Cheap cruises in Australiaup to -32%

What are cheap cruises in Australia?

Cheap Australian cruises are short ocean voyages priced under A$999 pp* that depart from ports around the country — Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and more — putting a genuine cruise holiday within reach without a big outlay. Most sailings run between 2 and 7 nights, with a median of 3 nights, so they work equally well as a long weekend on the water or a proper week away. The overwhelming majority of sailings explore Australian waters, with a handful venturing to New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Where do these sailings go?

Australian coastal cruising dominates, and that is where you will find the widest choice. Itineraries trace the eastern seaboard and reach as far as the tropical north, with Sydney and Brisbane serving as the main jumping-off points. A small number of sailings head across the Tasman to New Zealand, and a handful venture further into the South Pacific — but if you want to cruise without leaving the country, this is the page for you.

About 43 of the sailings are round-trip, so you return to the port you left from. The remaining 20 are one-way — the voyage finishes in a different city from where it starts. If that end-city is not where you live, a short domestic flight connects the two; our team can add that flight, along with a hotel either side and any transfers, as part of one booking.

Which cruise lines sail cheap Australian cruises?

Carnival Cruise Line is the most popular choice for affordable Australian cruising, with the largest selection of short sailings from Sydney and Brisbane. Princess Cruises brings a more refined style at a price point that still fits a modest budget. Royal Caribbean adds its signature activity-led ships into the mix, and Celebrity Cruises rounds out the choice with a premium feel for guests who want a little more polish without crossing into luxury pricing. Between them, you have options whether you are travelling as a couple, a family or solo.

Which ships are sailing cheap Australian cruises?

Carnival Adventure

Carnival Adventure sails from Sydney and is built with Australian tastes in mind — fresh local produce, laid-back service, and activities for every age. Thrill-seekers can zip-line and climb above the deck while those after a quieter evening settle in for a movie under the stars. Parents can send the kids to Camp Ocean while they claim a sun lounger at the adults-only Serenity Retreat. Cabin choices on Carnival Adventure range from a practical inside to the flagship Byron Beach Club Presidential Suite — see the Carnival Adventure cabins and deck plans for the full layout.

• Inside cabin 4A — 15 m², sleeps 4, with a walk-in wardrobe and generous storage, ideal for longer voyages.
• Ocean-view cabin with Porthole (PT) — 15 m², sleeps 4, two round portholes bring natural light on Decks 1–2.
• Balcony cabin 8A — 16 m², sleeps 4, glass bifold door opens onto your own private outdoor space.
• Byron Beach Club Presidential Suite (SB) — 58 m², sleeps 4, more than twice the size of a standard balcony, with a dressing area and deluxe bathroom.

Grand Princess

Grand Princess brings the Princess Cruises experience to Australian coastal waters. Watch a movie under the stars on deck, or use the Princess app to order cocktails by the pool or pizza to your cabin without leaving your lounger. The adults-only Sanctuary retreat on the top deck is the place to go when you want sun loungers, light meals and uninterrupted ocean views. Check the Grand Princess cabins and deck plans before you book.

• Inside cabin IA — 14.9 m², sleeps 4, positioned on middle decks for minimal motion and easy access to lifts.
• Premium sea view O3 — 19.1 m², sleeps 4, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows with an unobstructed sea view.
• Premium Balcony cabin B2 — 25.5 m², sleeps 4, floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors give an open, airy feel.
• Grand Suite S1 with private hot tub — 67.8 m², sleeps 4, the largest suite on board by a clear margin.

Carnival Encounter

Purpose-built for Australian guests and sailing year-round from Brisbane, Carnival Encounter is a lively ship with more than 60 daily activities — laser tag, waterslides and cooking classes among them. Kids have Camp Ocean; adults have the Serenity Retreat. It is a strong pick for families who want a proper South Pacific adventure without a long itinerary. Review the Carnival Encounter cabins and deck plans to find the right fit.

• Inside cabin 4A — 15 m², sleeps 4, walk-in wardrobe and ample storage for two weeks of luggage.
• Ocean-view cabin with Porthole (PT) — 15 m², sleeps 4, two portholes bring natural light at a budget-friendly price point.
• Balcony cabin 8A — 16 m², sleeps 4, private balcony with direct sea air and views without using the public decks.
• Byron Beach Club Presidential Suite (SB) — 57 m², sleeps 4, the largest suite on board on Deck 15 with panoramic views.

Carnival Luminosa

Carnival Luminosa sails from Brisbane and reaches some of the most spectacular destinations in the region. On board, the Punchliner Comedy Club fills every evening with laughs, live music keeps the energy up, and 80s Glow deck parties are a crowd favourite. Families and groups thrive in the fun-first atmosphere — great food, plenty to do, and no pretension. See the Carnival Luminosa cabins and deck plans for more detail.

Carnival Splendor

Carnival Splendor sails from Sydney and has earned a reputation as one of Australia’s most popular fun ships. The Punchliner Comedy Club and the adults-only Serenity Retreat are two reasons regulars keep coming back — as is the waterpark that keeps younger guests occupied. Check the Carnival Splendor cabins and deck plans before you choose your stateroom.

Royal Princess

Royal Princess gives you the glass-bottomed SeaWalk — a walkway suspended 40 metres above the ocean — as well as The Sanctuary’s adults-only retreat and a nightly dancing fountain light show. It is a ship that suits couples who want a touch of spectacle alongside a relaxed pace. See the Royal Princess cabins and deck plans for stateroom options.

Also sailing on these fares are Voyager of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas from Royal Caribbean, Sapphire Princess from Princess Cruises, and Celebrity Edge from Celebrity Cruises. You can review cabin layouts for Celebrity Edge cabins and deck plans, Voyager of the Seas cabins and deck plans, Quantum of the Seas cabins and deck plans and Sapphire Princess cabins and deck plans.

Cheap cruises from Sydney

Sydney is the busiest departure point for cheap Australian cruises, with sailings from both the main port and White Bay. If you live in Sydney, you can board in the morning and be at sea by the afternoon — no airport, no check-in queues. From other states, a short domestic flight into Sydney is all you need; our team can arrange that flight and any pre-cruise hotel as part of your booking. For a curated list of Sydney departures, see cruise deals from Sydney or browse cruise deals from Sydney in 2026. If you want to extend the journey, cruises from Sydney to New Zealand are also available.

Cheap Australian cruises — what is on offer?

Most cheap Australian cruises are short — a 2- to 7-night sailing is the sweet spot — which makes them a natural fit for a long weekend, a school holiday or a first cruise to test the water. Cruises around Australia in 2027 cover the full coastal range if you want to explore further. The Princess Cruises Australia 2026–2027 season is worth checking if Princess appeals. And if you want something even shorter or more spontaneous, the short cruises and last-minute cruises pages are useful companions to this one.

How much do cheap cruises cost?

Prices on these sailings start from A$279 pp* — that is for 2 people sharing, based on the lowest available cabin grade at time of search. Discounts reach up to 54% off the price previously listed for that cabin grade on that particular sailing, though that maximum applies to a single departure; most reduced sailings are closer to 11% off. The discount varies by sailing, cruise line and cabin type, so it pays to look across several dates.

Princess Cruises fares come in 2 main tiers. The Princess Standard fare covers the cruise itself, with drinks and Wi-Fi available to add on. The Princess Plus package builds in 4 casual dining meals per voyage, beverages up to A$15 each (up to 15 per day), MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi, pre-paid crew appreciation, unlimited digital photos plus 3 prints, and reserved theatre seating — a solid all-in option if you prefer one upfront price.

Royal Caribbean fares include fare types such as early-booking bonuses with onboard credit, last-minute offers, and solo-traveller fares for single occupancy. Celebrity Cruises offers cruise-only rates for guests who prefer to add extras later, a classic value bundle with drinks and basic Wi-Fi included, and the premium Retreat tier for suite guests.

Which cruise ship is right for you?

The ship matters as much as the destination on a short cruise. Carnival ships are activity-led and family-friendly, with onboard credit and fun-first programming that suits groups and first-timers. Princess gives you a more refined experience — quieter spaces, the Princess app for ordering on demand, and adults-only retreats that suit couples. Royal Caribbean brings large-ship features like ice rinks and multi-deck entertainment venues. Celebrity Edge, with its dramatic cantilevered Magic Carpet platform, sits at the premium end of this page’s price range and draws guests who want a design-forward, restaurant-quality experience at sea.

Benefits of booking cheap cruises

A short, affordable cruise packs a surprising amount in. You get a hotel that moves, a choice of restaurants, live entertainment, and ports of call — all included in one price. There are no taxis between dinner and your bed. There is no repacking between destinations. And because you pay one fare upfront, it is easy to budget without surprises.

For families, the ship keeps children occupied so the adults can relax. For couples, a short sailing is a proper break without taking a week off work. And for solo travellers, Royal Caribbean’s single-occupancy fares mean you are not penalised for travelling alone.

Make it a holiday

CruiseAway is a cruise specialist — every deal we offer is a cruise or a cruise-inclusive package. If your sailing departs from a port in your home city, you can drive or take the train and be on board the same day. If you are flying in from another state, or if your one-way itinerary finishes somewhere other than home, our team can add flights, hotels, transfers, tours and insurance around your cruise — as a DreamAway Package or a fully custom itinerary built around your dates. For sailings to New Zealand, we book the international flights, the hotels either side and the transfers, so it arrives as one seamless holiday rather than a puzzle to solve yourself.

Our cruise experts know these ships and these fares in detail. They can tell you which cabin deck to avoid on a short itinerary, which fare tier is worth the upgrade, and which sailing dates leave the most flexibility. The Best Price Guarantee means that if you find a lower price on the same sailing after booking with us, we will match it.

Brisbane departures are served by cheap cruises from Brisbane and cruise deals from Brisbane. Melbourne travellers can find their options at cruises from Melbourne and cruise deals from Melbourne. Adelaide sailings are listed under Adelaide cruises. If you are looking specifically at Princess, the Princess Cruises deals page and the Royal Caribbean cruise deals page are both worth a look. New Zealand travellers can also explore New Zealand cruise deals and Auckland cruises.

*Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing, and are subject to change. This price is not kept up to date and therefore does not reflect live pricing and availability. Prices and any discounts shown were checked on 14 October 2026.

Where a discount is shown, it is a reduction from the price previously listed for that cabin grade on that sailing, not a comparison between cabin grades or against a brochure rate. Discounts and prices shown are not kept up to date: the reduction available now may be smaller, or may have ended, and prices may have changed.