Australia Cruise Fares Top US Prices by Over 60%, Snapshot Finds

A new fare comparison has highlighted cruise pricing gaps between Australia and the United States that can exceed 60% on similar-length sailings, with the biggest differences showing up on Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises.

The snapshot, published by Cruise Passenger, compared advertised fares for six-, seven-, nine-, 10- and 11-night cruises sold in Australia with sailings of similar length sold in the US. Across the same cruise lengths, Royal Caribbean and Princess repeatedly appeared higher in Australia than in the US, while Carnival’s pricing between the two markets was generally closer, particularly on longer itineraries.

What the fare snapshot compared

According to the analysis, the largest Australia-to-US premiums in the data were concentrated on Royal Caribbean and Princess. Carnival’s results varied more by itinerary length: Australia-listed fares were higher on shorter cruises in the dataset, but the US-listed fare was higher on several longer options.

One example cited in the reporting was a six-night Royal Caribbean sailing averaging AUD 1,379.50 in Australia versus USD 826.50 for a similar itinerary in the US.

How the gaps showed up by cruise line

In the data published by Cruise Passenger, Royal Caribbean’s advertised prices were higher in Australia than in the US across every cruise length included, with gaps ranging from roughly one-fifth higher to around two-thirds higher in Australia.

• Six nights: Australia $1,379.50 vs US $826.50 (about 67% higher in Australia)
• Seven nights: Australia $1,368.50 vs US $912 (about 50% higher in Australia)
• Nine nights: Australia $1,822 vs US $1,500 (about 21% higher in Australia)
• 10 nights: Australia $2,949 vs US $1,769 (about 66% higher in Australia)
• 11 nights: Australia $3,349.50 vs US $2,047.50 (about 63% higher in Australia)

Princess Cruises also showed higher advertised fares in Australia than in the US in the comparison, including gaps that reached into the 60% to 70% range on several sailing lengths. The analysis also noted that Princess sailings in Australia have been selling quickly after the line reduced the number of ships it deploys locally, which can tighten cabin availability.

• Six nights: Australia $1,822.50 vs US $1,204 (about 51% higher in Australia)
• Seven nights: Australia $2,142 vs US $1,235 (about 73% higher in Australia)
• Nine nights: Australia $2,509 vs US $2,190 (about 18% higher in Australia)
• 10 nights: Australia $3,317 vs US $1,964 (about 69% higher in Australia)
• 11 nights: Australia $3,868 vs US $2,318 (about 67% higher in Australia)

Carnival’s pricing in the comparison looked more mixed. The analysis found Australia priced higher on shorter cruise lengths in the dataset, but the direction flipped for several longer sailings, where US fares were higher than Australia’s.

• Six nights: Australia $847.50 vs US $510 (about 66% higher in Australia)
• Seven nights: Australia $939 vs US $876.50 (about 7% higher in Australia)
• Nine nights: Australia $906.50 vs US $1,423.50 (about 57% higher in the US)
• 10 nights: Australia $1,004 vs US $1,437 (about 43% higher in the US)

Capacity cuts and ship deployment shifts in Australia

The pricing snapshot linked higher local pricing to reduced cruise capacity in Australia, saying capacity is down about 30% this season as fewer ships are positioned in the region and cruise brands weigh competing opportunities in other global markets.

Two of the lines highlighted in the comparison have reduced their Australia-based fleets: Princess is described as moving from four ships to two, and Royal Caribbean from three to two. With fewer cabins available across fewer sailings, the analysis said higher fares, particularly for in-demand cabin categories, become more likely.

Year-round operations versus seasonal repositioning

Cruise Passenger pointed to the cost implications of keeping ships in Australia year-round versus operating only seasonally. Unlike Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises, Carnival is described as having three ships operating year-round in Australia, a setup the reporting linked to lower repositioning and logistics costs and the ability to build longer-term local supplier arrangements.

By contrast, Royal Caribbean is described as not having ships stationed year-round in Australia. Princess is described as having a ship in Australia for much of the year, but with that deployment tied to longer global itineraries rather than a continuous, locally focused schedule.

Port fees and regulatory costs flagged as possible contributors

Beyond ship counts, the same analysis cited industry complaints about regulatory burden and port-related costs in Australia as potential contributors to higher local fares.

The analysis also raised the possibility that a cruise line with consistent, year-round calls could have more leverage in commercial discussions with local ports, while noting it could not confirm any specific preferential pricing arrangements.

Onboard costs: Wi-Fi price changes add to the total trip bill

Separate from base fares, onboard costs are also rising on some lines. Carnival recently adjusted Wi-Fi pricing across its plans, increasing daily rates by about AUD 4 to 5. The Premium Wi-Fi Plan is listed at AUD 29.75 per day, while the Value Wi-Fi Plan is listed at AUD 27.20 per day.

While the changes are incremental, the reporting said they contribute to what many passengers call “nickel and diming,” where small onboard price increases add up. The same reporting also said Carnival’s Wi-Fi packages remain competitive compared with Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises, while noting that Carnival and Royal Caribbean still lag behind premium cruise lines that offer bundled Wi-Fi and drinks packages.

What could influence prices next

Industry advocates, including Cruise Passenger, have called for a national strategy to support the cruise sector and attract more year-round operations from major lines. Analysts also pointed to policy reforms aimed at high port fees and regulatory costs as a possible lever for improving competitiveness.

The reporting also suggested the opening of Royal Caribbean’s private island in Lelepa could help pave the way for extended operations in the Pacific region. More broadly, future deployment decisions, including whether more ships return to Australia for longer seasons, were highlighted as a key factor shaping how Australia pricing compares with the US.

No official statement from Princess Cruises or Royal Caribbean was included in available reports, and the analysis said both cruise lines had been contacted for comment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much more were Australia cruise fares than US fares in the comparison?

In the Cruise Passenger comparison, Australia-listed fares for Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean were often more than 60% higher than the US-listed fares on several cruise lengths, with smaller gaps on some itineraries.

Why are Australian cruise prices higher than in the U.S.?

The reporting linked higher Australia pricing mainly to reduced capacity and fewer ships operating in the region, alongside industry complaints about regulatory burden and port-related costs. Royal Caribbean and Princess were also described as operating seasonally rather than maintaining the same year-round presence cited for Carnival.

Which cruise line had the smallest Australia-to-US gap in the data?

Carnival’s results were generally closer between the two markets, and for some longer cruise lengths in the dataset the US-listed price was higher than the Australia-listed price.

How does ship deployment affect cruise pricing in Australia?

When a line reduces the number of ships in a market, there are fewer cabins to sell across fewer sailings. The analysis said that tighter supply can support higher pricing, particularly during peak periods and for in-demand cabin categories. Cruise Passenger also said Australia’s cruise capacity is down about 30% this season.

Is Wi-Fi on cruises becoming more expensive?

Yes. Carnival recently increased its Wi-Fi package rates by about AUD 4 to 5 per day, with the Premium Wi-Fi Plan listed at AUD 29.75 per day and the Value Wi-Fi Plan listed at AUD 27.20 per day.