During COVID, many wondered if cruise holidays would hold the same allure – as they obviously did for so many Aussies prior to the pandemic – when the industry relaunched. Those doubts have been well and truly quashed, with new data showing cruising is more popular than ever among Aussies.
According to new Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) data, 1.25 million Australians took to sea holidays during 2023, which surpasses the 1.24 million Aussies who sailed in 2019. While that’s still below the record 1.35 million who cruised in 2018, it’s a good result for an industry that just over two years ago was still dormant in this region.
Overall, Australia ranked as the fourth largest cruising market in 2023 after the US, Germany and the UK.
CLIA’s 2023 Source Market Report for Australia also shows that the number of international cruisers hitting local waters in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific has reached a “similar level” to 2019, with 217,000 cruise holidaymakers recorded during 2023.
“Australians have not just returned to cruising, they’ve come back with enormous enthusiasm and at a faster pace than in other markets worldwide,” CLIA Managing Director in Australasia Joel Katz said.
“Australia has long been one of the world’s most passionate cruise source markets, and these figures confirm an enduring love for cruising among Australian travellers.”
When it comes to the type of cruise vacations Aussies are taking, the report reveals that we’re prioritising journeys close to home, with 84.8 per cent of cruisers sailing in Australia, NZ and the South Pacific during 2023, which is up from 72.5 per cent in 2019.
The CLIA data also shows that an increasing number of younger travellers are moving to cruise holidays, with the average age of an Aussie cruise passenger dropping from 50.4 years in 2019 to 48.4 years in 2023. Nearly a third (32.5 per cent) of cruisers were aged under 40. Other key findings from CLIA’s 2023 Source Market Report for Australia include:
- NSW led Australian cruise passengers with 720,849 (57.7 per cent), followed by QLD at 287,259 (23.0 per cent).
- Cruising is popular in Australia, with nearly five per cent of Aussies taking an ocean cruise.
- Aussies’ average cruise duration dropped to 8.1 days in 2023 from 9.0 days in 2019.
- Top cruising destinations for Australians in 2023: Australia/NZ/South Pacific (84.8 per cent), Mediterranean (5.3 per cent), Asia (2.5 per cent).
- Global ocean cruise passengers hit a record 31.7 million in 2023, surpassing 29.7 million in 2019.
Still work to do
Despite the positive news, Katz emphasised that to keep cruises sustainable, governments and ports need to work closely together.
“To maintain our position as a leading destination and meet demand, it’s crucial that regulatory frameworks and port charges remain internationally competitive,” he remarked.
“Balanced regulation and reasonable costs are fundamental to fostering a thriving cruise sector capable of contributing significantly to the Australian economy.”
According to CLIA and Australian Cruise Association (ACA) data released last year, cruise tourism during the 2022-23 financial year generated around $5.6 billion for the local economy and supported some 18,000 jobs across the country.
In January, CLIA Australasia reported that it was gearing up for one of its biggest years ever for cruising in 2024, with more local ships, more sailings and more cabins than ever before.
Last month, it was the Australasian cruise sector’s time to shine with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) 21st Cruise Industry Awards evening at Sydney’s Star Event Centre. Find out who picked up every gong here.
CLIA is rolling out the red carpet for its brand-new River Cruise Showcase on 29 August, with tickets for the event available now.