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Important note:  The Brisbane International Cruise Terminal is only open on days when a cruise ship is at berth.   If you are travelling to and parking at the BICT, please note there is only paid parking onsite which must be booked online in advance through Wilson Parking. Please see the  Car Parking  webpage for details.

BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL CRUISE TERMINAL - CRUISE SCHEDULE 

The Brisbane International Cruise Terminal cruise ship schedule can be accessed via the calendar below. Prior to your departure date, please contact your  cruise line  to confirm your cruise details and for additional information regarding your cruise.

VIEWING CRUISE SHIPS

Members of the public are welcome to view cruise ships calling at the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal. The best views are along the waterfront promenade, outside the terminal building; however, you will need to pay for car parking even if you are not getting on a cruise.  Long and short-term paid car parking is available at the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal. If you would like to watch a cruise ship entering the mouth of the Brisbane River, we suggest vantage points at Nudgee Beach and Shorncliffe Pier.

Please note: Cruise ship schedule is subject to change. Please contact your cruise line/travel agent to confirm your travel details.

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Cruises from Brisbane

Discover queensland's sunny capital city of brisbane, the gateway to the gold and sunshine coasts.

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Cruising from Brisbane gives you the perfect opportunity to uncover the very best of New Zealand, Tasmania and beyond. Try local produce at one of the city’s many farmers markets, and surround yourself with incredible works of art at QAGOMA. Or hike Mt Coot-tha to watch the sun set over the sparkling skyline. From dusk until well after dawn, this city will keep you busy before or after your cruise from Brisbane.

Find the Best Cruises from Brisbane

New Zealand

Between the dramatic landscapes and rich heritage, New Zealand is a destination you will want to return to again and again. On your next cruise from Brisbane, marvel at grottos filled with glow-worms one day, and sample an authentic Māori hangi the next. From awe-inspiring sites like Fiordland National Park to our immersive Across the Ditch program, there is no better way to experience New Zealand than with Princess.

From the spectacular outback and bustling cities to the natural wonders and rich culture, Australia is one of those places that really does have something for everyone. Taste your way through Margaret River’s dazzling wine region. Dive the iconic Great Barrier Reef, or meet wildlife at Melbourne’s Healesville Sanctuary. On cruises from Brisbane, experience it all and so much more.

Australia Seacations

With short cruises from Brisbane, discover Australia at your own pace. Climb Sydney’s Harbour Bridge, and people-watch at Bondi. Or pan for gold at Melbourne’s Sovereign Hill museum, and browse through clothes, housewares and souvenirs at Queen Victoria Market. Whether it’s a long weekend with a loved one or a few days of play with family, your Seacation cruise from Brisbane will take you where you want to go.

Tasmania is a scenic wonderland just waiting to be explored. When cruising from Brisbane, uncover the many delights of Tassie on a Tasmanian cruise. Highlights include climbing Cradle Mountain, wandering Hobart’s Salamanca Markets, exploring the penal colony at Port Arthur and taking in the sunset at Great Oyster Bay.

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea is a destination that has to be seen to be believed. Discover natural hot springs, mud pools and geysers, or uncover barrier reefs, drop offs, coral gardens and wreck dive sites. Whether partaking in cultural festivals, sampling cuisine or trekking trails, cruises from Brisbane will ignite your senses as you venture through the unexplored paradise of Papua New Guinea.

Tahiti & South Pacific

Cruise from Brisbane and embark on a sensory adventure as you travel to the idyllic paradise of Tahiti and the islands of the South Pacific. Stroll through Tahiti’s bustling capital Papeete. Feel the turquoise waters lapping at your feet in Bora Bora, and bask on the beaches of Moorea. Or get off the beaten path to unearth spectacles such as the waterfalls at Faarumai or the tomb of the last king of Tahiti, Pomare V.

New Caledonia & Vanuatu

The islands of New Caledonia & Vanuatu have to be seen to be believed. From the picturesque French influenced Noumea, to the friendly waters of Port Vila, there is something for everyone on a cruise through this region. You’ll experience some of the most amazing snorkelling, and some of the friendliest people in the world at each of your ports of call.

Asia Cruises

Asia is a land where ancient civilisations and traditions meet vibrant cities and contemporary flavours. On cruises from Brisbane, see the very best of Asia and embark on a sensory journey through the region’s most iconic cities. Learn the art of Thai dancing in Bangkok, navigate the Cu Chi tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City and discover 8,000-year-old history at the National Palace Museum in Taipei.

World Cruises

On World Cruises from Brisbane, unpack once and visit even more destinations while enjoying more time at sea. As you explore the many corners of the world, connect with other guests who share your passion for travel and exploration. Together, embark on one legendary adventure, travelling from idyllic island paradise to towering cityscapes – and everywhere in between.

What You Need to Know About Cruises from Brisbane

Perfectly laidback yet packed with culture, adventure and excitement, Brisbane is a city full of treasures well worth exploring. Here’s everything you need to know about the city, so you can make the most of your cruise from Brisbane.

Brisbane at a glance

• Language : English
• Currency : Australian Dollar (AUD)
• Time Zone : Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)
• Docking : Your cruise from Brisbane docks at Brisbane International Cruise Terminal.
• Attire : Weather is warm or hot all year round, with a rainy season from December to February. Opt for shorts and t-shirts during the day, and pack long pants and sweaters for cooler evenings in June to August. 
• Transportation : Priding itself on being a green city, Brisbane makes it easy to get around using public transport, offering an extensive network of bus, ferry and rail services.

Things to do in Brisbane

When cruising from Brisbane, walk on South Bank, climb Story Bridge and catch a show at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Or learn about the city’s past on a visit to Boggo Road Gaol, shop ‘til you drop at Queen Street Mall and catch a few innings at the Gabba. Whether it’s a picnic in the City Botanic Gardens or a comedy night at Brisbane Powerhouse, your visit to Brisbane will set the tone for adventure.

Ships That Cruise from Brisbane

Our Princess fleet includes some of the best cruises from Brisbane. Find the comforts of home along with the luxuries you deserve on board any of our ships. Discover what makes our fleet so unique.

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Cruises From Brisbane, Australia

Brisbane Departing Cruises Calendar

• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 29 Jun 2024 - 16:00
• Pacific Explorer 2.395 passengers 02 Jul 2024 - 16:00
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 06 Jul 2024 - 16:00
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 09 Jul 2024 - 16:00
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 13 Jul 2024 - 15:00
• Carnival Splendor 3.619 passengers 23 Jul 2024 - 16:30
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 27 Jul 2024 - 16:00
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 03 Aug 2024 - 14:00
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 10 Aug 2024 - 16:00
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 14 Aug 2024 - 15:00
• Coral Princess 2.400 passengers 21 Aug 2024 - 17:00
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 24 Aug 2024 - 16:00
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 27 Aug 2024 - 16:00
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 31 Aug 2024 - 16:00
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 07 Sep 2024 - 16:00
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 10 Sep 2024 - 16:00
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 14 Sep 2024 - 14:00
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 21 Sep 2024 - 15:00
• Diamond Princess 3.247 passengers 24 Sep 2024 - 17:00
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 28 Sep 2024 - 16:00
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 01 Oct 2024 - 16:00
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 05 Oct 2024 - 16:00
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 12 Oct 2024 - 16:00
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 16 Oct 2024 - 15:00
• Celebrity Solstice 3.420 passengers 21 Oct 2024 - 18:00
• Disney Wonder 2.456 passengers 22 Oct 2024 - 16:45
• Celebrity Edge 3.373 passengers 24 Oct 2024 - 18:00
• Disney Wonder 2.456 passengers 25 Oct 2024 - 16:45
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 26 Oct 2024 - 16:00
• Disney Wonder 2.456 passengers 28 Oct 2024 - 16:45
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 29 Oct 2024 - 16:00
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 02 Nov 2024 - 14:00
• Silver Muse 691 passengers 07 Nov 2024 - 19:00
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 09 Nov 2024 - 16:00
• Carnival Luminosa 2.712 passengers 10 Nov 2024 - 16:00
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 12 Nov 2024 - 16:00
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 16 Nov 2024 - 15:00
• Carnival Luminosa 2.712 passengers 17 Nov 2024 - 16:00
• Queen Elizabeth 2.503 passengers 19 Nov 2024 - 00:00
• ms Westerdam 2.362 passengers 20 Nov 2024 - 17:00
• Crown Princess 3.674 passengers 21 Nov 2024 - 17:00
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 22 Nov 2024 - 15:00
• Silver Nova 728 passengers 22 Nov 2024 - 23:00
• Carnival Luminosa 2.712 passengers 24 Nov 2024 - 16:00
• Viking Orion 930 passengers 25 Nov 2024 - 00:00
• ms Europa 2 516 passengers 25 Nov 2024 - 18:00
• Viking Orion 930 passengers 26 Nov 2024 - 00:00
• Pacific Encounter 3.115 passengers 30 Nov 2024 - 16:00
• Quantum Of The Seas 4.819 passengers 01 Dec 2024 - 16:30
• Oceania Regatta 803 passengers 02 Dec 2024 - 18:00

Brisbane, Australia (AUBNE)

Port of Brisbane is located in Australia at 27.3612S, 153.1679E. 33 vessels have arrived within the past 24 hours and 33 ships are expected to arrive in the next 30 days.

Port time: Jun 27, 10:44

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Port of Brisbane vessel arrivals, departures, scheduled arrivals and ships in port are detected by processing of AIS data. Weather data is based on GFS model (NCEP/NWS). The data is for informational purposes only and VesselFinder is not responsible for the accuracy and reliability of Port of Brisbane data.

The 3 Smartest Cruise Stocks to Buy With $5,000 Right Now

It’s been smooth sailing for the cruise industry – creating a big opportunity for some of the top cruise stocks to buy.

For one, as I said just days ago, companies like  Norwegian Cruise Lines  (NYSE: NCLH ) report record bookings thanks to booming demand.  Carnival  (NYSE: CCL ) says it’s “capturing more guests than ever before.”  Royal Caribbean  (NYSE: RCL ) is hiring thousands to staff its ships and private destinations to meet demand.

Two, according to JPMorgan , the cruise industry could capture 3.8% of the $1.9 trillion global vacation market by 2028 – which may be lowballing it. The firm notes the number of cruise passengers could grow to about 35.7 million this year, which is 6% higher than in 2019. 

“Cruise operators are overhauling their offerings in order to appeal to consumers. Key operators are investing in new hardware, notably mega-ships and private destinations. This is driving more eyeballs to the industry, accelerating new-to-cruise acquisition,” they added.

Three, boats are being filled fast. “We’re getting close to the point where we’ll soon be taking more bookings for ’25 than we are for 2024,” Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty told investors during a late-April earnings call, adding the company is also taking bookings for 2026.

That being said, it just makes sense to invest in cruise stocks, including:

Royal Caribbean ( RCL )

The last time I highlighted an opportunity in Royal Caribbean,  I said , “It’s just starting to bounce from support at $145, where it’s still a buy. Near term, I’d like to see RCL initially retest its prior high of $157.50, which shouldn’t be a problem with surging cruise bookings.”

At the time, RCL traded at around $149. Now at $154.41, it’s still a buy as it pivots higher.

Earnings have also been solid, as expected. Adjusted earnings per share of $1.77 beat estimates by $0.46. Revenue of $3.73 billion – up 29.2% year over year – beat by $38.9 million. It also hiked its EPS guidance to a new range of $2.65 to $2.75 compared to estimates of $2.37. 

JPMorgan also raised its price target on RCL to $175 with an overweight rating. Analysts at Argus also raised their price target on RCL to $172 with a buy rating. All thanks to its optimism over the company’s financial prospects following a spike in occupancy rates.

Carnival ( CCL )

Recent weakness cruise stocks to buy, like Carnival, is another hot opportunity.

With stronger demand and higher occupancy rates, Carnival numbers have been solid. 

In its first quarter, revenue hit a record first-quarter high of $5.4 billion. Deposits jumped to $7 billion in the quarter. Adjusted EBITDA more than doubled year over year to $871 million. Even its loss per share narrowed from $0.55 last year to $0.17. Moving forward, I expect for numbers to sail even higher with explosive, growing demand for cruise vacations.

In its second quarter earnings report – out this morning – the company’s EPS of 11 cents beat by 13 cents. Revenue of $5.78 billion, up 17.7% year over year beat by $90 million. Total customer deposits for the quarter came in at $8.3 billion (an all-time high). The company also raised its forecast thanks to strong demand.

In fact, it now expects 2024 adjusted profit per share of about $1.18, compared with its earlier forecast of 98 cents. It also forecast an adjusted profit of $1.15 per share for the third quarter. Analysts had expected a profit of $1.10.

Norwegian Cruise Line ( NCLH )

Another one of the top cruise stocks to buy on weakness is Norwegian Cruise Line. After gapping from about $18 to $16.18, NCLH is just starting to pivot higher. Last trading at $17.40, I’d like to see it initially retest $18.50 again shortly.

Helping, analysts at  Truist just upgraded NCLH to a buy rating with a price target of $21. The firm noted it’s “time to get back onboard NCLH” and that there is still plenty of “attractive upside potential” with the stock. 

Deutsche Bank , JPMorgan, Wells Fargo , Stifel , Goldman Sachs , UBS and Citi raised their price targets on NCLH, too. Plus, company director Zillah Byng-Thorne just bought 13,360 shares for about $220,440. Even Jim Simons’ Renaissance Technologies fund recently picked up 252,900 shares of NCLH at the end of March.

Again, just as we’ve said with Carnival and Royal Caribbean, use weakness as an opportunity. With greater demand for cruises, it should be smooth sailing ahead for these companies.

On the date of publication, Ian Cooper did not hold (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com  Publishing Guidelines.

Ian Cooper, a contributor to InvestorPlace.com, has been analyzing stocks and options for web-based advisories since 1999.

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Cruise from Brisbane, Australia

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Brisbane Shore Excursions

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You can't miss South Bank when in Brisbane. Take in the view from the Wheel of Brisbane, the city's version of the London Eye. Stroll through the Arbour, a walkway awning with expertly curated plants and flowers. Take a dip at Streets Beach – Australia's only inner-city man-made beach – before heading to one of the neighbourhood's upmarket eateries.

Get a 360 View

See Brisbane from several different perspectives. Check out the wide-angled view from Mt Coot-tha Lookout, then face your fears and do the Story Bridge Adventure Climb. Next, see the sunset from Kangaroo Points Cliff Park, or hop on a free CityCat ferry for skyline views from the Brisbane River.

Local Cuisine

It's always patio season in Brisbane. For the best riverside dining, check out Eagle Street Pier, which is bustling with city workers once the clock strikes 5 p.m. And don't miss Eat Street Northshore, a wharf that becomes a hub for forward-thinking street food on Friday and Saturday nights, where you can get a slice of Japanese pizza or a dessert of decadent churros.

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Is An Aircraft Carrier Bigger Than A Cruise Ship? Here's How They Compare

Aircraft carriers and cruise ships are some of the largest floating vessels in the world  — both capable of carrying thousands of people on board. Cruise ships and carriers are engineering marvels  decades if not centuries in the making as shipbuilding has advanced over the ages.

However, cruise ships and aircraft carriers differ massively in their purpose. Cruise ships are leisure vehicles, designed to bring tourists to many different ports and explore different places and countries, while at the same time having a good time between stops. On the other hand, aircraft carriers are naval vessels that countries use to project power and influence regional geopolitics, meaning the people aboard them aren't there to have a good time.

Both ships are massive floating cities, but which one is actually larger? Let's measure the largest examples of these boats.

What's the biggest cruise ship today?

At the time of writing, the title holder of the largest cruise ship in the world is Royal Caribbean International's Icon of the Seas. She is an Icon Class ship with a gross tonnage of 248,663 and entered service with the cruise liner in January 2024. This gives her a length of 1,196 feet or 365 meters — about four football fields long — and a width of 159 feet or 48 meters (about 11 cars long, at around 14.7 feet long per car). Royal Caribbean spent $2 billion to build her, and its CEO, Jason Liberty, describes her as the "biggest, baddest ship on the planet," according to CNBC . 

However, the Icon of the Seas won't remain as the largest cruise liner for long. That's because her sister ship, the Star of the Seas, will have an expected gross tonnage of 250,880. She's currently under construction at Meyer Turku in Finland, with Royal Caribbean International expecting her to enter service in the summer 2025. A third Icon Class ship is slated for delivery in 2026, but we don't have much information on it right now.

The Icon of the Seas has a total of 20 decks, with 18 accessible to guests. However, not all decks contain rooms, of the 18 guest decks, only 12 have guest accommodations. The rest of the decks are reserved for amenities and crew.

What's the biggest aircraft carrier today?

The U.S. Navy claims that its newest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is the world's largest. It is the first ship in the Gerald R. Ford class of supercarriers and is designed to accommodate modern systems within its planned 50-year service life. The Gerald R. Ford has a length of 333 meters or about 1,092 feet — slightly shorter than the Icon of the Seas — and a beam of 40.8 meters or almost 134 feet. It also weighs a little less than 100,000 tons. This makes the carrier significantly slimmer and lighter than the cruise ship, but that's because aircraft carriers need to be as fast as possible.

This ship's primary mission is to deploy aircraft, but because it has such a short length of just 333 meters (versus the runways at U.S. Air Force bases, with the longest at Edwards Air Force Base with 4,579 meters), carriers use speed to get a brisk wind of over 30 knots blowing over the deck when launching planes, alongside the use of its catapult. The slimmer profile of an aircraft carrier allow it to go faster (which also means that it can get in and out of danger more quickly, too).

As for the price, the Gerald R. Ford class will cost the American taxpayer a cool $13 billion per ship . This is more expensive than the USS Nimitz , which it slated to retire in 2026, and has an inflation-adjusted price of over $11.5 billion.

How many people can fit in a cruise ship?

Aside from its size, we can also look at the number of people each ship can carry. After all, although the Icon of the Seas and USS Gerald R. Ford have almost the same length, it doesn't mean that they can carry the same number of people. The largest Royal Caribbean International cruise ship has 2,805 staterooms, meaning it can carry 5,610 guests if each room is occupied by two people.

However, the Icon of the Seas also has a few bigger rooms that can hold more people. If you fill all the rooms to the maximum, the ship's passenger capacity is at 9,302. And with its 2,350 total international crew to complement, that would mean that the Icon of the Seas has 11,652 souls on board when filled to the brim.

We must also remember that cruise ships aren't just floating motels. Instead, they're full-fledged entertainment venues with multiple amenities. The Icon of the Seas itself features 27 restaurants, 18 bars and lounges, six activity centers for kids and teens, and 24 other amenities, including a conference center, theaters, swimming pools, sports courts, to name a few.

How large is the crew of an aircraft carrier?

Aircraft carriers also have a large number of people aboard. But since they're military weapons, these are not tourists on a leisurely trip. Instead, they're mostly sailors and naval aviators, occasionally some marines and other personnel that are there to support the carrier's operations.

The USS Gerald R. Ford has enough accommodations for 508 officers and 3,789 enlisted personnel, for a total crew complement of 4,297. This is 1,715 less than the Nimitz's full complement of 6,012 people, showing how the Ford has streamlined its operations.

But aside from its crew, remember that aircraft carriers carry both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. The majority of the Icon of the Seas' space is occupied by leisure amenities. On the other hand, the USS Gerald R. Ford has an expansive flat top for launching multiple aircraft simultaneously and it also has spacious hangars to store and service loads of up to 90 planes, helicopters, and drones — including the F-35C , F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning radar, EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft , and MH-60R/S helicopters.

What is the largest ship in the world right now?

The short answer to whether an aircraft carrier is bigger than a cruise ship is no, if you look at the biggest ships in their class. However, many smaller cruise ships will be dwarfed by the Navy's smallest actively serving carrier. But even though the Icon of the Seas and the USS Gerald R. Ford are behemoths in their own right, neither of them is the largest ship on the world to have been made (although they both made the top 10). Instead, this award goes to the oil carrier Seawise Giant, designed for shuttling oil from the Middle East to the United States. However, it has since been retired and sold for scrap in 2010.

As of today, the largest ship in service is the OOCL Spain, which is almost 400 meters long and can carry over 24,000 shipping containers. Next to it are four ships owned by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) — Irina, Loreto, Michel Cappellini, and Gülsün — all of which carry around 24,000 containers.

We might see larger cruise ships and carriers in the future, especially as Royal Caribbean International and the Navy still has several cruise ships and aircraft carriers on order. We might even see a larger carrier from other countries, as the U.S. Navy isn't the only one to field these mighty ships .

Twenty per cent of Brisbane River ferry commuters take up smart ticketing since April launch

About one in five commuters using Brisbane ferries, including CityCats, have turned to smart ticketing since the new payment method was introduced in April.

The activation of smart ticketing on bus services is also still expected to kick off later this year, but Translink will not say if it will begin on Brisbane City Council buses in 2024.

The new ticketing system was launched on ferries on April 16, allowing commuters to tap on and off their services with a credit card, debit card, or smart device instead of a Go Card.

Since then, commuters have taken more than 145,000 Brisbane River ferry trips using smart ticketing, which equates to about 20 per cent of all paid journeys.

In addition to ferries, smart ticketing is also available on South East Queensland trains and light rail — although it can only currently be used for full paying adult fares.

Transport Minister Bart Mellish described the uptake of smart ticketing on ferries since its launch about ten weeks ago as "outstanding".

"It's easier than ever to travel on the Brisbane River and that's good news whether you're a tourist exploring our city or a commuter getting to and from work," he said.

"Our rollout of smart ticketing is ensuring Queensland's public transport network has a seamless and modern ticketing solution."

More than 15 million trips using the new ticketing system have also now been taken on light rail and train services.

Rollout on buses 'operator by operator'

All 2,600 buses in South East Queensland have also been equipped with smart ticketing equipment, but the technology is yet to be switched on for use.

A spokesperson for Translink said trials of smart ticketing on buses were still planned to start "operator by operator" later this year.

However, when asked if it would commence on all bus operators by the end of this year, Translink would not say.

The public transport operator also would not say if it would begin on Brisbane City Council buses this year.

"The order of bus operators for rollout customer trials will be based on factors such as connections to heavy rail, patronage levels, operator size, and geographic location," a Translink spokesperson said.

"Rollout dates for individual bus operators will be determined progressively as each trial is successfully implemented and working as intended."

The state government had previously suggested that smart ticketing would be up and running on buses by the end of 2023, but commencement was pushed back to 2024.

The Translink spokesperson said further announcements about smart ticketing trials on South East Queensland buses would be made closer to commencement.

"Buses are wireless systems, unlike the fixed systems we have installed on tram and [train] platforms," they said.

"This brings different technical complexities in ensuring the new devices and supporting systems work effectively as buses travel across different environments and zones on our network."

More than 150 million public transport trips were taken within South East Queensland in 2022-'23.

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• Maroochydore
• Mermaid Beach
• Public Transport