Oz cruises departing from Australiaup to -48%

Where do Australian cruises actually go?

The mix of destinations sailing from Australia is broader than many travellers expect. Australian coastal sailings make up the largest share — voyages that hug the continent’s coastline, calling at ports from Darwin in the north to Fremantle in the west. Beyond the coast, New Zealand is the next most popular destination, with sailings crossing the Tasman to explore the country’s harbours and fiords. The South Pacific draws those after island warmth, while transpacific routes carry travellers all the way to the Americas. For those wanting to push further, Japan, Hawaii and the Mediterranean all appear in the sailing calendar, along with a round-the-world option for the truly adventurous.

Close to home — Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific

Most sailings departing Australia stay in the region, and that is where the depth of choice sits. If you live near a departure port, many of these voyages need no flight at all — you drive or take the train to the terminal and board the same day. If you are coming from another state, a short domestic hop puts you at the ship with far less hassle than a long-haul flight.

Australia

Coastal Australian sailings are the backbone of the departure calendar. Voyages sail the full length of the east coast, calling at ports including Sydney, Brisbane, Darwin, Adelaide, Broome and Cairns. On the west coast, Melbourne and Perth (Fremantle) are well served. The full Australia 2027 programme is the place to start if coastal sailing is your focus — itineraries run from quick 3-night breaks to 28-day circumnavigations.

New Zealand

The Tasman crossing to New Zealand is one of the classic Australian cruising routes. Sailings typically depart Sydney or Brisbane and spend time exploring New Zealand’s ports before either returning across the Tasman or continuing on. A number of these are one-way voyages, finishing in New Zealand; if that suits you, a domestic flight connects the two countries for the return leg, and our team can add that to your booking. Sailings from Sydney to New Zealand are particularly well stocked — see the dedicated page for the full range of departure dates and ship options.

South Pacific

Island sailings in the South Pacific are ideal for those wanting sun, clear water and a relaxed pace. These voyages typically depart from Sydney or Brisbane and head out into the Pacific, calling at a string of tropical island ports across the region.

The long haul — transpacific, Japan, Hawaii and beyond

For travellers with more time and appetite for adventure, the departure calendar stretches well beyond the Asia-Pacific region. Transpacific sailings are often one-way repositioning voyages — the ship heads east or west across the Pacific and the voyage ends in a different country. That means you will need a flight for one end of the trip, and we can book that alongside hotels on either side and any transfers you need.

Japan appears in the sailing calendar for travellers wanting to combine a cruise with one of the world’s most rewarding destinations. Hawaii is another option for those sailing from Australia, with voyages typically making the crossing from Sydney. And for true long-haul ambition, a round-the-world sailing departs as part of the annual calendar — the itinerary calls at ports across multiple continents and suits those who want to turn a cruise into a proper expedition. Singapore and Bali also feature as disembarkation ports on some itineraries, making them natural end points for an extended Asia voyage.

Which cruise lines sail from Australia?

Princess Cruises leads the departure calendar from Australia by volume, with a strong programme of coastal, New Zealand and longer voyages. Royal Caribbean brings some of the largest ships in the market, with the high-energy on-board experience that suits families and groups. Celebrity Cruises pitches at those wanting a more refined, modern ship with contemporary dining and smart cabin design. Norwegian Cruise Line adds further choice on longer routes. For those after a premium or luxury experience, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises both sail from Australia, while Azamara suits travellers wanting longer port stays and a more intimate ship. Carnival Cruise Line rounds out the mix with a popular programme of fun-focused sailings, particularly from Sydney and Brisbane.

Where do oz cruises depart from?

Sydney is the dominant departure point by a wide margin, with sailings leaving from both the main cruise terminal and White Bay. Brisbane is the next busiest port, followed by Perth (Fremantle) and Melbourne. Darwin serves as the departure point for northern itineraries, and a number of sailings also position from Fremantle for Western Australian coastal routes. If you are local to your departure port, it is a cruise that needs no flight at all. If you are travelling from another state, a short domestic connection is usually all it takes — and we can add that flight, your hotel the night before, and any transfers into a single booking.

Oz cruises from Sydney

Sydney is the busiest cruise departure point in Australia, and the range of sailings on offer reflects that. Short coastal breaks, Tasman crossings to New Zealand, South Pacific island voyages, and longer transpacific or Hawaii sailings all leave from the Sydney cruise terminals. A number of itineraries are one-way, finishing elsewhere — if yours ends in another city or country, a domestic flight home is straightforward to add. The Sydney departure page has the full list of ships and dates. For those with a particular holiday in mind, Christmas sailings from Sydney, Sydney to New Zealand in 2027, and Sydney to Fiji all have dedicated pages worth checking.

Ships sailing from Australia — what’s on board?

The ships deployed on Australian sailings range from large resort-style vessels to smaller, more intimate options. Below are some of the ships currently sailing these routes, with the detail that actually helps you choose.

Grand Princess — Princess Cruises

Grand Princess is a fixture on Great Barrier Reef and Australian coastal voyages. On deck, Movies Under the Stars lets you curl up under a blanket and watch a film with the ocean as your backdrop. The Princess app means you can order drinks by the pool or pizza to your cabin without leaving your seat. When you want quiet, The Sanctuary is an adults-only top-deck retreat with sun loungers, light meals and open sea views — a world away from the rest of the ship. See the full range of Grand Princess cabin grades and deck plans before you book.

• Inside cabin IA — 14.9 m², sleeps 4. Positioned on middle decks for minimal ship motion and easy access to lifts and facilities.
• Premium sea view O3 — 19.1 m², sleeps 4. Floor-to-ceiling panoramic window with an unobstructed sea view and natural light throughout.
• Premium Balcony cabin B2 — 25.5 m², sleeps 4. Floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors give an open-plan feel and more light than a standard balcony.
• Grand Suite S1 with private hot tub — 67.8 m², sleeps 4. The largest suite on board, with considerably more space than any other category on the ship.

Carnival Adventure — Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Adventure is built with Australian tastes in mind — fresh local produce, a relaxed service style and enough on-board action to keep every age group busy. Thrill-seekers can zip-line or climb above deck; those after something quieter can settle in for a movie under the stars. The adults-only Serenity Retreat gives parents a proper break while the kids are in Camp Ocean. Check the Carnival Adventure cabin grades and deck plans for the full layout.

• Inside cabin 4A — 15 m², sleeps 4. Walk-in wardrobe and generous storage, practical for extended voyages.
• Ocean-view cabin with Porthole PT — 15 m², sleeps 4. Round portholes on the quieter lower decks bring natural light and a touch of character.
• Balcony cabin 8A — 16 m², sleeps 4. Glass bifold door opens directly to your private outdoor space — views that inside cabins do not have.
• Byron Beach Club Presidential Suite SB — 58 m², sleeps 4. More than twice the size of a standard balcony cabin, with an expansive balcony, dressing area and deluxe bathroom.

Celebrity Edge — Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Edge introduced the Magic Carpet — a cantilevered deck suspended 16 storeys above the water, serving cocktails and seafood with uninterrupted sea views. Inside, the Infinite Veranda design means every stateroom in that category opens fully to the ocean air. The three-level Eden space features live performers who appear among the plants and rigging, creating something quite unlike a conventional ship lounge. Explore the Celebrity Edge cabin and deck plan options to find your ideal grade.

• Deluxe Inside cabin DI — 18.8 m², sleeps 4. Around 2 m² more spacious than a standard inside cabin, with a larger bathroom and extra storage.
• Deluxe Ocean-view cabin DO — 22.1 m², sleeps 4. The most spacious ocean-view grade on the ship, with 3–4 m² more living space than standard options.
• Sunset Veranda Stateroom SV — 21.2 m², sleeps 4. The largest balcony of all standard veranda grades at approximately 8.3 m² — noticeably roomier than other veranda categories.
• Iconic Suite IC with private hot tub — 239.8 m², sleeps 6. The largest suite in the Celebrity fleet, with 270-degree panoramic views from the highest position above the bridge.

More ships sailing from Australia

Royal Princess offers a glass-bottomed SeaWalk extending 40 metres over the ocean, The Sanctuary adults-only retreat, and Movies Under the Stars — all while sailing Australia’s coast. Carnival Splendor is one of Australia’s most popular fun ships, sailing to the Great Barrier Reef, the Pacific and New Zealand with a Punchliner Comedy Club and a waterpark on board. Anthem of the Seas from Royal Caribbean brings the North Star observation pod, a FlowRider surf simulator, a SeaPlex skating rink and a glass-domed Solarium pool — all sailing from Sydney. Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Encounter, Norwegian Spirit and Celebrity Solstice all feature in the departure programme too.

What fare types are available on Australian sailings?

Fare structures vary by cruise line, and knowing what each tier covers can save you money on board.

Princess Cruises offers a Standard fare — the base cruise price with no extras bundled — alongside the Princess Plus package, which adds 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 photos with 3 prints, and reserved theatre seating. The Princess Cruises Australia 2026–2027 season has the full programme for those planning ahead.

Royal Caribbean fares include a base Cruise Fare, a Solo/Single fare for travellers taking the cabin to themselves, a Last-Minute fare for sailings closer to departure, and fare types such as third and fourth guest promotional offers when they are available. Availability and terms vary by sailing.

Celebrity Cruises has 3 main fare tiers: a best-rate option covering the core cruise experience without bundled extras; a best-value All Inclusive fare that adds a classic drinks package and basic Wi-Fi in one price; and The Retreat, a suite-class tier that includes premium drinks, premium Wi-Fi, exclusive lounge and sundeck access, private dining and dedicated personal service.

Are there discounts on oz cruise sailings?

A good portion of the sailings on sale carry a reduced price compared with what was previously listed for that cabin grade. The reductions vary considerably — a small number of departures have seen significant cuts, while most discounted sailings are reduced by around 8% from their previous listed price. That makes it worth comparing fares across similar dates rather than assuming the headline saving applies evenly. Our cruise experts can check current pricing and flag where genuine value sits.

Make it a full holiday

CruiseAway is a cruise specialist — every offer is a cruise or a cruise-inclusive package. Our team can add flights, hotels, tours, transfers and insurance around your cruise, whether you want a simple bundle or a fully custom itinerary. If your voyage is one-way and ends in a different city, we sort the return leg. If you are flying to your departure port from interstate or overseas, we handle that too. It all goes on one booking, under our DreamAway Packages where relevant, and our Best Price Guarantee covers you on the cruise fare itself.

Explore all sailings departing from Australia or start with a specific departure port, ship or destination below. For last-minute travellers, last-minute cruise deals and last-minute sailings from Sydney are updated regularly. Short on time? short cruise options of 3 to 7 nights are well represented in the Australian departure calendar. And if you are planning the holiday around a landmark occasion, Christmas cruises from Brisbane and January 2027 departures from Brisbane are both worth a look.

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.