Princess Cruises' Grand Princess is 28 years old — the oldest ship in the fleet — and she's about to become a year-round fixture in Australian waters. Judging by the reaction from local cruisers, that's not a compromise. It's a selling point.
The ship's local deployment has sparked a lively debate about whether Australian cruisers really want the newest mega-ships, or whether there's still a place for the classics. Many readers of Cruise Passenger have come down firmly on the side of the older vessel, praising her scale and atmosphere over the resort-style giants now dominating the seas elsewhere.
Their argument goes something like this: newer ships tend to be bigger, carrying thousands more passengers, and can feel more like a shopping centre than a ship. Older vessels like Grand Princess offer a large main dining room, wooden furnishings, plenty of public rooms, and — a favourite detail — a wraparound promenade deck that makes you actually feel like you're at sea.
The testimonials are glowing. One repeat guest described her as showing some wear and tear but "so much better than the mega ships". Another is flying to the US this October to sail her across the Pacific back to Sydney, specifically because she prefers smaller ships. Others recalled a 2015 Hawaii sailing from San Francisco complete with daily hula classes, and singled out the exceptional service and friendships made onboard. One fan summed it up: less crowded, plenty of places to relax, and that promenade deck.
There's a practical point here too. Cruise lines are putting more effort into maintaining their older ships, and Grand Princess went into dry dock in mid-2025 before her Australian season — so early passengers should find her in better condition than her age might suggest. More reviews will roll in throughout the season as Aussies render their verdict.
For travellers, the takeaway is that ship age matters less than upkeep and crowd levels. A well-maintained 28-year-old ship with a fraction of the passenger count can beat a flashy new mega-ship if what you want is a proper seafaring feel. Locals won't need to fly to the US to test it either — Grand Princess will be sailing Australian waters all year round.
