NSW welcomed more than 1.2 million passengers and crew from 312 cruise ships during the 2024-25 cruise season and 2025-26 is on track to be another winner for the visitor economy.

Destination NSW is hosting a free webinar on 5 August 2025 on how to create unforgettable cruise shore experiences.

Join Destination NSW and cruise industry experts to find out how you can create, enhance and deliver authentic cruise shore experiences and how to attract visitors before and after their cruise.

Learn more about the Creating unforgettable cruise shore experiences webinar here.

Cruise resources on the Destination NSW corporate website have also been updated and expanded to help visitor economy businesses learn more about the cruise sector and how they can get involved.

These resources include Cruise Sydney and NSW, an overview of the cruise industry; Cruise 101, which covers the fundamentals of cruising, including seasonality, passenger demographics and cruise terminology; Value of cruise tourism, a guide to the economic value of the cruise tourism and the benefits it can bring to a destination; and Quick tips for creating cruise shore experiences, a guide for visitor economy businesses seeking to make the most of cruise visitation.

Learn more here.

Surging interest in cruising

A report by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) shows the number of Australians who took an ocean cruise during 2024 reached 1.32 million, a 5.9 per cent increase on the previous year.

CLIA’s 2024 Source Market Report for Australia also shows a 14 per cent increase in the number of overseas visitors cruising in this region, with 247,000 passengers coming to sail in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Sydney is Australia’s cruise gateway, with White Bay Terminal and the Overseas Passenger Terminal attracting more cruise passengers than any other port.

Sydney was also awarded Best Australian Cruise Port for the third consecutive year in the Cruise Passenger Readers’ Choice Awards 2024.

Port of Eden welcomed 25 cruise ship visits during the season, which brought 43,000 passengers and 20,000 crew to the Sapphire Coast, injecting an estimated $12 million into the local visitor economy.

While cruise ship visits to the Port of Newcastle during 2024-25 were impacted by inclement weather conditions, nine cruise ships arrived over the season, with more than 9000 passengers and almost 5000 crew visiting Newcastle and the Hunter.

Destination NSW CEO Karen Jones said: “Sydney is not only Australia’s cruise gateway – it’s one of the world’s most iconic and spectacular cruise destinations. From the moment passengers catch their first glimpse of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, the tone is set for an unforgettable visit.

“Now that the 2024–25 cruise season has concluded, we look forward to seeing the full picture of this impact. What we do know is the 2023–24 cruise season delivered a record-breaking $4.41 billion to the NSW economy, and we anticipate continued growth in this dynamic and high-value sector.

“Cruising supports the entire ecosystem of the NSW visitor economy. Cruise visitors don’t just stop at the port – they stay, they spend and they often return. That’s particularly valuable for regional destinations, where cruise tourism can drive long-term visitation and local investment.

“Looking ahead, the future of cruising in NSW is bright. With new ships, enhanced infrastructure and deeper engagement with our regions, the sector is well placed to continue growing and delivering benefits right across the state.

“Destination NSW is committed to ensuring every cruise visitor has a world-class experience. Whether it’s our iconic landmarks, stunning natural beauty or vibrant cultural scene, we want every guest to leave inspired to return – and explore even more of our beautiful state.”