TRAVEL BLOG: The South Australian Round Trip Cruise

As well as it being the ships FIRST TIME in Australia; the Discovery Princess (my new favourite ship) also made cruising history in many ways from 'first time Port Visits, and more;' you'll see how as you read on.  On Wednesday 25th February 2026, the Paky Express Bus picked us up from our house, and took us to the Melbourne Airport.  We arrived at 11:30am with enough time to check in, and have lunch before boarding the plane for our 2pm flight to Sydney.  The flight arrived in Sydney early at 3:20pm. Once at the gate, we got off the plane, collected our luggage, and went to my uncles place; where we spent the first two days of our Holiday exploring my original home town.  It was great seeing all the updates!

The Departure day has finally arrived
Our departure day has finally arrived, and it’s time for our cruise! On Saturday 28th February 2026, my Uncle drove us to the tram stop in Bondi Junction for our short trip to Circular Quay (Sydney Harbour).  Now my usual reaction when I see the ship for my cruise is normally, "there it is, there it is, there it is!"  But when the tram turned the corner, and I saw the ship for the first time, I responded with, "Wholly crap," because of how big the ship is, and because 'the Discovery Princess really is a magnificent beast!' 

Our Embankment time took place between 12pm and 12:30pm.  We boarded the Discovery Princess cruise ship at the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal for our cruise, and the Carnival Adventure Cruise Ship was also in Sydney that day.   The Adventure departed from Sydney’s White Bay Cruise Terminal at 4pm.  I heard the horn blast from the cabin, and went onto my balcony to film the ship going under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Our ship; the Discovery Princess Cruise Ship departed from the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal at 7:30pm, and although the Sail Away Party was held inside this time: it was fantastic especially because I was finally able to perform the famous ‘Sail Away Line Dance’ in the Piazza (on deck 6) with the Princess Dancers.  I taught myself the routine, and it was my debut performance with the Princess team.   Although I need to fix a few things for next time, I still had a great time on the dance floor, and I loved every moment.  When the party ended, I went to deck 16, and watched the new 'Superman Movie’ at Movies under the stars before returning to the cabin for the first night on board the ship.

Melbourne Australia:
Melbourne what’s the first port of our cruise, and although 'half the passengers disembarked for the day' we stayed on board the ship, and used it as our own private yacht for the day' because Melbourne is my home port.  

The Discovery Princess docked at Station Pier wharf at 6:45am, and shortly after our arrival the Norwegian spirit cruise ship docked next to us, and although it was a ‘typical wet Melbourne day;’ We used the ship as our own private yacht for the day because Melbourne is at our home port.  

After breakfast in our cabin, Mum did her own thing, and I spent the day walking around the ship, playing Princess tenpin bowling, participating in the quizzes (where I found out that CAD is actually code for ‘Cruise Addicted Darling'), watching the Moana 2 movie, filming TIKTOK videos (@cruisebloggerkarina), and filming the Norwegian Spirits departure before getting ready for dinner, and the night on board the beautiful Discovery Princess.

The total Luna eclipse at sea:

It was our second sea day, and everyday at 12pm, our amazing Captain Tony Ruggero did a daily message from the ships bridge.  During his midday announcement on March 3 2026,the captain said, “a total lunar eclipse is planned is planned for tonight.”  The spectacular was originally meant to start at 10pm; but it started earlier, and it seems the whole ship came out onto deck to witness ‘the moon passing in front of the sun’ while the movie ‘Fly me to the Moon’ played on the ships big screen on the deck 16.

Kangaroo Island, South Australia:
The ship was already anchored when we woke up at 8am for our first official shore excursion after being on board the beautiful Discovery Princess for the past four days.  Although I always love being on board the cruise ships, it was still nice to be back on dry land.  

Larry was out tour guide for the day, and he was absolutely hilarious!  Our first stop was in Pennington Bay; where a seal was spotted shortly after we got off the bus.  After a ten minute break, Larry and the bus driver took us to the ‘Seal Bay Conservation Park;’ where everyone was given free time to explore the area, and enjoy all the cute penguins.  They communicate to each other with different sounds, and a baby seal was able to tell where its mother was by simply listening hearing her calling sound… it was magical experience, and it was definitely worth doing if you’re ever at Kangaroo Island.

Adelaide, South Australia:
Welcome to the ‘City of Churches.’  It was still dark when we awoke for the day at 6am to a room service breakfast because we had to be in the Princess theatre to explore Adelaide by 7:30am.  The Adelaide Fringe festival was on during our visit, and that night Ed Sheeran was performing at Adelaide Oval.  A Specialty lunch was designed just for us at the Mount lofty cafe and function. Centre.  I was told that lunch was provided but I wasn’t expecting ‘ a feast of a fish case chips and a salad with a carrot cake for dessert,’ and it was delicious!  Once we finished eating it was time to do some sightseeing before returning to the ship bound bus.  Is a bit of trivia for you from Skip our amazing tour guide. “The distance from the ship to the top of Mount lofty is 35 meters, and Mount lofty is 700 m above sea level.’”

During the day long shore excursion, Kit (our tour guide) mentioned several must see sightseeing attractions in Adelaide including: 'The Malls balls, and Pigs in the bin;' both of them were located at the Rundle Mall in Adelaide.  It was finally time to head back to the wharf, and I returned to the ship feeling as though 'Kit took advantage of us' because it was like she thought, "while I've still got you I have to show you this...!"  I was exhausted when I got back on board the ship, and all I wanted to do was 'go for a swim' so I did.  I grabbed my swimmers, I went to the pool deck to enjoy the spa; only to find the hit movie ‘the greatest Showman’ playing on the big screen.  ‘the greatest Showman’ is one of my favourite movies, and watching it from the spas etc was the perfect way to see it.

It was finally time for the Discovery Princess to depart for Port Lincoln.  It's a royal class cruise ship from Princess Cruises, and the famous ‘love boat theme horn’ blasted loudly on departure at 6:30pm.  We then went up to the International food court for dinner, and then headed to the Princess Theatre to watch the Princess dances perform in the production of the Spotlight bar.  When the production ended mum and I went our separate ways.  I checked out the karaoke at the karaoke live Theatre (very impressive) before returning to the cabin for the night

Port Lincoln, South Australia: 
We woke up at 7 am for our day in Port Lincoln and it was still dark when our room serviced breakfast in bed arrived.  Mum wasn’t well so I did the easy Port Lincoln short excursion on my own, and reported everything back to her so although she wasn't on the bus that day... in a way 'she didn't miss a thing.'  The shore excursion was all about fishing, and mum doesn't like sea food so it actually worked out well.  When I got back on board the ship, I used a photo to show mum where we went, and she saw that we weren't that far away.  

That night, the ship had a ‘Back to the 80’s Deck Party.’  Everyone got dressed up for the occasion, and it was held inside this time because of the weather.  The ships band led it (along with the Cruise Directors), and when it ended, I watched the hit 80’s movie Ferris Bulars day off in the Vista Lounge before attending the after party, and returning to the cabin for the night.

Hobart, Tasmania: (To be completed)

Port Arthur, Tasmania: 

The ship was already anchored and the ships disembarkment announcements for the day were being read out over the ships PA system when we woke up at 7:40am to a room service breakfast.  Mum and I had to be at the Princess Theatre by 11:45am to meet the group for our final shore excursion.  We disembarked from the ship via tender boat, and boarded the tour bus for our Port Aurthur shore excursion after going for a hike through a building, and after all that the excursion itself didn’t officially start until almost 1pm.

I don't know how everyone else felt who disembarked that day; but I found Port Arthur quite eery because of it's history; especially because of a certain Australian man who shall remain nameless because of the devastation he caused in 1996.  He's locked up for life, and the effects of it can still be seen in Port Arthur.  Known as the Prison State because of all the convicts; Port Arthur also has a small Island located in the middle of the Harbour called 'dead island.'  It's called that because that's where all the bodies are buried. 

(More information coming soon)

My Sailing back into Sydney, and flying back to Melbourne:

And now… the end is near.  On Thursday 12th March 2026, the Discovery Princess Cruise ship sailed back into Sydney Harbour, and mum and I were still asleep when the ship docked at 6am.

We left our cabin for the final time at 8am, I went to the Princess live lounge for our final morning coffee before disembarking from the ship and boarding the bus to the Sydney domestic airport at 9 am for our 2pm return flight home to Melbourne.  As well as us passengers; 300 crew members also disembarked the ship for home because they cruise contract had come to an end.

Thank you  Cruise Director Jayson, Assistant Cruise Directors Jacqueline, Connie, and everyone at Princess Cruises for a fantastic voyage.  I look forward to cruising with you again in 2027.