Australians adore cruising. In fact, with almost six per cent of the population – around one in 18 people – taking to the seas for a holiday each year, Aussies are leading the world in cruising demand.
And now, to satisfy that astonishing thirst for aquatic adventure, Australia is being richly rewarded with more ships, more unique destinations and more attractive cruising options right across the board.
Keep an eagle eye on the horizon as a whole host of new ships are making their way to Australian waters for the 2020 cruising season. That includes ocean-going gems such as the Carnival Splendor – a beautiful 14-decker that carries 3700 passengers and will become the largest ship home-ported in Australia year-round; the Royal-class Regal Princess and Gem-class Sapphire Princess, both luxurious vessels built by Princess Cruises; the Solstice-class Celebrity Eclipse; as well as the newest and largest ship from the P&O Cruises fleet, the 10-deck, 2600-capacity Pacific Adventure.
Become a real life explorer in Tasmania.
With the brand new Brisbane Cruise Terminal set to open in October 2020, there will be even more opportunities for cruise enthusiasts to set sail. So where would you like to go?
Best of the best
Great news for avid followers of this very special 100 issue of Australian Traveller magazine – especially for all those completionists who like to tick off every possible destination on the list: there are a huge number of entries on The 100 that can be accessed via cruise ship! The By the Water category alone is tailor made for it, from cruising the Whitsundays to circumnavigating Tasmania.
Then there’s the bragging rights to be had on a luxury Kimberley cruise, the solo traveller’s goal of setting out on a starter cruise, all the family fun of going on a Great Barrier Reef cruise, or the ultimate Wining & Dining experience of cruising to Margaret River to enjoy everything the region has to offer. And that doesn’t even come close to half of the unique and wonderful destinations you can access via cruise ship: all of the major ports, of course, including Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Fremantle, plus Kangaroo Island in South Australia, Moreton Island off the coast from Brisbane, WA’s spectacular Coral Coast – and brand new for 2020, the whale-rich playground of Eden on NSW’s Sapphire Coast. When it comes to cruising through Australia, the opportunities are endless.
The Kimberley never looked so good.
Where is everyone going?
The cruising options around Australia are as vast as the coastline itself. Whether it’s a Top End cruise from Sydney all the way around to Perth, or a Bottom End cruise taking in Adelaide, Margaret River and Fremantle instead, or simply a shorter cruise from Melbourne down to Tasmania, there’s an option to suit every budget and timeframe. While the most popular Australian cruising itinerary remains the stunning blue waters up and down the Queensland coast, an interesting new trend has seen a sudden increase in shorter cruising options.
The idea of an all-inclusive weekend away aboard a ship – with so many relaxing, exhilarating and fun-filled activities at your fingertips – has become very appealing to travellers wanting to do something different with their precious holiday time. Speaking of which…
When is the best time to cruise?
One of the most beautiful locations in Australia, Rottnest Island.
Any time! There are so many amazing year-round cruise destinations, packages and options on offer in Australia that we really are spoilt for choice. When it comes to booking, though, there are definitely deals to be had – especially whenever a cruise line launches a new program. That’s when you’re most likely to be able to grab a load of extras such as on-board spending money, bonus drinks packages, cabin preference and much more.
Why book with Flight Centre?
The cruise experts at Flight Centre are ready to assist you with all aspects of your next holiday cruising adventure. With such a wide range of options as well as exclusive benefits on select cruises and cruise lines, they’re perfectly placed to get you the best value for money, every time. From multi-cabin discounts to all the convenience of being able to bundle up any flights or accommodation you may require, Flight Centre truly is the one-stop shop for Australian cruising. So what are you waiting for?
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