Last minute cruises from Brisbane

Last minute cruises from Brisbane — what’s on and when

All sailings here depart from Brisbane within the next 60 days, heading to destinations across Australia and the South Pacific. Most are round trips back into Brisbane; one voyage ends in Sydney, Australia, with a short domestic flight connecting the two cities — we can book that leg, along with any hotels or transfers you need. Trips run from 2 nights to 8 nights, with a median of 6 nights, so there is something here whether you have a long weekend or a full week free.

Where do last minute Brisbane cruises go?

The sailings concentrate on 2 main regions, and both are genuinely close to home.

Australia

The majority of departures stay in Australian waters, tracing the country’s coastline and giving you the kind of itinerary that is easy to reach and easy to plan around. If you live near Brisbane, you can drive or take the train to the port and be at sea the same afternoon — no airport, no luggage limits, no international check-in. If you’re travelling from Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide or elsewhere, a short domestic hop is all it takes to reach the ship. Browse the full range of cruises around Australia if you want to compare longer voyages too, or see our dedicated cruise around Australia 2027 sailings page for departures further ahead.

South Pacific

A handful of departures head out into the South Pacific, giving you island scenery and a real change of pace on a short break. These itineraries suit anyone who wants something a little further afield without committing to a long-haul trip, and they still leave from Brisbane — no pre-cruise flight required.

Which ships are sailing from Brisbane?

3 ships cover the current departures, each with a distinct character. Here is what you will find on board each one.

Quantum of the Seas — Royal Caribbean

Quantum of the Seas accounts for the largest share of current Brisbane departures. It is a ship built around things you cannot do on land: the iFLY skydiving simulator lets you freefall in a vertical wind tunnel, while the North Star observation pod lifts you high above the ship for views of Brisbane or the open Pacific. In the evening, the Two70° venue transforms — its entire back wall becomes a wraparound immersive screen for shows quite unlike anything in a conventional theatre. Short sailings of between 3 and 8 nights mean you can reach the Great Barrier Reef or the South Pacific without using much annual leave.

Cabin grades on Quantum of the Seas run from:

• Inside cabin with virtual balcony (1U) — 15.4 m², sleeps 4. An HD screen broadcasts a live seascape panorama in real time, giving you the feel of a sea view at an inside-cabin price.
• Large ocean-view cabin (3M) — 19.9 m², sleeps 4. Around 3 m² more spacious than a standard ocean-view cabin, with a direct sea view.
• Balcony cabin (1D) — 18.4 m², sleeps 4. Private outdoor space with sea views that inside and ocean-view guests do not have.
• Royal Loft Suite — 152.4 m² across 2 levels, sleeps 6. A maisonette suite with a separate bedroom, living room and dining room, plus balcony — the most spacious accommodation aboard.

Royal Caribbean fare types on these sailings include Last-Minute Fares with discounted pricing, and fare types such as early booking offers with onboard credit and solo-traveller options. Our cruise experts can walk you through which combination suits your travel dates and group size.

Carnival Encounter — Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Encounter was purpose-built for Australian cruisers and sails year-round from Brisbane, which makes it a natural fit for a last minute departure. The ship offers more than 60 daily activities — laser tag, waterslides, cooking classes and more — so there is rarely a quiet moment if you do not want one. Families are well catered for: Camp Ocean keeps younger children entertained while adults find their own space in the Serenity Retreat. It is a lively, sociable ship that works especially well for South Pacific family sailings.

Cabin grades on Carnival Encounter:

• Inside cabin (4A) — 15 m², sleeps 4. Includes a walk-in wardrobe with generous storage — handy on longer voyages.
• Ocean-view cabin with porthole (PT) — 15 m², sleeps 4. Two round portholes bring natural daylight, with a characterful feel at a budget-friendly price.
• Balcony cabin (8A) — 16 m², sleeps 4. Private balcony with direct sea air and views, without sharing the public decks.
• Byron Beach Club Presidential Suite (SB) — 57 m², sleeps 4. On Deck 15, this is the largest suite on board, with the finest views and the highest position on the ship.

See all Carnival sailings from Brisbane if you want to look beyond the next 60 days.

Royal Princess — Princess Cruises

Royal Princess brings a different tone to the Brisbane lineup. Its glass-bottomed SeaWalk extends 40 metres above the ocean, giving you a direct view straight down to the sea below your feet — a genuinely striking experience. The Sanctuary is an adults-only retreat with attentive stewards and open-ocean views, ideal if you want to decompress on a short break. Evenings offer Movies Under the Stars on deck, duelling pianos at Crooners, and a dancing fountain light show.

Cabin grades on Royal Princess:

• Inside cabin (IA) — 15.4 m², sleeps 4. The most affordable entry point, with minibar, safe and desk included.
• Sea-view cabin (O6) — 20.0 m², sleeps 4. A large panoramic window faces forward, bringing in natural daylight and sightlines of the open ocean.
• Deluxe Balcony cabin (DA) — 23.4 m², sleeps 4. Your own private balcony for breakfast or sundowners — what inside and sea-view cabins simply cannot offer.
• Penthouse Suite (S3) with aft balcony — 54.5 m², sleeps 4. The largest accommodation on board, with significantly more living space than any mini suite or standard cabin.

Princess Cruises fare tiers on this sailing include Princess Standard (the base cruise fare, with packages available to add) and Princess Plus, which bundles 4 casual dining meals per voyage, beverages up to A$15 each with a daily limit of 15 drinks, MedallionNet® Max Wi-Fi, pre-paid crew appreciation, unlimited digital photographs plus 3 prints, and reserved theatre seating. Our cruise experts can compare both tiers against your plans and tell you which gives the better value for your trip.

What last minute cruise deals are available from Brisbane?

Last minute pricing means real reductions. Across the measured sailings, discounts reach up to 54% off the price previously listed for that cabin grade — though that maximum applies to 1 departure, and most discounted sailings are reduced by around 27%. Fares start from A$499 pp*, and the majority of sailings carry some form of reduced price. If you are flexible on dates, our cruise experts can identify which departures carry the deepest savings. You can also browse our cheap cruises and cruises under A$999 pp* pages for value-focused options across a broader range of departure ports.

Make it a full holiday

CruiseAway is a cruise specialist — every offer is a cruise or a cruise-inclusive package. If you need a flight to Brisbane from another state, a hotel the night before departure, or transfers between the airport and the port, our team can add all of it around your cruise. A DreamAway Package bundles cruise, flights, hotels, tours, transfers and insurance into a single booking, so there is nothing left to chase. If you prefer to build something custom, we do that too.

CruiseAway is accredited by ATAS (the Australian Travel Accreditation Scheme) and a member of CLIA, so you are booking with a recognised specialist that knows these ships and these routes.

Sailing from another port?

Brisbane is not the only option for a last minute departure. If Sydney suits you better, see our last minute cruises from Sydney page, or check last minute cruises from Melbourne and last minute cruises from Adelaide for departures from other Australian cities. For the broadest view of what is available, the main last minute cruises page covers departures across all Australian ports. If you are planning further ahead rather than last minute, cruise deals for 2026 and our Brisbane cruises listing both carry a wider range of sailings.

Royal Caribbean has more scheduled departures from Brisbane beyond this 60-day window — visit the Royal Caribbean cruises page to see the full calendar, including sailings to Royal Beach Club Lelepa. Princess Cruises also has an Australia 2026–2027 season worth exploring if the Royal Princess sailing appeals but the current dates do not suit.

*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.