Princess Cruises has unveiled its 2028 World Cruise aboard Coral Princess, a 115-day global itinerary visiting 49 destinations across 24 countries and five continents.
The cruise, departing January 3, 2028, introduces expanded overnight port stays, 39 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a maiden call to Mossel Bay, South Africa.
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Key Takeaways
- Princess Cruises launches a 115-day 2028 World Cruise aboard Coral Princess.
- Voyage visits 49 destinations in 24 countries across five continents.
- Includes 39 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a maiden call to Mossel Bay, South Africa.
- Sailing departs January 3, 2028, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale or Los Angeles.
- Flexible voyage segments range from 20 to 100 days.
Coral Princess’ Global Voyage Across Five Continents
Princess Cruises’ 2028 World Cruise will take place aboard Coral Princess, a ship accommodating approximately 2,000 guests. The voyage spans 36,000 nautical miles, crossing both the Equator and the International Date Line.
Travelers preparing for extended voyages often review long-haul travel essentials before embarking on multi-month journeys.
Departing January 3, 2028, the cruise offers round-trip departures from Fort Lauderdale or Los Angeles, allowing travelers to embark from either the U.S. East or West Coast.
The itinerary includes:
- Transit through the Panama Canal
- Island destinations in Hawaii, Samoa, and Fiji
- Major cities in Australia and New Zealand including Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland
- Indian Ocean islands such as Mauritius and Réunion
- Southern African ports including Cape Town and Mossel Bay
- Mediterranean destinations such as Barcelona, Sicily, and Dubrovnik
The voyage then crosses the Atlantic back to North America, completing the round-the-world itinerary.
Expanded Port Time and Overnight Calls
The 2028 itinerary introduces expanded “More Ashore” programming designed to extend time in key destinations.
Highlights include:
Overnight stays
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Auckland, New Zealand
Late-night departures in 10 cities
- Barcelona
- Casablanca
- Dubrovnik
- Honolulu
- Melbourne
- Sydney
Longer port stays allow guests to explore destinations beyond daytime hours, including evening dining, cultural events and local nightlife experiences.
Maiden Call to Mossel Bay, South Africa
One of the notable additions to the 2028 itinerary is a maiden call to Mossel Bay, located along South Africa’s Garden Route.
The coastal town is known for:
- Historic maritime heritage
- Beaches and coastal landscapes
- Nearby archaeological sites linked to early human development
The area includes coastal caves that form part of a UNESCO World Heritage-listed region, containing evidence of early modern human behavior dating back more than 160,000 years.
Additional information about UNESCO sites can be found via the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
Safari Experiences in South Africa
Princess Cruises will also introduce new land experiences tied to the African portion of the itinerary.
Guests will have the option to visit wildlife reserves including:
- Aquila Game Reserve
- Pumba Private Game Reserve
These excursions provide opportunities to see African wildlife such as elephants, rhinos and lions within protected conservation areas.
Details about South African tourism experiences are available via South African Tourism.
Cultural Programming and Onboard Experiences
In addition to shore excursions, the cruise will offer a range of onboard programming designed to reflect the regions visited throughout the voyage.
Planned experiences include:
- Educational lectures on regional culture and history
- Language sessions related to destination countries
- Cooking demonstrations inspired by local cuisines
- Musical and folkloric performances
- Broadway-style theater productions
The cruise line will also feature regionally inspired menus that evolve as the ship travels through different parts of the world.
Princess Cruises has previously been recognized by Food & Wine magazine for its culinary programming and onboard dining experiences.
Executive Commentary
Jim Berra, Chief Commercial Officer of Princess Cruises, said the itinerary was designed to deliver deeper destination engagement.
“Our 2028 World Cruise is an unparalleled voyage designed for travelers to see the world in a meaningful, immersive way — with more overnight stays, more time in port, deeper cultural connections and unforgettable moments at every turn.”
Berra added that the cruise aims to combine extensive global exploration with the brand’s established onboard hospitality approach.
Why It Matters
World cruises represent one of the highest-value segments of the cruise industry, often attracting experienced travelers seeking extended itineraries with broad geographic reach.
Key trends shaping the segment include:
- Longer voyages spanning multiple continents
- Greater emphasis on overnight and late-night port stays
- Expanded land-based experiences such as safaris
- Destination-driven culinary and cultural programming
The Princess Cruises 2028 World Cruise reflects these trends by integrating flexible voyage segments and deeper destination immersion.
As interest in extended itineraries grows, travelers researching planning a round-the-world trip are increasingly considering world cruises as a simplified alternative to complex multi-flight itineraries.
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At a Glance
Company / Brand
Princess Cruises
Ship
Coral Princess
Announcement
2028 World Cruise itinerary launch
Departure Date
January 3, 2028
Departure Ports
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Los Angeles, California
Voyage Length
115 days
Destinations
- 49 ports
- 24 countries
- Five continents
Strategic Purpose
- Expand long-duration cruise offerings
- Increase immersive port experiences
- Strengthen destination-focused programming
Booking Information
Flexible voyage segments ranging from 20 to 100 days are also available for travelers who cannot commit to the full 115-day itinerary.
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