Take a look at these five fabulous Australian Cruises you can take – with no border restrictions.
2021 was supposed to bring international border openings. With hopes of the rumoured bubble between Australia and New Zealand to start, and no hope of it happening anytime soon, the need to travel and take some respite is real.
Australia has plenty to explore, with some pretty spectacular places to add to your 2021 bucket list.
If you thought cruises were for families and seniors think again. There are now short holidays options for millennials, who want a quick, fun getaway/
Why cruises attract millennials
Cruises are becoming more and more popular among millennials, as they are time-poor, with itchy feet and a fuel for wanderlust that makes them want to explore.
These are just 4 benefits of a cruise holiday.
- There’s zero admin
Between booking flights, mapping out road trip routes and searching for accommodation, planning a holiday can be stressful. If you’re travelling with a group, trying to find a holiday that suits everyone’s interests can make the process even more time-consuming.
With a cruise, all you have to do is arrive at the wharf on your scheduled day of departure, and the cruise line will take care of the rest. That way, you can start relaxing in the lead-up to your holiday, and truly unwind once you’re onboard.
On a cruise, the hardest decision you’ll make is which pool you want to set up for the day or where you want to go to dinner that night. Plus, you won’t waste time waiting at airports or getting stuck in traffic. Instead, you can maximise your time and keep the holiday vibe alive for your entire trip.
- The cost includes accommodation, food and drinks
With a cruise package, you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck. You’ll pay a one-time upfront fare, which covers accommodation and all meals in designated restaurants. Plus, on cruises over 7+ nights you can purchase beverage packages to further maximise the value.
Your fare also includes most cruise ship activities and entertainment, including pools, gyms, and shows. As any millennial knows, those costs can quickly add up and blow the most planned-out holiday budget.
To give you an idea of how much you might pay, our short cruises typically cost a few hundred dollars per person. Compare this to a land-based holiday, where just one of those expenses, such as accommodation for the night, can run into the hundreds or thousands of dollars. Then, you have to factor in transit costs (like petrol or ubers) and entertainment.
- There are entertainment options to suit everyone
What’s your idea of a good holiday? There are over 60 cruise activities to choose from everyday, which is one of the reasons why guests choose to return to P&O time and again. We also have our child-free Oasis, the perfect place if you’re craving peace and quiet and sunshine, as well as an impressive range of bars and clubs.
There is something for everyone: foodies will love taste-testing their way through each ship’s cafes and restaurants, while others will count down the minutes till trivia or comedy club. If you want to break a sweat at sea, the gym, sauna and running track are calling your name, as well as the tennis courts and yoga classes. If you’re in the mood to be pampered, you could pop in to the day spa before claiming a pool chair for the day. We have regular scheduled parties where the whole ship is invited or you can hit the dancefloor in our nightclub and bars.
- You can make the most of land days with shore trips
Most of our cruises at dreamy destinations, and Cruiselings can disembark and spend their day exploring. Chances are, you’ll want to revisit those places one day — because who doesn’t want to go back to the Whitsundays?
The excursion alone may be enough for you. But if you want to dig deeper, you can book a shore tour, such as a guided tour, workshop or activity like scuba diving, snorkelling, hiking, sightseeing and more. All options are vetted by the P&O team, and the list of available shore tours depends on the destination.
Here are the five best cruises for young adults:
#1 P&O Cruises Classic Short Break Cruise
Duration: 3 nights
Departure port: Brisbane
Destinations: Airlie Beach, Cairns
This bestselling cruise departs from Brisbane and sails up the East Coast of Australia, stopping at Airlie Beach and disembarking in Cairns, two must-see destinations. On day two, we’ll dock at the white-sand shores of Airlie Beach, where you can stroll along the beach or go diving, kayaking or jet skiing to see the local sea turtles and dugongs up close.
You can also opt to spend your time on Hamilton Island, or take a scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef. The cruise ends in Cairns, giving you the opportunity to explore the Coral Sea or tropical rainforest. To book your flight back home from Cairns, P&O offer P&O CruiseAir to help you book your return trip home.
#2 P&O Cruises Australia Day Cruise
Duration: 3 nights
Sydney/Melbourne Roundtrip
Nothing says “true blue” like a day on sparkling Sydney Harbour. This 3-day cruise celebrates all things Australian with themed entertainment, music and competitions. After sailing up the coast for the first two days, we’ll head back to Sydney and drop anchor just in time for January 26, so you can see all of the action of the harbour from the vantage point in Sydney Harbour.
If you live in Melbourne, the Australia Day Cruise departing from Melbourne is made just for you: depart from Melbourne, cruise all the way up to Sydney, and disembark for a day in Sydney on January 26 to spend the day exploring the city while revelling in the daytime celebrations, before cruising back down to Melbourne.
Duration: 3 nights
Sydney/Brisbane/Melbourne/Adelaide/Cairns/Auckland Roundtrip
Get ready to mingle with some of the country’s best comedians and split your sides laughing on this cruise which is popular with young adults. As the ship sails the East Coast, you can settle into adults-only comedy shows and learn the art of the laugh at our comedy workshops led by the pros.
If you’re game, you can even take the stage yourself at the Comedy Gong Show! Comedy aside, you’ll have access to all the amenities of our other cruises, including restaurants, fitness facilities and pools.
#4 P&O Cruises Moreton Island – Tangalooma Cruise
Duration: 4 nights
Departure Port: Sydney
Destinations: Moreton Island
On this four-day cruise, you’ll cruise through the most beautiful harbour in the world, before cruising into open water and up the east coast to Moreton Island, a pristine island off the coast of southeast Queensland. As one of the world’s largest sand islands, Moreton Island is known for its untouched beaches and steep dunes, like Mount Tempest.
Tangalooma Resort is a scuba diver’s paradise, too. You can swim with vividly coloured tropical fish in the coral reef, and check out a group of 15 sunken ships called the Tangalooma Wrecks up close. If you prefer to stay dry, you’re in luck: Moreton Island is an amazing spot to see dolphins. For a bird’s eye view, you can opt into a helicopter tour of the region.
#5 P&O Cruises Barrier Reef Discovery Cruise
Duration: 7 nights
Departure Port: Brisbane
Destinations: Airlie Beach, Cairns, Willis Island
A week is a true luxury when you’re cruising, and it’s the perfect way to see one of the seven wonders of the world — plus a few scenic spots along the way. This cruise departs from Brisbane, and stops at Airlie Beach and Cairns, where you can choose from many shore tours including a jet boat ride or admire the rainforest from the sky on the Skyrail.
There’s an option to check out the laidback village of Port Douglas on the way to the Great Barrier Reef. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the awe-inspiring reef, which is teeming with coral and vibrant marine life.
Make your next holiday a cruise
Cruises around Australia allow you to tick multiple places off your bucket list in the one trip. They’re cost-effective and cater to all travellers, so it’s no wonder why more millennials are booking cruises.To browse more P&O Cruises for young adults, head to the P&O Cruises website
This is a sponsored post by P&O Cruises.
