Australian cruise numbers break records

A record-breaking year for the Australian cruise industry saw passenger numbers in 2013 hit an unprecedented 833,348, the highest ever recorded, according to a report by the Cruise Lines International Association.

The record number is the equivalent of 3.6 per cent of the population of Australia. This means Australia has the largest global penetration rate of any cruise source market in the world.

This growth looks set to continue, with the announcement of two new ships from P&O Cruises Australia. The Pacific Aria and the Pacific Eden will join the fleet in 2015, demonstrating confidence that the popularity of cruise holidays will continue.

Cruise companies have increasingly turned to the Australian market. The cruise industry has grown an average of 20 per cent over the last 11 years and more ships are being based in the country.
The CLIA report anticipates the Australian cruise industry will hit one million passengers per annum by 2016.

Not only is the number of Australian cruisers on the rise, so is the length of their trips with eight-14 day cruises surging in popularity. This spike now represents 57 per cent of all cruises taken in 2013. Even longer cruises are being enjoyed by record numbers: The number of passengers taking long-haul trips to Europe surged by 34 per cent.

Away from the seas, river cruising has also enjoyed a strong year with the total number of passengers growing 25 per cent from 2012 to 2013.

Australian cruise numbers break records

A record-breaking year for the Australian cruise industry saw passenger numbers in 2013 hit an unprecedented 833,348, the highest ever recorded, according to a report by the Cruise Lines International Association.

The record number is the equivalent of 3.6 per cent of the population of Australia. This means Australia has the largest global penetration rate of any cruise source market in the world.

This growth looks set to continue, with the announcement of two new ships from P&O Cruises Australia. The Pacific Aria and the Pacific Eden will join the fleet in 2015, demonstrating confidence that the popularity of cruise holidays will continue.

Cruise companies have increasingly turned to the Australian market. The cruise industry has grown an average of 20 per cent over the last 11 years and more ships are being based in the country.
The CLIA report anticipates the Australian cruise industry will hit one million passengers per annum by 2016.

Not only is the number of Australian cruisers on the rise, so is the length of their trips with eight-14 day cruises surging in popularity. This spike now represents 57 per cent of all cruises taken in 2013. Even longer cruises are being enjoyed by record numbers: The number of passengers taking long-haul trips to Europe surged by 34 per cent.

Away from the seas, river cruising has also enjoyed a strong year with the total number of passengers growing 25 per cent from 2012 to 2013.