“Will miss having her in Australian waters” – cruise passengers rated the ships they sailed on this season

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In Short:

As we come to the end of the 2026/27 cruise season in Australia, Cruise Passenger followers have shared their memories and time onboard the 63 ships that have visited our shores.

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. 

As we come to the end of the Australia 2026/27 cruise season, Cruise Passenger followers have shared their memories and time onboard the 63 ships that have visited our shores.

We regularly share photos of ships sailing in and out of Sydney Harbour from our super-secret location, and here is what you have said about this year’s vessels.

The Celebrity Edge, which has been sailing in the region for the past three seasons, has garnered a huge following for its outstanding service and innovative design.

Lyn Their said, “We got off Edge this morning. The most amazing ship. The Captain was great and was at the gangway as we disembarked. Food was the best we have had on a cruise and wonderful happy staff. We have cruised RCI for many years and loved them but Celebrity is another level.”

Steve Somer said: “The sail away was great even though it was delayed to 7pm. This is my second time on Edge, first being the first cruise out of Australia on December 23. It’s as fabulous as it was.”

This season saw the first visit of Anthem of the Seas. Here’s what some cruisers had to say.

Rowan Humphries said, “We just got off Anthem today for the cruise to Hobart. We had a great time on board although it rained in Hobart still had a great day out. Crew were outstanding, food, drinks and entertainment all fantastic. Well worth booking if anyone is interested.”

Wendy Koek added: “She is a beautiful ship with the most amazing crew onboard and everything was good all round.”

Tracy Phillips Wilkinson had minor complaints but had a great time overall.

“On board this cruise. Loved it all – food, staff. But internet is shocking and would have been nice to have heated pool. Would definitely cruise with them again.”

On the shiny new Discovery Princess, which just sailed its first season out of Australia, here’s what people had to say.

Lyn Steele said, “Beautiful ship. Fantastic staff and amazing food. Will miss having her in Australian waters.”

Pam Frost had some complaints about the food, but was thrilled overall.

“Just disembarked on Tuesday. She is a lovely ship. We’re on her early last year in Alaska and also in Malaysia before she went for refurbishment. Great staff and crew however the standard of food is definitely dropping!”

Carnival Adventure sailing in sydney harbour
Did you sail with Carnival this season?

Viv Waller also spoke about some culinary complaints.

“The cruise is great, the food was a bit disappointing, not as good as it used to be, not sure why. Royal Princess, I sailed on in 2024, and it was amazing as well.

This season, we saw the final homeporting of Disney Wonder in Australia for the time being.

Manda M Lockett said: “I went with friends and it was the most amazing magical cruise I have ever been on. The food was incredible, the service was awesome and the shows were spectacular… everyday was magical and I cannot wait to board a Disney ship again!”

Bryce Whitfield said the cruise is great but the prices are too much. “We sailed three nights in December 2024. It was a great experience, kids loved it especially, but the value for money just wasn’t there. Way too expensive! We had a 9-night cruise in 2025, with soda packages (and my family of four had two connecting staterooms) with Royal Caribbean for less than the three-night Disney cruise cost.

On the ever-divisive Carnival Adventure, here’s what guests said.

Mike Leonard said: “Did the Melbourne Cup cruise & came back this year and did the 12-day South Pacific sailing. It was a great experience. Yes, the decor is maybe dated, but the entertainment was great, there’s lots to do. Food was great with plenty of choice and the staff were all amazing and friendly.”

Sue Sirman showed the other side of the coin: “Having cruised both Splendor all the way. Sadly Adventure is not a young girl anymore and some of her problems are very evident and smelly.”

Please keep those comments coming!

WE VALUE YOUR COMMENTS AND ENJOY READING WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT OUR STORIES. PLEASE KEEP THOSE COMMENTS COMING ON THE STORIES – AND WE’LL PICK OUT THE BEST EACH WEEK FOR THIS NEW COLUMN

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6 thoughts on ““Will miss having her in Australian waters” – cruise passengers rated the ships they sailed on this season”

  1. We have done 5 Regent Seven Seas cruises, 1 Silver Seas, can’t fault Regent, staff, meals, everything terrific. Will happily do another cruise. Silver seas was a new ship, too many teething problems, wouldn’t go again.

  2. Went on Carnival Luminosa in April 2026. Our room as well as many others flooded after there was a pump room failure. Boat didn’t stop at 3 destinations we paid for, most of the food luke warm and no one from Carnival apologised. Never again!

  3. We sailed Regent Seven Seas Explorer from Auckland to Singapore and were very impressed. Staff were awesome, amenities were first rate and the ship was 6 star in every regard. Good passengers too

  4. We sailed on Disney Wonder and it was a magnificent ship for its age. The entire cruise was fantastic, the crew, the food and the stage shows were all exceptional. We can only hope Disney returns to Australian waters soon. We would definitely choose Disney over any other cruise line for its entertainment, family atmosphere, character meet and greets and, above all, the service.

  5. My wife and I have sailed on Celebrity Edge seven times in the past three years. Having cruised with Celebrity Cruises around 18 times, we’ve never been able to fault anything on their ships. The food is the best we’ve experienced, and the entertainment is very good. The bar staff on Edge are unbelievable.

    We also just arrived home on 9 April after disembarking Celebrity Solstice. The trip from Singapore was fantastic, and the refurbishment has been very well done. Americans will be amazed by the upper deck gardens.

    Just one more wish: please find some new destinations for next summer.

  6. I sailed on Discovery Princess in March 2026, beauitful ship in the lighter tones over Royal and other sister ships in the class, but the pax let it down, its a shame to see the type of passengers and the carry on, eating food from the buffet and putting half back and then clapping and cheering when others pick up the half eaten bits, etc.

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