The first of Carnival’s international ships to arrive during the wave season will sail into Sydney this weekend.

Commencing the group’s summer cavalcade of ships is Holland America’s Volendam.

The ship will sail into Sydney on Sunday, 20 October. She will be the first ship under a Carnival brand to sail into Australia during this year’s wave season.

She is one of 20 locally based, seasonal or visiting Carnival Australia ships sailing in Australian waters between now and the end of April.

Other ships include, Queen Mary 2, Oosterdam, Seabourn Sojourn, Sea Princess, Pacific Pearl, Pacific Jewel, Pacific Dawn and Carnival Spirit.

Holland America Line sales director for Australia, Tony Archbold added it was an honour for the line to have the first and last ship in Carnival’s summer cavalcade of ships. The line’s MS Oosterdam will be the final ship, sailing in 13 April 2014.

He said: ““We are excitingly looking forward to our best season as we bring many guests from all over the world and take so many Australians to a multitude of great port cities around our amazing coast line.”

Carnival Australia chief executive Ann Sherry said the group will make 350 calls to Australian ports this season, indicating a growing trend in Australian cruising.

She said: “These visits are emblematic of an industry that now generates almost three billion a year in total direct and indirect economic activity.”

Carnival Australia’s ships account for two thirds of the 34 ships that will operate in Australia during the summer season.