Australians Jump Onboard Cruise Travel Trend

With so much to see and during what is often a once-in-a-lifetime trip Down Under for many vacationers, taking a short cruise on a big ship may not be on the top of most people’s lists during an Australian holiday. But natives and the tourists who visit its most popular cities are embracing cruise vacations in a big way.

Gorgeous weather and affordable prices combine with the appeal of the open sea to create the perfect storm to support Australia’s newest travel trend, and cruisers have their pick of itineraries and ship operators to choose from.

Ten years ago, there was just one ship operating permanently out of Sydney. Today, there are seven throughout the country and another seven operating seasonally.

The number of native Australians enjoying cruise vacations has risen steadily over the past decade to reach nearly 700,000 in 2012. Most are attracted to the South Pacific islands, making it the most popular cruise destination. Inter-continental voyages and jaunts to New Zealand rank second and third.

The playful and easy-going nature typical of many Australians makes them the perfect candidates for cruising. And due to a ship’s enclosed quarters, joining them on a voyage may be one of the best ways for tourists to meet and enjoy the locals.

As to why operators have selected this country as the newest place from which to launch some of their most impressive vessels, Carnival Cruise Lines CEO Gerry Cahill said, “We did it because Australians have somewhat of a reputation of being fun-loving. They view life optimistically, they like other people, and we’ve always felt that’s a good fit for our brand.”