Princess Cruises is officially back in operation in Australia, as the Coral Princess sailed from the new state-of-the-art international cruise terminal in Brisbane.

Princess’ Senior VP Asia Pacific, UK, and Europe, Stuart Allison, said the vessel’s homeport season in Brisbane is set to inject around A$60 million to the Queensland economy in crew and passenger spending, ship supplies, and port charges. “Queensland will feature front and centre in a new winter program of sailings from Australia, which demonstrates Princess Cruises’ commitment to cruising Down Under and to the local travel agent community. Our focus on Brisbane also reflects the demand for cruise holidays among Queenslanders, as well as the growing interest in domestic cruising.”

The Coral Princess is the first ship to go to its home port at the new terminal and is the first of Princess Cruises ’Medallion class ships to invite Australia home.

The ship with 2,000 guests will offer 11 voyages from Brisbane, ranging from three to 12 nights between June and August. Starting in November, Coral Princess will offer 10 more trips from the port.

The most important details of the Australia cruise season for Coral Princess include:

 - Six short trips from Brisbane and Sydney

 - Five seven-night cruises in Queensland from Brisbane, sailing to Cairns, Port Douglas, and Airlie Beach

- A new seven-night return trip to the coast of New South Wales from Brisbane, with the first call to Eden, as well as stops in Sydney and Newcastle

- New trip to Queensland and New South Wales from 12 nights, back from Brisbane

- A new 12-night cruise through Queensland and the Conflict Islands (return trip from Sydney or Brisbane), crossing the Coral Sea to visit the Conflict Islands in Papua New Guinea.

Late last month, sister brand Princess Cruises P&O Cruises Australia re-launched a cruise through Australia as Pacific Explorer sailed from Sydney.