Big savings in our 10 last-minute deals to get you on board Australia’s wave season

• The 2025/26 cruise season is upon us, marking an exciting time for cruising in Australia.
• If you know where to look, there are still plenty of chances to score a good deal and get on a ship not just this season, but this year.
• Below you can find the best cruises still on offer for 2025.

The Aussie cruise season is finally kicking off. While Carnival sails year round, Princess has finally rolled into town, Anthem of the Seas is on its way for its season, and plenty more ships will be arriving at our shores shortly. 

A massive 63 ships will roll across our shores, with a healthy mix of giant family ships, smaller luxury vessels and everything in between set to visit the Aussie coastline this summer.

If you’re overwhelmed by all the options and don’t even know where to start, check out this guide for everything you need to know to book a cruise this summer.

However, if you’re already acquainted with the different cruise lines and destinations, and are simply looking to get onto a last-minute sailing and be part of the cruise season kicking off, there are still plenty of options for those who still want to get on a ship this year.

Get onboard with Carnival 

With four ships based in Australia right now, Carnival has plenty of options for those still looking to get on a cruise this year. There are still interior and balcony cabins for a 10-night sailing to New Zealand out of Sydney on October 20, starting from $1494. If you’re feeling very impulsive, you can still grab an interior cabin and head to Vanuatu and New Caledonia on October 12, with the eight-night cruise starting from just $1024.

If you’re looking for a shorter cruise, there are plenty on offer, check them out here.

Roundtrips with Royal 

If you want to enjoy an early sailing on Anthem of the Seas, the best deal is definitely a 10-night sailing to New Zealand, leaving on December 1, which starts from $2474 per person, this will save you thousands compared to the other cruises still on offer for this year on Anthem, apart from some short cruises that can still be snapped up. 

To hop on Voyager out of Brisbane, try this four-night Airlie Beach Getaway, starting from $1049, leaving on December 16. 

Last chance with Princess

If you’re hoping to cruise on Princess this year, Crown Princess is remarkably completely sold out for the year, but there are still some sailings available on the shiny-new Discovery Princess, which is set to visit Australia for the first time. 

The best offer is definitely this 14-day New Zealand sailing, which starts from $3509, almost $2000 cheaper than the only other cruise available this year. The cruise departs on December 6. 

Last-ditch Disney

Disney Cruises is sailing its last season for the foreseeable future in Australia, so if you want to get onboard, now is your chance. The cruises aren’t cheap, at best you’ll be looking at about $500 per adult per night. For this year you can still find sailings out of Sydney, Auckland and Melbourne. 

The most cost effective way to enjoy a cruise this year would be a quick three-night journey from Sydney to Melbourne, starting at $3180 for a cabin, leaving in October 2027.

Try Oceania 

For something completely different, if you have a bit of cash to splash, you can try a sailing with Oceania. 

For example, this Sydney to Papeete sailing goes for 19-days from December 10 to December 28, starting from about $9600. You’ll have drinks and internet already included as you go all around Tonga, French Polynesia, American Samoa and more.

Norwegian Cruise Line New Zealand sailing

NCL will only arrive here in December, but there’s still a great deal for a Christmas sailing with NCL. Hop on a two-week cruise to New Zealand, starting from about $2950, leaving on December 21.Thanks to NCL’s free at sea offer, you’ll have a drinks package and wifi package wrapped into the price.

Cross the channel with Celebrity

Any of Celebrity Cruise’s available cruises for this year have inflated prices due to so many cabins already being booked, but there are still two great deals available.

One is an extremely well valued New Zealand sailing, with the 12-night sailing out of Sydney leaving on November 1, and starting from just $2406. 

Then there’s also a great Sydney to Singapore sailing, which is actually on Celebrity Solstice, the 13-night sailing starts from $3191 and leaves on October 22. Guests will visit Airlie Beach, Cairns, Darwin and Benoa en-route.