Australia’s cruise season has officially started making waves

It's the start of “wave season” in Australia – the time when cruise ships such as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Cunard, and Princess’s sail into Aussie waters.

Australia’s cruise season has officially started making waves

By Explore

Updated September 26, 2022, first published August 12, 2022

The brand-new Pacific Encounter has been riding at anchor off Bradleys Head in Sydney Harbour this week. She has already been passed by the Coral Princess and the Pacific Explorer. With so much activity, it could almost be as if the pandemic never happened.

Also this week, Pacific Explorer – currently the entire industry’s flag bearer – sailed into Auckland Harbour as the first cruise vessel in two years to enter New Zealand’s waters. There were water cannons and a welcoming crowd of cruise fans waving from the shore.

Our ports along the east coast are now buzzing with activity as these mighty vessels travel between Brisbane’s new terminal and the Overseas Passenger Terminal opposite Sydney Opera House.

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Next month sees the start of what is known as “the wave season” – the time when major global lines such as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Cunard, Celebrity and Princess’s newest ships will be joined by a flotilla of smaller luxury vessels from the likes of Regent Seven Seas, Oceania and Ponant.

In more shipping news, many lines are now removing the demand that passengers test and prove they have been vaccinated, opening cruise holidays to everyone.

Australia once held the world record for penetration of the market, with more of us cruising per head of population than any other nation. It looks like we might well be heading that way again.

Australians are going back to sea in a big way – and those amazing ships are a welcome sight around our coastlines.

Tell us if you are cruising at explore@bigsplashmedia.com.au.