The Big Future of Ocean Cruises: Wave Season, Megaships and Fremantle's Revival
As summer holidays fade and families settle back into routines, Australian travellers are turning their attention to planning their next adventure. This period marks the cruise industry's traditional "wave season", a peak booking time offering bonuses and extras akin to Black Friday sales for sea holidays. With Aussies' enduring love for cruising, the options are expanding beyond mere cost and convenience to focus on memory-making experiences.
Cruises Close to Home: Accessibility and Variety
Cruising from Australia provides a cheaper, easier gateway to nearby attractions, with styles to suit every interest. From the non-stop activity of big ships for families to the refined elegance of smaller vessels for adults, wellness-centred luxury ships, and boutique expeditions, there's something for all. Fly-cruise remains popular for West Australians due to limited local schedules, with Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland, and Singapore offering extensive options.
Booking early during wave season promotions secures the best deals and preferred cabins. Here's a look at close-to-home alternatives through spring 2028:
Fremantle's Comeback: Princess Cruises Returns
The local travel community celebrated last September's news that Princess Cruises is bringing big-ship cruising back to Fremantle, breaking the lull since P&O's demise. After eight years away, the recently refurbished 3,200-passenger Sapphire Princess will sail 11 voyages on six itineraries from Freo starting October 10, 2027, through February 12, 2028. Highlights include four-day Seacations to Busselton/Margaret River, Coral Coast voyages with Kimberley scenic cruising, and Treasures of Southeast Asia cruises to Bali and beyond.
Princess plans to expand its WA commitment if the 2027-28 season is supported, with the ship featuring new dining options like Crown Grill steakhouse and Makoto Ocean sushi. More broadly, Princess's 2027-28 Australia summer season will be its biggest in years, with three ships visiting 57 destinations across 13 countries.
Australia and Beyond: Viking and Asian Adventures
Viking returns to Australia with its Grand Australia Circumnavigation departing Sydney on December 11, 2026, aboard the luxurious expedition ship Viking Orion. This itinerary blends city and regional visits, from Brisbane and North Queensland to Komodo National Park and Bali, then south to WA and back to Sydney. The all-inclusive value covers shore excursions, meals, and drinks, with an enrichment program and Scandinavian design influences.
In Asia and the South Pacific, Japan's trending popularity is reflected in a plethora of ocean-cruising itineraries. Norwegian Cruise Line offers 22 Japanese ports in its 2027-28 Asia-Pacific program, while Princess launches its most expansive Japan season ever with 78 departures. Luxury line Silversea debuts a summer season in Japan in 2027-28, featuring local festivals and its S.A.L.T. culinary program.
Short Getaways: Tasters and Family Fun
Short cruises, promoted as "tasters" or "short escapes," provide an excellent introduction to cruising or specific brands. Carnival remains the only international cruise line based in Australia year-round, with ships offering getaways from as little as $339 per person. Its 2027-28 program includes maiden seasons from Adelaide and Auckland, and a homeport return to Melbourne.
Royal Caribbean has short cruises of three to six nights in the 2026-27 summer season, with options to the Whitsundays or destinations like Eden and Hobart. The return of The Wiggles for themed cruises in November 2026 and March 2027 offers multigenerational family fun. Royal Caribbean also teases its private destination, Lelepa in Vanuatu, scheduled to open in 2027, featuring beachside huts and turquoise waters.
Small Ships and Expeditions: Luxury and Adventure
Luxury small-ship cruising is a dominant trend, with the Kimberley capturing attention for its dramatic landscapes and cultural experiences. Kimberley Quest, with over 30 years of experience, operates Kimberley Quest II, accommodating 18 passengers for wilderness access. Pearl Expeditions, launched in 2025, offers voyages in the Kimberley, Papua New Guinea, and beyond, focusing on cultural connections.
Further afield, Ponant Explorations Group and Windstar provide luxurious small-ship itineraries in the South Pacific, with new ports and ships boosting capacity for remote island adventures.
The Next Wave of Megaships: Expansion and Innovation
Mainstream ocean cruising continues to reign, with the megaship phenomenon entering a new expansionary phase. The four major cruise companies are investing tens of billions in new vessels over the next decade, including at least 18 ships potentially carrying over 10,000 passengers and crew. These 200,000-plus gross tonne vessels offer advantages like non-stop entertainment and diverse venues.
Royal Caribbean leads with its Icon class, with up to five more floating theme parks on the way, featuring bold designs and LNG propulsion. Carnival Corporation unleashes Project Ace, a new platform of three 230,000GT ships to be delivered from 2029, aiming to "deliver fun to more guests than any ship in the world." MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line are also expanding their fleets with new megaship classes, while Disney Adventure launches in Singapore, bringing Disney, Pixar, and Marvel fantasies to life.
Trends in 2026: What's Shaping the Cruise Industry
Key trends for 2026 include expedition cruising, luxury and yacht-style voyages, more time in port with overnight visits, multigenerational travel, solo cruising, "coolcations" for off-peak travel, and themed voyages. These reflect shifting passenger demographics and a focus on immersive, personalised experiences.
Big Vision for Fremantle: A 50-Plus Year Plan
The Future of Fremantle document outlines a 50-plus year vision for the port city, including a world-class cruise terminal at Victoria Quay. The WA Government is investing $35.5 million for wharf upgrades to service modern vessels, alongside improvements to enhance the visitor experience. As Fremantle prepares for the resumption of homeport cruises in October 2027, these developments aim to support economic growth and reconnect the city to its waterfront.
