Australia and New Zealand Cruises in 2026

Where Do Australia and New Zealand Cruises Go in 2026?

Sailings in this region cover a wide arc of the southern hemisphere, from the busy harbour cities of Australia to the dramatic coastline of New Zealand, and out across the South Pacific. The largest share of itineraries focus on Australia itself, making this the natural anchor of a 2026 southern hemisphere cruise. A significant number of sailings combine both countries in a single voyage, and the South Pacific islands feature on many itineraries as a natural extension.

A good portion of the sailings are Australia fly-cruises, where the cruise is the centrepiece of a longer holiday — we can arrange flights from the UK, pre- and post-cruise hotels, transfers and tours as one package through our Cruise1st Packages service.

Which Regions Feature Most in 2026?

Australia dominates the itinerary mix, followed by the South Pacific and then combined Australia and New Zealand voyages. World cruises also appear in meaningful numbers — these are typically long ocean voyages of several weeks, calling at ports across multiple continents, with Australia or New Zealand forming one major leg. New Zealand-only itineraries and Transpacific crossings round out the picture. Many of the longer sailings are one-way — roughly a third of all departures end at a different port from where they begin, so a return flight home from the disembarkation port is needed. We can organise that as part of the booking.

Most sailings depart from Sydney or Brisbane, with a smaller number ending in Auckland, Hong Kong, or Singapore. For sailings beginning in Europe before repositioning south, embarkation ports include Marseille and Rome (Civitavecchia) — and again, we book the outbound flights, hotels and transfers so nothing is left loose.

Which Cruise Lines Sail Australia and New Zealand in 2026?

Carnival Cruise Line leads the field with the most sailings in this region, followed by Costa Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises, with Celebrity Cruises also well represented. Each line takes a different approach to the region — from Carnival’s energetic, activity-packed ships to Princess’s more refined style and Celebrity’s premium feel.

Which Ships Are Sailing the Region?

Several well-known ships operate these itineraries, each with a distinctive character. Here is what to expect on the most active ones.

Carnival Adventure

Carnival Adventure is built for those who want activity at every turn. The EDGE Adventure Park above deck offers zip-lining, rock climbing, abseiling and a flying fox — there is nothing quite like it on the water. Families are well looked after, with Camp Ocean for ages 2–11, teen programmes running alongside, and the adults-only Serenity Retreat for those who want a quieter corner. Dining runs from Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse to Bonsai Sushi, backed by Blanc de Blanc Uncorked cabaret in the evenings. See Carnival Adventure’s cabins and deck plans.

Carnival Splendor

Carnival Splendor brings a retractable-roof midship pool that works year-round, the Green Lightning waterslide and a full WaterWorks waterpark. Guy’s Burger Joint, Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse and Masala Tiger give genuine variety at mealtimes, while the Cloud 9 Spa’s Thalassotherapy pools and thermal suites offer a quieter alternative to the deck action. Browse Carnival Splendor’s cabins and deck plans.

Costa Deliziosa

Costa Deliziosa is the only Costa ship fitted with dedicated golf facilities — a simulator and outdoor putting green — which makes it a genuine draw for golfers on a longer voyage. The Samsara Spa spans 3,500 m² across two decks, with a thalassotherapy pool and thermal suite, and the glass-roofed pool deck doubles as an open-air cinema at night. View Costa Deliziosa’s cabins and deck plans.

Quantum of the Seas

Quantum of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s most innovative ships. The RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator, North Star observation pod and Laser Tag sit alongside Two70° — a venue combining floor-to-ceiling glass with roboshow technology and a wraparound screen that is genuinely unlike anything else at sea. The Bionic Bar’s robotic bartenders and Wonderland’s imaginative cuisine add to a line-up that sets this ship apart. Explore Quantum of the Seas’ cabins and deck plans.

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 sits 300 feet above the waves. Two70° delivers 4K immersive performances alongside Bionic Bar robotic cocktails, and the RipCord by iFLY simulator and SeaPlex bumper cars round out a tech-packed ship that keeps busy itineraries interesting. See Anthem of the Seas’ cabins and deck plans.

Royal Princess

Royal Princess was named in Southampton by HRH The Princess of Wales in 2013 and remains Princess Cruises’ flagship Royal-class ship. The SeaWalk — a glass-floored walkway extending 18 metres over the ocean, almost 40 metres above the waves — is one of cruising’s more striking features. The Sanctuary adults-only retreat, with its Enclave thermal suite, heated stone loungers and hydrotherapy pool, offers a peaceful escape for those who want it. Browse Royal Princess’s cabins and deck plans.

What Cabin Grades Are Available?

Cabin choices vary by ship. Here are the grades available on 3 of the ships sailing this region, from the most affordable to the most spacious.

Costa Deliziosa Cabins

• Inside cabin I1 — 14 m², sleeps 4. The roomiest standard inside cabin on the ship, with 2 m² more space than the grades below it.
• Sea-view cabin E1 — 16 m², sleeps 4. The largest standard sea-view cabin on board, with 2 m² more living space than the E2 grade.
• Balcony cabin with sea view B1 — 14 m², sleeps 4. Positioned on lower decks where ship movement is gentlest — a good choice for less experienced cruisers.
• Grand Suite GS — 36 m², sleeps 4. Considerably more spacious than all other suites on the ship.

Carnival Adventure Cabins

• Inside cabin 4A — 15 m², sleeps 4. Features a walk-in wardrobe and generous storage — practical for extended voyages.
• Ocean-view cabin with Porthole PT — 15 m², sleeps 4. Two round portholes bring natural light into the ship’s quieter lower section on decks 1–2.
• Balcony cabin 8A — 16 m², sleeps 4. A private balcony with folding glass door gives direct outdoor access.
• Byron Beach Club Presidential Suite SB — 58 m², sleeps 4. The flagship suite, with an expansive balcony, dressing area and deluxe bathroom — more than twice the size of a standard balcony cabin.

Carnival Splendor Cabins

• Cloud 9 Spa Inside cabin 4S — 16 m², sleeps 3. Includes spa access, priority reservations, unlimited thermal suite use and 2 complimentary fitness classes.
• Large Sea-view cabin 6K — 30 m², sleeps 4. At 30 m², this is 10 m² larger than the standard sea-view cabins — substantially more living space.
• Balcony cabin 8M with large balcony — 26 m², sleeps 4. Offers 9 m² more than a standard balcony cabin, with a private outdoor area.
• Captain’s Suite CS — 47 m², sleeps 5. The largest suite on the ship, with a separate bedroom and living area.

What Do the Fares Include?

Fare inclusions vary by cruise line and tier. Here is a plain summary of what each line’s main options cover.

Costa Cruises

Costa offers several fare types, including an All Inclusive tier with a full Italian drinks and dining package, and a Comfort Plus option covering full board, unlimited drinks and 24-hour room service. A FLASH fare offers full board at a promotional rate, with a drinks package available to add. Last-minute fares target late availability at competitive pricing. The right tier depends on how much you want included upfront — our experts can help you weigh it up.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s fare types include a standard Cruise Fare, a Solo Fare for single occupancy, and last-minute fares at discounted pricing. Promotional fare types such as group offers and early booking bonuses have appeared on select sailings — availability and terms vary. Our team can tell you what is currently live for the sailing you are considering.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises operates a tiered fare structure. The Standard fare covers the cruise itself, while the Plus package adds 4 casual dining meals per voyage, beverages up to $15 each (up to 15 per day), MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi, pre-paid crew appreciation, unlimited digital photographs plus 3 prints, and reserved theatre seating. Drop-and-Go promotional fares also appear on select sailings for those with flexibility on timing. See Princess Cruises Australia and New Zealand sailings for 2026–2027.

Are There Cruise Deals for Australia and New Zealand in 2026?

Reduced fares appear across a range of sailings in this region — on one departure, the saving against the previous price for that cabin grade reaches 47%, though that represents a single sailing. Most reduced sailings carry a more modest discount of around 1% from the previously listed cabin price. If a deal is available on the sailing you are looking at, our team will apply it at the time of booking. Fare types such as last-minute offers and promotional group rates appear from time to time — ask our experts what is currently running.

Booking Your Australia or New Zealand Cruise with Cruise1st

Every sailing to this part of the world is a fly-cruise, with the cruise at the heart of a longer trip from the UK. Through our Cruise1st Packages, we can arrange flights, hotels before and after the cruise, transfers and tours — all on one booking. If you want to arrive a day early in Singapore before joining a longer voyage, or spend a few nights in Sydney after disembarking, we can put that together. You will not be left to piece the journey together yourself.

Our cruise experts are available by phone before you book. They know these itineraries, these ships and these fare tiers — and they can point you to the cabin grade and the fare inclusions that actually suit what you are planning. Cruise1st is rated 4.5/5 on Trustpilot from over 7,000 reviews, and is both ABTA and ATOL protected. Browse our full range of cruises or explore all 2026 cruise departures if you are still deciding on the region.

Also Worth Considering in 2026

If you are open to other 2026 destinations, Princess Cruises in 2026 offers a wide range of itineraries beyond the Pacific, and world cruises in 2026 often include Australia and New Zealand as a major leg. For those considering a departure from the UK first, world cruises from Southampton in 2026 are worth a look. The 2026 Christmas cruise calendar also includes southern hemisphere sailings that time well with the Australian summer. Closer to home, Princess Cruises from Southampton in 2026 and Celebrity Cruises in 2026 offer strong alternatives if you prefer a shorter journey. For something further afield in the Pacific region, Southeast Asia cruises in 2026 pair well with an Australia voyage as part of a longer trip via cruises from Singapore in 2026. Fans of Australia cruises from the UK more generally will find options across multiple seasons on our dedicated hub page.

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.