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Royal Caribbean announces 3 ships for Australia’s 2027 summer

Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
It’s time to start planning your 2027/2028 summer adventure.

In the mood to cruise into summer? Royal Caribbean has just announced its biggest summer cruise season in Australia, bringing three ships for the 2027/2028 summer season departing from either Brisbane or Sydney. And it’s on sale now.

What to expect onboard each ship

Ovation of the Seas

ovation fo the seas
Step onboard this groundbreaking mega-ship.

Sailing from Brisbane, Ovation of the Seas is a groundbreaking Quantum-class mega-ship. Expect plenty of industry-first entertainment onboard, including the North Star observation capsule that rises 90 metres above the sea, RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator and a versatile indoor SeaPlex activity space (complete with a full basketball court, bumper cars and roller skating).

Anthem of the Seas

anthem of the seas in sydney harbour
Holiday on this high-tech amusement park at sea.

Want a high-tech amusement park on the water? Anthem of the Seas is for you. This is another ship featuring Royal Caribbean’s ‘first-at-sea’ experiences, including the North Star, RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator, the FlowRider surf simulator and SeaPlex. Plus an incredible line-up of entertainment and dining. Discover more with our full ship review.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Voyager of the Seas

voyager of the seas
Enjoy a lot of ‘firsts at sea’.

Voyager of the Seas features many ‘firsts at sea’. It was the first ship in the world featuring an indoor Royal Promenade shopping boulevard (a multi-deck indoor “main street" running down the centre of the ship, lined with duty-free shops, cafes and pubs), an on-board rock-climbing wall and even a true ice-skating rink.

Which cruise would suit you?

Extended weekender:

airlie beach
Sail into Airlie Beach. (Credit: Nicolas Weldingh)

Jump aboard Ovation of the Seas in Brisbane for one of two long weekends of a lifetime on the four-night Whitsundays getaways to Airlie Beach. Enjoy the best of Queensland off ship, with all the entertainment onboard.

Really want to keep it short and sweet? Join Voyager of the Seas for a three-night Sydney escape, with two nights at sea so you can fully immerse yourself in cruise life. Or Ovation of the Seas for three nights from Brisbane.

Multi-gen trip:

Voyager of the Seas in darwin
Sail into Darwin. (Credit: Renato Marzan)

With activities that cover the needs of every member of your family, from the most energetic to the most in need of pampering, Royal Caribbean ships always tick all the boxes for a multi-gen holiday.

In the 2027/2028 summer season, kick it up a notch with the new 15-night itinerary onboard Voyager of the Seas from Sydney to Singapore via Airlie Beach, Darwin and Lombok and Celukan Bawang in Indonesia.

Or Anthem of the Seas’ 17-night adventure from Honolulu, crossing the Pacific and making gorgeous stops in French Polynesia along the way.

Want to see more of New Zealand? This ship will also feature nine- to 12-night sailings to iconic destinations including Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Milford Sound, with more ways to experience the country’s landscapes, culture and cuisine.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Family cruise:

Make the family Christmas particularly special by taking the family on Anthem of the Seas’ nine-night South Pacific Christmas holiday. Find a particularly festive atmosphere onboard and enjoy stops in New Caledonia, Vanuatu and exclusive regional beach escapes.

Visit Royal Caribbean for full details on the 2027-28 itineraries.

International itinerary highlights

Be amongst the first to experience Royal Caribbean's new and exclusive Lelepa Island
Be amongst the first to experience Royal Caribbean’s new and exclusive Lelepa Island.

Want to extend your summer holiday to the South Pacific? Be amongst the first to experience Royal Caribbean’s new and exclusive Lelepa Island – the first private island cruise destination in the Southern Hemisphere. Here, the aim is to give an authentic taste of its Vanuatu South Pacific location and culture. Think stunning nature, water activities and local flavours.

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Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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8 Northern Territory secrets the locals don’t want you to know

    Lee Mylne Lee Mylne
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    Summer transforms the Northern Territory into a lush paradise of colour and life, as a visit during the ‘low-season’ reveals secrets the locals willingly share.

    Waterlilies bloom, floodplains are alive with birdlife, waterfalls are gushing, and everywhere the green is dazzling. Summer in the Top End and the Red Centre is a kaleidoscope of unexpected wonders that delight and surprise visitors. Of course, the locals know only too well that the Northern Territory low season is often the best time to see and experience this amazing part of Australia.

    Here are some of the reasons why savvy travellers – avoiding the crowds – are discovering a new dimension to the Territory. Remember that you’ll need a Parks Pass to visit national parks.

    1. Take a dip in the Florence Falls waterhole

    Wander through savanna woodland and monsoon forest to discover the perfect place to cool off – the waterhole at the base of spectacular Florence Falls in the magnificent Litchfield National Park, just 90 minutes’ drive from Darwin. The falls flow year-round but are most spectacular during the summer. Camping is available nearby but bookings are essential and must be made online before you visit.

    Surrounded by lush forest, a woman cools off in Florence Falls, just one of many incredible things to do in the Northern Territory.
    Cool off beneath the cascading waters of Florence Falls. (Image: Joshua Griffin)

    2. Wind down at Buley Rock Hole

    Another popular local swimming spot in Litchfield National Park is Buley Rock Hole, open year-round. This is a great place to wind down after exploring everything the park has to offer, including towering termite mounds. Wade through the rock pools, soak up the scenic bush or just lie back and relax as the cool water rolls over you.

    Buley Rockhole, Litchfield National Park
    Let the cool water wash over you. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    3. Tour the Tiwi Islands

    The Tiwi Islands, a scenic 80km flight from Darwin across the narrow Clarence and Dundas Straits, reveal a different side to the Territory, with their own distinctive culture. Take a day tour with Tiwi by Design to visit Bathurst Island and learn about creation stories, the Mission days, World War II history and the islanders’ obsession with AFL!

    Take a ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour of Tiwi Design’s screen-printing workshop and pick up a great souvenir in the form of art. Choose from contemporary or traditional Tiwi designs and a wide range of work including carvings, paintings, pottery, printmaking, bark paintings and tunga (bark baskets).

    A creative moment shared inside Tiwi Design’s screen-printing space.
    Take a peek inside Tiwi Design’s screen-printing studio. (Image: Tourism NT)

    4. Dine in Darwin

    Foodies are spoilt for choice in multi-cultural Darwin. Try Sri Lankan flavours at Ella by Minoli, where Masterchef contestant Minoli De Silva creates delectable dishes, or head to Charlie’s of Darwin for gin-tasting, cocktails and more. Bowls of fragrant laksa, excellent coffee, fresh vegetables and authentic crafts are all part of a weekend visit to Darwin’s Parap Markets, Rapid Creek Markets and the Nightcliff Markets.

    Prefer to catch your own dinner? Book a Top End fishing charter to bag a barramundi – and from October register for the annual Million Dollar Fish competition. Hooking one of the tagged barra released each year in waterways across the Territory could win you up to $1 million.

    A bowl of Laksa.
    Eat your way through multicultural Darwin. (Image: Tourism NT)

    5. Up close with Uluṟu

    The magnificent monolith Uluṟu is even more magical when the summer rains fall. When it rains on The Rock, the locals come out to watch – consider yourself lucky if that happens when you visit. Waterfalls cascading off the sides of Uluṟu is a sight that relatively few tourists see.

    There’s so much to do at Uluṟu, from guided walks to learn the stories of the Aṉangu people and the ancient landscape they live in to scenic flights for a bird’s-eye view or a leisurely walk around the base of Uluṟu. Book ahead to spend the evening wandering through the Field of Light installation by Bruce Munro.

    A closer look at Uluru and uncover its ancient stories, sacred sites, and striking natural beauty – one of the most iconic things to do in the Northern Territory.
    Discover the details that make Uluṟu truly sacred. (Image: Tourism NT)

    6. Drive the Red Centre Way

    From Alice Springs, take an epic road trip along the Red Centre Way, taking in Uluru and Watarrka National Park, home to the magnificent Kings Canyon. Allow at least a week to drive through the red heart of Australia by 4WD, a little longer on the sealed road by 2WD vehicle, travelling through ochre deserts, palm-lined valleys and dramatic gorges. Stop off at waterholes for a refreshing dip along the way.

    Kings Canyon offers hiking options for all levels of fitness, from the three-hour Rim Walk atop soaring sandstone walls to the gentler Kings Creek Walk. Either way, you’ll have breathtaking views.

    SEIT Outback Australia is a small group touring specialist offering exciting, adventurous, exclusive and specialised iconic, pioneering and cultural touring in the Red Centre of Australia, giving you the time to learn, absorb and relax in the heart of Australia.<br /><br />This innovative tour company focuses on providing clients with the ultimate interpretive touring experiences with a range of products and customised touring itineraries for small groups and bespoke private charters.<br /><br />The company bases its philosophies from the key words of Spirit, Emotion, Intellect and Task (SEIT).
    Drive through Australia’s heart. (Image: Outback Australia Tours)

    7. Take a walk at Kata Tjuṯa

    Head out early to tackle the Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuṯa. This natural wonder, also known as The Olgas, is a labyrinth of soaring ochre domes that glow golden at sunrise and sunset (the walk may be closed during the middle of the day as temperatures rise).

    Walking trails range from easy to longer, more difficult tracks. At the Kata Tjuṯa dune viewing area, take in the panoramic view of the domes. The longest of the trails is the Valley of the Winds Walk, a 7.4km circuit that winds between the domes and through creek beds. It’s moderately difficult and steep in places, but offers stunning views – and occasional encounters with kangaroos.

    The Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuta is one of the most awe-inspiring things to do in the Northern Territory, especially at sunrise when the domes glow golden.
    Step into the golden light of Kata Tjuṯa. (Image: Tourism NT)

    8. Explore Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges

    Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park lies 135km west of Alice Springs, with many fascinating natural features to beguile visitors. The ‘West Macs’ formations include chasms, gorges and waterholes – take your swimsuit for a dip at Ormiston Gorge waterhole, open year-round. The Ormiston Pound Walk is a three to four-hour circuit that leaves from the visitor centre and loops back along the gorge via the main waterhole. Other places of interest in the park include Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Big Hole and Glen Helen.

    Soaking in the serenity of Ormiston Gorge, these two travellers enjoy one of the most scenic things to do in the Northern Territory.
    Take the plunge at Ormiston Gorge waterhole. (Image: Joshua Griffin Litchfield)

    Start planning the NT road trip of a lifetime at northernterritory.com