Australians are cruising in record numbers, with 1.45 million passengers taking an ocean cruise in 2025, marking a 9.5% increase year-on-year and surpassing the previous high set in 2018.
The latest figures from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reinforce Australia’s position as one of the world’s strongest cruise source markets, now ranked fourth globally behind the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Local cruising remains dominant
Despite changing market dynamics, the majority of Australians continue to cruise close to home. More than 80% of passengers sailed within Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, totalling 1.16 million cruise travellers in 2025.
Shorter itineraries have played a key role in driving growth, with domestic-only cruising increasing significantly as cruise lines adapt to shifting demand.
Rise in fly-cruise and global travel
At the same time, fly-cruise demand is on the rise, with 286,000 Australians choosing to sail in international destinations — a 17% increase compared to the previous year.
The Mediterranean remains the most popular long-haul destination, followed by Asia, Alaska and the Caribbean, reflecting growing appetite for global cruise experiences.
Younger travellers and shorter holidays
Demographic trends show the average age of Australian cruisers has fallen to 47.3 years, with more than one-third aged under 40.
At the same time, the average cruise duration has decreased to 7.5 days, highlighting the increasing popularity of shorter, more flexible holiday options.
Industry warns of competitiveness challenges
While demand continues to grow, CLIA has warned that Australia risks losing cruise tourism to other destinations due to regulatory uncertainty and rising costs.
Cruising contributes $7.32 billion annually to the Australian economy and supports more than 22,000 jobs, underlining the importance of maintaining a competitive operating environment.
