Fly & cruise packages

What is a fly-cruise package, and what does it include?

A fly-cruise is a cruise holiday where the flights are part of the deal rather than something you sort separately. The ship sails from a port overseas — typically in Asia, North America or Europe — so you fly to the embarkation port, board the ship, and fly home when the voyage ends. CruiseAway can wrap flights, pre-cruise and post-cruise hotels, transfers and travel insurance around your chosen sailing, so nothing is left for you to piece together later. Voyages run from around 5 nights up to longer grand voyages of several weeks, with the typical sailing running about 16 nights — enough time to explore a region properly rather than just skim it.

Where do fly-cruise packages go from Australia?

The mix of destinations on offer is broad, and the sailings reflect where Australian travellers actually want to cruise. Japan leads the way and is the most popular destination in the collection, with itineraries sailing in and out of Yokohama (Tokyo) and Tokyo. A Japanese cruise holiday — soaking in a traditional onsen at sea on Diamond Princess, or exploring a string of culturally rich ports — is a natural match for the fly-cruise format: you fly into one end and the ship does all the travel.

Close to home — South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand

South East Asia is well represented and a favourite for Australians who want an overseas cruise without a punishing long-haul flight. Sailings depart from and arrive into ports including Singapore and Hong Kong, making it easy to add a city stay either side of the cruise. For those looking to stay closer to home, Australian coastal itineraries and New Zealand sailings are also part of the collection — useful if you are in a different state to the departure port and a short domestic hop gets you there. Sydney to New Zealand itineraries are a particular highlight, giving you the chance to board at Sydney and cruise to another country altogether. French Polynesia rounds out this part of the world, with island voyages that suit those looking for something that feels genuinely remote.

The long haul — Alaska, the Mediterranean and transpacific crossings

Transpacific sailings are a natural fit for the fly-cruise format: you fly to one side of the Pacific and the ship delivers you to the other. Many of these voyages end in Vancouver, making them a logical way to combine a North American trip with a cruise. Seattle is another gateway into Alaska and the west coast of Canada, where the wilderness scenery draws a different kind of traveller. Further afield, Mediterranean cruises in 2027 depart from ports including Barcelona, Rome (Civitavecchia) and Los Angeles, and Hawaii makes a compelling stopover or destination in its own right. If you are Sydney-based, Sydney to Hawaii sailings offer a direct route into the Pacific.

Which cruise lines offer fly-cruise packages?

Princess Cruises is the most popular line in this collection, with the widest selection of itineraries across Japan, Australia, the Pacific and beyond. Royal Caribbean and Holland America Line Cruises follow closely, both offering strong Asia and transpacific programmes. MSC Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises are well represented for travellers looking for a different style — Viking in particular attracts those who prefer a quieter, more destination-focused experience. Celebrity Cruises rounds out the major lines with a premium offering that suits couples and solo travellers who want a step up in comfort and dining.

Fly-cruise packages and flight and cruise packages: what is the difference?

The terms are used interchangeably, and they describe the same thing: a cruise holiday where your flights are arranged as part of the booking rather than separately. What changes is how the package is built. A basic fly-cruise fare covers the cruise and the flights. A fuller flight and cruise package — like the DreamAway Packages CruiseAway builds — adds hotels either side of the voyage, airport and port transfers, tours and travel insurance, all on one booking. That is the version worth asking our cruise experts about, because getting the connections right — the right hotel near the embarkation port, the right transfer time — makes the difference between a smooth start and a stressful one.

Ships to know about in this collection

The ships in this collection range from large resort-style vessels to more intimate premium ships. Here are some worth knowing.

Sun Princess — Princess Cruises

Sun Princess entered service in 2024 and is the largest and most innovative ship Princess has ever launched. She carries 29 dining options and 5 pools, so there is always somewhere new to eat or relax. The Dome — a Santorini-inspired pool deck by day — transforms into a South Beach-style entertainment venue after dark. If you are choosing a cabin, the Sun Princess cabin and deck plans cover grades from a compact Inside cabin (13.5 m², ideal if you plan to spend most of your time ashore or in public spaces) to a two-bedroom Sky Suite at 117.2 m² with 2 bathrooms.

Diamond Princess — Princess Cruises

Diamond Princess is the ship that made Japan accessible for Australian cruisers. She carries an Izumi Japanese bathhouse — a traditional onsen experience at sea — which is genuinely unlike anything on any other ship in the collection. Broadway-style productions fill the Princess Theatre each evening. See the Diamond Princess cabin and deck plans for the full grade breakdown.

Sapphire Princess — Princess Cruises

Fresh from a 2025 refit, Sapphire Princess has new restaurants, revitalised cabins and a refurbished Lotus Spa. The Sanctuary is an adults-only pool deck with private cabanas and serenity stewards — the kind of space that makes a long sea day feel like a proper break. Explore the Sapphire Princess cabin and deck plans to find the right grade for your trip.

Nieuw Statendam — Holland America Line

Nieuw Statendam’s two-storey Wine Tower is the centrepiece of the ship’s social life — you gather around it, the sommelier works it, and the evening takes shape. The interiors were designed by Adam Tihany and Bjørn Storbraaten, and the care shows in every lounge and corridor. At Tamarind’s seven-seat bar, hand-rolled sushi and Southeast Asian flavours are served while live music drifts down from the Music Walk. Cabin grades on Nieuw Statendam run from an Inside cabin at 13 m² up to the 120 m² Pinnacle Suite with its whirlpool bath and floor-to-ceiling windows. Full details are on the Nieuw Statendam cabin and deck plans page.

Rotterdam — Holland America Line

Rotterdam carries the name of 6 legendary ships before her, and sailing her feels like continuing a long story of ocean travel. The Music Walk brings Billboard, Rolling Stone and BB King Blues Club together in one venue at sea. Tamarind serves Vietnamese pho and Japanese-inspired dishes — fitting for a ship that spends much of her time in Southeast Asia. The Rotterdam cabin and deck plans cover grades from an Inside cabin at 13 m² to a 120 m² Pinnacle Suite.

Seven Seas Grandeur — Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Seven Seas Grandeur sits at the luxury end of this collection, designed around generous space at sea and an inclusive approach to the fare. She suits travellers who want a high level of service and comfort built into the price from the start. See the Seven Seas Grandeur cabin and deck plans for cabin options.

What fare types are available on fly-cruise packages?

Fare types vary by cruise line, and choosing the right one matters more than most people expect.

Princess Cruises offers a Standard fare (cruise only, with extras available to add) and a Plus fare that bundles 4 casual dining meals per voyage, beverages up to A$15 each, MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi, pre-paid crew appreciation and reserved theatre seating. The Plus fare is worth comparing carefully against the Standard if you expect to spend on drinks and Wi-Fi — it often works out ahead.

Royal Caribbean offers a standard Cruise Fare alongside fare types such as Last-Minute fares and promotional offers — availability and combinations vary by sailing, so ask our cruise experts what applies to your chosen departure.

Celebrity Cruises runs a Best Rate (cruise only) and a Best Value tier that includes a classic drinks package and basic Wi-Fi. The Retreat is a suite-level tier with premium drinks, premium Wi-Fi, exclusive lounge access and dedicated service built in.

Why book a fly-cruise package with CruiseAway?

Booking a fly-cruise through CruiseAway means the whole trip is on one booking — flights, the cruise, hotels either side, transfers and insurance. Our cruise experts know these ships and fares in detail: they can tell you which cabin grade suits your budget, whether a Plus fare saves you money over adding extras individually, and which embarkation port works best for your itinerary. CruiseAway’s Best Price Guarantee means you can book with confidence. And if you want everything packaged neatly, ask about DreamAway Packages — cruise, flights, hotels and transfers built by us as one holiday.

If you are still browsing destinations, cruise-around-Australia sailings in 2027 and the Princess Cruises Australia 2026/2027 season are strong starting points. For Singapore departures, cruises from Singapore in 2027 and routes like Singapore to Sydney or Singapore to Australia are worth a look. Travellers based in or passing through Melbourne can find options via Melbourne cruise departures, and those looking at longer voyages around the continent will find the 28-day cruise around Australia a useful reference. If the west coast suits you better, Western Australia cruises from Fremantle depart closer to home.

Also worth exploring: Hong Kong fly-cruise-stay packages for a city-plus-cruise combination, and the Rocky Mountaineer fly-cruise-rail packages for a voyage that adds one of the world’s great train journeys to the itinerary. You can also browse our full cruise collection or explore value cruise options.

*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.