# Australian and New Zealand cruise industry challenges

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/australian-and-new-zealand-cruise-industry-challenges
> Updated: 2026-09-17T00:20:13.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2.

The Australian and New Zealand cruise sectors are facing significant economic and competitive challenges. Industry representatives from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) have reported a substantial decline in cruise ship deployment in Australia, noting an economic contribution loss of A$1.1 billion in the last financial year. This decline is attributed to rising costs and regulatory uncertainties, which are impacting regional communities, food producers, and transport companies.

Operational issues have also emerged, such as the Carnival Splendor adjusting its itinerary because channel depths at the Port of Cairns became too shallow for safe passage. 

At the Cruise360 Australasia 2026 conference, leaders warned that the region is losing deployments to other global destinations despite record-breaking growth in the global cruise market. While New Zealand is engaging with these sector concerns, industry experts have called for a more unified national approach in Australia to establish stable policy settings and protect local economic benefits. To mitigate these issues, CLIA has launched the Australian Paddock to Port Alliance.

## Claims

- Australia and New Zealand are losing cruise ships to other global destinations. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Global cruise passenger numbers reached 37.2 million last year. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Global cruise passenger numbers are expected to reach approximately 38 million this year. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Global cruise passenger numbers are forecast to reach 42 million by the end of the decade. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Rising costs and a complex regulatory environment are threatening Australia’s competitiveness in the cruise market. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- 89 new cruise ships are scheduled to enter service between now and 2039, valued at nearly US$100 billion. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Australian Paddock to Port Alliance was launched to support local businesses affected by cruise declines. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Australia lacks a joined-up national policy response compared to New Zealand. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-17: Cruise industry warns Australia is losing competitiveness

Cruise industry leaders at the Cruise360 conference warned that Australia and New Zealand are losing competitiveness due to rising costs and regulatory complexity, despite record global passenger growth.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cruise-industry-warns-australia-is-losing-competitiveness

### 2026-09-02: Australia cruise sector faces economic decline and port challenges

The cruise industry in Australia faces economic challenges as ship deployment declines, while Carnival Cruise Line reports itinerary changes due to shallow channel depths at the Port of Cairns.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/australia-cruise-sector-faces-economic-decline-and-port-challenges

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Cite as: Australian and New Zealand cruise industry challenges. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/australian-and-new-zealand-cruise-industry-challenges