How the NT and Darwin are smashing cruise records and welcoming more ships than ever

• Darwin has just come off a record season, with 113 cruise ships visiting the port.
• It’s estimated this brought in $181m to the local economy.
• Its off-season is looking strong too, with 60 expedition ships to visit over the coming months,

The port of Darwin is fresh off a record cruise season, with a massive 113 cruise ships visiting the port over Australia’s 2024/25 cruise season. 

When the biggest ship of the season, Crown Princess and its almost 3000 passengers, stopped by on May 5, it brought the total number of passengers to more than 80,000 for the season.

The Tourism Minister, Marie-Clare Boothby said cruise brought in a record $181 million to the local economy and created 527 jobs in Darwin alone. 

Cruise passenger satisfaction surveys always play a key role in planning for cruise lines, and a survey of 13 ships showed that 91% of passengers were satisfied with their stop in Darwin port. Furthermore, 61% shopped in Darwin while docked and more than 30% dined, showing the impact that passengers can bring to the local economy. 

Boothby emphasised the importance of these cruise visitors.

“The influx of cruise passengers offers great support for our community, from local tour operators and hospitality venues to retailers and cultural attractions.” 

The best news is that for Darwin, the season is still going. More than 60 expedition ships will stop at Darwin between now and the end of the year, bringing a further 11,000 passengers.

This is because Darwin is a key port for the Kimberley season, with the majority of itineraries either starting or ending in Darwin.

The other key start or finish port for Kimberley itineraries is Broome, which is also looking to shore up its cruise capabilities. 

The port will add deepwater facilities, allowing it to accommodate larger ships and work to eliminate delays which are sometimes caused by strong tides and currents. This also means ships will now be able to dock 24/7, rather than having to align their visit with the tides, putting the port more in line with other key ports around the world.

Another big move for Broome cruise comes in the form of Australia’s first ever dedicated airport cruise lounge, dedicated to cruise passengers at the airport.

This new lounge will aim to complement the services of the luxury cruise lines that operate in the Kimberley, improving the overall experience for passengers.

With cruising in the north of Australia seeing a boom and plenty of investment, here are some upcoming itineraries if you want to join in on the fun yourself. 

Itineraries for cruises to Darwin

For the most local option, you can sail on an Australian-owned line and enjoy the Kimberley with Coral Expeditions. The expedition specialist line runs many itineraries between Darwin and Broome, with a 10-night cruise generally starting from about $10,700 per person. 

A similar cruise on a line like Ponant will run a bit more expensive, with their Kimberley itineraries generally coming out to around $15,000 for a 10-night cruise.

If you’re not looking to sail the Kimberley there are also options such as this 18-night Sydney to Hong Kong cruise with Cunard, as well as a range of stops across Australia and Asia, this cruise features a stop in Darwin so you can get to experience the town, or head out to the Great Barrier Reef on a shore excursion.

Another option is to snap up one of the very final cabins on this Celebrity Cruises 13-night cruise out of Sydney, with Veranda cabins available for just $4022, and a stop in Darwin is scheduled. 

If you want both flexibility and affordability on a visit to Darwin, your best bet will be Princess. Here you can browse 11 different options for cruises that visit Darwin with Princess, with options ranging right up to 29-night circumnavigations of Australia.