Map of the Princess 2028 World Cruise – Provided by Princess Cruises
Official Princess Cruises media asset from the March 2026 announcement (Princess Cruises Press Center).
This article is Princess 2028 World Cruise. It is about a 115-day global voyage on Coral Princess that was announced March 10, 2026, and visits 49 destinations across 24 countries and five continents.
Setting sail on January 3, 2028, this itinerary is a 115-day circumnavigation on Coral Princess. The journey visits 49 destinations across 24 countries and five continents. Travelers have the option to depart from either Fort Lauderdale, Florida, or Los Angeles, California. As a travel advisor at John The Wanderer, I track these long-haul itineraries closely because they often sell out years in advance due to their high demand among loyal cruisers.
The 2028 Global Route and Nautical Stats
The voyage begins with a transit through the Panama Canal, a technical feat of engineering that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. From there, the Coral Princess heads into the Pacific, stopping at Hawaii, French Polynesia, Samoa, and Fiji.
The ship then moves toward Oceania. Guests will spend significant time in New Zealand and Australia. A highlight of this segment is the overnight stay in Auckland, providing more time for local exploration than a standard eight-hour port call. The itinerary also includes an overnight stay in Sydney, allowing passengers to experience the harbor and city life after dark.
Following Australia, the ship crosses the Indian Ocean. It visits remote islands including Mauritius and Réunion. These stops serve as a prelude to the African continent, which is a major focus of the 2028 itinerary.
Maiden Calls and South African Highlights
The 2028 World Cruise features a maiden call to Mossel Bay, South Africa. This is a significant addition for Princess Cruises. Mossel Bay is home to the Point Human Origins site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring caves with archaeological evidence of modern human behavior dating back over 160,000 years.
In addition to Mossel Bay, the ship will dock in Cape Town for an overnight stay. This allows for extended shore excursions, such as visiting Table Mountain or exploring the Cape Winelands. For those interested in wildlife, Princess is offering organized safari adventures at the Aquila Game Reserve and Pumba Private Game Reserve. These excursions provide opportunities to see African Elephants and White Rhinos in their natural habitats.
Official Princess Cruises media asset from the March 2026 announcement (Princess Cruises Press Center).
The European and Mediterranean Leg
After leaving the southern tip of Africa, the Coral Princess sails north along the western coast of the continent. The ship visits Casablanca, Morocco, before entering the Mediterranean Sea.
The Mediterranean segment includes stops in:
- Barcelona, Spain (including an overnight stay)
- Sicily, Italy
- Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Gibraltar
In total, the 115-day itinerary includes access to 39 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This includes the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Historic Center of Rome (via Civitavecchia), and the Medina of Marrakesh (via Casablanca).
“More Ashore” and Late-Night Stays
A common critique of world cruises is the limited time spent in port. Princess Cruises addresses this with their “More Ashore” program. For the 2028 voyage, there are 10 late-night stays. These cities include Honolulu, Melbourne, and Casablanca.
Late-night stays mean the ship departs at 9:00 PM or later. This allows guests to participate in evening dining or local cultural events that are usually missed on shorter port rotations. As an advisor, I find that these extended hours are often the most valued part of a luxury itinerary.
The Ship: Coral Princess
The Coral Princess is a mid-sized ship designed specifically to transit the Panama Canal. It carries approximately 2,000 guests and 895 crew members. The size is intentional; it is large enough to offer a variety of dining and entertainment options but small enough to access ports that larger mega-ships cannot enter.
Onboard programming for the 2028 World Cruise is tailored to the destinations. This includes:
- Enrichment lectures on regional history and politics.
- Folkloric performances from local artists brought onboard in specific ports.
- Language classes and cooking demonstrations featuring regional cuisine.
- Indigenous musical instrument workshops.
The ship also features the MedallionClass experience, which uses a wearable device to facilitate touchless boarding, food and beverage delivery anywhere on the ship, and high-speed Wi-Fi.
Booking Options and Segments
Not every traveler has 115 days to spare. Princess Cruises offers flexible segment options ranging from 20 to 100 days. This allows guests to join the ship for specific portions of the journey, such as the Transatlantic crossing or the Australia/Asia leg.
For those booking the full 115-day circumnavigation by October 31, 2026, there are several incentives. Captain’s Circle loyalty members can receive up to $1,000 in bonus onboard credit per person (based on two people per stateroom). This can total $2,000 to $3,000 in credit depending on the cabin category and loyalty tier.
Planning Your Global Voyage
A world cruise is a significant logistical undertaking. It requires planning for visas, health requirements, and long-term travel insurance. The 2028 departure is currently open for booking. Given the maiden call in South Africa and the inclusion of nearly 50 destinations, I expect the suites and balcony cabins to be the first to sell out.
If you are looking for specific cabin availability or want to compare the 115-day full cruise against specific 20-day segments, reaching out to a professional advisor is the most efficient route.
For personalized assistance with your Princess 2028 World Cruise booking and to ensure you receive all applicable loyalty credits and benefits, visit my travel agent profile at Scott and Thomas. I can help you navigate the deck plans and secure the best location on the Coral Princess for this 115-day adventure.
Work With a Travel Professional
Official Princess Cruises media asset from the March 2026 announcement (Princess Cruises Press Center).
Official media assets provided by Princess Cruises Press Center.