Cruises from Brisbane in December 2027

What’s on offer: Brisbane cruises in December 2027

December 2027 sailings from Brisbane cover three distinct regions — Australian coastal waters, the South Pacific and New Zealand — with voyages ranging from a short 2-night taster to a fuller 13-night journey. The median length sits at 7 nights, which makes December from Brisbane well suited to a proper holiday without eating into January. Almost every sailing returns to Brisbane, though 1 voyage ends in Sydney — useful if you want to combine the cruise with time in that city, and we can sort the return domestic connection as part of the same booking.

Which cruise lines are sailing from Brisbane in December 2027?

Three cruise lines operate from Brisbane this December, each with a different character:

• Royal Caribbean — known for large, activity-rich ships with a wide range of dining and entertainment options.
• Princess Cruises — a more relaxed, destination-focused style with strong Australian itineraries and flexible fare packages.
• Carnival Cruise Line — fun-first ships purpose-built for the Australian market, with a lively onboard atmosphere suited to families and groups.

Carnival leads the field this month, followed by Royal Caribbean and then Princess Cruises. Our cruise experts can walk you through the differences and help you match the right line to your travel style.

Where do December departures go?

Australia

The majority of December sailings from Brisbane stay in Australian waters, making them a strong choice for anyone after a holiday that feels genuinely local. Coastal itineraries are popular with first-time cruisers and seasoned sailors alike — you are never far from home, but the experience on board is a proper holiday. For a broader look at what is sailing around the country this year, the cruises around Australia in 2027 page covers the full picture.

South Pacific

A solid share of December sailings head into the South Pacific — island destinations that feel genuinely different to an Australian coastal run. These itineraries tend to be a week or longer and suit anyone who wants warm weather, turquoise water and a sense of real distance from the everyday. South Pacific cruises from Brisbane in 2027 has the full selection if this region is your priority.

New Zealand

One sailing heads to New Zealand, making it the longest-reach itinerary of the month. If a trans-Tasman voyage appeals, cruises from Brisbane to New Zealand in 2027 and the broader Brisbane to New Zealand cruises page are the right places to compare options.

The ships sailing in December 2027

Carnival Encounter

Carnival Encounter was purpose-built for the Australian market and sails year-round from Brisbane, which means the ship and its crew genuinely know this port. On board, there are over 60 daily activities — laser tag, waterslides and cooking classes sit alongside quieter options, so the pace is yours to set. Younger travellers are looked after in Camp Ocean while adults have the Serenity Retreat to themselves. It is a ship that works well for families because neither group has to compromise. See the full Carnival Encounter cabins and deck plans before you choose your grade.

Cabin grades on Carnival Encounter

• Inside cabin 4A — 15 m², sleeps 4, with a walk-in wardrobe that makes longer voyages genuinely comfortable.
• Ocean-view cabin with porthole PT — 15 m², sleeps 4; 2 round portholes bring in natural light at a price below a standard ocean-view cabin.
• Balcony cabin 8A — 16 m², sleeps 4; private balcony with direct sea air and views without stepping onto a public deck.
• Byron Beach Club Presidential Suite SB — 57 m², sleeps 4; the largest suite on board, sitting on Deck 15 with the ship’s finest views.

Carnival Luminosa

Carnival Luminosa sails itineraries that reach some of the best local waters available from Brisbane. The onboard atmosphere leans firmly towards fun — the Punchliner Comedy Club, live music sets and themed deck parties mean evenings rarely feel the same twice. Families and groups in particular tend to thrive on Luminosa, where the food is generous and the activities are plentiful. Check the Carnival Luminosa cabins and deck plans to find the grade that suits your group.

Cabin grades on Carnival Luminosa

• Inside cabin 4A — 14 m², sleeps 4; positioned on lower to mid-decks where the ride tends to be smoother.
• Inside cabin with window 4K (obstructed view) — 17 m², sleeps 4; floor-to-ceiling windows with natural light, at a lower price than an unobstructed sea-view cabin.
• Balcony cabin with extended balcony 8J — 31 m², sleeps 2; the extended balcony adds around 10 m² of outdoor space compared with a standard balcony cabin.
• Vista Suite GV — 53 m², sleeps 2; the largest suite category on the ship, nearly 3 times the size of a standard inside cabin.

Ovation of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas offers 18 different restaurants, a FlowRider surf simulator, a skydiving experience at sea and cocktails served by robot bartenders. It is a ship that rewards people who want to fill every hour — but the sheer scale of the dining options means quieter evenings are easy to find too. Explore the Ovation of the Seas cabins and deck plans to compare grades.

Cabin grades on Ovation of the Seas

• Inside cabin with virtual balcony 1U — 15.4 m², sleeps 4; an HD screen shows a live sea view and port arrivals in real time — ocean-view experience at an inside-cabin price.
• Large ocean-view cabin 3M — 19.9 m², sleeps 4; roughly 4 m² larger than a standard ocean-view, which makes a noticeable difference over a week at sea.
• Balcony cabin with obstructed view 1E — 18.4 m², sleeps 4; lifeboat obstruction brings the price down significantly versus an unobstructed balcony.
• Royal Loft Suite RL — 152.4 m², sleeps 6; a two-level maisonette suite, the largest on the ship and roughly 3 times the size of the owner’s suite.

Grand Princess

Princess Cruises sails Grand Princess from Brisbane this December. The ship’s adults-only Sanctuary on the top deck offers sun loungers, light meals and open ocean views — a calm contrast to busier public areas. Ordering food and drinks anywhere on board via the Princess app removes the need to queue, and the Movies Under the Stars deck screen brings an outdoor cinema feel to evening at sea. See the Grand Princess cabins and deck plans for the full cabin range. The Princess Cruises Australia 2026–2027 season and the broader Princess Cruises 2027–2028 season launch pages cover the complete programme if you want to compare across months.

Voyager of the Seas

Voyager of the Seas also sails for Royal Caribbean this month. The ship has a real ice rink with nightly shows, waterslides and a large theatre staging Broadway-style productions. The adults-only Solarium gives quieter passengers their own space while Adventure Ocean keeps younger guests occupied with age-specific activities. Royal Beach Club Lelepa — the South Pacific’s only private cruise beach, open exclusively to Royal Caribbean guests — is a destination in itself. See the Voyager of the Seas cabins and deck plans to compare cabin options.

What’s included in the fare?

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean offers several fare types on these sailings, including last-minute fares with discounted pricing on select departures and early-booking bonuses such as onboard credit for bookings confirmed well in advance. Solo travellers can book a single-occupancy fare. Taxes, fees and port expenses are additional on all grades. Our cruise experts can check which fare type applies to your chosen sailing and dates.

Princess Cruises

Princess sails with 2 main fare tiers on these voyages. The Princess Standard fare covers the cruise itself, with drinks packages, Wi-Fi and dining add-ons available separately. The Princess Plus package bundles in 4 casual dining meals per voyage, beverages up to A$15 each (with a daily limit), MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi, pre-paid crew appreciation, unlimited digital photographs plus 3 prints, and reserved theatre seating — a strong-value option for anyone who would buy those items anyway. Our team can show you the price difference between tiers on your chosen sailing.

Are there any deals on Brisbane December 2027 cruises?

Some sailings in this selection carry a reduced price — a saving measured against the price previously listed for that same cabin grade on that same departure. On those sailings, the reduction is typically around 8%, though 1 departure carries a saving of up to 31%. Our cruise deals from Brisbane page is updated regularly if you want to keep an eye on which departures are reduced. For a wider view of what is on sale across all months and lines, cheap cruises from Brisbane and cheap cruises are good starting points.

How long should I book in December?

Sailings this month run from 2 nights to 13 nights, with 7 nights being the most common length. A 2-night sailing suits a long weekend or a first-time cruiser testing the water; a week is long enough to reach the South Pacific and feel properly rested; and 13 nights gives time for a more substantial journey. The right length depends on how much leave you have and which region you want to reach — our cruise experts can help you match the two. For shorter options, short cruises from Brisbane in 2027 covers the quick-getaway end of the range.

When should I book?

December is a busy month for departures from Brisbane — it covers the school holiday period and the lead-up to Christmas and New Year. Cabin availability on the most popular sailings, particularly family-friendly grades on Carnival Encounter and Luminosa, tends to narrow as the departure date approaches. Booking earlier generally gives you the widest choice of cabin grade, fare type and departure date. If you are considering a Christmas cruise from Australia, it is worth securing your preferred sailing sooner rather than later. For a comparison with the Sydney market over the same season, Christmas cruises from Sydney in 2027 is worth a look.

Cruises from Brisbane in 2027 — the broader picture

If December does not work for your schedule, cruises in 2027 covers departures across the full year so you can compare months. Cruises around Australia in 2027 is the right place to explore Australian coastal itineraries across all departure ports and months, and Royal Caribbean cruises from Brisbane and Princess Cruises from Brisbane in 2027 let you go deeper on a specific line. For a wider browse, cruises and Australian cruises cover the full range of what is on sale.

Make it a holiday

CruiseAway is a cruise specialist — every offer is a cruise or a cruise-inclusive package. If you are flying in from another state or want to arrive the night before, our team can build a DreamAway Package that adds domestic or international flights, pre- or post-cruise hotels, transfers and insurance around your cruise, all on one booking. If you are local to Brisbane and walking onto the ship is the whole plan, that works too — we will focus on finding you the right cabin and fare. Call our cruise experts, and we will sort the rest.

For neighbouring months, November cruises and December cruises cover departures beyond Brisbane if you want to compare timing across ports.

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.