Cruise Lines International Association‘s flagship Australasian conference, Cruise360, has opened at Sydney’s International Convention Centre with a record turnout, expanding to a two-day format for the first time as the region’s cruise sector pushes for stronger policy support from government.
Record crowd for an expanded format
More than 900 delegates gathered for the first combined two-day Cruise360 Australasia, running 17 to 18 September at ICC Sydney under the theme “Future Ready. Client Ready. Cruise Ready.” Tickets for the event sold out ahead of time. Day one closed with an official cocktail party at Doltone House, Darling Island, before sessions resumed on day two.
Five international panellists joined the program, including David Siewers of Azamara, Mario Bounas of Swan Hellenic, Helen Beck of Windstar Cruises, Sam Seward of Quark Expeditions and Jason Krimmel of Norwegian Cruise Line, alongside CLIA Australasia Chairman and Carnival Group Senior Vice President and Country Manager Peter Little.
An industry on a growth run
CLIA Australasia Executive Director Joel Katz opened proceedings by pointing to the strength of the wider industry underpinning the conference. Global cruise passenger numbers reached a record 37.2 million in 2025, with the industry on track for around 38 million this year and CLIA forecasting a high of 42 million guests by the end of the decade. Cruise lines also have 89 new ships scheduled for launch through to 2039, representing a combined value of almost US$100 billion.
Local headwinds and a push for policy certainty
That global momentum sits against a harder local backdrop. Katz told delegates that despite continuing strong demand, Australia and New Zealand have lost cruise ships to other parts of the world, driven by a complex regulatory environment and rising costs. He said New Zealand’s concerns are being heard by government, and while Australian states and territories have shown support, the industry still needs a national approach.
CLIA responded last month by launching the Australian Paddock to Port Alliance, bringing together farmers, food suppliers, tourism operators, travel agents, ports and destinations to highlight cruising’s economic reach. The alliance’s own economic impact report found cruise tourism contributes more than $7.3 billion annually to the Australian economy and supports more than 22,000 jobs, with cruise lines spending around $1.5 billion a year with local suppliers and passengers contributing a further $1.8 billion through pre- and post-cruise spending.
“We need to put Australia back on course,” Katz told the conference, calling for stable, practical and competitive policy settings to keep the country attractive to cruise lines.
