April 2028 Australia cruises

Where do April 2028 cruises go from Australia?

April is one of the most varied months in the Australian cruise calendar. Sailings head in two broad directions: close to home through the South Pacific and around Australian and New Zealand waters, or further afield on a transpacific crossing that takes you all the way across the ocean. Voyages range from a short 3-night taster to a 24-night voyage, with a median length of 10 nights. Twelve sailings run as round trips and 8 are one-way repositioning voyages — worth knowing before you choose, because a one-way sailing ends somewhere different from where it starts.

Close to home — Australia, the South Pacific and New Zealand

The largest share of April 2028 departures stays within the Australia region, and for good reason: autumn in the Southern Hemisphere brings settled weather and comfortable temperatures that suit longer days at sea. Sailings depart primarily from Sydney and Brisbane, so if you live within driving distance of either terminal, you can roll your luggage straight aboard with no airport involved whatsoever.

The South Pacific is the second most popular region this month. These itineraries sweep out from the east coast into island groups scattered across the Pacific, with Lautoka among the ports where some voyages call. Polynesia also features, for those who want to push further into the Pacific. If you prefer a dual-destination voyage, a combined Australia and New Zealand itinerary puts both countries on the same trip, and New Zealand sailings round out the close-to-home options — the one departure in this group boards in Auckland, which is straightforward to reach via a direct flight from any Australian capital. When the itinerary ends in a different city from where it started, a domestic flight bridges the gap, and our team can book that as part of the same package.

The long haul — Transpacific crossings

If a grand voyage appeals, Transpacific sailings are available in April 2028. These one-way repositioning crossings cover serious ocean miles — ending at ports including Honolulu and Seattle — and are ideal for anyone who wants to combine a major cruise with an onward trip through North America. Because these end outside Australia, a return flight is part of the equation. That is not a problem you need to solve yourself: Cruise1st can add the flights, any hotel nights either side and transfers, so the whole journey sits on one booking.

Which cruise lines are sailing in April 2028?

Carnival Cruise Line leads the way with the most April 2028 departures, with Carnival Cruises 2028 options worth exploring if you want to compare across the year. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises all have sailings in this month too. Between them they cover everything from family-focused fun ships to premium adults-leaning vessels, so there is a genuine choice of style as well as itinerary.

Which ships are sailing in April 2028?

Carnival Encounter

Carnival Encounter is Brisbane-based in April 2028 and particularly well suited to families. The EDGE Adventure Park on the top deck packs zip-lining, rock climbing, a flying fox and cargo-net racing into one outdoor complex — the kind of activity hub that keeps teenagers engaged at sea. Younger children are looked after through Camp Ocean (ages 2–11), Circle C and Club O2, leaving parents free to enjoy their own time. When it comes to food, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi Express and the Blanc de Blanc Uncorked cabaret dinner show give you a seriously varied lineup for a short voyage.

Carnival Encounter carries 4 departures in April 2028. Cabin options on board include:

• Inside cabin 4A (15 m², sleeps 4) — a walk-in wardrobe makes this especially practical on longer voyages, with ample storage for all the luggage two weeks away requires.
• Ocean-view cabin with Porthole PT (15 m², sleeps 4) — 2 round portholes bring natural light into the cabin at a price that sits well below a standard ocean-view.
• Balcony cabin 8A (16 m², sleeps 4) — a private balcony gives you direct access to fresh sea air and a sea view without stepping onto a public deck.
• Byron Beach Club Presidential Suite SB (57 m², sleeps 4) — the largest suite on the ship, sitting on Deck 15 with the highest position and the finest sea outlook on board.

See the full range of options on the Carnival Encounter cabins and deck plans page.

Carnival Splendor

Carnival Splendor is homeported in Sydney for April 2028. The Green Lightning waterslide and WaterWorks™ waterpark thrill all ages, while the retractable-roof midship pool means you can swim whatever the weather. Dining ranges from Guy’s Burger Joint for a casual bite to Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse for a proper sit-down, with Masala Tiger adding an Indian option. Adults looking for a quieter corner will find it in the Serenity Retreat, while the Cloud 9 Spa™ Thalassotherapy pools and thermal suites offer a proper wind-down at sea.

Cabin grades on Carnival Splendor include:

• Cloud 9 Spa Inside cabin 4S (16 m², sleeps 3) — Cloud 9 Spa access is included, with priority reservations, unlimited thermal suite access and 2 complimentary fitness classes.
• Large Sea-view cabin 6K (30 m², sleeps 4) — at 30 m², this is 10 m² larger than a standard ocean-view cabin, which makes a genuine difference over a longer sailing.
• Balcony cabin 8M with large balcony (26 m², sleeps 4) — 9 m² more space than a standard balcony cabin, with a private outdoor area to sit and watch the coastline pass.
• Captain’s Suite CS (47 m², sleeps 5) — the largest suite on board, with a separate bedroom and living area and room for a family of five.

Browse the full layout on the Carnival Splendor cabins and deck plans page.

Celebrity Edge

Celebrity Edge is one of the most distinctive ships sailing from Sydney in April 2028. The Magic Carpet — the world’s first cantilevered floating platform — travels 16 storeys up the outside of the hull, functioning as a bar, a restaurant or a dive deck depending on where it has been positioned that day. Infinite Veranda staterooms open the entire balcony wall so the boundary between inside and outside effectively disappears. Eden, a three-level live-performance venue, gives the ship a theatrical heart that sets it apart from most other vessels of its size. Celebrity Edge 2027/2028 sailings from Sydney and Celebrity Edge 2028/2029 sailings from Sydney both have full details of what is on offer across the season.

Cabin grades on Celebrity Edge include:

• Deluxe Inside cabin DI (18.8 m², sleeps 4) — around 2 m² more spacious than the standard inside, with a larger bathroom and more storage.
• Deluxe Ocean-view cabin DO (22.1 m², sleeps 4) — the most spacious ocean-view grade on the ship, with 3–4 m² more living space than a standard sea-view cabin.
• Sunset Veranda Stateroom SV (21.2 m², sleeps 4) — the largest balcony of any standard balcony cabin on the ship, at approximately 8.3 m² compared with approximately 3.7 m² in other veranda categories.
• Iconic Suite IC (239.8 m², sleeps 6) — the largest suite in the Celebrity fleet, with 270° panoramic views from the highest position above the bridge, plus a private hot tub.

The full cabin breakdown is on the Celebrity Edge cabins and deck plans page.

Grand Princess

Grand Princess sails from Brisbane and Sydney in April 2028 on Princess Cruises voyages to the South Pacific and beyond. Crown Grill — recognised by USA Today as the best cruise steakhouse — and Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria anchor the specialty dining offering. MedallionClass® OceanNow® means food, drinks and services come to you wherever you are on the ship via the Princess app, rather than you going to them. Movies Under the Stars® — a giant poolside screen with free popcorn and blankets — is a particular favourite on voyages heading north from the east coast. See all Princess 2027/2028 season sailings or browse Princess Cruises departures from Fremantle in 2028 if you are on the west coast.

For a closer look at cabin options, visit the Grand Princess cabins and deck plans page.

Norwegian Spirit

Norwegian Spirit carries Norwegian Cruise Line’s signature Freestyle Cruising approach into April 2028. The Spice H2O adults-only open-air beach club brings an Ibiza-influenced atmosphere to the top deck. A 2020 refurbishment added Onda by Scarpetta for modern Italian dining while keeping Cagney’s Steakhouse for anyone who prefers a classic specialty restaurant. The Stardust Theatre stages original productions nightly, including Blazing Boots, Palace of Lights and ELEMENTS! — 3 shows that rotate across the voyage so you are not watching the same one twice.

Check cabin layouts and grades on the Norwegian Spirit cabins and deck plans page.

Anthem of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas

Royal Caribbean brings 2 of its Quantum-class ships to Australian waters in April 2028. Anthem of the Seas holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest viewing deck at sea — the North Star observation capsule sits 300 feet above the waterline and gives you an entirely different perspective on whatever coastline you are passing. RipCord by iFLY lets you experience indoor skydiving on a ship, while SeaPlex offers bumper cars mid-ocean. The Two70° venue delivers 4K immersive performances alongside Bionic Bar robotic cocktails in a single space that runs the full width of the stern.

Ovation of the Seas shares the Quantum-class platform and brings a similarly tech-forward experience to the April 2028 schedule. Cabin plans for both ships are: Anthem of the Seas cabins and deck plans and Ovation of the Seas cabins and deck plans.

What do April 2028 cruises from Australia cost?

April 2028 sailings start from A$506 pp*, with the median voyage running around 10 nights. Of the sailings measured, 15 sailings carry a reduction from the price previously listed for that cabin grade on that sailing, with discounts reaching up to 27% on 1 departure. Most reduced sailings sit around 5% off, so the headline maximum applies to a single voyage rather than the whole programme. A small number of sailings — 5 in total — are sold on an all-inclusive fare basis.

What fare options are available on April 2028 sailings?

The fare structure varies by cruise line, and it is worth understanding what each includes before you compare prices.

Royal Caribbean offers fare types such as last-minute pricing on selected sailings and early-booking bonuses that add onboard credit. A solo/single occupancy fare is also available for guests travelling alone. The exact inclusions depend on the sailing and the promotion in place at the time of booking.

Celebrity Cruises gives you a choice of how much to include upfront. A cruise-only rate keeps the base price low and lets you add drinks, Wi-Fi and other extras à la carte. A best-value tier bundles a classic drinks package and basic Wi-Fi into a single price. At the top end, The Retreat packages suite accommodation with premium drinks, premium Wi-Fi, exclusive lounge access and a private dining experience — a significantly different holiday from the standard fare.

Norwegian Cruise Line starts with a lowest-fare option that covers the cruise itself with no extras included. Step up and you can add a beverage package, specialty dining, a Wi-Fi package and shore excursion credits in one bundle. A higher tier extends the dining package across all guests on the booking and increases the excursion and drinks entitlements. These are meaningful differences if you plan to eat in specialty restaurants every night.

Carnival and Princess fare structures vary by sailing. Our team can walk you through which tier suits your travel style — and which promotional fare types such as BOGO offers or last-minute rates happen to be live when you call.

How to book your April 2028 cruise

Cruise1st’s Australian cruise experts are on hand seven days a week. Whether you want a straightforward cabin booking or a fully wrapped holiday with flights, hotels, tours, transfers and insurance, we can put it together as a single Cruise1st Package. Our Best Price Guarantee means you can book with confidence knowing the price you see is the right one.

For most April 2028 departures, the embarkation port is in Australia — Sydney or Brisbane — so if you live nearby, the cruise starts at the terminal. If you are flying in from interstate, a short domestic flight connects you to the ship, and we can include that in your booking. The 1 sailing that departs from Auckland in New Zealand is a short international flight from any Australian capital; we book the flights, the hotel the night before and the transfers from the airport to the pier as part of the same holiday.

For one-way transpacific voyages ending at ports including Honolulu or Seattle, the return leg is equally straightforward to arrange through us — flights home, any hotel nights and transfers, all on one booking.

View all April cruises if you want to see what else is sailing that month globally, or browse the full cruises search to compare across destinations and dates.

Thinking about nearby months or years?

April sits in the Australian autumn, and the broader autumn cruises calendar stretches either side of this month. If you are flexible on the year, April 2027 Australia cruises and April 2026 Australia cruises are both on the site and worth comparing. Easter sometimes falls in April, and Easter 2027 cruises from Sydney is a good starting point if you are planning around the school holiday window.

If Brisbane is your home port, cruises from Brisbane in March 2028 and cruises from Brisbane in January 2028 give you the neighbouring months. For a broader look at what is sailing from that port across the year, cruises from Brisbane in 2027 gives a full-year view. If you are based in Queensland but considering a round-Australia voyage, cruise around Australia 2028 has the options laid out in one place.

Interested in a specific ship or line for 2028? See New Year 2028 cruises for the start of the season, Crown Princess 2028 sailings for Princess itineraries, or 2028 cruises around Tasmania if a coastal Australian voyage appeals. Passengers on the west coast should look at 2028 cruises from Perth and Princess Cruises from Fremantle 2028. Melbourne departures are at 2028 cruises from Melbourne.

For Sydney-specific sailings in the weeks either side of April, cruises from Sydney in March 2027 and cruises from Sydney in April 2027 give you a sense of what runs from that port in the same season. Royal Caribbean’s new private destination also features on some Pacific itineraries — Royal Beach Club Lelepa sailings has the details. And if the Brisbane autumn sailing window is where you want to focus, cruises from Brisbane in April 2027 shows you the equivalent sailings from the previous year.

*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.