The countdown has begun and in just a few short weeks Australia’s 2024/25 wave season will kick off with the arrival of the Diamond Princess. It’s the first time the ship has sailed since 2018.
Her arrival marks the start of a huge Australian and New Zealand cruise season with the return of technologically advanced Celebrity Edge as well as Disney Wonder with the mouse in the house.
Next off the block is the Crown Princess, Royal Princess as well as Ovation of the Seas. And we will then see the arrival of Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth for her last homeported season, as well as Holland Americal Line’s Westerdam.
By November, the luxury lines will be soon in Overseas Passenger Terminal and White Bay with Viking Orion, Oceania Regatta as well as Silver Nova.
Here is a round-up of some of the best itineraries ahead of the 2024/25 wave season.
Luxury
Silversea
Silver Cloud regularly cruises to the stunningly wild and remote Kimberley where you will find amazing scenery, cobalt seas and, diverse wildlife including saltwater crocodiles and ancient Gwion Gwion rock artworks.
A 10-day cruise from Darwin return stops at King George Falls, one of the Kimberley’s natural wonders, Ashmore Marine Park that’s home to an abundance of marine life, and Montgomery Reef, with its dramatic tidal changes. At Vansittart Bay, a visit to Jar Island is where you can view Gwion Gwion and Wandjina styles of rock art plus there’s an intact wreck of an old World War II C-53 plane.
A 16-day Cairns to Sydney cruise on Silver Nova stops at 10 east coast ports including the sunny Whitsundays where you can do a half-day catamaran excursion to Whitehaven Beach, where the white sand really dazzles.
Then it is on to Mooloolaba, Newcastle, Melbourne, Adelaide, and pretty Kangaroo Island that is known for its wildlife, fabulous beach,s and scenic views. Guests will disembark in Sydney amid the showstopping harbour where the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House star.
Seabourn
The all-inclusive boutique cruise line, Seabourn also showcases the Kimberley and its many awe-inspiring sights. The newest vessel, Seabourn Pursuit will add an extra 13 expedition voyages to over 40 destinations from next August and September, with a focus on wildlife, history and culture.
A10-day Kimberley Expedition Waterfalls & Wandjinas cruise on Seabourn Pursuit starts in Darwin visiting the Kimberley highlights and finishes in the former pearling town of Broome, which has a rich history of those early pioneering days. Pearl shops still remain and don’t miss a sunrise or sunset on fabulous Cable Beach.
A 16-day Southern Australia Coasts cruise on Seabourn Sojourn visits Hobart and Adelaide finishing in Freemantle, with excursions showcasing the iconic cities.
Scenic
Ultra luxurious Scenic Eclipse II offers an 11-day cruise from Darwin to Broome – get set to see pristine islands, lots of birdlife and amazing concealed reefs full of busy marine life.
The Scenic Discovery Team uncovers the richness of the iconic Kimberley.
On each Discovery Voyage, up to 10 exciting helicopter experiences are available ranging from “flightseeing” over the iconic King George River and Horizontal Falls to visiting a pearl farm or the ultimate fishing hotspots for heli-fishing.
Another exciting itinerary is the 15-day Australian Odyssey from Broome to Fremantle featuring Western Australia and the Abrolhos Islands. It includes the amazing Rowley Shoals made up of three coral atolls, Montebello Islands, Exmouth, Dirk Hartog Island, Abrolhos Islands, Geraldton and Busselton which has the longest timber jetty in the southern hemisphere.
Ponant
Due to set sail next year, the new Paspaley Pearl by Ponant, a 30-guest boutique expedition motor yacht will sail year-round to some exceptional destinations including the Kimberley and Australia’s Far North’s Arnhem Land and Cape York.
It will visit private Kimberley locations including secret pearling destinations. Naturalist guides will share their knowledge about the region’s rich culture, history and remarkable biodiversity.
The 11-day Kimberley You Haven’t Seen cruise leaves from Broome to Wyndam on April 24, 2025.
The luxe cruise line already has Le Jacques-Cartier and Le Laperouse cruising in the Kimberley.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
The premier all-inclusive luxury cruise line cruise line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises will explore Australia with ships Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Navigator. Eight sailings ranging from 10-19 nights in Australia and New Zealand include the Australian ports of Sydney, Hobart, and the Whitsunday Islands with an overnight stop in Melbourne. A crocodile safari excursion from Airlie Beach cruises along the Proserpine River where you will see lots of saltwater crocodiles, learn about these Aussie icons and dine on a bush tucker lunch made with native ingredients gathered in the wild.
Premium
Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises offers the 20-day Wonders of Australia cruise on Regatta over the Christmas period from December 22, 2024, to January 11, 2025, from Sydney to Perth, also stopping in New Zealand.
It’s 16-day Treasures of Captain Cook cruise from Sydney to Melbourne includes New Zealand ports from January 25 to February 10, 2025, following in the footsteps of the intrepid explorer. The See Melbourne Through the Eyes of a Local excursion includes an iconic tram ride and tailored tour to suit your interests from shopping to art, plus hidden out-of-the-way places that are characteristic of Melbourne.
Princess Cruises
Crown Princess which accommodates 3090 guests, will make her home in Australia from October 26 this year. She’s set to do 78 cruises to 21 different ports around the country.
Cruises range from 3 to 28 nights with six unique itineraries and 21 maiden port calls.
Over the 2024/25 summer season, Crown Princess will be joined by Diamond Princess and Royal Princess sailing from Australia. All three ships will offer 117 departures from 2 to 113 days between October 2024 to September 2025 and will sail from seven different ports for the first time including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Fremantle. Hobart and Auckland.
Contemporary
Carnival Cruise Line
Looking for a family cruise? This five-day cruise from Sydney to Tasmania onboard Carnival Splendor from 16 Nov 2025 offers more than 45 family activities and a great Tasmanian itinerary.
Highlights of the Apple Isle cruise include Hobart reached along the Derwent River, plus historic heritage-listed Port Arthur. Excursions options include Mount Wellington, the world-famous Wineglass Bay and picturesque Bruny Island.
A six-day Great Barrier Reef cruise from Brisbane return on Carnival Luminosa from 8 February 2026 to 14 February 2026 visits Airlie Beach and Cairns. A cable car ride above a rich rainforest at Kuranda gives a great bird’s eye view of the area.
Disney Cruise Line
Get your Micky ears out – Disney Cruise Line returns to Australia in October with more than 50 cruises ranging from two-night Disney Magic at Sea cruises from Sydney to Brisbane.
Disney Wonder will also offer three-night cruises from Melbourne and a four-night Melbourne to Hobart and Sydney. Eden is another stop on a fun three-night cruise from Sydney return.
Get set for storytelling, imaginative dining, Broadway-style shows and themed parties. New festive Christmas sailings will take place from 24 November 2024 to 3 January 2025.
Off Beat / Boutique
Murray River Paddle Steamers
Set to launch in June next year, the new Murray River Paddlesteamer, the PS Australian Star with luxe river staterooms will offer year-round, all-inclusive, overnight experiences with 3, 4, and 7-night itineraries along the majestic Murray River from Echuca, Victoria.
It’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in the river’s rich heritage and the golden age of paddle steamers and enjoy slow travel along the waterways.
There are 19 modern staterooms, each opening to a deck and featuring an ensuite and superb ever-changing river views.
