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Australia and the South Pacific is fast becoming a destination of choice for cruisers from around the globe. The cruise industry in Australasia has been growing at an astonishing rate as Australians, New Zealanders and other international visitors catch on to this cost-effective and relaxing way to holiday. The numbers speak for themselves with more than one million cruisers setting sail on cruises from Sydney and other Australian ports in the past year alone – a new benchmark.
The milestone statistic was reported by the Australasia branch of the Cruise Lines International Association this May. Although the statistic is far from the numbers seen in other major cruise regions, it represents a significant 20% increase from 2013. France, the only other market to achieve double digits, came a distant second with a 13% increase in cruise passenger numbers. Not only is the rate of growth far outstripping any other markets, but it is a long-term trend as the 20% average annual increase has been maintained over more than a decade.
The cruise industry has taken notice of Australia’s precocious market and cruise lines are sending more and more ships to the country to operate seasonal or year-round itineraries. P&O Australia, a sister company of the British line by the same name, is currently the only large-ship line sailing exclusively in the region, but Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises and others are increasingly making their presence known in the ports of Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. Cunard Line calls in regularly and Norwegian Cruise Line recently announced it would sail inaugural Australia itineraries in 2017.
Yet the ships are not just brand ambassadors making visits from the Northern hemisphere. Many of them are truly making Australia their home and undergoing makeovers in order to cater to local tastes. From Australian power outlets and allowing Australian dollars as onboard currency, to serving Vegemite at the breakfast buffet and flat whites in the cafés, it’s getting serious. Carnival has embraced the adrenaline-loving Australians by installing Green Thunder, the steepest waterslide at sea, on its Australia-based ships, meanwhile you might find local beers onboard even a fiercely American-style Royal Caribbean vessel.
Great destinations are necessary for a strong cruise industry, and Australia has a diverse pool of places to visit. Cruises depart from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Fremantle and occasionally smaller port cities along the nation’s vast coastline. Ships can also head in a number of directions.
The South Pacific is the major cruising ground for Australians, offering tropical islands, white sands, palm trees and all the other things you want to see when you’re on holiday. The harbours and islands of New Caledonia and Vanuatu account for most of the cruise traffic, while Fiji is also a feature on many itineraries.
Domestic Australia cruises are popular among residents and visitors alike, allowing a unique perspective on a unique country. These often include visits to the Great Barrier Reef and Northern Queensland, Tasmania, various parts of the country’s southern coast, or city breaks in the many wonderful urban centres along the eastern coast.
Many cruise ships from Australia also head across the Tasman to New Zealand, particularly during the warmest months of December, January and February. There, they call at the coastal cities and towns, and offer scenic cruising in the stunning Fiordland, home to the famously breathtaking Milford, Dusky and Doubtful Sounds. New Zealand cruises are either roundtrip or one-way, generally between Sydney or Melbourne and Auckland.
The three regions mentioned above are by far the most common trio of destinations for Australian cruisers, but the buck doesn’t stop there. It’s also possible to depart the country on a transatlantic journey via Tahiti and Hawaii, or head north for the exotic sights and sounds of southeast Asia.
If there’s one way that Australian cruises are going, it’s up. Keep an eye on the cruise news from this fast-growing region.
Sarah Glover is the content editor of Cruise Sale Finder