Brisbane rides the wave as the cruise terminal nears 500th visit

• Brisbane is expecting 142 cruise ship calls from 11 lines this season with four ships based in the Sunshine State’s capital.
• While the number of cruise ship calls are slightly down from last year, there will be six vessels making their maiden call.
• New routes to places like Papua New Guinea and the Conflict Islands are proving popular.

Brisbane is poised to hit a major cruising milestone this summer, with the Port of Brisbane preparing to welcome its 500th cruise ship since the opening of the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal (BICT) in 2022.

While total ship numbers are slightly lower than last season, the mood along the wharf is one of optimism and momentum as the 2025/26 Brisbane cruise season gathers pace.

The BICT – which capped off a strong 2024/25 season – remains at the heart of Queensland’s booming cruise industry, welcoming both homeported vessels and international liners exploring the South Pacific.

A Port of Brisbane spokesperson said the terminal handled 154 ship visits last season, celebrating its two-millionth passenger movement in January 2025.

“This season, BICT is expecting 142 cruise calls from 11 lines,” the spokesperson said. “Four ships will be based in Brisbane during the peak months, and six vessels will make their maiden calls – including Voyager of the Seas, Queen Anne and Discovery Princess.”

A gateway to discovery

For thousands of travellers, cruising from Brisbane remains the ideal gateway to Queensland’s coastline and the islands of the South Pacific.

Of the 142 calls expected, 115 will arrive during the high season from October 2025 to April 2026, each contributing around $1.05 million to the state’s economy.

Since the terminal’s opening, more than 450 cruise ships have berthed at the facility – a number set to sail past the 500 mark within months.

Brisbane’s growing reputation as a cruise departure port has also attracted increasing international interest. According to Carnival Cruise Line, around 10 per cent of its Brisbane guests now come from overseas, with a noticeable rise in American travellers flying in to explore the Great Barrier Reef and South Pacific.

“There are now more direct flights between Brisbane and the US,” a Carnival spokesperson said. “It’s making it easier for guests to fly in, cruise out of Brisbane, and experience some of the world’s most stunning destinations.”

Investing in the passenger experience

Over the past year, the Port has invested heavily in enhancing the passenger experience, adding expanded taxi ranks, new shade structures and improved ventilation throughout the terminal.

A striking new addition in 2024 was From Land to Sea, a large-scale artwork by Quandamooka artist Delvene Cockatoo-Collins. Spanning 600 metres of terminal panels, it celebrates the waterways and landscapes of South-East Queensland – and marks the artist’s most ambitious work to date.

“The Brisbane cruise terminal is a world-class facility that underpins the success of Queensland’s cruise tourism sector,” the BICT spokesperson said. “We’re continuing to work closely with cruise line partners, government and local communities to strengthen Brisbane’s position as a premier cruise gateway.”

Smooth sailing and strong demand

Passengers have noticed the refinements – from streamlined check-in and efficient embarkation to sweeping views over Moreton Bay. The result is a terminal now praised by both first-time cruisers and seasoned travellers alike.

Four vessels will homeport in Brisbane this peak season. Carnival Encounter kicked things off earlier this month with a seven-night voyage through the South Pacific. Carnival Luminosa follows in late October with a two-night sampler, before Crown Princess and Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas arrive in November and December respectively – the latter making its maiden Brisbane call.

Carnival, which operates year-round cruises from Brisbane, says demand for short getaway cruises has surged. Its three-night “weekend” voyages are particularly popular with new-to-cruise guests seeking a fun and affordable short break.

“Guests only need to take one or two days of annual leave, and they get an affordable, convenient and fun getaway,” a Carnival spokesperson said. “It’s a great way to ‘test the waters’ for Australians keen to try a holiday at sea.”

Local passenger Greg, 69, from Kedron, is one of many who’ve embraced the trend.

“My wife and I used to head to the beach or interstate for a getaway, but now we just hop on a cruise out of Brisbane for a couple of days,” he said. “We love it – and next time we’re taking my mother-in-law. She doesn’t have a passport, but it’ll feel like an overseas trip without being one.”

A growing reputation

Port of Brisbane CEO Neil Stephens said the success of the 2024/25 season reflects the city’s growing reputation within the Australian cruise network.

“As we look ahead to the new season, we’ll continue to collaborate with our cruise partners to enhance the experience out of Brisbane and build on the momentum from last year,” he said. “We’re grateful to the teams who ensure every passenger enjoys a seamless and memorable journey through the BICT.”

The return of the Pacific

Cruises from Brisbane stretch north to the Whitsundays and Far North Queensland, east to Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Fiji, and south to Sydney and New Zealand.

Carnival’s most popular itineraries this summer include the Whitsundays, Great Barrier Reef and South Pacific, with Carnival Encounter and Carnival Luminosa visiting Airlie Beach 12 times, the Great Barrier Reef eight times, and South Pacific ports 12 times between now and the end of March.

In February, Carnival Encounter will reposition to Singapore for dry dock upgrades before returning in mid-March with new features and enhancements, ready to continue sailing from Brisbane year-round.

Voyages to Papua New Guinea are also proving particularly popular, with travellers eager to visit the war memorials at Alotau or the pristine Conflict Islands – some of the most remote and unspoiled in the South Pacific.

Brisbane’s cruise future looks bright

The appetite for cruising is clearly back – and Brisbane is riding the wave. With strong bookings, new itineraries and growing international interest, Queensland’s capital is shaping up as one of Australia’s brightest cruise success stories.

For local tour operators, transport providers and restaurants, that’s welcome news. With each ship arrival, the city’s reputation as a vibrant homeport only strengthens – and so does the economic tide it brings in.

Cruising this season out of Brisbane

Carnival Encounter, Carnival Luminosa, Celebrity Edge, Crown Princess, Crown Princes, Discovery Princess, Island Princess, Silver Moon, Silver Nova, Viking Orion, Viking Venus, Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas, Crystal Serenity, Riviera, Odyssey, Seven Seas Navigator, Seven Seas Explorer, MS The World, Queen Anne, Queen Mary 2, Noordam, Costa Delziosa