“Why can’t we cruise in the Pacific in winter” – Aussies call for winter cruising

Cruise Passenger readers always have plenty to say about what’s going on in Australian cruise, and in the broader cruise community. In Your Say, Cruise Passenger looks at the issues our readers are writing to us about on our blogs, posts and newsletters. 

This week, Cruise Passenger readers discussed the possibility of winter cruising and why it’s needed in Australia.

After it was revealed that Royal Caribbean is having “discussions” regarding the idea of year-round sailing in Australia, cruisers got to debating what this could look like.

Cruiser Sylvia Calderbank made the strong point that Western Australia remains a largely untapped market for year-round cruising.

“There is a place in WA called Perth and not far from Perth there is a place called Fremantle. Fremantle has a port.

“If cruise companies looked at the number of cruises leaving from Fremantle (scarce as hens’ teeth) they would see they are booked out years ahead. A ready made market just waiting for more cruise ships!”

Other cruisers seemed more fed up with the years of speculation and simply want more solid news on year-round cruising from Royal.

Geoff King wrote: “Come on Royal, less talk, more walk. This has been a revolving door conversation for so so long.”

Adam Nichles added: “The only thing that will trigger RC to start year round cruising will be the opening of Lelepa. Until then it’s rumours.”

Cruiser Bel Jade said she’d happily cruise in the winter if Royal became an option.

Another option  Carnival would be great. As it is we don’t want to cruise during the off months because we don’t like carnival, if Anthem of the Seas stayed we would love to do the hotter regions during the cooler weather.

Other cruisers are just simply hoping things move along and they can have more winter options.

Helen Lennon said: “This would be fantastic – I’ve always said why can’t we cruise into the pacific in winter- good warm climate – nice to get away from winter in Victoria. Come on Royal Caribbean – we love your ships!”

Sandra Burrows said: “Hopefully these ‘discussions’ will finally bear fruit at last!”

Janet Bridge said: “About time! Winter cruising in Australia is prime time cruising! We only get hit with cyclone/wet suiting season because it suits the Alaska season.

Jane Bennett said: “It would be great to have year-round cruising. Let us southern states get away from the cold.”

Robert Jaworski said: “How awseome would it be to have the ability to cruise Royal all year around. Hope it would be ported out of Sydney.”

Kelly Hughes added: “It would be brilliant. Let’s face it, the current offerings out of Australia are pretty meh.”

Rosalind Turner added: “With Carnival dropping the ball in Australia, I would gladly jump on a Caribbean cruise instead if they come through with the goods.”

Lorraine Julie added: “If ships would leave from Melbourne up the East Coast or the South Pacific, they would be full!”

It’s clear that the support is there for winter cruising, with plenty of Aussies getting behind the idea, particularly if Royal Caribbean were to join the party and start offering winter sailings.

It is likely that Royal Caribbean will only seriously consider this once the destination at Lelepa opens. The destination was previously slated for a late 2027 release, and while there have been no indications of a delay, there have also been few indications that work is on track to meet this timeline.

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