Christmas cruises from Australia

Where do Christmas cruises go from Australia?

Christmas sailings from Australia concentrate on three main parts of the world: coastal Australia, the South Pacific, and New Zealand. The largest share of departures explore Australian waters, making them a natural fit if you want to see the country from the water without a flight to reach the ship. South Pacific itineraries are the second most popular choice, followed by sailings that combine Australia and New Zealand in one voyage. A handful of sailings focus purely on New Zealand, and at least one heads to Fiji. Whether you want a long ocean adventure or a short break over the holiday, there is a sailing to match.

For more on Christmas cruises from Brisbane, Christmas cruises from Sydney or Christmas cruise 2027 Australia options, we have dedicated pages covering each. If you are also thinking about New Year’s Eve at sea, our Christmas and New Year’s Eve cruises page covers sailings that span the holiday break. And if Melbourne suits you better, see our Christmas cruises from Melbourne page.

Australia sailings

Cruises around Australia sail along some of the country’s most dramatic coastline, calling at ports that are genuinely hard to reach any other way. These sailings are the most popular choice for Christmas and suit both solo travellers and families. If you are local to the port, you can drive or catch the train straight to the terminal — no flight, no airport queue. If you are coming in from another state, a short domestic hop is far easier than any long-haul journey, and our team can book that flight alongside the cruise. See our cruise around Australia page for what is available year-round.

South Pacific sailings

The South Pacific is the second most popular direction for Christmas cruises from Australia, and it is easy to see why. These itineraries typically depart Sydney or Brisbane and sail out into warm Pacific waters. They are a strong choice for families and couples alike. Durations vary considerably — a shorter South Pacific sailing fits neatly over the Christmas break, while longer voyages carry you further into the islands.

Australia and New Zealand combined

Several sailings link Australia and New Zealand in a single itinerary, crossing the Tasman and visiting ports on both sides. These tend to run as one-way voyages, meaning the ship departs one country and disembarks in the other. If you are on a one-way sailing that ends in Auckland or a New Zealand port, a domestic or trans-Tasman flight home connects the two ends — and we can book that alongside your cruise. See our Christmas cruises to New Zealand page for sailings dedicated entirely to New Zealand.

Fiji

For something a little further afield, a Fiji sailing takes you into some of the Pacific’s most vivid blue water. Departing from Sydney, these itineraries give you a genuinely different Christmas backdrop. Our Sydney to Fiji cruises page has more detail on what is available.

Which ports do Christmas cruises leave from?

Most Christmas sailings depart from Sydney or Brisbane, with a smaller number leaving from Melbourne. If you are based in another city, a domestic flight to the departure port is typically the quickest option — and we can include that in your booking so nothing is left to organise separately.

• Sydney — the busiest Christmas departure port, with sailings heading to Australian coastal ports, the South Pacific and beyond.
• Brisbane — the second largest hub, particularly strong for South Pacific and domestic Australian itineraries.
• Melbourne — a smaller but growing Christmas departure point, good if you are based in Victoria.

Planning around December? Our Sydney December 2026 cruises and Brisbane December 2026 cruises pages show what is departing that month specifically. For sailings into the new year, our January cruises from Sydney page covers the period just after Christmas too.

Which cruise lines sail at Christmas?

Carnival Cruise Line is the most popular choice for Christmas sailings from Australia, with ships based in both Sydney and Brisbane. Royal Caribbean brings two of its most tech-packed ships to Australian waters for the season. Princess Cruises offers a more refined experience across its Christmas itineraries, while Celebrity Cruises caters to those after a more premium feel. Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises round out the choice, with Oceania particularly well regarded for its cuisine and smaller-ship feel.

For Royal Caribbean’s specific Christmas programme, see our Royal Caribbean Christmas cruise 2026 Australia and Royal Caribbean Christmas cruise 2027 Australia pages. Carnival’s wider Australian programme is on our Carnival Cruises to Australia page.

Top destinations

Carnival Luminosa

The Carnival Luminosa is one of Carnival’s most sociable ships. The Alchemy Bar serves craft cocktails, the RedFrog Rum Bar brings tropical energy, and Piano Bar 88 is the place for karaoke. For dining, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi Express and Seafood Shack give you genuine variety well above standard cruise-ship fare. When you want to slow down, the Cloud 9 Spa thermal suites and hydrotherapy pool are paired with the adults-only Serenity Retreat. Check the Carnival Luminosa cabins and deck plans to see which grade suits your trip.

Anthem of the Seas

Anthem of the Seas holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest viewing deck at sea — the North Star observation capsule rises 300 feet above the water. The RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator and SeaPlex bumper cars make it one of Royal Caribbean’s most activity-rich ships, and the Two70° venue pairs 4K immersive performances with Bionic Bar robotic cocktails. Browse the Anthem of the Seas cabins and deck plans before you book.

Carnival Adventure

Carnival Adventure is built for families who want to stay active. The EDGE Adventure Park towers above the deck with zip-lining, rock climbing, abseiling and a flying fox. Younger guests are looked after through Camp Ocean (ages 2–11), Circle C and Club O2 teen programmes, while adults have the Serenity Retreat and Cloud 9 Spa to themselves. Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and Bonsai Sushi keep the dining interesting. See the Carnival Adventure cabins and deck plans for the full cabin breakdown.

Carnival Encounter

Carnival Encounter is Brisbane-based and is one of the strongest choices for families over Christmas. The EDGE Adventure Park packs zip-lining, rock climbing, flying fox and cargo-net racing into one outdoor complex. Camp Ocean, Circle C and Club O2 cover children and teens, and the Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and Bonsai Sushi Express give adults something to look forward to at dinner. View the Carnival Encounter cabins and deck plans to find the right grade.

Carnival Splendor

Sydney-homeported Carnival Splendor has a retractable-roof midship pool that works in any weather, plus the Green Lightning waterslide and WaterWorks waterpark for days at sea. Guy’s Burger Joint, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and Masala Tiger give you a wide range of dining, and the Cloud 9 Spa Thalassotherapy pools and Serenity Retreat are there when you want to decompress. See all options on the Carnival Splendor cabins and deck plans page.

Quantum of the Seas

Quantum of the Seas sails from Brisbane and is one of Royal Caribbean’s most innovative ships. RipCord by iFLY, North Star observation pod and a Laser Tag arena set it apart from most ships in Australian waters. The Two70° venue — floor-to-ceiling glass, roboshow technology and a wraparound screen — delivers an entertainment experience you will not find elsewhere at sea, and the Bionic Bar robotic bartenders are a talking point in themselves. Check the Quantum of the Seas cabins and deck plans to compare cabin sizes.

What cabin should I book for a Christmas cruise?

Cabin grades vary by ship, but the main categories follow a consistent pattern. Here is how they break down on Carnival Luminosa as an example — and the same inside-to-suite structure applies across the other ships:

• Inside cabin 4A (14 m²) — Positioned on lower to mid-deck levels where you feel less ship motion. Sleeps up to 4, making it a practical choice for families watching the budget.
• Inside cabin with window 4K, obstructed view (17 m²) — A floor-to-ceiling window brings natural light in at a more affordable price than an unobstructed sea-view cabin. The obstruction comes from lifeboats and structures rather than a blank wall.
• Balcony cabin with extended balcony 8J (31 m²) — The extended balcony gives you around 10 m² more outdoor space than a standard balcony cabin — worth having over a longer Christmas sailing when you want somewhere to sit in the evening.
• Vista Suite GV (53 m²) — At 53–68 m², this is almost 3 times the space of a standard inside cabin. The largest suite category on the ship, sleeping 2, and the right choice if you want to mark the occasion properly.

For full cabin plans and grade comparisons, see the Carnival Luminosa cabins and deck plans page, or explore the deck plan pages linked under each ship above.

What do Christmas cruise fares include?

What is covered in your fare depends on the cruise line and the fare tier you choose. Here is what the main lines offer:

Royal Caribbean fares range from a base cruise fare through to promotional options. Fare types such as last-minute offers and early-booking bonuses are available on select sailings, and some promotions provide onboard credit or reduced fares for additional guests. Check the fare detail at booking for what applies to your specific sailing.

Princess Cruises offers two main tiers. The standard fare covers the cruise itself, with drinks, Wi-Fi and dining available to add. The Princess Plus package bundles in beverages (up to A$15 per drink, up to 15 drinks per day), MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi, crew appreciation, casual dining meals and reserved theatre seating — a solid-value option for a Christmas sailing where you want the extras sorted in advance.

Celebrity Cruises gives you three distinct options: a cruise-only rate where you add what you want; a mid-tier that includes a drinks package and basic Wi-Fi; and The Retreat, which covers premium drinks, premium Wi-Fi, suite accommodation and exclusive lounge and sundeck access. The Retreat is the closest thing to an all-inclusive luxury experience at sea.

Christmas on a cruise

Spending Christmas on a ship means the decorations, the food and the festivities are all taken care of — you just have to decide which one suits you. Family-focused ships like Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter combine Christmas-day dining with activity programmes for children, so adults and kids are both occupied. Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas go further with technology-driven entertainment spaces that genuinely have no equivalent on land. For something quieter and more refined, Oceania Cruises and Celebrity Cruises pitch their Christmas experience at couples and experienced cruisers who want excellent food and less noise.

The shape of Christmas sailings from Australia is varied. Most are round trips — you leave and return to the same port — but a handful are one-way voyages that end in a different city or country. If your sailing ends somewhere other than your home port, a domestic flight connects the two ends, and we can include that in your Cruise1st booking alongside the cruise itself.

Discounts are available on a number of sailings. On one departure the saving reaches up to 36% off that cabin grade’s previous listed price, though most discounted sailings are reduced by around 22%. It is worth checking individual fares — the price can shift significantly depending on the cabin grade and how far ahead you book.

Make it a full holiday

A Christmas cruise does not have to start and end at the terminal. Through Cruise1st Packages we can add flights, hotels, tours, transfers and insurance around your cruise — everything on one booking, one invoice. If you need a hotel the night before in Sydney or Brisbane, a transfer from the airport to the terminal, or flights from your home city, our team handles all of it. We are cruise specialists, available seven days a week, and our Best Price Guarantee applies across the board. Easter at sea is another option worth knowing about — our Easter 2027 cruises from Sydney page covers the next major holiday period after Christmas.

Browse all cruises departing from Australia or see what the Princess 2027–2028 season launch is bringing to Australian waters.

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.