-trip cruise from Brisbane departing 15 June 2028, or a 94-night round-trip cruise from Sydney departing 17 June 2028. A 93-night round-trip option is also available from Auckland departing 22 June 2028.

The itinerary travels through the South Pacific and Hawaii before reaching the west coast of North America and Alaska. Grand Princess then crosses the Pacific to Japan and Southeast Asia before returning to Australia and New Zealand. The complete voyage includes destinations across 13 countries, together with scenic cruising in Alaska and extended time in selected Asian ports.

For Australian travellers, it provides a rare opportunity to experience Alaska, Japan, Southeast Asia, Hawaii and French Polynesia within one connected journey, without needing an international flight to begin or finish the complete voyage.

Princess Circle Pacific 2028 at a Glance

Cruise line: Princess Cruises
Ship: Grand Princess
Complete voyage: 94 nights from Sydney or Brisbane
Sydney departure: 17 June 2028
Brisbane departure: 15 June 2028
Auckland departure: 22 June 2028, 93 nights
Countries visited: 13
Destinations: Approximately 45, depending on the embarkation point
Distance travelled: More than 26,000 nautical miles
Key regions: South Pacific, French Polynesia, Hawaii, North America, Alaska, Japan and Southeast Asia
Scenic cruising: Hubbard Glacier and College Fjord
Extended stays: The program includes late-night calls and overnights in selected ports, including Hong Kong, Singapore and Bali.

Itinerary details, port calls and voyage statistics may differ slightly according to the selected departure port and are subject to change.

The Circle Pacific Itinerary

Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific

The Australian departures begin by travelling towards New Zealand and the islands of the South Pacific. Depending on the selected embarkation point, the early part of the voyage can include destinations such as Norfolk Island, Auckland, Tauranga, the Bay of Islands, Suva, Dravuni Island and Apia.

This section introduces the journey with a combination of familiar regional destinations and smaller island calls. It also provides time for guests to settle into life aboard Grand Princess before the longer Pacific crossings.

The voyage continues into French Polynesia, with visits to celebrated island destinations including Tahiti, Moorea and Raiatea. These calls bring together lagoons, mountain scenery and Polynesian culture as the ship travels east across the Pacific.

Cruiseco Tip: Settle into the rhythm early
The first part of an extended cruise is about more than visiting ports. Use the opening sea days to organise your cabin, understand the ship and establish a comfortable onboard routine for the months ahead.

Hawaii and the West Coast of North America

After crossing the Pacific, Grand Princess visits Hawaii, with the broader published itinerary highlighting Honolulu, Kauai and Maui. From Hawaii, the voyage continues to the west coast of the United States.

Calls in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco create opportunities to experience three distinctive Californian cities within the same journey. The itinerary then travels north through the Pacific Northwest, including Victoria and Vancouver, before entering Alaska.

This section of the cruise offers a notable contrast between tropical island destinations, major North American cities and the cooler landscapes of the northern Pacific.

Alaska by Cruise from Australia

Alaska is one of the defining features of the 2028 Circle Pacific itinerary.

Rather than flying from Australia to Vancouver or Seattle for a conventional Alaska cruise, guests completing the full voyage reach the region as part of the wider Pacific journey. Princess promotes the sailing as a way to experience Alaska round-trip from Australia.

The published itinerary includes Alaskan destinations such as Wrangell, Sitka, Juneau, Skagway and Whittier, the gateway for Anchorage. Grand Princess is also scheduled to undertake scenic cruising at Hubbard Glacier and College Fjord.

These scenic passages give guests the opportunity to view glaciers and dramatic coastal landscapes from the ship. Conditions and visibility will depend on weather and local operating requirements.

Cruiseco Tip: Pack for several climates
This itinerary travels from tropical islands to Alaska and back through Asia. Plan for warm, humid and cool conditions, and bring layers suitable for scenic viewing on open decks.

Japan and Southeast Asia

After Alaska, Grand Princess crosses the northern Pacific to Japan.

The broader itinerary includes Tokyo, Shimizu, Osaka, Kochi, Kagoshima and Ishigaki, giving guests a mix of large cities, regional centres and island destinations.

The voyage then continues into Southeast Asia, completing the cultural transition from the northern Pacific to the warmer destinations of the region. Princess’s 2027 and 2028 Australia and South Pacific program includes additional time ashore through late-night and overnight calls, including overnights in Hong Kong, Singapore and Bali on the Circle Pacific journey.

These longer calls can provide more time for evening experiences and more detailed exploration than a standard daytime port visit.

More Time to Explore

A cruise of this scale is not only about the number of destinations visited. Time available ashore can make a significant difference to the experience.

The 2028 Circle Pacific program is promoted with 11 late-night calls and overnight stays in Hong Kong, Singapore and Bali, allowing guests to experience selected destinations beyond a conventional daytime visit.

Longer stays can make it easier to visit attractions further from the port, enjoy dinner ashore or experience a city after dark. The exact arrival and departure times should be checked against the final itinerary before arranging independent plans.

Crossing the Pacific

The Princess Circle Pacific is designed for travellers who enjoy the journey as much as the destinations.

The complete voyage includes approximately 44 sea days and travels more than 26,000 nautical miles around the Pacific. The itinerary crosses both the Equator and the International Date Line twice.

Sea days give guests time to enjoy the ship, participate in activities, attend entertainment and recover between destination-intensive sections. They also help create the slower rhythm that distinguishes an extended voyage from a series of shorter holidays.

Travellers considering the complete journey should be comfortable with consecutive days at sea. For those who enjoy shipboard life, these crossings are likely to be an important part of the experience rather than simply time between ports.

Sailing Aboard Grand Princess

Grand Princess will become your home throughout the complete Circle Pacific voyage.

Princess Cruises provides onboard accommodation, specified dining, entertainment and recreation as part of the cruise experience. The ship also uses Princess MedallionClass technology for functions including keyless stateroom entry and aspects of personalised onboard service.

On a 94-night journey, the ship’s everyday environment matters considerably. Dining choice, cabin comfort, laundry arrangements, storage space, entertainment and quieter areas all become more important than they might on a short cruise.

Before booking, consider not just whether the itinerary appeals, but whether the ship and selected cabin will suit the way you want to live for more than three months.

Choosing Your Cabin

Cabin selection is particularly important on a voyage of this length.

An interior cabin can make the complete journey more accessible and may suit guests who expect to spend most of their time elsewhere on the ship. An oceanview cabin provides natural light, while a balcony gives you private outdoor space throughout the voyage.

A balcony can be especially valuable during scenic cruising and on extended sea-day passages, although weather conditions will affect how often the outdoor area can be used. Suites provide additional living space and benefits but represent a significantly higher overall investment.

Location should also be considered. Some travellers prefer convenient access to dining or open decks, while others value a quieter position away from high-traffic areas. Accessible cabins and preferred balcony locations may be limited, so early planning can provide more choice.

Cruiseco Tip: Choose for 94 nights, not nine
Think about storage, natural light, bathroom layout, distance from lifts and how much private space you will want. A cabin that works well for a short holiday may feel very different after several months at sea.

Planning Your Circle Pacific Cruise

An extended journey requires more planning than a conventional holiday.

Before booking, consider the total time away, cabin selection, insurance, medication, visa requirements and financial arrangements at home. You may also need to plan for mail, household responsibilities and access to important accounts while overseas.

The itinerary visits multiple countries, and passport, visa and health requirements will depend on nationality and the final route. Travellers remain responsible for holding the correct documentation, even where the cruise line or an external service provides visa guidance.

Travel insurance should be considered from the time a deposit is paid. Confirm that the selected policy covers the complete duration and value of the journey, the travellers’ ages, existing medical conditions and every destination on the itinerary.

Because the full voyage begins and finishes in Australia, international flights are not required for Sydney or Brisbane round-trip guests. Travellers joining a shorter segment should factor flights, hotels, transfers and baggage allowances into the complete trip cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Princess Circle Pacific 2028 depart?

The complete voyage departs Brisbane on 15 June 2028 and Sydney on 17 June 2028, with both round-trip Australian options lasting 94 nights. A 93-night round-trip Auckland option departs on 22 June 2028.

Which ship operates the 2028 Circle Pacific?

The voyage is scheduled to operate aboard Grand Princess.

Does the cruise return to Australia?

Yes. Complete round-trip options are available from both Sydney and Brisbane. Shorter one-way segments are also available between selected ports.

Does the Circle Pacific visit Alaska?

Yes. The published itinerary visits several Alaskan destinations and includes scenic cruising at Hubbard Glacier and College Fjord.

Does the voyage visit Japan?

Yes. The broader published itinerary includes six Japanese ports, with destinations including Tokyo, Shimizu, Osaka, Kochi, Kagoshima and Ishigaki.

How many sea days are included?

The complete itinerary is promoted with approximately 44 sea days. The final number may differ according to the selected embarkation point and any subsequent itinerary changes.

Can I book only part of the voyage?

Yes. Princess has published several shorter sectors, including Sydney to Los Angeles, Tokyo or Singapore, and return-to-Australia sectors from Tokyo and Singapore.

Are flights included?

Flights are not required for guests completing the round-trip voyage from Sydney or Brisbane. Travellers booking a one-way segment will generally need flights and possibly hotel accommodation. Whether these are included will depend on the selected Cruiseco offer.

When should I book?

Extended voyages can have limited availability in particular cabin types and locations. If you need an accessible cabin, specific balcony position or preferred cabin category, it is worth exploring availability early.

Is this technically a world cruise?

The voyage circles the Pacific rather than completing a conventional global circumnavigation. However, its duration, range of countries and extended-voyage format give it many characteristics associated with a world cruise. It belongs naturally within Cruiseco’s World Cruises and extended voyages collection.