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Best cruises from Brisbane, Queensland

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Brisbane is a warm up to a nice, laidback cruise holiday. After all, it is the capital of ‘sunshine state’ Queensland.

No wonder then that Brisbane port is a bustling hub of both affordable cruises and luxury cruises.

Whatever your choice is – short weekend cruises to Sydney or long Trans-pacific cruises – Brisbane has it all.

Over the years, the port of Brisbane has emerged as one of the busiest maritime centers of Australia.

cruises from Brisbane, Queensland

Cruise lines departing from Brisbane port

The cruise companies whose ships sail from Brisbane port are –P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Cunard Cruises, Holland America Line and P&O Cruises UK.

Most of the cruises which depart from Brisbane don’t sail too far. They restrict themselves to destinations such as other Australian coastal cities, islands in the South Pacific, New Zealand, Hawaii, a few South East Asian ports.

Having said that, there are a few cruises from Brisbane which sail as far as Europe, South Africa, UK etc.

The most popular islands Brisbane cruises touch are Fiji, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu.

Location of cruise terminals in Brisbane

Brisbane has two cruise ship ports – the primary Portside Wharf Cruise Terminal and the secondary Port of Brisbane.

The Portside Wharf is centrally located in Hamilton and caters to most of the cruise ships leaving Brisbane.

Since Portside Wharf can’t handle bigger ships, they all depart from Port of Brisbane.

The primary cruise terminal is located around 10 Kms (6.2 Miles) from Brisbane’s Central Business District (CBD) and 7 Kms (4.3 Miles) from Brisbane Airport.

Portside Wharf at Hamilton is on the Brisbane River just off Kingsford Smith Drive.

Best time to depart from Brisbane on a cruise

Being in ‘Sunshine state,’ city of Brisbane is blessed with warm weather all year around.

That’s why cruises depart Brisbane all through the year.

Whatever be the month your cruise sails from Brisbane, we suggest you spend 3-4 days going around the city.

While a tube of sunscreen and an umbrella can help you holiday in Brisbane any time of the year, the best time to visit is the Autumn – March, April, and May. The temperature is comfortable and the threat of rain is minimal.

Best cruises from Brisbane

1. Queen Victoria

Cruise Line: Cunard Line

Introduced in 2007, Queen Victoria underwent a multi-million-dollar facelift in 2017. It now boasts of all modern amenities and spanking new features.

This Cunard Line ship can accommodate 2,000 cruisers and is designed mostly for adults.

Themed gala parties, theatrical productions and live performances make it one of the best cruises that departs from Brisbane.

There is a strict dress code for the evening.

Cruisers are expected to dress at their elegant best, which makes the atmosphere sophisticated and glittering.

Cruises packages include access to six restaurants, fitness classes, spa treatments and lectures. Accommodation ranges from the budget to the luxurious.

Opt for a suite to get extra perks like a bathtub and walk-in closets.

Size of Ship: Medium
Price of Tickets: High
Overall Rating: 4.15
Health Rating: 4
Best cruise from Brisbane for: Singles, Couples

2. Queen Mary 2

Cruise Line: Cunard Line

Queen Mary 2 in Brisbane
Queen Mary 2, which sets sail from Brisbane, is 345 meters in length and perhaps one of the largest cruise ships around. Image: Cleancruising.com.au

The major highlight of the Queen Mary 2 which makes it one of the top cruises from Brisbane is the fact that they allows pets on board.

A renovation in 2016 (the ship was launched in 2004) has equipped the ship with kennels, so you need not leave behind your furry friends when going on cruise holidays.

This luxury ship accommodates 2,690 passengers and is the flagship of the Cunard Line.

Cruisers traveling alone can book cozy cabins, while there are large suites for big families and groups.

Exclusive cruises packages include specialty dining and butler service.

Onboard entertainment consists of a library, fitness arena, musical performances and a variety of restaurants, bars and lounges.

Size of Ship: Large
Price of Tickets: High
Overall Rating: 4.05
Health Rating: 3.5
Best cruise from Brisbane for: Singles, Couples

3. Golden Princess

Cruise Line: Princess Cruises

One of the most affordable cruises that depart from Brisbane, the Golden Princess offers a golden opportunity to cruisers of all ages.

This Princess Cruises ship is ideal for parents who want to relax, but who can’t keep their children back at home.

Take them to the youth clubs or educational programs, while you can relax at the no-children-allowed sections of the ship.

The Sanctuary section and the Lotus spa must be included in your cruise itinerary.

There are 11 onboard restaurants, so meal-times will be a pleasant headache. Burgers, pizza, seafood, Italian fare— your taste-buds will remember this cruise for sure.

This cruise ship is designed to accommodate 2,636 passengers onboard.

Size of Ship: Large
Price of Tickets: Medium
Overall Rating: 4.05
Health Rating: 5.0
Best cruise from Brisbane for: Singles, Couples, Families

4. Majestic Princess

Cruise Line: Princess Cruises

The Majestic Princess was introduced in 2017 and has quickly become one of the best cruises departing from Brisbane.

It caters specifically to the huge Chinese market and has many cruises to Shanghai.

This Princess Cruises ship accommodates 3,560 cruisers and employs a team of 1,346 to cater to them.

Accommodation ranges from the cozy (158 square feet) to the sprawling (932 square feet) suites. All rooms have mini fridges, flat screen TVs, and desks.

Onboard entertainment includes the trademark Princess Cruises Skywalk, the glass walkway that stretches beyond the ship.

To add on to the fun, there is a spa, a fitness center, a sports zone, a casino and many bars.

Cruise deals include three dining rooms and other casual restaurants. There are specialty restaurants manned by Michelin star chefs, where you can eat at an extra price.

Size of Ship: N/A
Price of Tickets: Medium
Overall Rating: 4
Health Rating: 4.5
Best cruise from Brisbane for: Singles, Couples, Families

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5. Sun Princess

Cruise Line: Princess Cruises

Sun Princess in Brisbane
If you opt for Sun Princess to set sail on your cruise holiday from Brisbane, do pack some formals. The dress code is casual during the day and elegant in the evenings. Image: Cruisedeals.expert

Accommodating 2,000 passengers, the Sun Princess is among the most affordable cruises from Brisbane.

First setting sail in 1995, it was redesigned in 2016.

This Princess Cruise ship now boasts of a spanking new spa, an atrium, and a seafood restaurant.

Cruise deals include comfortable accommodation and meals at eight restaurants.

If you want an exclusive dining experience, pay a little extra and eat at the three specialty restaurants.

There is a swimming pool, duty-free shops, cooking classes, a spa, and lectures—enough to keep your cruise itinerary lively and varied.

Size of Ship: Medium
Price of Tickets: Medium
Overall Rating: 4
Health Rating: 4.5
Best cruise from Brisbane for: Singles, Couples, Families

6. ms Maasdam

Cruise Line: Holland America Line

One of the cheap cruises that set sails from Brisbane port, the ms Maasdam has ports of call in Canada and Hawaii.

This ship carries 1,258 cruises and 569 members of the crew.

Cruise deals on this Holland America Line ship often highlight the feeling of exclusivity created by fewer guests onboard.

You can enjoy lounging on the deck or take in various programs without the cacophony of a crowd.

There are youth clubs for children of all ages as well as areas restricted to adults.

Cuisines range from pasta to seafood, steaks to healthier options.

Accommodation is comfortable, with the premium suites offering whirlpool baths and private lounges.

Size of Ship: Medium
Price of Tickets: Medium
Overall Rating: 3.85
Health Rating: 4.5
Best cruise from Brisbane for: Singles, Couples, Families

7. Sea Princess

Cruise Line: Princess Cruises

This 2,016-passenger ship first set sail in 1998. After that, it underwent two renovations (in 2012 and 2015) and is now one of the most popular cruises leaving Brisbane.

There are seven restaurants onboard Sea Princess. Accommodation is eminently satisfactory.

Cruises packages will attract children and adults both.

While children of all ages can attend separate youth clubs, their parents can relax in special retreats, the library or the spa.

There is also a series of lectures that will add an extra depth to your cruise itinerary.

Size of Ship: Medium
Price of Tickets: Medium
Overall Rating: 3.75
Health Rating: 4.5
Best cruise from Brisbane for: Singles, Couples, Families

8. Queen Elizabeth

Cruise Line: Cunard Line

Queen Elizabeth in Brisbane
Queen Elizabeth, which departs from Brisbane, combines three things to create the right ambiance – classic style, modern technology, and the legendary Cunard Line’s service quality. Image: Cruisemapper.com

One of the best cruises that depart from Brisbane, Queen Elizabeth is also among the newer members of the Cunard Line fleet.

As far as accommodation is concerned, 90 percent of rooms have views of the ocean. Some cabins are specially designed for people traveling alone.

There are activities for children, though most cruise deals are aimed at adults.

There are dance classes, enrichment lectures, sports areas and evening galas.

Make sure your cruise itinerary includes afternoon tea at the outdoor garden areas. Garden parties are organized often.

There are four dining areas, a specialty restaurant and many lounges and bars.

The Elizabeth accommodates 2,068 passengers and 996 members of the crew.

Size of Ship: Medium
Price of Tickets: High
Overall Rating: 3.7
Health Rating: 3.5
Best cruise from Brisbane for: Singles, Couples, Families

Sources

# Travel.usnews.com
# Carnival.com.au
# Tripadvisor.com
# Pocruises.com.au

The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy.

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This article was researched & written by

Edited by Rekha Rajan & fact checked by Jamshed V Rajan

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