Cruise demand is higher than ever, so why are our ships disappearing ?

I n 2023/24 we were spoilt for choice with some amazing ships visiting our shore for the first time. Celebrity Edge, Disney Wonder, Virgin Voyages made a spectacular entrance to market with Resilient Lady, as did more recently, Scenic Eclipse II. Those wonderful highs, however, were followed by a few disappointing announcements for the 2025/26 season.

Royal Caribbean announced only two ships, and only during the Summer season again. One Quantum class for Sydney and one Voyager class for Melbourne. NCL have missed the opportunity to homeport here. Last week Virgin confirmed the exciting news that Brilliant Lady would be sailing from NYC, Miami and West Coast USA (but no word of Australia), and the most recent nail in the coffin was the announcement this week that Princess had pulled one of their three ships - also USA bound. It seems Aussies love cruising, but even more Americans love cruising too!

We all love a bargain, but knowing there will be fewer ships here, greatly reduces the likelihood of scoring an epic deal. Apart from a great fare, things that influence our decisions can include loyalty programs, inclusions, currency onboard, wharf vs tender ports, and of course interest in the destination ports.

The Med, Europe, New Zealand, Hawaii and Japan have all been popular choices amongst Australians who choose to take an ocean voyage overseas before COVID.The destinations we dreamt of during COVID lock down were winners particularly from 2023 through to future bookings. Winners were places like Iceland, Croatia and the Greek Islands, Northern Europe, The Kimberley, and Antartica.

Closer to home, however, there is a popular opnion that there is only so many times one can visit Moreton Island, Hobart or Noumea. Variety of choice is what we're looking for. In itineraries, in cruise lines and their ships, and in the duration and level of service and inclusion in fares.

If we're to continue attracting cruise ships, new and old, and overseas visitors to help us fill those ships, then we need to continue to expand our port offerings here in Australia and in our neighbouring countries.

Popular opinion amongst my online community is the return of Top End cruising coupled with Indonesia and surrounds. The circumnavigation cruises have always been popular. Perhaps Sydney to Fremantle via PNG or Indonesia, the Phillipines, and back to Australia. Many have suggested an increase in the number of visits to local favourites such as Champagne Bay, Tonga, Samoa, and some of the old favourites in the New Caledonia and Vanuatu island regions that we seem to have stopped going to such as Lamen Bay and the like. A once a year round trip from Sydney to Alaska via Asia and back via Hawaii and French Polynesia was another suggestion, which would be amazing for those who could afford the fare and the time away!

Many people wanted the option to have a full round trip, and therefore any one way itineraries, should allow for back to back bookings with a slightly different route on the return leg.

Allowing a staggered, multiple city embarkation in circle itineraries, similar to the way some lines offer this over in the Med. This could reduce the time required for turnaround in the expensive ports, and would allow for people outside of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to be able to cruise from home also.

Another creative idea would be mystery cruises: Destination unknown. With these, the cruise line could organise an included shore tour into the cruise fare for all. Guests can opt out, or enjoy one of several mystery coach tours at their destination, eg. wineries, shopping, sightseeing and one's to accommodate low mobility. Cruise lines could then utilise existing ports such as Eden, Newcastle, Port Kembla etc and make the region the focus rather than the immediate port area.

With space in Sydney being a key issue, perhaps the cruise lines could consider operating shorter cruises (less than 7 days) from regional ports like Port Kembla, and have the longer ones that the overseas guests are likely to visit for, to depart out of Sydney Harbour.

As past and future guests of the cruise lines visiting our shores, we have a number of opportunities to have our voices heard;

• ensuring we provide feedback at the end of our cruise

• booking cruises as early as possible so that the cruise line's are confident of the demand and their ability to sell out sailings here

• Participating proactively in cruise community forums - share your ideas, suggestions and provide context to help decision makers understand why we want what we want.

• Lobbying government, such as the Minister for Tourism, The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government and regional members for improvements and introduction of port infrastructure, suitable to accommodate cruise ships of all sizes and classes.

All is not lost! There are many options for cruise lovers who are feeling the squeeze from some of their favourite lines. Perhaps it's time to enjoy some amazing, authentic adventures like Captain Cook Fijis Caledonia Sky cruises, the increasing number of Kimberley coastal adventures, some absolutely unbelievable itineraries from Coral Expeditions, or jumping on some package deals with flights, hotels and a cruise in a region overseas you've always wanted to visit. Now is the time to make it happen.