Everything you need to know before your first cruise

Are you cruise curious? Here’s everything you need to know.

More Australians than ever are opting to cruise. And there are more styles and sizes of cruise holiday than ever before to choose from. For those yet to take the plunge, this beginner’s cruising guide on the wide world of cruising – from ocean to river, expedition and luxury – might just inspire you to dip a toe in.

The rise of cruise curious travellers

There must be something in the water. According to data released by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) in April, the number of Australians taking holidays at sea has overtaken pre-pandemic levels. “Australians have not just returned to cruising, they’ve come back with enormous enthusiasm and at a faster pace than in other markets worldwide,” reported Joel Katz, CLIA managing director in Australasia.

More and more travellers are becomming cruise curious.

Intel from COTA Insurance backs this up. The Aussie-owned not-for-profit has seen 50 per cent incremental growth in cruising holidays booked with its insurance in the last three years, and 30 per cent of its customers have cruising included as part of their travel plans. And while COTA caters to over 50s, the trend for multigenerational holidays is going strong, with many of its customers cruising with their families, says CEO Darryl Bateman.

Indeed, cruising is skewing younger. According to CLIA, of the 1.25 million Australians who took an ocean cruise last year, almost a third were aged under 40, proving the sector continues to attract younger generations and that more of us than ever are cruise curious. “Cruising is so popular due to its ease of travel and the fact that it comes in all shapes and sizes,” says Bateman. “The options for destinations, ships and budgets are endless, making it available to everyone.”

Savour a Santorini sunset with late port stays. (Image: serts/Getty Images)

Australian cruise trends

Europe continues to beckon Aussie cruisers. Australian-owned tour operator Europe Holidays says stand-out Mediterranean spots such as the Greek Islands, Croatia and Italy’s Amalfi Coast continue to prove a winning formula, with Northern Europe also gaining traction, particularly the Norwegian fjords, the Baltic Sea and the British Isles.

“Emerging destinations are becoming increasingly appealing, especially as more adventurous cruisers seek unique experiences,” says managing director Chip Popescu. “For example, there is growing interest in expedition cruises that venture beyond traditional routes, including areas such as the Canary Islands [Spain], and lesser-visited spots such as the Azores and Madeira [Portugal].”

Conscious travellers among us will be reassured that cruising is on the front foot with environmental and social sustainability, with a galvanised industry working towards net-zero carbon cruising by 2050, and much more. “The shift towards responsible travel is shaping cruising preferences,” Chip considers.

Seaside tavernas remain popular in Greece. (Image: jordieasy/Getty Images)

“Many European ports are implementing stricter regulations on large cruise ships to combat overtourism, which has led to a rise in smaller, more sustainable vessels gaining popularity. This is particularly evident in places such as Venice, Barcelona and Dubrovnik, where larger ships are being restricted or rerouted to protect these historic and cultural sites.”

The same can be said all over the world, from Asia to Africa to the Americas, with additional port regions opening up in some of our favourite destinations in order to provide travellers with more of a breadth and depth of experiences in the places we love the most, spreading the economic love further and taking the pressure off the most popular spots.

In New Zealand/Aotearoa, for example, emerging port stops such as Northland/Taitokerau and Taranaki are developing with environmental and social sustainability at their core, complementing existing bucket-list stops such as Marlborough.

Cruise through New Zealand’s iconic Milford Sound.

And as much as we love exploring the world, CLIA’s research also revealed Australians’ penchant for close-to-home itineraries around Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific’s shores too.

The trend is highlighted by the total of 62 cruise ships Australia will host over the 2024/25 season including newcomers such as Silversea’s game-changing Silver Nova, Scenic’s ultra-luxury expedition ship Scenic Eclipse II and Cunard’s Queen Anne. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sun will also make its Down Under debut and in February, Azamara’s Onward and Pursuit will enter Sydney Harbour together for the first time ever.

Get the best of both worlds by joining an epic cruise out of Australia. Holland America Line’s 42-Day Grand World Voyage departs Sydney on 11 February before making its way through Asian and African waters to Cape Town, South Africa.

What to consider before ocean cruising

Ocean cruising in Europe continues to appeal. But those who are deterred by thoughts of over-touristed port towns should look to operators increasingly seeking to change the narrative.

Small luxury cruise line Windstar now sails year-round in Europe, offering cruisers the chance to explore charming villages and iconic cities in low season.

Explore lesser-known Greek islands with Windstar. (Image: Roger Paperno)

MSC Cruises is serving up longer port stays for the 2025 summer season in the Mediterranean while Celebrity Cruises has crafted a City Stays program, which blends ship and shore for one easy all-in Euro trip. Its three-day Rome itinerary, for example, includes a visit to non-negotiables such as the Vatican Museum and Trevi Fountain, plus free time for you to chart your own course through the Eternal City.

Unveil the old-world wonders of Monemvasia, Greece. (Image: Roger Paperno)

Ocean cruising in Asia continues to present more enticing options for travellers. Norwegian Cruise Line sails to iconic ports such as Tokyo, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Seoul and Bali, offering ever-more immersive experiences to opt into such as overnight stays.

Meanwhile, Wendy Wu Tours’ new Cruise & Tour holidays blend the convenience of cruising with immersive land adventures on itineraries through Japan, India and Southeast Asia, among other destinations. Intrepid travellers can bolt on Viking’s newly launched five-night Spirit of Mongolia extension, which offers fully guided experiences in the vast and rugged country before or after China itineraries.

The Arabian Gulf is an emerging cruise destination, with Celestyal expanding into the region in 2025. Sailing the wilds of Alaska continues to be a bucket-list ticket, as evidenced by Princess Cruises unveiling its biggest-ever Alaska season for 2026, headlined by the debut of its newest ship, Star Princess. And the Caribbean proves to be more accessible than ever for Aussie passengers looking to combine a trip to North America with a few days at sea; Royal Caribbean’s range of three- and four-night voyages onboard Utopia of the Seas – billed as the ultimate short getaway – includes dreamy stops in the Bahamas, including private island CocoCay.

What to consider before river cruising

While for some, there’s nothing quite like the open seas, for others, river cruising might be just the ticket. River cruise ships are typically smaller and afford travellers the opportunity to sail right into the heart of a destination.

Take AmaWaterways’ Best of the Danube itinerary, sailing in 2025/26 and crafted in honour of its president Rudi Schreiner’s favourite route, which spends three full days in capital cities Budapest, Vienna and Bratislava. Tauck’s new-for-2025 itinerary Romantic Capitals: Paris to Prague includes a visit to the legendary Nürburgring racetrack, a private boating excursion on the Seine and an underground walking tour of Prague.

Spend time in medieval villages with Avalon Waterways’ new Bordeaux itinerary. (Image: Alexander Spatari/Getty Images)

Whereas Avalon Waterways’ new Bordeaux itinerary, launching in 2025, includes everything from châteaux visits and crème-puff baking classes to e-biking through vineyards with time to idle at idyllic old villages such as Saint-Émilion and Bourg.

Stop by southwest France and its vineyards. (Image: Laraslk)

“European river cruising season is also witnessing strong demand, with several key trends emerging,” Europe Holidays’ Chip Popescu confirms. “The Rhine and Douro rivers are particularly popular, with many cruises fully booked or having limited availability. This surge in demand is driven by the scenic landscapes, cultural richness and convenience of these river routes.”

And in terms of emerging destinations? “The French rivers, particularly the Rhône, are expected to gain popularity post-Olympics. The Douro River in Portugal is also drawing increased attention,” he says.

Elsewhere in the world, a Mekong river cruise will let you explore the cultures and communities of Vietnam, Cambodia and beyond on an itinerary such as Scenic’s Treasures of the Mekong; a Nile cruise is the last word in exploring the cultural richness of Egypt (all eyes on Viking’s newest Nile ship Viking Hathor); and a Peruvian Amazon cruise guides you to the heart of a wild place with ease and comfort; and, in the case of Delfin Amazon Cruises, onboard the world’s first Relais & Chateaux cruise.

As its name suggests, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises knows a thing or two about river sailing. Its just-announced Rivers of the World cruise for 2026 will celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary with a 50-night globe-trotting journey kicking off in Brussels onboard brand-new super ship S.S. Emilie, inspired by Austrian painter Gustav Klimt.

Experience the Nile’s most wondrous sites in style and luxury with Uniworld.

What to consider before expedition cruising

Adventurous traveller? That’s where expedition cruising comes in, with its golden ticket to some of the world’s wildest bucket-list destinations you just can’t get to under your own steam.

Kayak to Storo Island in Scoresby Sound. (Image: PONANT/Daniel Ernst)

Companies such as HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) are specialists in this field and its itineraries to far-flung locales such as Antarctica, the Arctic and the Galápagos Islands are designed to protect and conserve the places they visit as much as to provide the trip of a lifetime for its passengers.

Aurora Expeditions’ Sylvia Earle is designed for adventure. (Image: Benjamin Tan/Masano Kawana)

Highlights of homegrown, B Corp-certified Aurora Expeditions’ 2026 program include its first expeditions to Southeast Asia, Indonesia and Borneo, and a Jewels of the Arctic expedition from Oslo to Reykjavík to coincide with the 2026 solar eclipse.

Closer to home, the Mawson’s Antarctica expedition departs Hobart on December 2025 for a 24-day exploration of Cape Denison and New Zealand’s subantarctic islands.

See the dog sleds of Kullorsuaq with PONANT. (Image: Rene Lorenz/ Getty Images)

Among 13 new sailings unveiled for PONANT’s 2025 season are nine polar itineraries on the world’s only luxury icebreaker. In the company of passionate destination experts and lecturers, guests onboard Le Commandant Charcot will delve into experiences such as meeting local Greenlandic communities and marvelling at the immense icebergs at UNESCO World Heritage site Disko Bay.

Or join one of 38 ultra-luxury expeditions to Antarctica with Silversea during its 2025/26 season in the White Continent. Highlights include South Georgia, the Falkland Islands and – on two voyages – aiming to cross the Polar Circle.

See a traditional Inuit village in Greenland. (Image: PONANT/Julien Fabro)

UnCruise Adventures’ new 10-night Mexico itinerary, which follows in the path of John Steinbeck’s The Log from the Sea of Cortez aboard the 66-guest expedition ship Safari Voyager, complements its award-winning Hawaiian Seascapes itinerary on the 36-guest Safari Explorer.

And in French Polynesia, boutique cargo cruise line Aranui’s expanded 2026 program features four voyages to the southern Austral Islands.

What to consider before luxury cruising

These days, the word ‘luxury’ extends beyond the material. In 2024, a luxury cruise embodies everything from hardware and soft furnishings to dining and experiences both onboard and onshore, in one seamless series of transitions. Scenic is an all-inclusive luxury operator whose new collection of Ultimate Asia Journeys for 2025 is rich in detail.

Scenic sails to Borneo in 2025.

A highlight of the new collection of luxury cruises and tours is the Ultimate Journey through Southeast Asia, a 28-day adventure that includes exclusive experiences designed to unveil Asia’s hidden gems everywhere from Taiwan to the Philippines, Indonesia and along the mighty Mekong.

Enjoy the intimacy onboard luxury small ship, Silver Nova.

Silversea’s Silver Nova debuts in the Asia-Pacific region this summer, with its innovative asymmetrical design and boundary-pushing technologies ensuring unique and sustainable sailings around Australia and New Zealand, and its popular S.A.L.T. program attracting foodies.

Silversea includes immersive destination experiences via its S.A.L.T. labs.

Explora Journeys is the new luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group and its latest luxury small ship EXPLORA II will enjoy its inaugural cruise season in the western Mediterranean. Then, it’ll go on to join ranks with sister ship EXPLORA I to celebrate the spirit of the Caribbean for a season from the end of the year.

Unique destination experiences include snorkelling the vivid reefs of Director’s Bay in Curaçao and sipping rum in Martinique. Reimagined cruise line Crystal also has a 2026 line-up of elevated itineraries, with voyages in Africa, Asia, North America and the Caribbean.

Explore cities like Lisbon with Crystal’s extensive range of onshore excursions.

Highlights include an island hopping cruise onboard Crystal Symphony from Kenya to Singapore, taking in everything from the spice bazaars of Zanzibar to the tropical paradise of Madagascar and the remote Andaman Islands. While an 18-night round trip from Lisbon onboard Crystal Serenity traces everything from Moorish history in Spain to the medinas of Casablanca in Morocco.

Soak up the sun on Crystal Serenity.