Cruise Ships in South Australia 2023-24

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Fri 03 Nov 2023 - Tue 26 Mar 2024

Cruising is now back in full swing, and many are awaiting the 2023-24 season commencing October 2024 with 24 ships gracing South Australian shores across 83 visits. You will see many of your old favourites and some new visitors.

The following schedule gives you plenty of time to fill your calendar and set your clocks ready to view their majestic beauty later this year.

Adelaide’s Port Adelaide Passenger Terminal at Outer Harbour will welcome 43 visits this year from 22 different vessels with a number of those visits being overnight stays. For Port Adelaide, 2023-24 will see old favourites such as Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 and Ovation of the Seas scheduled to return, along with many others.

The best vantage points for Adelaide people wanting to welcome back an old friend or find a new one, cast a dream-like gaze upon these megaliths of the sea or simply watch ships cruise in and out is anywhere along the foreshore at Semaphore or from Lady Ruthven Drive, North Haven.

Travel to the Outer Harbour by train or car. Please see Adelaide Metro for further information.

Those on Kangaroo Island need not be disappointed with 15 vessels making 31 visits docking just off Penneshaw. Locals can bring their binoculars and gaze upon the following beauties.

Port Lincoln will welcome 5 cruise ships making 9 visits. Locals will need to bring their binoculars to get a good view from the shore.

There is no doubt that cruise ships' visits to our wonderful state continue to grow and bring vital spending into the South Australian economy, particularly to our regions and especially our fire-ravaged Kangaroo Island, this can only be good news for our tourism economy. This season will once again bring big ships and little ships and everything in between to delight cruise ship fans with visiting vessels ranging from the small and luxurious to the mega cruise ship for families and fun.

Please note: These are viewing events only at all ports and no access is available onboard visiting ships. All times given are as advertised at the time of publication and are subject to change.

AIDAsol – January 2024

Port Adelaide

6 January 2024 – 6.30 am to 6 pm

Penneshaw

7 January 2024 – 5.30 am to 6 pm

New to South Australia, AIDAsol is a sphinx-class cruise ship operated by AIDA Cruises. At 253 metres in length with 14 decks she has her own onboard brewery and a large spa facility. With 1,097 cabins she carries an average of 2,440 passengers and 609 crew. Distinctive with her large eye on the bow, synonymous with AIDA Cruise ships, you can also see a couple of glass fenced areas housing her pool and sun decks.



Ambience – February 2024

Port Adelaide

28 February 2024 – 9.30 am to 7 pm

Another new arrival to South Australia’s shores, MS Ambience is operated by Ambassador Cruise Line. Originally operated by Princess Cruises as Regal Princess, she has also previously been called Pacific Dawn and Satoshi with other operators.

Ambience is 245 metres in length and boasts 11 passenger decks. She carries 1,400 passengers in 789 cabins and 660 crew.



Azamara Journey – December 2023, February 2024

Port Adelaide

27 December 2023 – 6.30 am to 10 pm
12 February 2024 – 6.30 am to 8 pm

Penneshaw

28 December 2023 – 7 am to 2 pm
11 February 2024 – 8 am to 8 pm

Touted as a luxurious boutique hotel at sea, Azamara Journey is 181 metres in length with 11 decks and carries 694 passengers and 407 crew providing a 1.7:1 passenger-to-crew ratio.

While the big cruise ships are nice to see, the smaller ships display beauty and elegance and from the right vantage point you may be able to see the pool and pool bar on the top deck.



Brilliance of the Seas – November 2023, March 2024

Port Adelaide

12 November 2023 – 6.30 am to 7 pm
6 March 2024 – 6.30 am to 6 pm

Penneshaw

11 November 2023 – 8 am to 7 pm

Brilliance of the Seas operated by Royal Caribbean Cruises is a radiance-class ship, 292 metres in length and carrying 2,140 passengers and 848 crew. With 12 decks, she brings a wealth of activities and fun to passengers.

See if you can spot the Fairways of Brilliance on the top deck.



Celebrity Edge – April 2024

Port Adelaide

9 April 2024 – 5.30 am to 8 pm

Penneshaw

10 April 2024 – 7 am to 5 pm

An edge-class cruise ship, Celebrity Edge is operated by Celebrity Cruises and is the sister ship to Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent (due to be launched in Spring 2023). At 306 metres in length, she carries 2,918 passengers and 1,377 crew and definitely sits on the big and beautiful side of the conversation.



Coral Geographer – November, December 2023

Port Adelaide

3 – 4 November 2023 – 5.30 am to 5 pm (+1)
14 November 2023 – 6 am to 5 pm
24 November 2023 – 6 am to 5 pm
4 December 2023 – 6 am to 5 pm
14 December 2023 – 6 am to 12 pm

A little younger than sister ship Coral Adventurer, Coral Geographer also features the lightweight Xplorer tenders also known as ‘safari jeeps’. The same size as her sister ship, Coral Expeditions carries just 120 passengers and 48 crew.



Coral Princess – November 2023, March 2024

Port Adelaide

16 November 2023 – 6.30 am to 6 pm
20 March 2024 – 6.30 am to 6 pm

Coral Princess is a coral-class cruise ship operated by Princess Cruises. Coral Princess and sister ship Island Princess are two of only five panamax ships operated by Princess Cruises, that were built to navigate the historic Panama canal.

Coral Princess is 294 metres long and carries 2,000 passengers and 895 crew.



Crystal Serenity – March 2024

Port Adelaide

22 March 2024 – 6.30 am to 6 pm

250 metres in length and operated by Crystal, Crystal Serenity has recently been refurbished and now carries just 740 passengers and 655 crews making her crew-to-passenger ratio almost 1:1.

Her top deck features the Wimbledon Court which is used for paddle tennis and pickle ball, and spa and wellness centre and a glass roof over the kitchen and bar.



Crystal Symphony – December 2023

Port Adelaide

10 – 11 December 2023 – 7 am to 6 pm (+1)

Also operated by Crystal and refurbished in 2023, Crystal Symphony is 238 metres in length and carries 606 guests. Crystal Symphony is a sister ship to Crystal Serenity.



Europa 2 – March 2024

Port Adelaide

2 March 2024 – 7 am to 6 pm

Penneshaw

3 March 2024 – 7 am to 6 pm

Touted as having the promises of a yacht and the serenity of a small resort, at 226 metres in length, Europa 2 is operated by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and carries just 516 passengers across 7 passenger decks.

From a good vantage point, you should be able to see the sun deck and pool area.



Grand Princess – October 2023 to January 2024

Port Adelaide

26 October 2023 – 5.30 am to 7 pm
13 November 2023 – 5.30 am to 7 pm
16 December 2023 – 5.30 am to 7 pm
4 January 2024 – 5.30 am to 7 pm
24 January 2024 – 5.30 am to 7 pm

Penneshaw

25 October 2023 – 8 am to 7 pm
18 December 2023 – 8 am to 7 pm
5 January 2024 – 8 am to 7 pm
25 November 2024 – 8 am to 7 pm

Port Lincoln

17 December 2023 – 6.30 am to 6 pm
6 January 2024 – 7.30 am to 9 pm
26 January 2024 – 6.30 am to 6 pm

We will see quite a bit of Grand Princess this season with 5 visits to Port Adelaide, 4 to Kangaroo Island and 3 to Port Lincoln. A grand-class cruise ship now operated by Princess Cruises, at the time she was built she was the largest and most expensive passenger ship ever built.

Slightly smaller than Coral Princess at just 290 metres in length, she carries 2,600 passengers and 1,150 crew.



Island Princess – February 2024

Port Adelaide

18 February 2024 – 5.30 am to 6 pm

Operated by Princess Cruises, Island Princess is 294 metres in length and carries 2,200 guests and 900 crew across 16 decks.

Island Princess is a coral-class cruise ship and sister ship to Coral Princess. Together they are the only Panamax ships in Princess’s fleet.

The top deck is the Sports Deck sporting deck chess, shuffleboard and a centre court.



Majestic Princess – December 2023

Port Adelaide

15 December 2023 – 5.30 am to 7 pm

Penneshaw

14 December 2023 – 7 am to 7 pm

Port Lincoln

16 December 2023 – 6.30 am to 6 pm

Majestic Princess is a royal-class cruise ship carrying 3,560 passengers and 1,346 crew operated by Princess Cruises. Sister ship to Royal Princess and Regal Princess, she is 330 metres in length and has 19 decks.

Her top deck is the Sky Deck and carries The Greens Mini Golf, which you may be able to see from the right vantage point.



Noordam – January 2024

Port Adelaide

7 January 2024 – 8 am to 7 pm

Penneshaw

9 January 2024 – 7 am to 6 pm

While not a megaship this beautiful vista-class lady from the Holland America Line whose name represents noorden or north in Dutch, is 293 metres in length and carries 1,972 passengers and 800 crew.

Noordam will grace us with just one visit this season at Port Adelaide and Kangaroo Island and is well worth gazing upon her Holland America Line beauty.



Ovation of the Seas – January 2024

Port Adelaide

26 January 2024 – 7 am to 6 pm

An old hat at Port Adelaide, the very beautiful megaship Ovation of the Seas will berth at Adelaide’s Outer Harbour for the early risers and spend the day in Adelaide before commencing her onward journey. There is only one opportunity for Adelaide this season, so set the date in your diary.

A quantum-class vessel operated by Royal Caribbean, Ovation of the Seas is 348 metres in length, has 16 passenger decks and carries 4,180 passengers and 1,500 crew.

From your vantage point you might be able to see the Ovation’s North Star; a jewel-shaped capsule that ascends over 90 metres above sea level and gives passengers 360o views of the sea and destinations.



Pacific Adventure – December 2023

Penneshaw

8 December 2023 – 6.30 am to 8 pm

Operated by P&O, Pacific Adventure is 290 metres in length and carried 2,636 guests across 12 decks. Pacific Adventure is a grand-class cruise ship.

On the top deck you will be able to see the water slide, sun deck and pool area.



Pacific Explorer – December 2023 to March 2024 and June 2024

Port Adelaide

19, 23 and 26 February 2024 – 5.30 am to 4 pm
1, 8, 11, 25 and 29 March 2024 – 5.30 am to 4 pm
10 June 2024 – 6.30 am to 5 pm

Penneshaw

6, 17 and 21 December 2023 – 7 am to 6 pm
10 December 2023 – 12.30 pm to 6 pm
13 and 22 January 2024 – 7 am to 6 pm
26 January 2024 – 10 am to 8 pm
15 February 2024 – 6.30 am to 11 pm
22 February 2024 – 6.30 am to 5 pm
29 February 2024 – 7 am to 6 pm
2 March 2024 – 2 pm to Midnight
28 March 2024 – 7 am to 6 pm

Port Lincoln

20 and 27 February 2024 – 6.30 am to 6 pm
26 March 2024 – 6.30 am to 6 pm

With all the dates for Pacific Explorer this season you could be forgiven for thinking she is making South Australia her home. At 266 metres in length, she has 10 passenger decks and carried 1,998 passengers and 924 crew.

Those of you who have been around cruises for some time will remember her as the Dawn Princess operated by Princess Cruises, however since 2017 she has sailed with P&O Cruises Australia.



Queen Elizabeth – December 2023 to January 2024

Port Adelaide

1 December 2023 – 5.30 am to 6 pm
7 January 2024 – 12.30 pm to 11 pm

The fabulous MS Queen Elizabeth, graceful lady of the seas, continues to explore our shores with visits in the 2023-24 cruise ship season.

Evoking the heyday of Hollywood glamour and elegance, Queen Elizabeth will gracefully glide into the outer harbour with a crown upon her head just as a true Queen should.

At 294 metres in length she is not the biggest of the cruise ships, but certainly one of the most regal. She has 16 decks and carries 2,092 passengers.

Come along, wave the flag and be in the company of royalty, but also be on the lookout later in the season for Queen Mary 2.



Queen Mary 2 – February 2024

Port Adelaide

21 February 2024 – 6.30 am to 6 pm

There is something about Cunard ships that spell out sheer style and elegance and if you came out to see Queen Elizabeth earlier in the season then take the opportunity to see this second of the three Queens and the flagship of the Cunard line, Queen Mary 2.

At 343 metres long Queen Mary 2 was at the time of her construction, the longest and largest passenger ship ever built. Today this honour is held by Wonder of the Seas. However, Queen Mary 2’s ability to carry 2,695 guests over 14 passenger decks and 1,253 crew certainly means she is among very big company.

A look from above will enable you to see the sun deck and sports centre.



Regatta – December 2023, January 2024

Port Adelaide

14 December 2023 – 8.30 am to 11 pm
16 January 2024 – 9 am to 11 pm

Penneshaw

15 December 2023 – 7 am to 6 pm
17 January 2024 – 7 am to 4 pm

MS Regatta is 181 metres in length and with nine guest decks accommodates 670 passengers and 400 staff. The flagship of the Oceania Cruises fleet has undertaken a re-inspiration in recent years.

On the top deck you may be able to view the shuffleboard, sun deck and golf putting green.



Royal Princess – April 2024

Penneshaw

3 April 2024 – 8 am to 7 pm

Royal Princess, operated by Princess Cruises, will bring exclusive viewing for those on Kangaroo Island this season.

At 330 metres long, Royal Princess carries 3,560 passengers and 1,346 crew.



Seabourn Odyssey – February 2024

Port Adelaide

15 February 2024 – 7 am to 6 pm

Penneshaw

13 February 2024 – 10 am to 9 pm

Port Lincoln

14 February 2024 – 6.30 am to 6 pm

Seabourn Odyssey, currently operated by Seabourn Cruise Line is small in comparison to some of the larger ships at just 200 metres in length and carrying 450 passengers and 335 crew. Seabourn Odyssey will continue to sail under the Seabourn flag until August 2024 however has been sold to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. It is not known what the futures plan are for Seabourn Odyssey, therefore this may be your last chance to see her in South Australia.

Along with the sister ship, Seabourn Sojourn, she is an odyssey-class cruise ship. Her top deck features the sun terrace and the luxurious The Retreat.



Silver Whisper – December 2023

Port Adelaide

8 December 2023 – 8 am to 7 pm

Penneshaw

7 December 2023 – 9 am to 7 pm

Operated by Silversea Cruises, Silver Whisper is a millennium-class cruise ship and sister ship to Silver Shadow. She is 186 metres in length and carries 392 guests across 7 passenger decks.

Silver Whisper’s top deck features the Zagara Spa and Observation Library.



Volendam – February 2024

Port Adelaide

24 February 2024 – 6.30 am to 5 pm

Penneshaw

23 February 2024 – 8 am to 5 pm

Port Lincoln

22 February 2024 – 7 am to 6 pm

A rotterdam-class cruise ship, Volendam is 237 metres in length and carries 1,432 passengers and 647 crew. Her sister ships are Zaandam, Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

Following the Russian occupation of the Ukraine, the Volendam was used as a refugee shelter.

Volendam’s sports deck features sports courts and clubs.



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!date 03/11/2023 -- 26/03/2024