Australia is gearing up for another bumper summer cruise season, with 63 ships scheduled to operate in local waters between October and April – delivering billions of dollars in economic impact to ports and coastal communities across the country.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Managing Director Australasia, Joel Katz, said the line-up will bring hundreds of thousands of passengers to every coastal state and territory.
“The popularity of cruising continues to grow worldwide, and Australia is undoubtedly one of the world’s most spectacular cruise destinations,” Mr Katz said. “The summer ahead will offer an incredible diversity of experiences aboard some of the world’s most spectacular ships.”
Katz noted that cruising is attracting a younger demographic than ever before. The average age of a cruise passenger internationally is now just 46.5, with more than one-third of cruisers under 40. Gen-X and Millennials are emerging as the most enthusiastic cruisers, outpacing Baby Boomers in their intention to book.
Another trend is the growing number of first-time guests: around 31% of cruisers over the past two years were new to the experience – up from 24% in 2019.
The announcement coincides with CLIA’s 10th Cruise360 Australasia conference in Brisbane, where around 850 delegates – including the biggest contingent of international guests ever – are gathering today to discuss the future of cruising. More than 30 speakers and panellists will cover topics ranging from the boom in luxury and expedition voyages to the growth of river cruising and the emergence of Gen Z as the next major market.
What’s Sailing This Season
A total of 24 CLIA cruise lines will be operating ships in Australian waters this summer, offering everything from luxury expeditions and river voyages to big-ship family holidays. Highlights include:
- APT launching its new Murray River product aboard the world-first luxury wood-fired paddlesteamer PS Australian Star.
- Azamara Cruises returning with Azamara Pursuit and Azamara Onward, including Tasman Sea itineraries and part of a 155-night World Cruise.
- Carnival Cruise Line basing four ships in Australia, including Carnival Luminosa sailing from Brisbane.
- Celebrity Cruises bringing back the award-winning Celebrity Edge for her third local season.
- Disney Cruise Line returning for a final season with Disney Wonder sailing from Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland.
- Norwegian Cruise Line sending Norwegian Spirit back for a third season, with immersive 11–14 day voyages between Sydney and Auckland, including maiden calls to Busselton and Albany in WA and an overnight stay in Melbourne.
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises returning with Seven Seas Explorer, offering luxury itineraries across Australia and New Zealand, while Seven Seas Mariner will call into Sydney and Auckland as part of her 2026 World Cruise.
- Royal Caribbean debuting Anthem of the Seas in Sydney and welcoming back Voyager of the Seas to Brisbane, alongside a program of themed family holidays.
- Princess Cruises celebrating 50 years in Australia with Crown Princess and the debut of Discovery Princess.
They will be joined by the likes of Cunard, Seabourn, Silversea, MSC Cruises, Holland America Line, Oceania Cruises, Ponant, Scenic, and Coral Expeditions, ensuring one of the broadest cruise offerings yet for Australian travellers.
From luxury suites and Antarctic expeditions to short coastal getaways and Disney-themed family adventures, the upcoming season underlines the diverse appeal of cruising. And with more young travellers coming onboard, the industry is charting a course towards a new generation of Australian cruisers.
