Diamond Princess Sparkles in Australasia in 2011-12

Australian travellers will have the chance to explore the best of Australasia and Asia from the decks of Princess Cruises’ megaliner Diamond Princess, with the release of her 2011-12 Down Under cruise season.
The most modern ship to be based in Australia for a season, the 116,000-tonne Diamond Princess will offer 16 cruises sailing to Australia, New Zealand and Asia between October 2011 and April 2012, ranging from 12-39 nights.

On sale now, a highlight of the new program is the 39-night Australia, South East Asia and China Grand Adventure cruise from Sydney to Singapore departing February 4, 2012.

The voyage heads north via tropical Queensland and the Northern Territory, before calling at bustling Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and Thailand and is priced from $5799* per person twin share.

Travellers keen to combine the highlights of Queensland summer cruising with Asia in less time can opt for the 23-night voyage between Australia and China, departing Sydney on February 4, 2012. The cruise will call at Hong Kong, Taipei, Nagasaki, Pusan, Shanghai and Dalian before ending in Beijing and is priced from $3469* per person.

Meanwhile, Diamond Princess will also offer seven 16-night sailings to South East Asia and China between Singapore and Beijing.

Starting from $2439* per person, the voyages begin in Singapore or Beijing, calling at Pusan, Nagasaki, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok.

Diamond will also sail a series of four 12 or 13-night voyages between Australia and New Zealand over December 2011 and January 2012.

Priced from $1949* per person, the voyages begin in Sydney or Auckland and feature scenic cruising through spectacular Fiordland National Park, as well as visits to Melbourne, Hobart, Dunedin, Christchurch and Tauranga. The 13-night cruises also call into Wellington.

Carrying 2680 passengers, Diamond Princess features five dining alternatives, 13 bars and lounges, five swimming pools, a wedding chapel, the Lotus Spa, a mini golf course, an art gallery, jogging track and gym with a swim-against-the-current lap pool.

For details, see a travel agent, call Princess Cruises on 132 488 or visit www.princess.com

*Subject to availability, conditions apply.