These new cruise ships are coming to Australia in 2024-25

Beat the winter blues by booking a domestic cruise for the Australian summer season now.

With the winter chill kicking in, dreams turn to warmer days where frolicking in the sea, and sunsets enjoyed alfresco, are par for the course.

Want something to get excited about? Now is the perfect time to book a summer holiday for the next Australian cruise season, where you just need to head to your closest port. We have a lot to look forward to.

Many ships are coming our way for the first time. Norwegian Cruise Line, for example, will debut Norwegian Sun, arriving in Brisbane and then Melbourne in December following a leisurely 18-day French Polynesia and South Pacific sailing. NCL also has a new collection of voyages, with maiden visits to Port Douglas and Townsville in Australia, Aitutaki in the Cook Islands, and Suva, Fiji.

“We are thrilled to have two ships in Australian waters, Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Spirit, further reinforcing our ongoing commitment to this region,” says NCL’s Ben Angell.

Princess Cruises’ Crown Princess will arrive in Sydney on October 26 for her inaugural season in Australia. With a capacity of 3080 passengers, Crown Princess will be the biggest Princess ship to sail here year-round. Diamond Princess and Royal Princess will also join for seasons in Australian waters.

Cunard’s new liner Queen Anne will also grace our shores on her world voyage. Favourites returning to Australia include the thoroughly modern Celebrity Edge in October, as well as Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas returning to homeport in Brisbane, and Ovation of the Seas in Sydney, both in November.

NCL will debut Norwegian Sun, arriving in Brisbane and then Melbourne in December following a leisurely 18-day French Polynesia and South Pacific sailing. Picture: iStock.

A host of themed cruises is also on offer. Start the season with a Halloween cruise aboard Carnival Splendor. Pack your spookiest attire for one of four “Frightfully Fun Halloween” sailings during October. In addition to costume contests and themed dance parties, guests can meet Patch the giant Pumpkin Pirate, view spooky dive-in movies on the big screen, and compete in pumpkin-carving contests.

Cunard is bringing back the popular Great Australian Culinary Voyage, setting sail on Queen Elizabeth from Sydney on February 6. Learn from the likes of chef and restaurateur Matt Moran, culinary queen Julie Goodwin, acclaimed Indigenous chef Nornie Bero, pastry whiz Darren Purchese and wine connoisseur Katie Spain. Expect interactive dining events, live talks and experiences on-board and ashore on this six-day itinerary.

Setting sail on December 11, the same ship will host the inaugural five-night Australian Literature Festival at Sea voyage in partnership with Dymocks. Be inspired by the best, including authors Alexander McCall Smith and Fiona McIntosh, and children’s book author Elizabeth Stanley. Also joining are Dr Anita Heiss, Graeme Simsion, Anne Buist and Paul Cleave. The writers will share their experiences and creative processes.

Originally published as These new cruise ships are coming to Australia in 2024-25