Carnival Australia has welcomed a report highlighting the record cruise industry contribution to the national economy of $5.63 billion and supporting 18,000 jobs.
Carnival Australia - who's brands include P&O Cruises Australia, Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, Cunard and Holland America Line, is Australia's largest cruise company.
This summer is shaping up to be Australia's biggest cruise season yet, with more than a million Australians setting sail on a cruise holiday.
"The data shows that every guest spends hundreds of dollars every day they're in port, boosting local economies right around the country." said Carnival Australia's Chief Strategy and External Affairs Officer Teresa Lloyd.
But our contribution goes well beyond the destinations we visit.
"We've gone to great lengths to achieve 100% sourcing for the year-round ships from Australia - that's great news for all the farmers and food and beverage suppliers, and tourism operators," said Ms Lloyd.
P&O Cruises pioneered cruise holidays from Sydney more than 90 years ago, and Sydney remains the home of cruising today, with the biggest slice of cruise expenditure in Australia. Two ships are dedicated to year-round operations for the port - P&O's Pacific Adventure and Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Splendor.
The positive economic impact of the new Brisbane International Passenger Terminal, underwritten by Carnival Australia, is clear with a 10.1% increase in 2022-23.
"Our decision to invest and work with the excellent partners we have in Brisbane has delivered for Queensland." Ms Lloyd said.
"With our ships sailing from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne over the summer, no one needs to catch a plane to see unique parts of Australia, like Kangaroo Island or the Great Barrier Reef. Now is a great time to book a cruise so you can get together with your family or friends for an affordable, convenient, exciting holiday," said Ms Lloyd.
It's not all smooth seas and sunny skies.
"There's no hiding the port charges and government fees. This is a large percentage increase - multiples of inflation in most ports. Such sharp rises are difficult to absorb and with other regions making themselves very attractive cruise destinations, we don't want to see Australia price themselves out of the cruise market."
The 2022-23 economic impact assessment was commissioned by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the Australian Cruise Association.
