Princess Plans 129-Night Odyssey From Sydney
The Grand World Odyssey departs Sydney on 23 May 2029 and visits 61 destinations across 31 countries.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Cruises
Princess Cruises has unveiled a 129-night Grand World Odyssey voyage departing Sydney on 23 May 2029. The itinerary visits 61 destinations across 31 countries and five continents.
Why it matters
The announcement comes as Carnival Cruise Line confirmed it will remove two of its four Australia-based ships in 2028, and the cruise sector's contribution to Australia has fallen. Bookings for the 2028-29 season open on 11 November 2026.
Fares start at $28,999 per person for an interior stateroom on a twin-share basis, excluding shore excursions, drinks packages and gratuities. Window cabins cost $38,999, balconies $44,999 and suites $60,999, though the extraction does not say how many cabins are available at each price.
The players
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises is the operator of the Grand World Odyssey and the cruise line behind the 2028-29 Australian season.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line is a major cruise operator that confirmed it will remove two of its four Australia-based ships in 2028.
The details
Three ships, Grand Princess, Emerald Princess and Royal Princess, will operate the 2028-29 season, with departures from five Australian ports and Dover. The voyage includes highlights such as the Panama Canal and 50 UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Timeline
2024-25: Cruise sector generated $7.32 billion, down 13.2 per cent.
October 2026: Carnival confirmed removing two of its four Australia-based ships.
11 November 2026: Bookings for the 2028-29 season open.
2028: Carnival's removal of two Australia-based ships takes effect.
23 May 2029: The Grand World Odyssey departs Sydney.
Travel Outlook
Cruising's contribution to Australia fell by $1.1 billion and the sector generated $7.32 billion in 2024-25, down 13.2 per cent from the previous year. The target audience for the new voyage is expected to skew older and toward retirees.
Travellers interested in the 2029 Grand World Odyssey should note that bookings open on 11 November 2026 and that fares exclude shore excursions, drinks packages and gratuities. Those booking the interior fare should budget for these extras on top of the $28,999 starting price.
The takeaway
Fares for long voyages are advertised from a base price that excludes significant add-ons, so comparing total costs before booking is essential. Checking whether a ship's departure port is among the five Australian ports is also useful when planning around the 2028-29 season.
What happens next
Bookings for the 2028-29 Australian cruise season open on 11 November 2026.
Further reading
Explore more in Cruises for Australia-focused coverage of the market.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Realcommercial.
