Feel the weather warming up? Sure, spring is here and summer is on its way, but it also means the Australian cruising season has swung into action with the official launch on 30 August.
Australians continue to be keen cruisers and Australia continues to be a popular cruise destination.
According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), Australia is the fifth most popular region for cruising behind the US, Germany, the UK and China.
So what can we expect for the season ahead?
A total of 25 CLIA cruise lines will operate ships in Australian waters in the October to April season.
Busy season
CLIA managing director in Australasia Joel Katz told Travel Weekly that the 2024-25 summer would be another busy season for cruising.
“Australia will host a total of 62 cruise ships over the 2024-25 summer season, which is among the busiest schedules we’ve seen in local waters,” he said.
That is down on the 70 last year but many will be staying longer and making more port calls.
“The total number of visits will be up 3 per cent to 1904 port calls, which creates enormous tourism opportunities for local communities,” Mr Katz said.
New ships to watch out for include Cunard’s new Queen Anne making her maiden season and first voyage to Australia. However, she will not arrive until February 2025 as part of a world cruise. Until then, fans of Cunard will have to make do with the Queen Elizabeth, which returns next month. Cunard will be celebrating 100 years of sailing in Australia this season.
Ponant has launched the Paspaley Pearl, a boutique expedition vessel that will concentrate on the Kimberly region. The Paspaley Pearl will also make her debut in Australia in 2025 after visiting Indonesia’s Raja Ampat and the Spice Islands.
Silversea newcomer
Another newcomer will be Silversea’s newest ship, the Silver Nova, which will arrive on our shores on 11 November after sailing from Singapore.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sun will also make her maiden voyage to Australia, arriving in December with a 14-day cruise departing from Melbourne and cruising to Adelaide, Kangaroo Island and Hobart before sailing to several destinations in New Zealand.
For Princess Cruises, Crown Princess will sail to Australia for the first time, joining the Royal Princess and the Diamond Princess in our waters. Crown Princess will make her inaugural 113-night world voyage from Sydney in June.
Other sailings include P&Os Australia’s last trips. P&O will visit the Pacific Islands, Great Barrier Reef, Tasmania, and more before its ships are folded into Carnival Cruise in March 2025.
Speaking of Carnival, Brisbane will be the home port for Carnival Luminosa from November and Carnival Splendor will be based year-round in Sydney, offering fun itineraries across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.
Disney is back
Disney will also return, and the house of the mouse will be sailing on the east coast and to New Zealand beginning October to February 2025, including Christmas-themed sailings.
If you want to see Australia in luxury, Viking’s Viking Venus will make a 31-night Grand Australia Circumnavigation from Sydney on 20 January.
“Australia has always been one of the world’s most passionate cruise markets, and this enthusiasm continues,” Mr Katz said.
“Of Australian travellers who have cruised previously, 77 per cent say they will cruise again. Even among travellers who have never sailed before, 70 per cent say they are open to taking their first cruise.”
Have you been on a cruise? What’s been your favourite part? Why not share your experience in the comments section below?
Also read: Nine cruises you have to book in advance
