Australia set to welcome 63 cruise ships over busy summer season

August 27, 2025 – Australia is preparing to welcome dozens of international cruise ships over another busy summer cruise season, delivering billions of dollars in economic contribution to ports and destinations around the country.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Managing Director in Australasia Joel Katz said a total of 63 ships would operate in local waters between October and April, bringing 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.”

CLIA will today host around 850 delegates at its 10^th Cruise360 Australasia conference in Brisbane, bringing together cruise lines, travel agents and industry stakeholders to discuss the latest trends in cruising. More than 30 speakers and panellists will take part, including the biggest contingent of international guests to ever take part in Cruise360 Australasia.

Mr Katz said the coming summer would see a continuation of recent trends among cruise fans, including an increase in younger guests and first-time cruisers.

“Internationally, the average age of a cruise guest is now just 46.5 years, and more than a third of cruisers are aged under 40,” Mr Katz said. “Gen-X and Millennials are now the most enthusiastic cruisers, showing a stronger intention to cruise than their Babyboomer counterparts. We are also seeing increasing numbers of new-to-cruise guests – about 31% of cruisers over the past two years have been first-time guests, up from 24% in 2019.”

Among trends to be discussed at Cruise360 Australasia this year are the current growth in luxury cruising, the increasing popularity of expedition cruising, the diversity of experiences available in river cruising, and the emergence of Gen Z as the next major cruise market.

A total of 24 CLIA cruise lines will operate ships in Australian waters during the coming season, including:

APT will offer a diverse range of all-inclusive small ship expedition cruises along Australia’s coastline and inland waterways during the 2025–26 season. Guests can explore the remote Kimberley region aboard the ultra-luxurious Seabourn Pursuit, with expert-led excursions to Montgomery Reef, Horizontal Falls, and ancient Indigenous rock art sites. APT also operates expeditions along Western Australia’s vibrant coastline and to the Great Barrier Reef, using shallow-draught vessels Coral Adventurer and Coral Discoverer, designed to access hidden coastal gems. Plus, APT will launch its brand-new Murray River cruising in summer 2025, featuring the world-first luxury wood-fired paddlesteamer PS Australian Star – a relaxed and immersive way to discover the magic of the Murray region, its wildlife, and river heritage with a maximum of 38 guests.

Aurora Expeditions, proudly Australian, is expanding its fleet to three purpose-built small ships with the launch of Douglas Mawson. Arriving in Sydney in late November, the ship will sail to Hobart before departing on 1 December for its inaugural voyage ‘Coastal Tasmania: Untamed Wilderness — an 11-day circumnavigation of Tasmania’. From there, Douglas Mawson will embark on an extraordinary 24-day expedition, retracing the journey of Sir Douglas Mawson’s historic Australasian Antarctic Expedition.

Azamara Cruises is making a grand return to Australian and New Zealand waters, with Azamara Pursuit scheduled to arrive in Australia in late December 2025, followed by a curated series of Tasman Sea itineraries around New Zealand. Once her regional cruises conclude, Pursuit will head back via Adelaide and Margaret River, before stopping at three Indonesian ports enroute to Singapore. Meanwhile, Azamara Onward will join the Down Under lineup in mid-February 2025 as part of its 155-night World Cruise itinerary. Onward is scheduled to arrive in Auckland 15 February, visiting seven New Zealand destinations – plus Hobart and Eden – before steaming on to Sydney. On 20 February, she will embark on a 22-night voyage from Sydney to Singapore, calling at ports in Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia along the way.

Carnival Cruise Line’s three Australia-based ships will be joined by Carnival Luminosa in late October. The four-ship fleet over summer gives Australians more choice than ever when it comes to great value holidays at sea, from getaway cruises to exploring the South Pacific or Great Barrier Reef. Carnival Luminosa joins Carnival Encounter sailing out of Brisbane, while Carnival Adventure and Carnival Splendor will continue to be homeported in Sydney all year round, taking guests to the South Pacific, Queensland and New Zealand.

Celebrity Cruises will return to local shores on 21 October as award-winning Celebrity Edge commences her third season, offering Aussies a premium, immersive way to explore New Zealand, Australia, and the South Pacific. With 17 sailings departing from Sydney and Auckland ranging from 4 to 14 nights – including 7 New Zealand itineraries – guests can experience breathtaking sights such as New Zealand's impressive Fiordlands and pristine beaches of the Bay of Islands, while having endless opportunities to explore and restore onboard including the iconic cantilevered Magic Carpet, SEA Thermal Suite, theatre performances, alongside 29 bars, lounges, and restaurants. Celebrity Solstice will also reignite fanfare when she returns to Australia on 9 April, debuting eight new experiences, including four new-to-sea spaces, and many redesigned favourites post-modernisation, before embarking on her first-ever Transpacific voyage to Hawaii.

Coral Expeditions has over 100 departures scheduled for 2025-26 across its purpose-built fleet of three Australian-flagged expedition ships including the yacht-like Coral Discoverer (72 pax), and sister ships Coral Adventurer and Coral Geographer (120 pax). New this year will be the launch of a new Coastal Adventure series of shorter 4- and 6-night departures and a $4 million hotel refurbishment to Coral Discoverer in September. Coral Expeditions maintains its position as the largest Kimberley cruise operator with 54 departures between March and October, along with increased capacity on the Great Barrier Reef, Tasmania, Cape York and on Western Australia’s Abrolhos and Coral Coast.

Crystal returns to Australian and New Zealand waters in 2026 with Crystal Serenity. Arriving in Melbourne on 27 February after an eight-night sailing from Auckland via Tauranga, Christchurch (Lyttelton), Timaru, and the breathtaking Dusky, Doubtful, and Milford Sounds, the ship then departs that evening on an 18-night voyage to Bali, calling at Sydney, Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Cairns, Thursday Island and Darwin. Onboard, guests enjoy refined suites, world-class dining – including the only Nobu at sea – and Crystal’s signature all-inclusive luxury.

Cunard is celebrating 185 years of iconic travel this year. In 2026, there will be two Queens visiting the region. Both Queen Mary 2 and new ship Queen Anne will arrive in March on their world voyages. These offer a range of exciting itineraries to the South Pacific, US, Panama Canal, Asia, South Africa and the UK, embarking or disembarking in Sydney.

Disney Cruise Line is returning to Australia and New Zealand for a third season of cruises from October 2025 through to February 2026. The magical sailings aboard the Disney Wonder will bring enchantment and cherished Disney friends to local shores with a variety of itineraries sailing from Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland. Disney Cruise Line’s exciting growth into the Asia-Pacific region sees the Disney Adventure begin sailing from Singapore in December 2025. With this new chapter ahead, the Disney Wonder will be re-positioned to another part of the world after her 2025/2026 Australia and New Zealand season.

Heritage Expeditions, Australasia’s only family-owned and -operated expedition cruise company, is currently exploring the Kimberley coast’s Horizontal Falls, King George Falls, Montgomery Reef, Ashmore Reef and more aboard its luxurious 140-guest flagship Heritage Adventurer. In October she will sail through the tropical islands of Indonesia (including post voyage flights to Cairns) and Melanesia (including pre voyage flight from Cairns), while from November-December, Heritage Expeditions, the world’s most experienced Southern Ocean operator, will be exploring the Subantarctic Islands of Australia and New Zealand before heading down into the ‘heart of Antarctica’, the Ross Sea, in January and February with Heritage Adventurer.

Holland America Line’s Noordam returns for her sold out close-to-home season on 10 November. The season features port-intensive itineraries including 14- day sailings and five Collectors’ Voyages with extended journeys that combine back-to-back cruises ranging from 28 – 50 days across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. On 3 March, Volendam will arrive in Auckland as part of her 41-day Grand World Voyage from San Antonio, Chile, before reaching Sydney on 7 March. From there, Australian guests can embark on a 38-day Grand World Voyage to Tokyo, with highlights including Townsville, Cairns, scenic cruising through the Torres Strait, Darwin, and more.

MSC Cruises will unveil a newly enhanced MSC Magnifica in 2026 as she sets sail on her 118-night World Cruise, visiting ports across New Zealand and Australia. As part of the extensive refurbishment, the Musica-class ship will debut MSC’s award-winning ‘ship within a ship’ luxury concept, the MSC Yacht Club, alongside a new MSC Aurea Spa and an upgraded MSC Gym Powered by Technogym®. From 3 March, MSC Magnifica will arrive in Sydney for an overnight call before continuing north to Townsville and Carins enroute to Southeast Asia.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Spirit® returns for her third season in local waters with a series of immersive 11-to-14-day open-jaw voyages between Sydney and Auckland from December 2025 through to April 2026. Beginning with a memorable sailing from Singapore to Sydney via Bali, highlights include maiden calls to Busselton and Albany, Western Australia, followed by Kangaroo Island and an overnight stay in Melbourne. Norwegian Spirit is a smaller, boutique ship, fully modernised from bow to stern with adult cruisers in mind, with elevated dining, no kid’s clubs and a high guest-to-staff ratio, she offers a refined experience – showcasing the best of NCL’s fleet. Following her Australia-New Zealand season, she will sail a series of idyllic South Pacific itineraries.

Oceania Cruises® will debut its luxurious 1,250-guest ship, Oceania Riviera™, in Australia and New Zealand for a series of voyages ranging from 14 to 35 days, from November 2025 to March 2026. Oceania Riviera will be the only Oceania Cruises vessel in the region to offer exclusive gourmet foodie itineraries, and will visit destinations like Great Barrier Island in Auckland, Mystery Island in Vanuatu, the Cook Islands, and more. Guests can immerse themselves in the local culinary scene through an array of small-group excursions including visits to local markets, rice fields, and truffle farms. In April 2026, Oceania Vista will sail into Australia for her maiden visit as part of her first 180-day Around the World cruise. She arrives in Sydney on 9 April, 2026, calling at Mooloolaba, Whitsunday Island (Airlie Beach), Townsville, Cairns and Darwin, before heading to Singapore.

PONANT EXPLORATIONS’ Le Jacques-Cartier will explore Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Indonesia and Malaysia, before sailing to Japan’s subtropical islands and along the coast of Vietnam. Le Soléal will journey between Bali, Cairns, and Singapore before beginning her Antarctic season in December departing from Dunedin, New Zealand to explore the remote Ross Sea and sub-Antarctic islands. Le Commandant Charcot will chart bold new courses including a 29-day half-circumnavigation of Antarctica, sailing from the southern tip of South America to Australia and arriving in Hobart, Tasmania, in February 2026. From there, she will embark on a second Antarctic half-circumnavigation, this time from Hobart to Cape Town.

Princess Cruises will celebrate 50 years of cruising from Australia in December this year. Crown Princess will return to Sydney on 26 September 2025 following the completion of her World Cruise, and will then be based in Sydney offering year-round cruising through to 4 November 2026 operating voyages to New Zealand, South Pacific, shorter seacation cruises and the 114-day 2026 Round World Cruise from Sydney. Discovery Princess makes her debut season Down Under when she arrives in Sydney on 6 December 2025. The newest Royal-Class ship will be based in her new Sydney homeport through to 7 April 2026.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ ultra-luxury ship Seven Seas Explorer® will return to Australia and New Zealand with itineraries showcasing the beauty of close-to-home destinations. She will call into Sydney on 27 December following a 16-night voyage from Bali, before sailing to Auckland on her 15-night New Year sojourn, Aussie Bites and Kiwi Sights, which overnights in Melbourne and visits the New Zealand fiords of Milford, Doubtful and Dusky Sound. Seven Seas Explorer departs Sydney on 27 January, visiting Victoria and Western Australia before heading to Singapore. After an extensive refurbishment this year, Seven Seas Mariner® will visit local waters in March 2026 as part of her 154-night 2026 World Cruise. She will visit Auckland on 6 March and Sydney on 10 March, where she will overnight, before heading north. Seven Seas Mariner’s 18-night Kiwi Charm & Aussie Delights itinerary from Auckland to Bali calls into Mooloolaba, Airlie Beach, Cairns and Darwin, and finally Asia.

Royal Caribbean is prepared for a blockbuster 2025-2026 Australian summer, headlined by the Down Under debut of Anthem of the Seas in Sydney and the long-awaited return of Voyager of the Seas to Brisbane. Between November 2025 and April 2026, holidaymakers can choose from 45 holidays ranging from 2 to 18 nights across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, including more weekend getaways than ever before, and a unique 12-night adventure from Singapore. The program includes all the thrills and chill including Oliver Award-winning We Will Rock You. The season marks the launch of six exclusive Wiggly-themed holidays, featuring live concerts, character events and themed merchandise for the ultimate family holiday.

Scenic Luxury Cruises. After completing her season in the Kimberley region and West Australian coastline in October 2025, Scenic Eclipse II will sail the Top End of Australia to New Zealand, taking in the South Pacific. In expedition mode, Scenic Eclipse II will venture to East Antarctica and the Ross Sea during December 2025 and January 2026. Once the season is completed in February 2026, she will cruise to New Zealand and make her way across to the Mediterranean via the South Pacific and Panama Canal.

Seabourn’s Seabourn Quest returns to Australia and New Zealand from December 2025, operating a series of summer voyages between the two countries. Seabourn Pursuit will operate her third Kimberley season starting in May 2026, offering expedition sailings between Darwin and Broome with Zodiac landings and expert-led exploration. Seabourn Sojourn visits 12 Australian ports and 7 New Zealand ports as part of her 2026 World Cruise, including Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Fremantle.

Silversea’s Silver Nova – the first ship in the cruise line’s innovative Nova Class – is scheduled to arrive in Darwin on 2 October, 2025. Silver Nova will be kicking off the brand’s Grand Voyage Australia 2025 on 14 October out of Melbourne and has an extended season in the region until February 2026. Silver Moon will then arrive down under in November 2025, journeying between Australia’s South Coast, Tasmania, and New Zealand until February 2026. Hosting travellers in Silversea’s signature level of comfort, both ships are set to immerse guests into the most enriching cultures, landscapes, and communities of Australia and New Zealand. Silver Nova and Silver Moon will also enable travellers to form meaningful connections with each destination through the lens of food and drink, benefiting from Silversea’s Sea and Land Taste (S.A.L.T.) culinary program, which comprises a dedicated ecosystem of culinary discovery on board and an array of experiences ashore.

Other CLIA cruise lines visiting Australian waters this season include Costa Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Nicko Cruises, and P&O Cruises UK.