New Year's Eve cruises departing from Australiaup to -24%

Best New Year cruise destinations from Australia

New Year’s Eve sailings from Australia concentrate on three neighbouring regions — Australian coastal itineraries, the South Pacific, and voyages spanning Australia and New Zealand together. Most are round trips, so you return to the same port you left from, and voyage lengths typically sit around 9 nights, though shorter breaks of 3 nights and longer escapes of up to 17 nights are available depending on the ship and route. Sailings depart from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth (Fremantle) — so if you are local to any of those ports, you can drive or take the train and be aboard the same day. If you are coming from another state, a short domestic hop connects you rather than a long-haul flight.

Where do New Year’s Eve cruises from Australia go?

Australian coastal sailings

The most popular choice is a voyage that hugs the Australian coastline — calling at ports you know and some you may not have visited by sea before. These itineraries suit travellers who want a genuine summer holiday afloat without a passport, and the range of ships operating them means there is a choice at every budget. If you are sailing from Sydney, you can explore our full range of cruise-around-Australia options too.

South Pacific

The South Pacific is the second most popular direction for New Year sailings, and it is easy to see why — tropical islands, warm water and a distinctly relaxed pace make for a natural contrast to the end-of-year rush. Most of these sailings depart Sydney or Brisbane and return to the same port, making the logistics straightforward for east-coast travellers.

Australia and New Zealand together

A handful of sailings cross the Tasman and combine both countries in one voyage. Australia and New Zealand itineraries typically disembark in Auckland, so if you are sailing one-way, a domestic flight connects you back home at the end. Prefer a standalone New Zealand coastal itinerary? Those are available too. And if you are interested in what’s on offer over the Christmas period, our Christmas cruises to New Zealand page covers sailings that depart a little earlier in December. For those focused on Fiji, one sailing heads directly to the Fiji islands — check our dedicated Sydney to Fiji cruises page for the full picture.

Which cruise lines sail on New Year’s Eve?

Carnival Cruise Line has the largest presence across these New Year departures, sailing from both Sydney and Brisbane. Royal Caribbean brings two of its tech-forward ships to the region. Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Azamara each add their own style to the mix. Browse the full range of Australian cruise deals if you want to compare across lines and seasons.

Ships sailing over New Year’s Eve

Carnival Encounter

Based in Brisbane, Carnival Encounter is a strong pick for families. The EDGE Adventure Park packs zip-lining, rock climbing, a flying fox and cargo-net racing into one outdoor complex high above the deck. Camp Ocean takes children aged 2 to 11, while Circle C and Club O2 keep teens entertained. In the evenings, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi Express and the Blanc de Blanc Uncorked cabaret give adults plenty to choose from. Cabin grades on Carnival Encounter include:

• Inside cabin 4A — 15 m², sleeps 4, with a walk-in wardrobe for longer trips
• Ocean-view cabin with porthole PT — 15 m², sleeps 4, two round portholes bring natural light at a budget-friendly price
• Balcony cabin 8A — 16 m², sleeps 4, private balcony with direct sea air and sea views
• Byron Beach Club Presidential Suite SB — 57 m², sleeps 4, the largest suite on board, on Deck 15 with the finest views

See the full Carnival Encounter cabins and deck plans to compare layouts.

Carnival Luminosa

Carnival Luminosa balances lively public spaces with genuine retreats. The Alchemy Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar and Piano Bar 88 cover every mood after dinner; Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi Express and the Seafood Shack handle serious dining; and the Cloud 9 Spa™ thermal suites and hydrotherapy pool, paired with the adults-only Serenity Retreat, give those who want a quieter trip somewhere to disappear. Cabin grades on Carnival Luminosa include:

• Inside cabin 4A — 14 m², sleeps 4, lower to middle deck positions for a quieter ride
• Inside cabin with window 4K (obstructed view) — 17 m², sleeps 4, floor-to-ceiling window with natural light at an affordable price
• Balcony cabin with extended balcony 8J — 31 m², sleeps 2, 10 m² more outdoor space than a standard balcony
• Vista Suite GV — 53 m², sleeps 2, the largest suite category on board, almost 3 times the size of a standard inside cabin

Review layouts on the Carnival Luminosa cabins and deck plans page.

Carnival Splendor

Sydney-homeported Carnival Splendor brings the Green Lightning waterslide and WaterWorks™ waterpark for active days at sea, plus a retractable-roof midship pool when you want to take it easy. Guy’s Burger Joint, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and Masala Tiger give a wide dining range, while Cloud 9 Spa™ Thalassotherapy pools, thermal suites and the Serenity Retreat cater to those who want to unwind. Cabin grades on Carnival Splendor include:

• Cloud 9 Spa Inside cabin 4S — 16 m², sleeps 3, includes priority spa reservations, unlimited thermal suite access and 2 complimentary fitness classes
• Large Sea-view cabin 6K — 30 m², sleeps 4, 10 m² larger than standard ocean-view cabins
• Balcony cabin 8M with large balcony — 26 m², sleeps 4, 9 m² more space than the standard balcony grade
• Captain’s Suite CS — 47 m², sleeps 5, the largest suite on board with a separate bedroom and living area

Compare all layouts on the Carnival Splendor cabins and deck plans page.

Anthem of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest viewing deck at sea — the North Star observation capsule reaches 300 feet above the waterline. Back on board, the RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator and SeaPlex bumper cars add a theme-park energy, while the Two70° venue delivers 4K immersive performances and Bionic Bar robotic cocktails. Check cabin options on the Anthem of the Seas cabins and deck plans page.

Quantum of the Seas

Based in Brisbane, Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas pairs the RipCord by iFLY simulator and North Star observation pod with Laser Tag: Crystal City battles and Wonderland imaginative cuisine — a combination genuinely not found on any other ship in the region. The Two70° venue’s floor-to-ceiling glass and roboscreen technology, plus Bionic Bar robotic bartenders, make evenings as interesting as the days. Explore cabins on the Quantum of the Seas cabins and deck plans page.

Carnival Adventure

Also sailing from Sydney, Carnival Adventure carries the EDGE Adventure Park — zip-lining, rock climbing, abseiling and a flying fox, all above the deck — alongside Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi and Blanc de Blanc Uncorked cabaret. Camp Ocean (ages 2–11), Circle C and Club O2 teen programmes run alongside the adults-only Serenity Retreat and Cloud 9 Spa, so different generations can do their own thing. See full cabin choices on the Carnival Adventure cabins and deck plans page.

Other ships sailing over New Year include Grand Princess from Princess Cruises, Celebrity Edge from Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Spirit from Norwegian Cruise Line, and Azamara Pursuit from Azamara.

What fare types are available on New Year sailings?

Fare options vary by cruise line. Royal Caribbean sailings carry fare types such as last-minute fares and promotional offers for third and fourth guests on the same booking — the available fare for any sailing is shown at the time of booking. Princess Cruises offers both a Standard base fare and the Princess Plus package, which bundles casual dining meals, beverages up to A$15 each (with a daily limit of 15 drinks), MedallionNet® Max Wi-Fi, pre-paid crew appreciation, unlimited digital photographs plus 3 prints, and reserved theatre seating. Celebrity Cruises offers a base fare, an All Inclusive fare combining a classic drinks package with basic Wi-Fi, and The Retreat — which adds premium drinks, premium Wi-Fi, suite accommodation, exclusive lounge and sundeck access, private dining and dedicated personal service. Our Australian cruise experts can walk you through which tier suits your group before you commit.

Are there any discounts on New Year’s Eve sailings?

A number of New Year departures are available at a reduced price compared with the rate previously listed for that cabin grade. Reductions reach up to 15% on a small number of individual departures, with most discounted sailings sitting around 7% off. If you spot a fare that suits your dates, it is worth booking — New Year departures are popular and availability moves quickly. Our Best Price Guarantee means that if you find a lower published price for the same cabin after booking with us, we will match it.

Make it a full holiday

A cruise is the centrepiece, but the trip around it matters too. As cruise specialists, every booking through Cruise1st is a cruise or a cruise-inclusive package. Our team can add flights, hotels, tours, transfers and insurance around your sailing — as a Cruise1st Package or a fully custom holiday built around your dates. If you are sailing one-way, for example finishing in Auckland and flying home separately, we can book that return leg at the same time so nothing is left loose.

Sailing over Christmas as well? Our Christmas cruises from Brisbane and December 2026 cruises from Sydney pages cover departures a little earlier in the season, and the January cruises from Sydney page is the natural next step for anyone whose New Year plans stretch into the new year. If you are weighing up other departure points, the December 2026 cruises from Brisbane page is worth a look. For a broader view of everything sailing from Australia, cruises from Australia covers the full range, and the full cruise search lets you filter by line, region and duration.

Call our Australian cruise experts seven days a week, or search and book online. The Princess Cruises 2027–2028 season launch is also worth exploring if you want to plan further ahead after your New Year trip.

*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.