True to its destination cruising heritage, Princess Cruises has just released its 2011-2012 schedule for worldwide voyages featuring intriguing itineraries to Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Tahiti, India, and South America.

The “Exotics” program will give passengers the opportunity to explore these fascinating destinations aboard intimate small ships or spectacular larger vessels.

Among the program highlights is a new roundtrip 28-day Hawaii, Tahiti & Samoa itinerary from Los Angeles aboard Sapphire Princess, giving passengers an extended South Pacific experience.  In South America, the line will expand capacity on sailings around Cape Horn by 50 percent, enabling more travelers the opportunity to make this fabled passage.

The Exotics season runs from September 2011 to May 2012 and includes:

Asia, Africa & India – A passenger favorite, the 16-day Southeast Asia itinerary between Beijing and Singapore returns in the fall and spring aboard Diamond Princess.  Travelers can also choose to sail between Asia and Alaska or Australia, for two-continent adventures.  Passengers can explore further with a collection of connoisseur voyages aboard Ocean Princess, visiting unique locations in Asia, the Indian Ocean and West Africa.

Australia & New Zealand – Princess offers a wide range of options for exploring “down under” with a season of Australia & New Zealand sailings aboard Diamond Princess, connoisseur cruises on Ocean Princess, and “Aussie-style” cruising aboard Sun Princess, Dawn Princess and Sea Princess to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific from Sydney, Melbourne and now Brisbane.

South America – Princess offers even more opportunities in 2012 for a sailing rite of passage – rounding Cape Horn, the southernmost tip of South America.  Star Princess departs on more cruises for a 50 percent increase in capacity on this celebrated route.  The ship also sails on a Brazilian Adventure from Rio, and Pacific Princess takes passengers exploring down the mighty Amazon River.

Hawaii & Tahiti – A new 28-day roundtrip Hawaii, Tahiti & Samoa cruise debuts on Sapphire Princess, offering a new option from Los Angeles.  Sapphire Princess joins Golden Princess sailing to the Hawaiian Islands on the line’s popular 14-day roundtrip Los Angeles itinerary.  Ocean Princess also sails on a series of 10-day Tahiti & Polynesia and 11-day Hawaii & Tahiti voyages.

Princess’ Exotics program cruises open for sale on June 17, 2010.