Sapphire Princess to home-port in Fremantle following ACA national cruise conference announcement
Fremantle’s role as Western Australia’s leading cruise destination was strengthened with the announcement that the premium Sapphire Princess will be home-ported in Fremantle from the 2027–28 summer season.
The announcement was made during the 2025 Australian Cruise Association (ACA) Annual Conference, hosted in Fremantle from 3 to 5 September 2025. The event brought together more than 150 representatives from national and international cruise lines, tourism agencies, shore excursion operators, port authorities, and shipping agents to discuss the next phase of growth for Australia’s cruise industry.
The Sapphire Princess, which carries up to 3,200 guests, will undertake nine cruise itineraries beginning and ending in Fremantle, generating an estimated $142 million in economic impact and supporting more than 1,000 jobs. The home-porting arrangement will also see large cruise vessels return to Geraldton and provide a substantial boost to regional tourism across Western Australia.
The national conference was secured through a partnership between Tourism Western Australia, Business Events Perth, and the City of Fremantle. It marked 20 years since the ACA last held the event in Fremantle and reflected the strong collaboration between the State Government and industry partners to strengthen cruise tourism across the state.
Cruise tourism continues to deliver significant economic benefits for Fremantle. In 2023–24, the industry generated an economic impact of $289.5 million, supporting 925 jobs.
In addition to the ACA event, Fremantle also hosted the WA Tourism Conference in May 2025, attracting 250 delegates from across the state and further cementing its reputation as a hub for major industry gatherings.
