Ovation of the Seas Aerial — Aerial View of Ovation of the Seas with Australia in the Background

Top 7 Itineraries Cruising from Australia

By Evelyn Uslar-Pietri | Republished on April 30, 2024

Whether you are tight on time and can only manage a weekend escape or a longer journey is on your radar, there is no shortage of red-hot itineraries cruising from Australia. Legendary destinations like the Great Barrier Reef, Fiji and Noumea, and incredible ships packed with thrill-crushing experiences. We’ve lined up 7 top itineraries to help you pick a dream holiday that slips neatly into your schedule. And with cruises from Sydney and Brisbane in 2024, 2025 and 2026, the time to go off and play is now!

2-4 night sampler

Even the shortest of cruises–a two night ocean getaway–offers a tall stack of far-flung adventure. Depending on your departure port, you will be sailing on one of two ground-breaking ships, Ovation of the Seas® or Quantum of the Seas®. Packed with first-at-sea-feats–like skydiving on Ripcord® by iFLY®, surfing on FlowRider®, and shaking it up on bumper cars–this is playing like you mean it. Of course you can expect epicurean adventure as well, with such palate-pleasing options as Izumi Japanese Cuisine and Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver. Top Broadway shows and jaw-dropping multimedia productions, as well as a full lineup of bars and lounges, many with live music, will fill your evenings with bold experiences you won’t soon forget.

Choose a 4-night sampler to cruise to Eden, New South Wales' most southerly town and a whale-watching mecca. Visit Ben Boyd National Park, and follow its rugged cliffs to Boyd Tower and Red Point Lookout, where breathtaking views greet hikers. And don’t leave Eden without picking up some Darell Lea chocolate or flavoured licorice, which many consider the world’s best!

5 Night Tasmania Cruise

A fascinating destination combining colonial history, natural beauty and wonderful foods and wine, Tasmania also boasts special claims to fame. Like the Tasmanian Devil, the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial, only found there. Or the cleanest air on earth, as monitored by the Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station. You’ll also find some of the oldest trees on the planet: the Huon Pine, ranging up to two thousand years of age! In the harbour town of Hobart, you’ll be charmed by colonial seafarer cottages from the 1800s and the narrow lanes that cross Battery Point. For great restaurants, cafes and shopping, head over to Salamanca Place where its waterfront location, Georgian architecture and cultural vibe create an inspired backdrop. Sailing from Sydney on Enchantment of the Seas®, our Tasmania cruise is a fan-favourite adventure.

7 Night Queensland Cruise

Among Royal Caribbean’s best-loved Australian cruises, the 7-night Queensland voyage sailing from Brisbane ranks high. Known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands, Airlie Beach is a popular coastal town brimming with beautiful beaches, bustling markets, scenic parks and al fresco dining. The adjacent Conway National Park is a verdant jungle, a lush paradise of waterfalls, wildlife and greenery. A second stop on your cruise sees you to the tropical oasis of Cairns, with its laid-back vibe, outdoor cafes and bucket-list-worthy Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest. More wildlife awaits in Willis Island where translucent turquoise waters are a window on exotic fish, including angel fish, clown fish and hammerheads.

8 Night South Pacific Cruise

Voyage to some of the most amazing islands in the South Pacific, visiting gems like Noumea, New Caledonia, and Mystery Island and Port Vila in Vanuatu. In Noumea, you’ll feel like you are in a Polynesian version of the French Riviera, complete with the restaurant-lined beachside walkway of Anse Vata Bay and designer shopping on Rue de l’Alma and Rue de Sebastopol. Soak up the magnificent collections of Kanak and Oceanian art at the Museum of New Caledonia, then head over to Amedee Lighthouse for a swim in the surrounding marine reserve. You’ll find a rainbow of dazzling coral and tropical fish, as curious about you as you are about them! When in Mystery Island, you’ll catch the castaway feels, in a place that is not only uninhabited but free of telephones, electricity and even roads. And in Port Vila, stopping by Ekasup Cultural Village to experience traditional Melanesian dancing, handicrafts and such local dishes as the taro-based “lap lap”.

10 Night New Zealand Cruise

Sail from Sydney to the Land of the Long White Cloud onboard Ovation of the Seas®–and get set to cruise majestic sounds, where towering fjords seemingly scrape the sky. Explore the ancient Maori culture immersing yourself in its time-honoured traditions, food, stories, songs and tribal dances. Discover one of the prettiest coastal villages anywhere, picture-perfect Picton. Located next to Marlborough, it’s a hop away from one of the best wine-producing regions in the world. Catch the modern urban chic of Christchurch and check out the resort town of Queenstown.With bungee jumping, whitewater rafting, jet boarding and much more, it’s an adrenaline junky’s candy store. Another can’t miss destination in New Zealand is Dunedin, a city with a strong Scottish heritage and home to the country’s only castle. Here you will also find the Royal Albatross Centre where the world’s only mainland-breeding albatross colony keep company with rare penguins, sea lions and fur seals.

11 Night Great Barrier Reef Cruise

A longer version of our popular 7-Night Queensland Cruise, this cruise sails from Sydney, adding exciting Port Douglas to the itinerary. Saunter along the town’s vibrant marina to your choice of waterfront restaurants, featuring a bounty of freshly-caught fish. Settle into a table, sipping something cold while eying the stunning collection of berthed international superyachts.

As a portal to two UNESCO World Heritage-listed natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef and the expanses of the Daintree Rainforest, there are a great number of over-the-top excursions in Port Douglas. Go snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef for a life-changing experience that involves sea turtles and a profusion of marine life. Trek into Daintree Rainforest which, at an estimated 180 million years old, is deemed the world’s oldest surviving tropical rainforest. And delve deep into the rich Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage with a guided walk and tour.

11 Night South Pacific and Fiji Cruise

Departing from Sydney onboard Enchantment of the Seas®, this unforgettable odyssey will take you to Isle of Pines in New Caledonia, Suva and Lautoka in Fiji and Lifou on Loyalty Islands. In Isle of Pines, Queen Hortense’s cave awaits you, a magical location which, according to local lore, served as a hiding place for a queen seeking to escape intertribal conflict. Also, plan to visit the wondrous Oro natural pool, a place of such spectacular beauty it’s hard to believe you are not on a Hollywood set. In Suva, the Fiji Museum holds a treasure trove of exhibits and objects dating back about 3,700 years to when seafarers first settled the Pacific Islands. You’ll feel like one of those early settlers in Lifou, where pristine and secluded beaches–with brilliant white sands and crystalline waters–speak of a time untouched by the stamp of civilization.

A world of bold adventure sails from the Australian ports of Sydney and Brisbane. Choose the best itinerary for your needs–whether that means a short cruise around Australia, or a longer voyage to far-away islands–and your perfect holiday is just a few keystrokes away! We look forward to welcoming you onboard!

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Written By
EVELYN USLAR-PIETRI

Evelyn's passion for exploring the world, combined with her unforgettable travels onboard Royal Caribbean, shine through in her pieces for the cruise line. She also writes for Roar Media--a full-stack marketing agency based in Miami, Florida--as well as other travel and lifestyle-related brands.