The Discovery Princess arrived for her maiden season in Sydney in December last year. She will remain until April, when she sets sail for Canada and Alaska via a repositioning cruise through New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, and Los Angeles.
This is the biggest Princess Cruises ship to ever sail in Australian waters, carrying 3,660 guests and weighing a whopping 145,000 tons. Discovery Princess is part of the Royal Class cruise fleet and was built in 2022. Some Australians may already be familiar with the layout if they’ve had the chance to sail on Royal Princess.
Discovery Princess offers a combination of staterooms and suites, with only 6 premium ocean view cabins and 340 inside cabins available. Most cabins onboard include a balcony as standard.
I cruised on the short but sweet 3-night Eden cruise. Three-night cruises don’t typically include a port stop in Australian waters, so this was a first for me — and I loved it.
Details
- Itinerary: 3 Night Eden Cruise
- Departing From: Sydney, March 2026
- Port of Call: Eden
- Cabin: Balcony
Check-In
Check-in is done through the Princess app, which is straightforward and easy to navigate. The Medallion, Princess’s alternative to a keycard, is ordered through the app as part of the check-in process. In Australia, it’s collected at the check-in counter on boarding. It’s a small round plastic device worn on a lanyard, with a chip inside coded to your room that automatically unlocks your door as you approach.
The port staff have the boarding process down to a fine art. They manage boarding times with clear signage and short queues, ensuring passengers stick to their allocated time slots. The whole process takes around 20 minutes from entering the building to stepping aboard the ship.
Onboard
Walking onto Discovery Princess, I was immediately struck by the grandeur. Gorgeous staircases, large chandeliers, and an abundance of light created a serious wow factor. The ship has a luxurious feel, with golden wrought décor on the doors, modern themed bars, and comfortable seating throughout the common areas.
There are a variety of complimentary restaurants, along with buffet-style dining in the World Fresh Marketplace and café style sandwiches and treats at the International Café. Optional paid dining experiences are also available for those wanting to explore culinary delights from around the world. OceanNow delivery provides a food and beverage service to most areas of the ship — the Medallion’s built-in tracker means food can be delivered directly to your location or your room. I love OceanNow and use it on every cruise.
There are five main bars onboard, plus venues like O’Malley’s, which also serves light meals, and the Vista Lounge, which has a bar onsite. I was delighted to see that Princess has created a “Down Under” drinks selection, featuring locally distilled Beenleigh and Bundaberg gin and rum, plus my favourite, Bundaberg ginger beer.
When it comes to pools and Jacuzzis, Discovery Princess has you covered. The stunning infinity pool at the stern of the ship is a standout, while the Lido Deck offers two main pools and five Jacuzzis spread across two levels. For those seeking a quieter escape, the adults-only Retreat has its own pool and Jacuzzis, and the optional Sanctuary area adds yet another large Jacuzzi to the mix.
After boarding, we completed the mandatory safety briefing which was quick and simple: watch a video and visit your muster station. Then it was time to explore the ship and grab a bite to eat. We tend to avoid the buffet on the first day given the volume of people boarding, so we settled in for a leisurely lunch at the Ketchikan restaurant. Fresh rolls, delicious soup, and pasta were our picks, and we weren’t disappointed. After lunch we walked the decks and finished up at the International Café for afternoon tea while listening to a violin duo perform in the main Piazza. A lovely way to start the trip.
We packed a lot into our short time onboard, including:
- A visit to the Enclave for some serious relaxation — the hydrotherapy pool, steam rooms, and heated beds are glorious. I fell asleep on one of the heated beds.
- Attending the show Rock Opera, which is one of the best shows I’ve seen on a cruise ship. I don’t want to give too much away but trust me — it’s worth it. My husband and I both give it two thumbs up.
- Watching Irish music at O’Malley’s and passengers dancing at the silent disco (which wasn’t so silent) and attending the candlelit concert in the Vista Lounge.
- A galley tour through one of the kitchens to see how restaurant meals are prepared, including a demonstration of desserts and bread being made. The ship has 15 kitchens and produces 12,500 bread rolls every single day!
- Checking out the casino and kids’ arcade. My husband may have spent some time at the arcade games.
- A full day in Eden, which we enjoyed so much we ended up making a brisk walk back to the ship with just 4 minutes to spare.
- Sampling as many of the restaurants, bars, and cafés as possible, including room service via OceanNow delivery.
The Cabin
Our room was a standard balcony cabin on Deck 12 aft. It’s spacious for two, with a large walk-in wardrobe, a compact and clean bathroom, a desk area, and a mini fridge with extra cupboard storage. The bed was large and comfortable, the décor was modern, and the overall feel was clean and relaxing. Our cabin attendant was friendly and efficient, providing a morning clean and afternoon turndown service.
The Itinerary
Eden was our only port stop and an absolute highlight. Our day included:
- Walking off the ship and spotting a manta ray in the crystal-clear water below.
- Browsing the local market stalls set up right at the port and picking up some handmade products and local art. The cruise industry has a flow-on effect, and supporting local businesses makes a difference to the community.
- Climbing a very steep hill to a scenic lookout, followed by a bush walk with stunning views across the whole peninsula.
- A bus trip into town and a stop at Eden Ground Café by Toast for a delicious coffee, a fresh sticky chai, and homemade cake. Highly recommend this café for a pit stop.
- A walk down to Aslings Beach for some much-needed vitamin sea and a sandy stroll to the rock pools.
- A walk back through town via the quaint St Mary MacKillop Museum, where I learned about this remarkable woman who worked tirelessly to ensure all children had access to education, regardless of their family’s circumstances.
- Finishing the day at the Killer Whale Museum, where we enjoyed learning about Old Tom the killer whale and his impact on the town of Eden. We also discovered the history of whaling and the positive effects since it was banned in Australia — including the significant recovery of whale populations and the growth of whale watching tourism.
We walked at least 11 km around town. For those who can’t manage the steep hills, of which Eden has plenty, a shuttle bus runs between the ship and the main street for $10 per person for an all-day pass. The trip takes around 5 minutes each way, and the main street itself is relatively flat, making it quite manageable for those with mobility concerns.
Frequent Cruiser Program
Princess has a loyalty program called the Captain’s Circle. Membership is free and tier based. Gold status is automatic after your first cruise; Ruby is achieved after 3 cruises or 30 cruise days; Platinum after 5 cruises or 50 cruise days; and Elite after 15 cruises or 150 cruise days.
Gold and Ruby come with some small perks, but the real benefits kick in at Platinum and Elite — including 50% off MedallionNet Wi-Fi packages, 10% off Lotus Spa treatments and Photo Gallery purchases, and access to the Platinum and Elite Lounge. Elite members receive all Platinum benefits plus a complimentary mini-bar setup, deluxe canapés on formal nights, afternoon tea in the stateroom, priority disembarkation, and complimentary laundry and shoe polishing services (subject to terms and conditions).
Top Tips
- To avoid the first-day crowds, take lunch in one of the complimentary restaurants or the International Café. The International Café is right next to the Good Spirits at Sea bar, which is a great spot to settle in for the afternoon Piazza entertainment.
- The Vista Lounge offers great entertainment and plenty of comfortable seating with easy bar access. If you get the chance, catch Jiva performing there before they move on to another ship when Discovery leaves Australian waters. They were so popular that a group of us ended up following them around the ship to wherever they were performing next.
Overall, a three-night cruise that includes such a fantastic port stop, with direct docking rather than a tender, is a real treat, and makes the experience accessible for everyone. Whether you’re after a quick escape or simply want to dip your toes back into cruising, this cruise is an outstanding option for a short getaway close to home.
Booking Details
For more information or to book, visit princess.com
The writer cruised on Discovery Princess. These opinions and words are a true representation of their experience and have not been endorsed.
