Crown Princess Returns After Singapore Dry Dock With New Venues

Princess Cruises’ Crown Princess has returned to service following a three-week dry dock in Singapore that began on November 29, 2025, bringing venue changes and routine technical work to the 2006-built ship.

The 3,080-guest, 113,561-gross-ton Grand-class vessel is now positioning to Australia for a 2026 season based primarily in Brisbane and Sydney. Princess said the shipyard period required the cancellation of multiple sailings.

Dry dock work combined technical maintenance with public-space updates

The Singapore project marked Crown Princess’ first major refurbishment since 2018, following routine dry dock work in October 2022. Lorna Warren, Princess Cruises Vice President, Hotel Operations and Guest Experience, framed the work as part of the line’s broader effort to keep ships current, saying, “Every drydock is an opportunity to elevate the guest experience,” adding that the changes reflect Princess’ “commitment to evolve and modernize our onboard offerings.”

Princess said the latest shipyard period paired guest-facing updates with standard technical maintenance, including propeller-related work and a fresh coat of paint. The cruise line has not released additional technical specifications about the work beyond those items.

What changed onboard Crown Princess

Several of the most visible updates focused on reworking existing venues into new concepts Princess is rolling out across parts of its fleet.

On Deck 7, O’Malley’s Irish Pub replaced the Wheelhouse Bar. Princess said the venue features live music and Irish-themed dining, including late-night offerings, and seats 134 guests, including 12 bar stools. O’Malley’s Irish Pub can also be found on other Princess ships, including Sun Princess, Star Princess, Majestic Princess, Discovery Princess, Emerald Princess, and Enchanted Princess.

On Deck 6, Gatsby’s Casino near the Princess Theater was redesigned with upgraded gaming equipment, new slot-machine themes, and a refreshed cashier area. Princess also highlighted a redesigned casino bar, described as drawing inspiration from 1920s-era styling.

On Deck 5, the former Internet Café was converted into an EFFY Lounge and High-End Vault, positioned as an event-oriented space that can host cocktail hours, special events, and private gatherings while showcasing luxury jewelry from the New York City-based EFFY brand.

Next sailings: repositioning to Australia, then a May 2026 world cruise

Crown Princess departed Singapore on December 19, 2025, on a 16-night, one-way voyage to Brisbane, Australia, arriving January 4, 2026, to begin its “Down Under” deployment for early 2026.

• Dec. 19, 2025 to Jan. 4, 2026: A 16-night repositioning cruise from Singapore to Brisbane that transitions the ship into its Australia-based schedule.
• 2026 Australia and South Pacific program: A mix of itineraries primarily from Brisbane and Sydney, calling in Australia as well as ports in New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu. Princess said cruise lengths range from 4-night sailings to 29-day itineraries, but has not detailed how the season is split between the two homeports.
• May 2026 world cruise: A 114-night sailing scheduled to visit 48 destinations in 31 countries across six continents, with staggered embarkations from Auckland (May 6), Sydney (May 10), and Brisbane (May 12). The itinerary also includes an overnight call in Singapore in May 2026.

Diamond Princess starts a Southeast Asia season from Singapore

Princess’ presence in Singapore is also reflected in Diamond Princess’ Southeast Asia homeporting season. The ship began the program with a 16-day itinerary departing Singapore on December 7, featuring calls including Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Penang, Phuket, Halong Bay, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Diamond Princess arrived in Singapore after a 12-day repositioning cruise from Yokohama, Japan, with visits that included Toba, Osaka, Hong Kong, and Taipei. Princess said the ship will operate festive sailings around Southeast Asia in the coming months, timed around holidays including Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year, and Valentine’s Day, with itineraries calling in Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia, including Sihanoukville.

On February 10, Diamond Princess is scheduled to depart Singapore on a sold-out 14-night cruise back to Yokohama, with calls including Hong Kong, Keelung (Taipei), Osaka, and Shimizu. After that sailing, Princess said the ship will begin a Japan-focused deployment running through November 2026.

Singapore’s expanding role in Princess’ regional planning

Beyond serving as a turnaround port, Princess has increasingly used Singapore for dry docks and as a waypoint for ships entering the region. Discovery Princess made its first call to Singapore on October 29, followed by a dry dock and a series of short Malaysian cruises.

Princess has also said Royal Princess is set to make its Southeast Asian debut with an inaugural visit to Singapore on October 16, 2026, after completing a repositioning cruise from Seattle.

Looking further ahead, Princess said Sapphire Princess and Diamond Princess will homeport together in Singapore for the first time since 2018, reuniting for a twin season scheduled for December 2026 through February 2027. After that period, both ships are set to reposition to Japan for itineraries running through November 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What enhancements were made to the Crown Princess during dry dock?

Princess said Crown Princess added O’Malley’s Irish Pub on Deck 7 (replacing the Wheelhouse Bar), redesigned Gatsby’s Casino on Deck 6 with equipment and bar updates, and converted the former Internet Café on Deck 5 into the EFFY Lounge and High-End Vault. Routine work included propeller-related maintenance and a fresh coat of paint, and Princess has not released additional technical specifications beyond those items.

What is the itinerary for Crown Princess’s Australian season?

Princess said the ship will operate primarily from Brisbane and Sydney, with calls in Australia and to destinations including New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu. Voyage lengths are scheduled to range from 4-night cruises to 29-day itineraries, though the cruise line has not detailed how the season’s sailings are split between the two homeports.

When and where does Crown Princess start its 2026 world cruise?

Princess has scheduled a 114-night world cruise beginning in May 2026, with staggered embarkations from Auckland on May 6, Sydney on May 10, and Brisbane on May 12. The sailing is set to visit 48 destinations in 31 countries across six continents, and includes an overnight call in Singapore in May 2026.

What are the highlights of Diamond Princess’s Southeast Asia season?

Princess said Diamond Princess’ Singapore-based season includes itineraries to destinations across Southeast Asia, with ports listed for the early 16-day program including Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Penang, Phuket, Halong Bay, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City. The ship is also scheduled to offer festive sailings around major holidays and a sold-out 14-night voyage departing Singapore on February 10 for Yokohama via calls including Hong Kong, Keelung (Taipei), Osaka, and Shimizu.

Why is Singapore a key port for Princess Cruises?

Princess has positioned Singapore as a hub that supports both homeporting and shipyard activity, pointing to Crown Princess’ dry dock there and Diamond Princess’ seasonal operations. The cruise line has also cited the port’s role for maiden calls and regional deployment planning, including Discovery Princess’ first call to Singapore on October 29 and Royal Princess’ planned inaugural visit to Singapore on October 16, 2026.