While our own adventure aboard Crown Princess was a little shorter, sailing from Sydney to Adelaide, Anna and I were fortunate enough to experience the excitement surrounding the beginning of this epic voyage. Although we were not travelling around the world ourselves, it certainly did not stop us from embracing the atmosphere on board.
From the moment we stepped aboard, there was a real sense of adventure in the air. Beautiful displays showcased the destinations ahead, complete with iconic landmarks, must-see attractions and detailed maps highlighting ports of call along the way. The Piazza was adorned with flags from around the world, adding to the celebratory mood and reminding everyone just how many wonderful places were waiting to be explored.
I also loved the noticeboard on Deck 7, where guests could put out a call for particular card game players, crafters and other shared interests. It was a lovely glimpse into the community that forms on a long voyage and it was impossible not to get caught up in the excitement of what lay ahead.
During our voyage, I stayed in an accessible inside stateroom and was genuinely impressed by the amount of space and thoughtful design. The cabin was incredibly spacious, with automatic doors and conveniently positioned hooks, handles and fittings, making it particularly well suited to guests with accessibility requirements.
As luck would have it, our departure from Sydney coincided with Mother’s Day, giving us even more reason to celebrate. There were specialty cocktails aplenty and a lovely festive atmosphere as families and fellow travellers marked the occasion.
And what better way to begin a world cruise than sailing out of magnificent Sydney Harbour? Watching the Harbour Bridge and Opera House slip into the distance is one of those experiences that never loses its magic. No matter how many times you have sailed from Sydney, that spectacular backdrop and the excitement of heading out to sea always make for a memorable moment.
Of course, no Princess cruise would be complete without enjoying some of the dining experiences on board, and we certainly made the most of our few nights at sea. We treated ourselves to dinner at both Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria and Crown Grill, two of my favourite specialty dining experiences with Princess Cruises.
Sabatini’s offers a wonderful opportunity to slow down and enjoy a delicious Italian-inspired meal, while Crown Grill continues to be a standout. The Crown Grill aboard Crown Princess is particularly impressive, with its spacious, welcoming setting, consistently attentive service and, of course, magnificent steaks. It is a dining experience I always look forward to.
With all that wonderful food, we thought it was only fair to balance things out with a little exercise. We joined some of the onboard fitness classes, including a Pilates session that certainly put us through our paces. It was a great reminder of just how much there is to enjoy beyond the dining and entertainment, particularly on a longer voyage when finding a comfortable daily routine becomes part of the experience.
While we thoroughly enjoyed exploring Crown Princess, the real purpose of our voyage was something particularly special. We had the pleasure of joining our Clean Cruising guests at the beginning of their world cruise, providing a familiar face on board and helping coordinate an exclusive experience planned for their arrival in Adelaide.
During our time at sea, we hosted relaxed Q&A afternoons, giving guests the opportunity to drop by, have a chat and ask any questions about their upcoming adventures. These sessions were also a wonderful opportunity for us to get to know everyone a little better, hear about their travel plans and share in their excitement.
One of the loveliest aspects of cruising is the connections made along the way, and it was wonderful to spend time with our guests as they settled into what would be an incredible journey around the world.
Our final morning aboard Crown Princess brought another highlight, and one we had been particularly looking forward to. Once we arrived in Adelaide, we assisted guests with disembarkation before setting off for the beautiful Barossa Valley and historic Seppeltsfield winery.
Renowned for its rich winemaking heritage and beautiful surroundings, Seppeltsfield provided a wonderful setting for our special Clean Cruising experience. Guests enjoyed a guided tour of the winery, the opportunity to sample some beautiful wines and, of course, a delicious lunch.
It was a fantastic opportunity to bring everyone together away from the ship, enjoy some of South Australia’s famous hospitality and create another memorable experience as part of their world cruise adventure. Seeing our guests enjoying themselves, sharing stories and making new friendships was incredibly rewarding. These are the moments that make travel so special and being able to add something extra to their journey was a real privilege.
Although our own time aboard Crown Princess came to an end in Adelaide, our guests still had an extraordinary world of experiences ahead of them.
This short voyage was a wonderful reminder that a world cruise is about so much more than the destinations on an itinerary. It is about the anticipation of discovering somewhere new, the friendships formed along the way, the comfort of returning to your floating home each evening and the countless little moments that become treasured travel memories.
For us, it was an absolute pleasure to share in the beginning of this remarkable adventure, spend time with our Clean Cruising guests and help create a special experience they could take with them on their journey. We may have only sailed a small part of the world, but we certainly experienced a little of the magic that makes a world cruise so unforgettable.
