Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean 2028 sailings

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises together offer some of the most varied 2028 departures available from Australia. Sailings cover the Australian coast, the South Pacific, New Zealand, Polynesia and a transpacific crossing, with most departing from Sydney or Brisbane — so for many travellers this is a cruise with no long-haul flight involved at all. Voyages run from short getaways of a few nights up to 24-night itineraries, with a median of around 10 nights.

Where do Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean sail in 2028?

The two lines between them reach four main parts of the world in 2028. Australia itself is the most popular, followed by the South Pacific, New Zealand and Polynesia. A small number of sailings cross the Pacific entirely. Here is what each region looks like.

Australia

Australian coastal sailing is the busiest part of the 2028 programme. Most of these voyages depart from Sydney or Brisbane, making them genuinely accessible whether you live near the port or are flying in for a domestic hop. If you’re in Sydney, you board at the terminal and you are at sea by afternoon — no airport, no check-in queue. If you’re coming from another state, a short domestic flight connects you to the pier rather than a long-haul journey. You can explore more on the broader cruise around Australia 2028 page, or browse all cruises from Australia in 2028.

South Pacific

The South Pacific is the second-largest region in the 2028 mix, with sailings heading out from Sydney and Brisbane into island-studded waters. These itineraries suit anyone who wants warmth and variety without a long journey to the ship. Voyager of the Seas brings something genuinely distinctive here: Royal Beach Club Lelepa gives Voyager passengers exclusive access to the South Pacific’s first private cruise beach destination.

New Zealand

New Zealand sailings depart from both Sydney and Auckland. The Auckland sailings are one-way voyages, so if you join in Auckland the cruise ends in a different port — a domestic flight or onward connection links the two cities, and Cruise1st can book that alongside the cruise. The Sydney-based New Zealand departures are mostly round trips, which means you finish where you started with nothing to arrange at the other end. If you’re comparing options, the Sydney to New Zealand 2028 page goes into more detail.

Polynesia and transpacific

Polynesia features in a small number of 2028 sailings — a niche but rewarding choice for anyone who wants to reach further into the Pacific. The lone transpacific sailing is a genuine ocean crossing, finishing far from its starting port; if you’re considering it, let our team sort the flights and hotel at the far end so the whole journey fits together. Some transpacific routes also connect through Honolulu and Seattle, which are disembarkation points for the longer crossings.

Which ports do these sailings depart from?

The majority of 2028 Celebrity and Royal Caribbean departures leave from Australian ports, with Sydney the clear leader. The full list of embarkation ports is:

• Sydney — by far the most active home port, with round trips and one-way voyages covering Australia, the South Pacific and New Zealand. Browse all 2028 cruises from Sydney for the full picture.
• Brisbane — the second-busiest port, with sailings to Australia and the South Pacific. See all Brisbane 2028 departures, or narrow by month with January 2028 and March 2028 pages.
• Singapore — a small number of sailings begin here, making them the middle leg of a longer trip. We can book your flights into Singapore and your hotel the night before, so the whole journey is on one booking. The Singapore to Australia 2028 page covers this route in detail.
• Auckland — one departure leaves from New Zealand’s largest city, making it an option if you are already planning time in New Zealand before or after your cruise.

Around 9 of the 36 sailings are one-way voyages, so it’s worth checking the disembarkation port before you book. Our team will flag this and can arrange the connecting flight or transfer home.

The ships sailing in 2028

Five ships cover this programme between them — 3 from Royal Caribbean and 2 from Celebrity Cruises. Each has a genuinely different character, so the ship you choose matters as much as the itinerary.

Celebrity Edge

Celebrity Edge carries the most 2028 sailings of any ship and is a strong reason to book Celebrity Cruises in its own right. The Magic Carpet — the world’s first cantilevered floating platform — glides 16 storeys up the hull and transforms across the day into a bar, a restaurant, or a dive platform. Infinite Veranda staterooms open the entire wall between cabin and sea, so you get fresh ocean air without stepping outside. For evenings, Eden’s three-level live-performance venue and Le Petit Chef’s 3D animated dinner experience give you entertainment that other ships simply don’t have.

If you’re thinking about which cabin to choose on Celebrity Edge, the range runs from compact insides to the largest suite in the entire Celebrity fleet. View Celebrity Edge cabins and deck plans for layouts and pricing, or see the summary below:

• Deluxe Inside cabin (DI) — 18.8 m², sleeps 4; around 2 m² more spacious than a standard inside cabin, with increased storage
• Deluxe Ocean-view cabin (DO) — 22.1 m², sleeps 4; the roomiest ocean-view grade on the ship, with 3–4 m² more floor space than a standard sea-view cabin
• Sunset Veranda Stateroom (SV) — 21.2 m², sleeps 4; the largest balcony of all standard veranda grades, at roughly 8.3 m² compared with approximately 3.7 m² in other veranda categories
• Iconic Suite (IC) — 239.8 m², sleeps 6; panoramic 270° views from the highest position above the bridge, with a private hot tub

For Celebrity Edge departures from Sydney, the dedicated Celebrity Edge 2028/2029 Sydney sailings page and Celebrity Edge 2027/2028 Sydney sailings page both have itinerary-level detail.

Anthem of the Seas

Anthem of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s tech-intensive ship, and the statistics back that up. The North Star observation capsule holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest viewing deck at sea — 300 feet above the waterline — giving you a perspective over the ocean that nothing else on the water can match. The RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator and SeaPlex bumper cars are there for anyone who wants activity between ports. In the evenings, the Two70° venue delivers 4K immersive performances alongside Bionic Bar robotic cocktails.

Cabin choices on Anthem cover a wide range. See Anthem of the Seas cabins and deck plans for the full breakdown:

• Inside cabin with virtual balcony (1U) — 15.4 m², sleeps 4; a high-resolution screen delivers a live sea view into the cabin, so you’re never entirely cut off from what’s outside
• Ocean-view cabin (2P) — 253 m², sleeps 4; generously proportioned with a spacious living area and sofa
• Large Balcony cabin (2G) — 253 m², sleeps 4; double sofa bed and space suited to families or longer voyages
• Royal Loft Suite (RL) — 152.4 m², sleeps 6; a two-level maisonette with the bedroom on the upper level overlooking the living room below

Royal Caribbean also operates Anthem sailings from Sydney and from Brisbane. If you’re looking at the Christmas period specifically, the Royal Caribbean Christmas 2027 Australia page covers Anthem departures in that window.

Ovation of the Seas

Ovation of the Seas shares much of Anthem’s DNA — it too carries a RipCord by iFLY simulator and robotic cocktail bar — but adds 18 different restaurants to the mix, making it a strong pick for anyone who wants to eat their way around the ship. Like Anthem, it has a wave pool and sky-diving simulator for the days when the ocean outside isn’t enough. Browse Ovation of the Seas cabins and deck plans to find the grade that suits your group:

• Inside cabin with virtual balcony (1U) — 15.4 m², sleeps 4; an HD screen shows live sea views and port arrivals in real time
• Large Ocean-view cabin (3M) — 19.9 m², sleeps 4; roughly 4 m² more floor space than a standard ocean-view cabin
• Balcony cabin with obstructed view (1E) — 18.4 m², sleeps 4; the balcony outlook is partly restricted by a lifeboat, but the price saving over an unobstructed balcony can be significant
• Royal Loft Suite (RL) — 152.4 m², sleeps 6; two levels with three times the living space of an owner’s suite

Celebrity Solstice

Celebrity Solstice went through an extensive revitalisation in 2026 that reshaped its dining and entertainment completely. The Fine Cut Steakhouse, Trattoria Rossa handmade pasta restaurant and a redesigned Chef’s Table by Daniel Boulud are all post-refit additions. The Retreat suite sanctuary and AquaClass wellness cabins sit at the top of the accommodation range, with exclusive dining at Luminae and Blu respectively. On deck, Sunset Park, the Boulevard Lounge Dueling Pianos and the new Rockumentary show fill the evenings. See Celebrity Solstice cabins and deck plans for the full range.

Voyager of the Seas

Voyager of the Seas operates from Brisbane and is the right choice if you want a ship with a genuine ice rink. Studio B hosts professional skating shows with full choreography and costumes — something you rarely find at sea. The FlowRider surf simulator, Perfect Storm waterslides and a rock-climbing wall add to the activity count. And on South Pacific itineraries, Voyager passengers get exclusive access to Royal Beach Club Lelepa — the South Pacific’s first private cruise beach destination, opened specifically for Royal Caribbean guests. Check Voyager of the Seas cabins and deck plans before you choose your grade.

Are there any discounts on 2028 sailings?

A number of 2028 sailings are reduced from their previously listed price for that cabin grade. Reductions reach up to 24% on a single departure, though that headline figure applies to one sailing; most reduced sailings are discounted by around 8%. Fare types such as early-saver rates, last-minute offers and promotional bundles appear throughout the year — if you’re flexible on sailing date, it’s worth speaking to our team about which departures carry the best current reduction. Prices start from A$618 pp* for the shortest sailings, and around half the 2028 programme is listed as all-inclusive, meaning drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities can be bundled into the fare. Our team will walk you through what each fare tier actually covers before you commit.

Which cabin grade is right for you?

Both cruise lines offer a wide range of accommodation, and the right grade depends on how much time you plan to spend in your cabin, whether you travel as a couple or a family, and what budget you’re working with. As a general guide:

• Inside cabins — the most affordable grade on every ship; virtual balcony upgrades on Anthem and Ovation bring a live sea view into the room via HD screen
• Ocean-view cabins — a natural window to the sea without a balcony; Celebrity Edge’s Deluxe Ocean-view at 22.1 m² is one of the roomiest in the category
• Balcony and veranda cabins — Celebrity Edge’s Infinite Veranda format merges the balcony wall with the cabin itself, giving you fresh air without the traditional step outside; Anthem’s Large Balcony cabin at 253 m² suits families on longer voyages
• Suites — the Iconic Suite on Celebrity Edge spans 239.8 m² with a private hot tub and 270° panoramic views; the Royal Loft Suite on both Anthem and Ovation is a two-level maisonette at 152.4 m²

Not sure which grade suits your trip? Our Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises specialist team can talk through the options, compare what each fare tier includes, and help you decide — seven days a week.

Shore experiences and excursions

Both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises offer organised shore excursions at each port of call, ranging from easy scenic tours to more active day trips. If you prefer to explore independently, both lines allow you to leave the ship on your own and return before departure. Cruise1st can also arrange tours and transfers through your cruise package — so if you want a particular experience booked in advance rather than organised on the day, mention it when you call and we’ll include it in your itinerary.

Make it a holiday

For most 2028 sailings, the ship is right here in Australia — Sydney or Brisbane — which means you may not need a flight at all. If you’re already near the departure port, you can drive or take the train to the terminal and board directly. If you’re coming from another state, a short domestic hop is all that stands between you and the gangway; we can book that flight alongside the cruise so it’s all on one reference. For sailings that begin in Singapore or involve a transpacific crossing ending far from home, we put together the full package: flights, a hotel the night before, transfers and any tours you want along the way. That’s what a Cruise1st Package is — one booking, one point of contact, and nothing left for you to organise alone.

If you’re considering a New Year departure, the New Year Cruises 2028 page covers special-occasion sailings across both lines. For anyone looking at the broader 2028 season, all 2028 cruises and the South Pacific 2028 overview give you a wider view of what’s on offer. You might also want to compare with Carnival 2028 sailings or the Princess 2027/2028 season if you haven’t settled on a line yet. For Australian coastal itineraries specifically, April 2028 cruises around Australia is worth a look alongside the options here.

We’re also part of the broader cruise holiday specialist community — accredited and experienced in putting together trips from a single cabin booking to a fully tailored fly-cruise-hotel package. Whatever shape your 2028 holiday takes, our team helps you get it right.

Other 2028 cruise options worth knowing about

If you’re open to comparing lines or dates, a few related pages may be useful. Easter cruises from Sydney show what the Sydney calendar looks like around school holidays in the neighbouring year. For something similar in 2028, cruises around Tasmania in 2028 offer a different Australian coastal route on the same general calendar. Christmas cruises from Australia in 2027 and the Royal Caribbean Christmas 2026 Australia page show what the festive season has looked like in previous years — useful context if you’re planning ahead for a holiday-season sailing in 2028. For Sydney-based travellers planning beyond Australia, Sydney to Hawaii in 2027 and Singapore to Sydney in 2027 show comparable long-haul Pacific routes if 2028 availability hasn’t yet opened on those runs. For Caribbean sailings — a popular alternative destination for Australian travellers extending a trip abroad — our team can discuss options on the same call.

Planning a sailing from Brisbane specifically? Princess Cruises from Brisbane in 2027 and Melbourne to New Zealand in 2027 give you a feel for what comparable itineraries look like in neighbouring years and on nearby routes.

*Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing, and are subject to change. This price is not kept up to date and therefore does not reflect live pricing and availability. Prices and any discounts shown were checked on 14 October 2026.

Where a discount is shown, it is a reduction from the price previously listed for that cabin grade on that sailing, not a comparison between cabin grades or against a brochure rate. Discounts and prices shown are not kept up to date: the reduction available now may be smaller, or may have ended, and prices may have changed.