Princess Cruises marked an historic milestone in Sydney Harbour this week—50 years of cruising across Australia and the South Pacific.

The cruise line hosted an event aboard Discovery Princess following her inaugural arrival Down Under.

The celebration aboard the newest ship ever to homeport from Circular Quay was attended by Sydney Swans star players and The Love Boat actor Ted Lange, who played Isaac the bartender in the famous TV series.

The Love Boat has been widely credited with introducing millions of viewers to the concept of contemporary cruise holidays and leading to dramatic expansion of the industry and its global success.

The show was filmed aboard many Princess ships in exotic destinations around the globe and introduced American viewers to destinations such as Sydney Harbour and the iconic Sydney Opera House, the Great Wall of China and the Acropolis in Athens Greece.

Princess Cruises Vice-President Asia Pacific Matthew Rutherford said the arrival of Discovery Princess was a fitting way to commemorate half a century of creating unforgettable moments for Australian guests and international tourists who love cruising onboard Princess.

“For 50 years, we’ve proudly shared the wonder of cruising with Australians who love to explore their own background and beyond,” Rutherford said.

“Discovery Princess is a state-of-the-art vessel that will be homeported in Sydney from today to 7 April 2026 for her maiden Australian season. She, along with our entire fleet, showcases our unwavering commitment to the region and our guests, crew, partners and suppliers who have made every voyage memorable.

“She embodies the very best of our Royal-Class design and innovation – a ship that combines modern elegance with all the hallmarks of the Princess experience that Australians know and love. She brings a truly-world class style of cruising to our waters.

“With dining such a big part of the Princess experience, Discovery Princess offers world-class dining at our signature restaurants like Crown Grill, Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria and The Catch by Rudi, each offering distinctive flavours and exceptional service. For something truly special, there’s 360: An Extraordinary Experience, a first-of-its-kind immersive culinary journey that engages all the senses – exclusive to Discovery Princess and Enchanted Princess.”

Princess Cruises Global President Gus Antorcha flew into Sydney for this special occasion and expressed his gratitude to Australia for five decades of loyalty and partnership.

“Australia holds a truly special place in the heart of Princess Cruises. We are honoured to have been part of so many cherished memories for millions of guests, and we look forward to creating many more together in the years ahead,” Antorcha said.

“We have a long and successful history in Australia and New Zealand, and we understand the preferences of Australian guests. Our itineraries continue to be tailored for both seasoned cruisers and those new to cruise, offering everything from short coastal escapes to longer, bucket-list voyages including our renowned World Cruises and extensive sailings across Asia, the South Pacific and beyond.

“We’ve recently announced exciting growth in the region, including Sapphire Princess homeporting in Western Australia for the 2027-28 season – a significant expansion. We look forward to continuing our strong partnerships with state and federal governments, supporting the cruise industry’s growth and delivering economic benefits to local communities across Australia.”