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Aerial view of large luxury cruise ship docked at industrial port facility with visible premium amenities.
✓ The Sydney Morning HeraldMoney & Work

Australians slash spending on everything except luxury cruises

Travel Associates recorded a 57 per cent increase in luxury cruise spending in 2025 compared to the previous year.

Australians are booking premium cruise lines including Explora Journeys, Regent Seven Seas and Scenic in record numbers. Cruisers are also choosing longer trips, world cruises and premium cabins.

Surveys over the past year show Australians prefer travel over nearly all other spending. Luxury hotel operators are betting the trend will hold.

Aman, Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton are launching cruise lines. A Four Seasons cruise suite in the Mediterranean now costs about $5,800 per night.

This is double the entry-level luxury rate from recent years. Regent Seven Seas' newest ship offers a nine-night Mediterranean cruise.

The top suite costs $159,050 per person.

57 percent
Spending increase 2025
$5,800 per night
Four Seasons Mediterranean suite
$159,050 per person
Regent Seven Seas top suite
$334,280 for a couple
Oceania Vista world cruise

Why it mattersThe surge shows where Australian wealth is flowing during uncertain economic times. It also shows why cruise lines and luxury operators are investing heavily in new ships.

AustraliaAustralian holidaymakers are driving demand for luxury cruises, pushing prices higher and reshaping the cruise industry's premium end. If the trend continues, premium cruise holidays will remain expensive for most Australians, but highly profitable for operators.

✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 4 h ago

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