Originally published: Travel Weekly, 12 January 2026
One in three Australians are considering going on a cruise this year, according to new research from the Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) Australia, with interest in cruise holidays surging over the past two years.
A national survey of 1,500 Australians, commissioned from Pureprofile, shows 33 per cent of Australians surveyed are planning to go on a cruise this summer or within the next 12 months, up from 26 per cent in TTF’s last cruise survey published in January 2024.
Cruises are becoming more appealing for Australians looking for holidays that give them the best value for money, as cost-of-living pressures persist, TTF CEO Margy Osmond said yesterday.
“At a time when household budgets are under pressure, cruising bundles accommodation, meals, activities and transport into a single package, making it an exciting yet cost effective option for holidaymakers,” she said.
53 per cent of Australians surveyed believe cruising offers better value for money than other types of holidays, especially for families and older adults or retirees.
Osmond said the increased interest in cruising was also welcome news for the tourism sector, bringing more visitors and increased spending to destinations across the country.
“By working together, government and the cruise industry can ensure this growing demand is met, while maximising the benefits for local communities and the wider economy,” she said.
