Royal Princess - 12/22/2026
The December 22, 2026 cruise on the Royal Princess departs from Sydney, Australia. On this 13 Night New Zealand Holiday (Sydney Roundtrip) sailing, the ship will visit a total of 7 cruise port destinations, including its departure port. The Royal Princess sets sail on Tuesday, Dec 22nd and returns on Monday, Jan 4th.
Cruise Pricing
The graph below tracks historic price of the Royal Princess cruise ship departing December 22, 2026. The most recent price for this sailing starts at $1,979 ($153 per night) for an Inside Cabin. Compared to the average price of $1,888 ($146 per night), this represents a recent increase of 5%.
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Cruise Itinerary
Itinerary
Royal Princess - December 22, 2026 - 13 Nights
| Day | Date | Port |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dec 22nd | Sydney, Australia |
| 2 | Dec 23rd | At Sea |
| 3 | Dec 24th | At Sea |
| 4 | Dec 25th | At Sea |
| 5 | Dec 26th | Bay Of Islands, New Zealand |
| 6 | Dec 27th | Auckland, New Zealand |
| 7 | Dec 28th | At Sea |
| 8 | Dec 29th | Picton, New Zealand |
| 9 | Dec 30th | Lyttleton (christchurch), New Zealand |
| 10 | Dec 31st | Port Chalmers (Dunedin), New Zealand |
| 11 | Jan 1st | Cruise Fjordland National Park |
| 12 | Jan 2nd | At Sea |
| 13 | Jan 3rd | At Sea |
| 14 | Jan 4th | Sydney, Australia |
The Royal Princess sails on December 22, 2026 for a 13 Night New Zealand Holiday (Sydney Roundtrip). The ship will depart the port of Sydney, Australia at 3:00 PM and will return to the port of Sydney, Australia on Jan 4th at 5:00 AM. During the 14-day journey, the Royal Princess will visit 6 additional ports and will spend 6 days at sea.
Itinerary Safety Score
Based on my comprehensive research of cruise port safety information, including recent crime reports, travel advisories, Global Peace Index rankings, and specific port security concerns, we've created a "safety score" for each cruise port stop. The overall rating below represents a combined score for your specific cruise itinerary.
Cruise Ship
Royal Princess
ROYAL PRINCESS SIZE
The Royal Princess has a construction date of 2013 and a total size of 142,229 gross tons. The ship measures 1,083 feet (330 meters) in length. Royal Princess is included in Princess’s Royal Class. At full capacity, the Royal Princess holds 4,906 passengers. That includes 3,560 cruise vacationers and 1,346 staff members. The Royal Princess total number of staterooms is 1,780.
Royal Princess Size & Stats
- Gross Tonnage:142,229 GT
- Length:1,083 ft (330 m)
- Beam:126 ft (38 m)
- Draft:28 ft (9 m)
- Max Speed:25 mph (22 kn)
- Year Built:2013
- Years Served:2013 - Present
- Capacity:3,560
- Crew Members:1,346
- Total on Board:4,906
- Total Staterooms:1,780
- Flagged Country:Bermuda
- Ship Cost:735 Million
- Status:active
To see how this compares, click through to see Royal Princess age and stats vs all Princess ships. There you’ll find graphs showing length, capacity, tonnage and more for this ship vs all in the fleet.
To check out the ship from top to bottom, click here for Royal Princess Deck Plans.
Cruise Ports
Sydney, Australia, offers docking at Circular Quay. Travelers explore Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach. Excursions visit Blue Mountains. Local markets sell meat pies. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures iconic landmarks and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes lamingtons, an Australian favorite. Souvenirs, like opal crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Aboriginal history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Sydney’s urban charm offers a vibrant Australian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural landmarks and scenic coasts, making Sydney an engaging destination for exploration. (126 words)
Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!
Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!
Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!
Bay of Islands, New Zealand, offers docking at Waitangi Port. Travelers explore Waitangi Treaty Grounds and Paihia. Excursions include dolphin-watching tours. Local markets sell hāngī. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures historic sites and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes kumara, a Kiwi favorite. Souvenirs, like paua crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Maori history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while water shoes enhance beach exploration. Bay of Islands’ coastal charm offers a vibrant New Zealand stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural heritage and marine adventures, making Bay of Islands an engaging destination. (126 words)
Auckland, New Zealand, offers docking at Auckland Port. Travelers explore Sky Tower and Waiheke Island. Excursions include Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Local markets sell pavlova. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures urban harbors and Hauraki Gulf vistas. Dining onboard includes lamb, a Kiwi favorite. Souvenirs, like Maori crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Maori history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Auckland’s urban charm offers a vibrant New Zealand stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of modern landmarks and scenic islands, making Auckland an engaging destination. (126 words)
Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!
Picton, New Zealand, offers docking at Picton Port. Travelers explore Marlborough Sounds and Queen Charlotte Track. Excursions include wine-tasting in Blenheim. Local markets sell whitebait fritters. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures fjord-like sounds and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes lamb, a Kiwi favorite. Souvenirs, like paua crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Maori history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while sturdy shoes enhance track hikes. Picton’s coastal charm offers a vibrant New Zealand stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic waterways and wine regions, making Picton an engaging destination for exploration. (126 words)
Lyttelton, New Zealand, offers docking at Lyttelton Port, a gateway to Christchurch. Travelers explore the vibrant Christchurch Botanic Gardens and transitional Cardboard Cathedral. Excursions venture to Akaroa’s French-inspired village for dolphin-watching tours. Local markets sell pavlova, a Kiwi dessert. The peak season, December to March, brings warm weather ideal for sightseeing. Photography captures harbor views and the Southern Alps’ dramatic backdrop. Dining onboard features lamb roast, a New Zealand favorite. Souvenirs, like jade pendants, are available in ship shops. Briefings highlight Maori culture and colonial history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city and coastal walks. Lyttelton’s proximity to Christchurch provides a vibrant blend of urban culture and natural beauty, making it a captivating stop for cruise travelers seeking New Zealand’s unique heritage and scenic splendor.
Port Chalmers (Dunedin), New Zealand, offers docking at Port Chalmers. Travelers explore Larnach Castle and Otago Peninsula. Excursions include wildlife tours for albatross. Local markets sell hokey pokey. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Gothic castles and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes whitebait fritters, a Kiwi favorite. Souvenirs, like paua crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Maori history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while sturdy shoes enhance peninsula hikes. Port Chalmers’ cultural charm offers a vibrant New Zealand stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic castles and scenic wildlife, making Port Chalmers an engaging destination. (126 words)
Fiordland National Park, New Zealand, offers no docking; ships cruise Milford Sound within the park. Travelers observe Mitre Peak and Stirling Falls from deck. Zodiacs spot bottlenose dolphins. No facilities; provisions from ship. Peak season December to March; rain frequent. Photography captures sheer cliffs and rainbows. Dining onboard includes green-lipped mussels. Souvenirs, like sound postcards, in ship shops. Briefings stress ecosystem protection. Kayaking explores Hall Arm. Rain gear essential for wet climate. UNESCO-listed Fiordland’s dramatic fjords and wildlife provide immersive nature experiences in this temperate rainforest paradise.
Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!
Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!
Sydney, Australia, offers docking at Circular Quay. Travelers explore Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach. Excursions visit Blue Mountains. Local markets sell meat pies. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures iconic landmarks and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes lamingtons, an Australian favorite. Souvenirs, like opal crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Aboriginal history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Sydney’s urban charm offers a vibrant Australian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural landmarks and scenic coasts, making Sydney an engaging destination for exploration. (126 words)