It was already 30 degrees when we left Canberra at 8.00am. Three hours later we arrived in Sydney where it had climbed to 35. We moved quickly from the air-conditioned comfort of the bus to the light rail, grateful for modern public transport. Ten minutes later we stepped out at Circular Quay, and straight ahead was the imposing bow of Discovery Princess, our home for the next two weeks.
Discovery Princess is a Royal-class ship built by Fincantieri and launched in 2022. It comes in at about 145,000 gross tons, stretches 330 metres, and carries up to 3,660 guests across 19 decks. Most cabins have balconies, with more than 1,800 staterooms supported by around 1,700 crew. The ship is registered in Bermuda and designed for stability, safety and passenger comfort.
Power comes from a diesel-electric system using four Wärtsilä engines generating 62,400 kW. Twin 18,000 kW motors drive the propellers, giving a service speed of about 22 knots. Technically and operationally, it’s one of the most advanced ships in the Princess fleet, pairing efficiency with the features expected of a modern premium cruise ship.
No matter how often we cruise, the contrast between the chaos of the International Passenger Terminal and the serenity of our balcony suite always surprises me. Add a 35-degree day and a crowd of thousands all trying to board at once, and you become very thankful it’s a brief hurdle before two weeks of calm.
After pushing through the crowds we stopped for a quick lunch at Gigi’s Pizzeria. From our vantage point opposite the gangway we watched more than 3,000 guests stream onboard. Once fed, we found our room. We’d treated ourselves for this trip and booked a mini-suite with a balcony, a generous sitting area and a large bathroom with a bath. We unpacked a little, then headed out to explore our floating city.
We started right up on the top decks where the ship opens wide and the views stretch forever. The Harbour Bridge loomed behind us. The summer heat shimmered across the water as ferries, yachts and tour boats moved across the harbour. The Opera House glowed in the afternoon sun.
Walking forward, the first area that caught our attention was The Sanctuary. It’s the quietest part of the ship with soft loungers, daybeds and a calm adults-only atmosphere. Staff offer smoothies, light bites and cold towels. It feels like a small private resort perched above the sea. Mardi loved the peace compared with the bustle below.
We wandered back toward the Retreat Pool next. It sits high enough to catch the breeze without feeling crowded. With cabanas, bar service and a relaxed vibe, it’s a nice midpoint between The Sanctuary and the busier main pools. Perfect if you want a swim without the soundtrack of Movies Under the Stars.
A deck down, everything changed. The main pool area is the lively heart of the ship with two pools, hot tubs and broad sunbathing spaces. The enormous screen above runs concerts, films and sport. Music, chatter and the smell of fresh pizza from Slice drift through the air.
Nearby is The Salty Dog Grill with burgers, tacos and loaded fries. We stopped there more than once. Coffee & Cones sits just beside it, serving soft-serve, coffees and quick snacks. Both spots are ideal after time in the sun.
Further aft, the ship opens into quiet terraces that look straight out over the wake. These are some of the nicest corners of the ship, especially later in the day when the light softens. Mardi lingered there while I took photos. It’s the kind of spot people stumble across and then return to each day.
We love sailaway from Sydney. As the engines rumbled to life we returned to our room. From the balcony we watched the ship ease away from the wharf and spin a full 180 degrees before heading toward the Heads. The heat melted away as the breeze picked up and our adventure began. The pilot launch peeled away like a remora leaving a shark, and within minutes we were in open water heading southeast toward New Zealand’s Fiordland.
Once unpacking was done we kept exploring.
From the aft terrace we headed inside and down into the dining areas beneath the open decks. The first major space is Horizon Court and Bistro, the main buffet. It’s bright and roomy with food stations rather than long queues. Mardi went straight for the bakery while I checked the salads and hot dishes. The seating along the windows gives a beautiful view of the wake.
Nearby is the World Fresh Marketplace, offering lighter and international options. It’s great for quick lunches and the whole aft area has an easy flow, especially on sea days.
As we walked forward again the energy shifted. Gigi’s Pizzeria sits on one side offering sit-down pizzas with table service. Across the way you find The Catch by Rudi or the Salty Dog Gastropub depending on the deck. Both offer more intimate dining with chef-led menus. These smaller spaces give the ship some warmth and variety.
Further ahead is the Princess Theater, a large two-deck venue for production shows, guest entertainers and live music. We walked through during the day and could see how much effort goes into each performance. At night it transforms entirely and becomes one of the ship’s showpiece experiences.
Then comes Princess Live, a studio-style space for trivia, game shows and live sets. It has an easy, friendly feel and you can drift in and out without committing to a full event.
From there the ship opens into the Piazza, the real heart of Discovery Princess. It rises through several decks with sweeping staircases, marble floors and balconies overlooking the action. Bars, cafés and shops curve around the space and there’s always something happening. Walking through with Mardi felt like strolling into a European square. Busy but pleasant, and full of life.
Heading forward from the Piazza you enter quieter corridors leading toward the spa, theatre entrances and staterooms, and it reminds you how layered the layout is. Walking through it deck by deck gives you a sense of how well the ship balances energy and calm.
Mardi had booked our specialty dining ahead of time. Tonight was Crown Grill, and wow. The steak was perfect and the sides of spinach and mash were spot on. A long, hot and memorable day came to a close. A couple of sea days now lie ahead and there’s plenty to explore
