After a two-year absence, cruising is returning to Australia in May.
Following the end of the local cruise ban, the country will see the return of several cruise lines.
Cruise Industry News looked at the plans of some of the key brands resuming service in the market in 2022:
P&O Australia
First sailing: May 31, 2022
Ships: Pacific Explorer, Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventurer
Homeports: Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne
P&O Australia will be the first cruise line to resume service in Australia.
After becoming the first cruise ship to visit the country in over two years, the Pacific Explorer will welcome guests back on May 31, kicking off a series of three- to ten-night cruises from Sydney.
Later this year, the Carnival-owned company is returning to more homeports, including Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne, but also debuting two new ships, the Pacific Encounter and the Pacific Adventurer.
Ponant
First sailing: April 28, 2022
Ships: Le Lapérouse and Le Soléal
Homeports: Broome and Darwin
Ponant is one of the expedition players making its way back to Australia. The operator resumed service in the Kimberley region on April 28, kicking off a local program what includes two ships – the 180-guest Le Lapérouse and the 264-guest Le Soléal.
Through the end of September, the small ships will offer 10-night luxury expeditions that sail to the most picturesque parts of the region, including Hunter River, the Collier Bay and more.
Princess Cruises
First sailing: June 16, 2022
Ships: Coral Princess, Majestic Princess and Grand Princess
Homeports: Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne
Debuting in the region, the Coral Princess will be the second ship to resume service in Australia.
On June 16, the Princess Cruises vessel is welcoming guests back for a program of Queensland and New South Wales itineraries departing from Brisbane.
The Majestic Princess and the Grand Princess are joining the fleet in Australia for the winter season, offering cruises from additional homeports.
Carnival Cruise Line
First sailing: October 2, 2022
Ships: Carnival Splendor
Homeports: Sydney
Carnival Cruise Line is also returning to Australia in 2022 with the Carnival Splendor.
Upon completing its summer program in Alaska, the 2008-built vessel is set to launch service from Sydney on October 2.
Celebrity Cruises
First sailing: October 22, 2022
Ships: Celebrity Eclipse
Homeports: Sydney
The Celebrity Eclipse will mark Celebrity Cruises’ return to Australia on October 22.
The Solstice-class vessel will offer a series of cruises to New Zealand, the Great Barrier Reef, the South Pacific and more.
Royal Caribbean International
First sailing: October 29, 2022
Ships: Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas
Homeports: Sydney and Brisbane
With two ships in the region, Royal Caribbean International will return to Australia in time for the 2022-2023 season.
Starting on October 29, the Ovation of the Seas will offer cruises departing from Sydney, while the Quantum of the Seas will sail from Brisbane. The 2014-built vessel will debut in the region, with its first cruise set to depart on November 1.
Holland America Line
First sailing: November 8, 2022
Ships: Westerdam and Noordam
Homeports: Sydney
Two Holland America Line ships will sail in Australia for the 2022-2023 season.
In addition to the Noordam, which was already scheduled to sail in the region, the company recently repositioned the Westerdam to the country.
Both ships will sail from Sydney, starting on November 8, with itineraries to New Zealand, the South Pacific and more.
Norwegian Cruise Line
First sailing: December 22, 2022
Ships: Norwegian Spirit
Homeports: Sydney
Norwegian Cruise Line is also planning to return to Australia for the 2022-2023 season.
The brand is sending the Norwegian Spirit to the region, for a series of open-jaw itineraries that sail between Sydney and Auckland, New Zealand.
Other cruise lines returning to Australia in 2022 include:
- Cunard
- Silversea Cruises
- Seabourn
- Azamara
- Viking
- Oceania Cruises
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises
- and more
