Cruising in 2024 and beyond: Here's what to expect

Whether exploring the world from your nearest Aussie port or far-flung shores, cruising in 2024 and beyond is a dynamic and diverse proposition.

Are you planning to go on a cruise in 2024? According to a survey by the Tourism & Transit (TTF) forum conducted in December from a sample size of 2000 Australians, one in four answered yes. These results track with an ever-increasing global demand for cruising, with an estimated 35.7 million passengers set to sail in 2024 according to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

These figures bust pre-pandemic levels thanks to a robust and agile cruise industry that adapted quickly to the challenges presented by Covid-19 and that continues to offer a strong value proposition compared to land-based holidays. That TTF’s survey results show a strong uptick in those 35 and under planning to cruise this year – 35 per cent of those asked answered affirmative – demonstrates that an ever-more diversified cruise offering is attracting a new audience.

This year will bring a succession of new ships entering service as cruise lines continue to invest heavily in a more advanced and sustainable global fleet. “This year’s launches include a mix of contemporary ships, luxury ships and expedition ships, from an equally broad range of cruise lines,” said Joel Katz, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) managing director in Australasia.

“Together these ships will be among the most advanced and energy-efficient ships to have ever sailed, and the choices they offer demonstrate why there is a cruising style to suit almost any taste.”

How is cruising embracing sustainability in 2024?

Cruising into 2024 and beyond is all about being better and bolder. It’s about innovation and leading-edge technology in support of efforts to reach an industry-wide goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

For example when Celebrity Cruises introduces Celebrity Xcel, its fifth ship in the Edge Series in November 2025, it will come complete with a new engine model that provides fuel flexibility with the ability to use three types of fuel including methanol, in anticipation of later adoption of the emerging alternative fuel.

Even the largest cruise ship in the world, Royal Caribbean’s recently launched Icon of the Seas, features leading-edge technology that marks a major milestone towards the cruise line’s goal to build a carbon-neutral ship by 2035. Innovations on Icon include running on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and an industry-first waste-to-energy system that sees solid waste converted directly into energy onboard.

And Aurora Expeditions, an Australian-owned pioneer of polar travel that leads small-ship expeditions to the Arctic, Antarctica and beyond, has reached a sustainability milestone by achieving B Corp Certification. This benchmark recognises businesses that meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, and that have made a legal commitment to balance profit with purpose.

The latest in cruising travel trends

Virtuoso, a leading global travel agency network specialising in luxury and experiential travel, has identified adventure cruising as its top travel trend in the 2024 Virtuoso Luxe Report – Australia & New Zealand, citing prevailing interest in Alaska – where the likes of UnCruise Adventures have specialised in venturing for almost three decades – and increased accessibility to Antarctica, its leading adventure destination for the year.

CLIA’s Joel Katz said expedition cruising had fostered a new breed of traveller, drawn to increasingly sophisticated small-scale ships that can reach remote and pristine locations.

“Australian and New Zealand travellers are increasingly motivated by the opportunity to gain insight into other cultures or have first-hand encounters with wildlife. As a result, we’re seeing a lot of creativity in these areas as cruise lines develop a more intimate and memorable experience for their guests.

“Conservation and sustainability are a huge part of the expedition experience and guests often join a cruise to learn more about the marine environment, wildlife, climate and remote ecosystems,” he continues. “Protecting the natural environment is very much a priority and cruise lines are among the pioneers in implementing environmental protections and emission reductions at sea,” he says.

Virtuoso also highlights the intimate nature of small-vessel cruising on the rise among new and experienced cruisers alike, with river cruising coming out ahead for its laid-back atmosphere, access to major cities and sights and wide-ranging itineraries that help you get under the skin of a destination, whether you’re sailing the Nile, Mekong or Danube.

We’re also seeing more cruise lines collaborating with renowned land-based tour operators on increasingly sophisticated land and sea packages that offer the best of both worlds. And then there are companies like Tauck; this well-loved American brand founded in 1925 has long blended the two with its global roster of guided tours, small ship cruises and river cruises, and its presence in the Australian market is growing.

New cruising hotspots around the world

Asia might just be our new hotspot for cruising – Japan reached No. 4 on the list of appealing cruise destinations in TTF’s recent survey, behind perennial Aussie favourites New Zealand, Europe and the South Pacific – but Africa is the new frontier. And cruise lines are responding to travellers’ appetite for more adventurous and immersive itineraries.

Oceania Cruises’ newly launched 59-day Grand Voyage, for example, includes a sail down the western coast of Africa with days at sea punctuating ports in Senegal, Gambia, Ghana, and an overnight stay in Walvis Bay, Namibia. And Norwegian Cruise Line has returned to African waters for its longest season to date following a successful season out of Cape Town in 2022/23.

Its sailings onboard mid-size ship Norwegian Dawn drop into locations such as Réunion, known for its volcanic landscapes and rainforests; Nosy Be, Madagascar, famous for its spectacular coral reefs; and Richards Bay, a gateway to South Africa’s wildlife safaris. Norwegian Dawn will return to homeport from Port Louis, Mauritius and Cape Town, South Africa, in 2024/25 and 2025/26 with a similar roster of itineraries.

And the Caribbean is becoming more accessible to Australians too, with some of our favourite cruise lines offering refreshed itineraries. Travelling in the States?

Hop on a Royal Caribbean cruise from any number of departure cities including Los Angeles and Miami for island-hopping tasters ranging from five to 12 nights while NCL’s all-new Norwegian Viva is home-porting in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in winter 2024/25. Its Caribbean adventures will see guests wake up in a new tropical paradise every day on islands including Antigua, Barbados and St. Lucia.

Discover a new perspective Down Under

And we’re cruising closer to home, too, keen to jump aboard ships from our nearest local port to explore Australia from a new perspective. Or to simply make the most of a long weekend free of responsibilities, where the most pressing decision you’ll make is which of the ship’s umpteen restaurants to book a table at for dinner.

And while cruise industry disruptor Virgin Voyages, which made its debut Down Under for the 2023/24 season when Resilient Lady sailed into Australian waters, won’t be back for the next season (citing escalating tensions in the Red Sea and with hopes to return for future seasons), it brought with it a diversified style of cruising that widened the appeal among Aussies. It has helped prime our appetite for a long weekend on the high seas.

Australia is heading into a bumper year of cruising in 2024, CLIA confirms, as cruise lines offer more local ships, more sailings and more cabins than ever before.

“We will see 81 cruise ships operating in Australian waters over the course of 2024, which is 14 per cent more than last year,” Katz reported. “Many of these ships will be staying longer and offering more local sailings, which means Australia will welcome more than 3700 port calls around the country – an 18 per cent increase over last year.”

The result, he said, is a wealth of cruising options for cruise aficionados and a huge economic potential for communities around the Australian coast. “The total cruise passenger capacity in Australia this year will be up by 42 per cent on 2023, which reflects the huge passion Australians have for cruising and the strong overseas interest in sailing Down Under.”

So with all that in mind, maybe you will be one of four Australians choosing to cruise this year. Read on for inspiration.

The latest and greatest cruising itineraries

Explore more of the world with these brand-new itineraries.

Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises has announced three new itineraries that explore lesser-known ports in Africa and Asia at the end of 2024 and into 2025. The 1250-guest ship Riviera will sail an epic 59-day Grand Voyage, which cruises from Barcelona to Singapore.

Viking River Cruises

Viking’s 2024-2026 river cruise brochure is packed with culturally rich itineraries such as The Rhine & Main Explorer, Mississippi River Odyssey and Big Easy to the Gateway City.

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways had oenophiles clinking glasses at the news of its Bordeaux 2025 itineraries. The new Bonjour Bordeaux: Châteaux, Wineries & Charming Villages cruise will be available for one-, two- and three-week sailings.

Sail Croatia

Sail Croatia’s new small-ship Heritage cruise is aimed squarely at culture boffins. The seven-night cruise onboard its Elegance ships departs from the historic town of Split. The itinerary loops in five UNESCO-protected sites, as well as natural parks and places of historical interest along the Dalmatian Coast.

Explora Journeys

Explora Journeys has introduced new Destination Experiences designed to immerse guests into the culture of Central America, the US and Canada’s Pacific Coast, and Hawai‘i. Highlights include a traditional Temazcal ceremony in Mexico’s Cabo San Lucas and a hike through the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles.

Aranui Cruises

Aranui Cruises will open up a new area of French Polynesia to cargo cruising in 2025. The 125-metre mixed freight and passenger vessel Aranui 5 will carry cargo to the Austral Islands archipelago in a series of 13-day voyages in 2025.

The coolest cruise ships you need to try

From contemporary creations to liners evoking the golden age of ocean cruising and intimate expedition vessels, there’s an exciting new crop of ships on the horizon.

Celebrity Ascent

Celebrity Cruises’ most innovative ship, Celebrity Ascent, has been etched into the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide as one of just seven vessels to receive a global Four-Star Award.

Cruising the Caribbean and Mediterranean, the 3260-guest ship has 32 dining options, including Le Voyage by renowned French chef Daniel Boulud, a multi-deck Sunset Bar and lush Rooftop Garden with floating pools. The ship is LNG-powered and adaptable to greener fuels of the future.

Queen Anne

Every aspect of Queen Anne is a nod to the golden age of ocean cruising. The 2996-guest Cunard ship has a timeless design centred around a light-filled three-level Grand Lobby.

It has twice the number of the cruise line’s beloved Britannia staterooms and more than 4000 pieces of artwork, which champion young and contemporary artists. The Pavilion, which doubles as a pool and open-air theatre, has a retractable domed roof making it suitable for all climes. Queen Anne will be based in Europe until 2025 when she will make her maiden World Voyage.

Sun Princess

Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess made her inaugural voyage around the Mediterranean in February, showcasing her sleek design, huge range of accommodation including 55 accessible cabins, and unique and generously spaced venues.

The ship features a geodesic glass-enclosed dome, which is a pool by day and stage by night, with the most technologically advanced theatre at sea. Families are catered to with a fun multi-generational activity zone on the top deck, as well as suites that can accommodate up to five guests.

Galapagos Explorer

Luxe eco-conscious travel company andBeyond can lay claim to the most exclusive expedition yacht in the Galápagos Islands with the upcoming launch of the 38-metre Galapagos Explorer.

Sleeping just 12 guests in six spacious cabins, the ship will offer unrivalled experiences tailored to suit the intimate group onboard, such as encounters with giant tortoises and snorkelling with sea lions. The ship itself oozes relaxed luxury, with indoor and outdoor dining and a hot tub on the upper deck to soak in as the sun sets.

Abercrombie & Kent

Expanding its operations in Egypt, bespoke tour company Abercrombie & Kent will add a fifth Nile riverboat to its fleet, slated to launch in 2025.

Designed as a high-end floating hotel, the yet-to-be-named vessel will feature 32 cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows and marble bathrooms, two restaurants, a spa and gym, a swimming pool and sun deck, and a crew comprising Egyptologists for an unrivalled insight into the region while on shore and onboard.

Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Aqua

Norwegian Cruise Line debuted its newest ship, the 3099-guest Norwegian Viva, last year in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, which mirrors the design of sister ship Prima.

And in 2025, Norwegian Aqua will make its maiden voyage in the Caribbean. The 3571-guest ship will feature the world’s first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide, a digital sports complex, and NCL’s first-ever three-bedroom Duplex Haven Suites, which are set to be the most spacious at sea.

Seven Seas Grandeur

With the highest staff-to-guest ratios at sea, Seven Seas Grandeur offers exceptional service to match the high-level luxury. Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ new ship features 15 accommodation categories including the 412 square-metre Regent Suite, dubbed The Most Exclusive Address At Sea.

It has a 1600-piece art collection and a state-of-the-art spa with a zero-gravity massage table and amber and quartz crystal bed. With opulence comes a conscious design that reduces emissions and waste onboard.

Allura

Oceania Cruises’ newest ship Allura will launch during the European winter of 2025 hot off the heels of Vista. The 1200-guest ship has some of the biggest standard suites at sea, measuring a generous 27 square metres, as well as 10 dining destinations and the signature Culinary Center offering hands-on cooking classes. It will cruise in the Med and Caribbean.

Explora II

Explora Journeys will launch its second ship, EXPLORA II, in August 2024. With 461 ocean-front suites, no less than three outdoor swimming pools and promising culinary riches across nine foodie experiences plus a considered roster of wellness and entertainment, it’s all in service of ensuring guests have the most enriching of ocean voyages.

Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas

Carrying a whopping 5610 passengers around the Caribbean, Icon of the Seas has broken many records at sea – from the tallest waterslide to the biggest swim-up bar. Royal Caribbean isn’t done yet, though, with Utopia of the Seas coming at the end of the year. Coined the world’s biggest weekender, this party-loving vessel will sleep 5668 passengers and focus on three- and four-night itineraries from Florida.

The best in offshore adventures

Cruising is increasingly as much about what you do off the ship as on, as these land and sea packages and immersive itineraries attest to. 

Venice to Athens

Crystal Symphony will sail from Venice to Athens on 14-24 November for the first-ever Crystal Chairmen’s Cruise, which speaks to the newly relaunched cruise brand’s elevated offering and promise of a program of enriching adventures on land by those who do it best.

Guests onboard will be given the opportunity to engage with industry titans A&K Travel Group chairman Manfredi Lefebvre and Geoffrey Kent, founder & chairman emeritus of Abercrombie & Kent, who will be onboard as guest lecturers for the voyage.

Japan and South Korea

Australian group travel specialist Gullivers has announced an exciting culinary tour of Japan and South Korea with Malaysian-Australian cook and TV host Adam Liaw. The 11-day cruise onboard Silversea’s Silver Muse will explore the landscapes and flavours of five destinations, including Busan and Tokyo.

Cruise & Rail program

Uniworld has launched its new 2024 Cruise & Rail program. The five new itineraries will include destinations such as Istanbul, Transylvania, the Swiss Alps, Austria and Milan. Uniworld also offers a range of tailor-made pre- and post-cruise Cruise & Rail options from sister brand Adventure World.

Immersive Overnights program

Regent Seven Seas Cruises will offer overnight stays in every port of call as part of its new Immersive Overnights program in 2024-2025. Enjoy deeper explorations after dark with everything from a sunset wine tasting in Tuscany to neon nights in Shanghai.

How you can cruise closer to home

These great Aussie itineraries mean you don’t need to travel far for an unparalleled cruising journey.

Do the full lap with Silversea

Silversea will circumnavigate Australia on its brand-new ship Silver Nova for the first time in 2025. The 47-day antipodean journey is bookended by Melbourne and stops at 23 ports from cities such as Sydney and Hobart to the scenic isles of K’gari and Kangaroo Island.

The 12th ship for Silversea, ultra-luxe Silver Nova boasts a spacious design with an exceptionally high staff-to-guest ratio (1:1.3) and butler service for every suite. It’s also Silversea’s most sustainable ship with a hybrid engine that runs off LNG fuel and can connect to shore power while docked, reducing carbon emissions.

Go global from home with Princess

Half a century after Princess Cruises began sailing in Australian waters, the cruise line will welcome its newest ship Discovery Princess to Australia in 2025, its third and biggest to explore the region.

The new ship will join Crown Princess in Sydney, while Grand Princess will be based in Brisbane. The trio will operate 75 unique itineraries, including Australia circumnavigations, round-trip cruises to New Zealand and Fiji, and the longest world cruise to depart from Australia – an epic 114-night sailing that takes in 31 countries.

Long weekends at sea with Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s 2024-2025 season from Australia will have more weekend sailings than ever before from our shores. With 40 itineraries onboard Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas, guests can sail to the South Pacific and New Zealand from Brisbane and Sydney, or a weekend getaway for a few days of sea and sun, with Aussie highlights such as the Great Barrier Reef thrown in for good measure.

Join chef cruises with Cunard

Cruise with some of Australia’s greatest gastronomic stars on the third edition of Cunard’s Great Australian Culinary Voyage departing February 2025. The five-night cruise will take place on Queen Elizabeth between Sydney and Hobart and is headlined by Matt Moran.

The famed Aussie chef is joined by MasterChef winner Julie Goodwin who will MC the journey; acclaimed First Nations chef Nornie Bero who will take over Lido Alternative Dining restaurant; pastry chef Darren Purchese who will host hands-on workshops and a night-time dessert bar; and wine connoisseur Kate Spain who will lead onboard masterclasses and a Hobart shore excursion.

Three must-see ports to check out in 2024

Whangārei, New Zealand/Aotearoa

In February Oceania Cruises’ MS Regatta was the first cruise ship to visit Whangārei in decades. This Northland city’s attractions include the Whangārei’s Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery, where architecture and art harmonise with nature.

Philippines

Asia’s Best Cruise Destination for 2023 is set to be the next big thing in cruising. With some 7641 islands, it’s not hard to see why. Several new international cruise terminals are being constructed to meet anticipated demand, including in paradisiacal Palawan and surfing capital Siargao.

Nosy Be, Madagascar

Nosy Be is one of the most sought-after stops on a cruise with Norwegian Dawn, which debuted in Southern African waters in 2024. This island off the northwest coast of Madagascar is famed for its  lemurs, chameleons and ylang ylang trees, which make up a major part of the local economy.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

For anyone who’s dreamt of seeing the northern lights (that’s all of us), the coming two years might be your best chance in more than a decade. The aurora borealis will reach a solar maximum, which happens halfway through the 11-year solar cycle and sees the auroral displays at their most active, dynamic and vibrant.

Gold Coast-based cruise specialist My Cruises has created an exclusive itinerary with Norwegian Cruise Line to coincide with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: the Exclusive Northern Lights Discovery journey sails in October 2025.

And Norway specialist Hurtigruten is so confident you’ll see the swirling atmospheric phenomenon when you sail one of its expert itineraries during auroral season that it’s promising another voyage for free if you don’t. “It is super strong this year,” says Hedda Felin, CEO of Hurtigruten Norway. “Although I have seen them so many times, I still get blown away. It’s a magical feeling to be under the northern lights.”