Australia is gearing up for a huge summer cruise season, bringing new
ships, new cruise lines and more than 1,800 port calls in destinations
around the country.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) managing director
Australasia Joel Katz said the number of ships visiting the region
during the 2023-2024 season will exceed pre-pandemic levels.
“Australia will welcome around 70 cruise ships over the 2023-34
season, which is well above the 60 or so scheduled to visit in 2019-20,”
Katz said.
“Together these ships will spend a total of 1848 port days in
Australia – 18% more than in 2019-20 – resulting in billions of dollars
in passenger spending in communities around the Australian coast.”
Among newcomers this year to the Australian cruise scene will be Virgin Voyages, Disney Cruise Line and Scenic.
“Australia has become one of the most vibrant cruise regions in the
world, and this means more options than ever for cruise fans,” Katz
said.
CLIA chair in Australasia Ben Angell said the approaching summer
schedule reflected strong demand for cruising in Australian waters.
“The sheer number of ships and increasingly diverse range of
itineraries on offer across our region highlight the strength,
resilience and underlying demand of our local cruise industry, both as a
source market and a destination,” Angell said. “Cruise is back, and
back bigger and better than ever.”
Highlights of the 2023-2024 season in Australia include:
Crystal will return to Australia and New Zealand in December under
the new guardianship of the A&K Travel Group following a
multi-million-dollar refurbishment.
All three Cunard ships, Queen Elizabeth, flagship Queen Mary 2 and
Queen Victoria will call into Australian ports. Themed cruises include
the ‘Great Australian Culinary Voyage’ and the inaugural ‘Sporting
Greats and Wellness Voyage’.
Disney Cruise Line is bringing the magic of a Disney holiday to
families and fans in Australia and New Zealand during its “Disney Magic
at Sea” cruises from late October 2023 through February 2024.
Heritage Expeditions’ 140-guest flagship Heritage Adventurer will
sail from New Zealand to the Subantarctic Islands of Australia and New
Zealand, to Antarctica and the Ross Sea, along Australia's iconic
Kimberley coast, and around New Zealand's three main islands.
Scenic will operate the ultra-luxury Scenic Eclipse II in Australia
and the South Pacific region for the first time from April 2024. Scenic
Eclipse II is the first cruise operator to offer submersible underwater
exploration in the Great Barrier Reef and the most expansive discovery
programme in the Kimberley region, with its two on board helicopters,
providing guests with flightseeing experiences to unique landings,
directly from the ship.
Silversea will bring Silver Muse, Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper to Australia from December to March. Silversea's cutting-edge ship Silver Nova
will arrive in Australian waters at the end of 2024, with revolutionary
sustainability credentials and culinary and wellness experiences.