Articles
There are lots of decisions to make when planning a cruise holiday, including what is the best itinerary for you, ship size, cabin type, and cabin location, but one decision most Aussies find very important is “Should I get a drinks package?”
Drink Packages
P&O Australia
Princess Cruises
Royal Caribbean
When planning your time ashore at any port, one consideration that you must make is if you want to take a shore excursion from the ship, or explore on your own. There are pros and cons to each choice.
Shore Excursions
It is the race that stops a nation - and it is also a great excuse to hop on a cruise ship and head south for a few days in Melbourne! Whether your motive be to attend the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, shop-til-you-drop or enjoy Melbourne's cafe culture, there is so much to do.
Destinations
Australia
Port Planner is designed to not only help you organize your own time ashore, but is built to help you plan collaboratively if you are cruising with a group of friends or family.
Planning
Tools
Its the day of your cruise, you arrive in Sydney nice and early, drop off your luggage at the terminal - now what to do? We asked cruise fans on Facebook for their recommendations and here is what they suggested to us!
Destinations
Australia
Thursday September 15 2022, Melbourne Victoria has welcomed it's first cruise ship since the start of the covid-19 pandemic. Coral Princess made a call to Melbourne's Station Pier on her 9 day Southern Australia Explorer Cruise.
Cruise News
Destinations
While exciting, a first cruise can also be a very nerve racking thought. Cruising is a whole different way to holidaying, and seasoned cruisers can easily forget there are so many little things that a first time cruiser may just simply not know.
Planning
Drink Packages
Tips and Advice
Disney Cruise Line has announced it's first ever cruises from Australia, with the Disney Wonder set to sail from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland in 2023.
Cruise News
Disney Cruise Line
For cruisers leaving from Sydney, there are two main cruise terminals used by the major cruise lines. The most well-known being the Overseas Passenger Terminal, located at Circular Quay, next to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opposite the world-famous Opera House.
P&O Australia
Princess Cruises
Tips and Advice
After more than 2 years without a cruise, and plenty of cruise credit begging to be used my partner and I decided to go big, with a transpacific cruise aboard Royal Caribbeans Ovation of the Seas. We have previously done both the itinerary (though in reverse direction) and the ship, so this was really to be a holiday about unwinding.
Cruise News
Royal Caribbean
Covid-19
If you can't be on a cruise, the next best thing is to watch a cruise!
A picture can speak a thousand words. Photos of ports and attractions can help other cruisers know what to expect and plan for their next cruise. By being part of the Port Planner community you can share your cruising experience and memories for the benefit of all.
Tools
For seasoned cruisers, there is a list of thing you know to pack on your cruise. On top of that, there is also a list of things you know definitely not to take with you. Some of these may be quite obvious, whilst others may come as a surprise to first time cruisers.
Tips and Advice
Planning
2023 promises to be an exciting year for cruising in Australia, with a heap of ships making their first ever visit, and a couple of cruise lines making their Australian debuts!
Cruise News
With many ships and cruise lines only cruising out of Australia during our warmer months, one type of cruise itinerary that can be worth exploring is a repositioning cruise.
Destinations
Tips and Advice
Need your cruising fix on social media. Here are some of our suggestions of who to follow on Instagram.
Sometimes planning your dream cruise can start more than a year ahead of the cruise itself.
While there are many things you can start planning, booking and ticking off your list from the beginning, there are some tasks you will need to leave until just before you cruise.
Tips and Advice
Planning
With the opening of the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal in 2021, Brisbane is becoming a big player in the Australian cruise industry, offering year-round cruising. With its s tropical climate, picturesque parks, and collection of historically rich architecture, there is something for everyone in Brisbane - whether your visit is just for a day - or longer pre or post cruise.
Destinations
Willis Island, is a small 19 acre island located in the coral sea, approximately 450 kilometers from Cairns. This little dot in the pacific often appears on many domestic cruises... but why?
Destinations
One way cruisers can avoid bill shock on their cruise, is by covering the cost of their beverages up-front with a drinks package. While often a big point of debate for many cruisers on if they are value for money - they are piece of mind when it comes to your drinks bill.
Drink Packages
P&O Australia
If your business or service has been listed on Port Planner, you can apply to claim the business through our verification processes.
Attraction Management
Cruise holidays offer an escape from the mundane, giving passengers a unique opportunity to explore the world while indulging in luxury and relaxation. One longstanding tradition of many cruise lines is formal nights. These special evenings add a touch of elegance and glamour to your voyage, turning your cruise holiday into a memorable and sophisticated experience.
Tips and Advice
For people new to cruising, one of the first decisions you often need to make once you have decided to book a cruise - is what cabin should you choose?
Tips and Advice
Virgin Voyages is a new player in the Australian cruise market - and one of the newer cruise lines in general, having only started operations in 2020 just as the COVID pandemic struck.
Virgin Voyages
Tips and Advice
While October to April is the traditional Australian cruise season, there are options for cruising year-round out of Australia.
Tips and Advice
Always a hot topic among cruise passengers is the value of beverage packages on your cruise holiday. While cruising can be an almost all-inclusive experience, one area where passengers do need to budget is around drink consumption that falls outside of tea/coffee, water or cordials.
Carnival Cruise Line