Australian cruisers have rushed to book the 34-day Christmas and New Year cruise onboard Oceania Regatta from Sydney to Sydney in 2025 as many prefer to cruise closer to home.

When the line’s 2024-2025 Tropics and Exotics Collection of itineraries opened for sale this week, Aussies snapped up many of the choice suites to indulge in the festive cruise where they will spend Christmas on the Coral Sea, Boxing Day in Airlie Beach and New Year’s Eve in Darwin. The cruise departs Sydney on 22 December 2024 and arrives back on 25 January 2025.

Credit: Tim Faircloth Oceania Regatta
Oceania Cruises Regatta in Sydney

“Globally, the response has been extremely strong with Australians topping the list of bookings from the UK, US and Canada,” said Jason Worth, Vice President Oceania Cruises.

Many Australians are also booking cruises to Japan and the most popular is the 12-day cherry blossom itinerary onboard the Riviera from Tokyo to Tokyo in April 2025. The itinerary also includes an overnight in Kyoto, the old capital of Japan.

“When I last cruised to Japan for the cherry blossoms, it was the tail end of the season. It was so surreal watching the blossoms fall while many Japanese families were enjoying picnics in the parks.

“Chefs onboard the Riviera will also be serving meals to mirror what is served on land locally and Riviera also has Red Ginger restaurant which serves pan-Asian cuisine.

“The next popular cruise that Australians have booked is the 26-day Cape Town to Barcelona itinerary onboard Nautica where they will be experience lots of wildlife in Africa. We have also had strong bookings in the Mediterranean as Australians have always loved cruising in Europe,” he added.

Sandy beach at Hillsborough Bay, Carriacou Island, Grenada

Oceania Cruises, the world’s leading culinary and destination-focused line has unveiled new collection of 157 voyages spanning over seven continents, offering more than 3000 ports of call including 14 new off-the-beaten path destinations.

“This new collection of itineraries showcases iconic ports of call along with a wealth of opportunities to explore corners of the globe nearly untouched by tourism and with seven brand-new or better-than-new ships, the journeys will be just as rewarding as the destinations,” said Howard Sherman, President and CEO of Oceania Cruises.

L to R Steve Odell, Howard Sherman & Jason Worth of Oceania Cruises

The new ports of call include:

  • Camarones, Argentina
  • Champagne Bay, Vanuatu
  • Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, Tristan da Cunha
  • Fernandina Beach, Florida
  • Hambantota, Sri Lanka
  • Hillsborough (Carriacou), Grenada
  • Hitachinaka, Japan
  • Hualien, Taiwan
  • Isla de los Estados, Argentina
  • Kupang, Indonesia
  • Puerto del Rosario, Canary Islands
  • St. Helier, Channel Islands
  • Takamatsu, Japan
  • Waingpu, Indonesia

For more information, visit OceaniaCruises.com or call Oceania Cruises on 1300 355 200.