Western Australia's 2026-2027 cruise season has officially begun with the arrival today of Princess Cruises at the port of Fremantle.
The arrival of this ship, which cruised the southwest coast of the state over the weekend, marks the start of a new season of intense cruise activity. Two hundred cruise ship calls are scheduled in Western Australian ports throughout the 2026-2027 season.
Five of these ships will make their first stop in the state's waters, bringing new visitors to regional destinations and reinforcing Western Australia's reputation as a premier cruise tourism destination.
Fremantle will receive 26 calls during the season and will continue to play a vital role as a gateway for passengers wishing to discover Perth and other destinations in the region.
The start of the season also marks a milestone for the state's cruise industry, as there is only one year left until the Sapphire Princess begins operating from Fremantle as its home port during the 2027-2028 season.
This premium Princess Cruises ship will operate ten itineraries departing from Fremantle, with an estimated economic impact of 142 million Australian dollars and the creation of job opportunities for more than 1,000 people.
The Sapphire Princess will offer itineraries from Fremantle to various destinations in Western Australia and beyond. These include routes from southwest Australia to the Coral Coast, tours of the state's north coast, and trips to Indonesia.
The choice of Fremantle as a home port will provide a significant boost to the region's tourism economy, attracting thousands of passengers and creating opportunities for them to extend their stay and increase their spending in different parts of the state before and after the cruise.
Cruise tourism plays an important role in the Cook Government's economic diversification strategy, attracting domestic and international visitors, promoting the distribution of tourism across regions, and generating significant spending at destinations.
The sector also benefits a broad economic fabric that includes tourism companies, hotels, restaurants, shops, transporters and service providers, both in metropolitan areas and in the regions of Western Australia.
Statements from Premier and Minister of Tourism, Trade and Investment, Roger Cook: “This season is especially exciting because it’s just one year away from the Sapphire Princess establishing Fremantle as its home port. This is a significant boost that will generate tourism revenue for our economy and support over 1,000 jobs for Western Australians across its nine itineraries. Having ships like the Sapphire Princess based in Western Australia not only benefits tourism and our regional destinations, but also stimulates the agricultural and transport sectors, creating new opportunities for growth and employment in a diversified economy.”.
Parliamentary Secretary Sam Rowe said: “The arrival of the Crown Princess in Fremantle is a fantastic way to kick off the 2026-2027 season and showcase Western Australia to passengers exploring our spectacular coastline. The benefits extend far beyond the port. Cruise activity creates demand for products and services and opens up new opportunities for producers, suppliers, and businesses across Western Australia, both in the metropolitan area and in the regions.”.
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