The Whitsunday Regional Council has decided they want to try and host the 2026 Australian Cruise Association’s (ACA) Conference here in Airlie Beach. The Whitsundays is one of Australia's most popular holiday destinations, which is why cruise ships choose to dock in Airlie Beach year-round.
Each year the number of ships that visit ports in the Whitsundays increase, from roughly 70 post the covid-19 pandemic, to a whopping 90 expected this year! There are also two new cruise liners making their maiden calls to Airlie this February, truly showing how the demand to visit our beautiful region is increasing.
The Diamond Princess and the Zuiderdam will be visiting Airlie ports for the first time ever this year. These grand, international liners have the capacity to bring more than 3,000 people each to the Whitsunday region and bolster the local economy.
“It is our first visit to early beach, and we're super excited to be here. it's a great opportunity for our guests to get a little glimpse of the Australian weather that changes every two minutes. But we're loving it, the rain and the sun and everything in between, the hospitality of the of the people of the locals is absolutely unmatched. It's a port we definitely want to be back in.” said Stefan, the Diamond Princess’ Hotel General Manager.
The Diamond Princess is a Grand-class cruise ship, operated by Princess Cruises, and is no stranger to Australian waters and has been cruising in the southern hemisphere’s summer months since its maiden voyage in 2024. Keen ship-spotters would have seen it in Airlie waters on the 12th of February on her 11 Night Queensland & New South Wales journey.
The MS Zuiderdam is a Vista-class cruise ship, operated by Holland America Line and is named for the Southern compass direction in Dutch with its three sister-ships named for the other cardinal directions. You’ll be able to see her in Airlie waters this weekend on the 16th as she makes her third stop on her 42 Night Grand World Voyage.
The cruise ship industry continues to grow and the Whitsundays will not be left behind. With its close proximity to the world-famous Great Barrier Reef and home to 74 beautiful islands, it's no wonder why cruise ships choose Airlie as a stop on their ocean voyages.
Diamond Princess and Cruise Whitsundays exchanging plaques. Photo Credit: Victoria Velton
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