Australia is one of the world's great cruise markets — more Australians take cruises per capita than almost any other nationality, and the variety of options departing from Australian ports has never been better. From Pacific Island getaways to Antarctic expeditions, Alaska to the Mediterranean, this guide covers everything Australians need to plan a cruise in 2026.
Best Cruise Lines for Australians — 2026
| Cruise Line | Style | Best For | Departs Australia? |
|---|---|---|---|
| P&O Cruises Australia | Casual, family-friendly | First-time cruisers, families, Pacific Islands | Yes — Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane |
| Carnival Cruise Line | Fun, lively | Couples, groups, entertainment-focused | Yes — Sydney, Melbourne |
| Royal Caribbean | Premium, large ships | Families, active travellers, mega-ship experience | Yes — Sydney (seasonal) |
| Princess Cruises | Premium, classic | Experienced cruisers, longer voyages | Yes — Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane |
| Celebrity Cruises | Premium-luxury | Couples, foodies, upscale experience | No — fly to join |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Freestyle, flexible | Independent travellers, no fixed dining | No — fly to join |
| Cunard | Classic luxury | Traditional luxury, world voyages | No — fly to join |
| Coral Expeditions | Expedition | Kimberley, Great Barrier Reef, Australia | Yes — multiple Australian ports |
Australian Cruise Departure Ports
| Port | Main Terminal | Popular Routes | Pre-Cruise Hotels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | Overseas Passenger Terminal, White Bay | Pacific Islands, New Zealand, South Pacific | Browse hotels near Sydney cruise terminal |
| Melbourne | Station Pier, Port Melbourne | New Zealand, Pacific, repositioning | Browse hotels near Station Pier |
| Brisbane | Portside Wharf, Hamilton | Pacific Islands, South Pacific | Browse hotels near Brisbane cruise terminal |
| Fremantle (Perth) | Fremantle Passenger Terminal | Indian Ocean, Asia repositioning | Browse Fremantle hotels |
| Adelaide | Outer Harbor | Limited — mainly repositioning | Browse Adelaide cruise hotels |
Book your pre-cruise hotel through Trivago to compare prices across Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com and more simultaneously.
Popular Cruise Routes from Australia
Pacific Islands (7–14 nights) — Most Popular
The most popular Australian cruise route — visiting Vanuatu, Fiji, New Caledonia, and the Solomon Islands from Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane. P&O Australia and Carnival dominate this market. Typically AUD $800–2,500 per person for 10–14 nights depending on cabin category and cruise line. Excellent value for first-time cruisers.
New Zealand (14–21 nights)
Sydney or Melbourne to New Zealand's South and North Islands — Fiordland, Milford Sound, Wellington, Auckland, Bay of Islands. Spectacular scenery and easy for Australians (no visa, similar culture). Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean run these routes. AUD $1,500–4,000 per person.
Asia (14–21 nights)
Repositioning cruises from Australian ports to Singapore, Hong Kong, or Japan — or fly-and-join cruises departing Asian ports. Combination of sea days and port calls in Bali, Singapore, Vietnam, Japan. Excellent value for experienced travellers who want to combine cruising with Asian destinations.
Alaska (14–21 nights)
Fly to Vancouver or Seattle and join an Alaska cruise — glaciers, wildlife, Inside Passage. Royal Caribbean, Princess, and Norwegian all run Alaska itineraries. One of the world's great cruise destinations. Typically AUD $3,500–8,000 per person including flights.
Mediterranean (14–21 nights)
Fly to Barcelona, Rome, or Athens and join Mediterranean cruises. Italy, Greece, Croatia, Spain, France — the classic European cruise. Typically AUD $3,000–8,000 per person including flights. Best March–May and September–October avoiding peak summer crowds.
Cruise Costs in AUD — What to Budget
| Route | Duration | Inside Cabin | Balcony Cabin | Suite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Islands (P&O) | 10 nights | AUD $800–1,200 pp | AUD $1,400–2,000 pp | AUD $3,000+ |
| New Zealand | 14 nights | AUD $1,500–2,200 pp | AUD $2,500–3,500 pp | AUD $5,000+ |
| Mediterranean (fly-join) | 14 nights | AUD $3,000–4,500 pp | AUD $4,500–6,500 pp | AUD $9,000+ |
| Alaska (fly-join) | 14 nights | AUD $3,500–5,000 pp | AUD $5,000–7,500 pp | AUD $10,000+ |
| Kimberley expedition | 12 nights | AUD $8,000–12,000 pp | AUD $12,000–18,000 pp | AUD $20,000+ |
These are cruise fares only — add flights (for fly-join itineraries), pre/post cruise accommodation, shore excursions, drinks packages, and gratuities to get total trip cost.
What's Usually Included in a Cruise Fare
- All accommodation in your cabin
- All main dining room meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Most onboard entertainment (shows, pools, activities)
- Port charges and government taxes
Usually NOT included: alcoholic beverages, specialty restaurants, shore excursions, wifi, spa treatments, gratuities/service charges, travel insurance, and flights.
Shore Excursions — Book Smart
Cruise line shore excursions are convenient but typically 30–50% more expensive than booking independently. For popular ports, book through Viator before departure — same quality tours at significantly lower prices, with most offering free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Viator has extensive coverage of Pacific Islands, New Zealand, Mediterranean, and Alaska cruise ports.
Ship Your Luggage to the Cruise Terminal
One of the best upgrades for any Australian cruise holiday — ship your luggage directly to your cabin before you board, travel to the terminal with just a day bag, and find your bags already unpacked in your room. See our complete guide to shipping luggage to a cruise ship from Australia including costs and booking instructions.
Cruise Travel Insurance for Australians
Standard travel insurance does not automatically cover cruise-specific scenarios. You need a policy with specific cruise cover for:
- Cabin confinement — if you're confined to your cabin due to illness
- Missed port departure — if you miss the ship at a port
- Itinerary change — if the cruise line changes ports due to weather or other reasons
- Medical evacuation at sea — helicopter or tender evacuation from the ship
Always add the cruise cover add-on when purchasing. FastCover and Cover-More both offer comprehensive cruise add-ons. Compare at our travel insurance comparison page.
Tips for First-Time Australian Cruisers
- Book early for best cabin selection — popular sailings sell out 6–12 months ahead, particularly school holiday periods
- Inside cabins are great value — you spend very little time in your cabin when cruising. Save money on cabin category and spend it on excursions.
- Pre-purchase drinks packages carefully — calculate your actual consumption. Many Australian cruisers find they don't drink enough to justify the package cost.
- Budget for gratuities — most cruise lines charge AUD $15–25 per person per day in automatic service charges. Factor this into total cost.
- Arrive the day before embarkation — flight delays causing missed cruise departures are every cruiser's nightmare. Stay overnight near the terminal. Book through Booking.com with free cancellation.
- Get cruise-specific travel insurance — see above. Standard policies don't cover cabin confinement or missed port departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cruise line for Australians?
P&O Cruises Australia is the most popular choice for first-time Australian cruisers — it departs from Australian ports, is well priced, and is designed for the Australian market. Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises are better for experienced cruisers wanting a premium experience. Coral Expeditions is the best for Australian expedition cruising (Kimberley, Great Barrier Reef).
How much does a cruise holiday cost for Australians?
A 10-night Pacific Islands cruise from Sydney starts from approximately AUD $800 per person for an inside cabin. A 14-night New Zealand cruise starts from AUD $1,500 per person. Mediterranean and Alaska fly-join cruises start from AUD $3,000 per person including flights. See our cost table above for full breakdown.
Do I need travel insurance for a cruise?
Yes — and specifically cruise travel insurance with cabin confinement, missed port departure, and itinerary change cover. Standard travel insurance policies typically don't include these cruise-specific benefits. Always add the cruise cover add-on when purchasing your policy.
Can I ship my luggage to the cruise ship?
Yes — Luggage Forward ships directly to your cruise cabin from your home. Your bags are waiting in your cabin when you board. See our complete luggage shipping guide for Australian cruisers.