Ring in 2019 on board luxurious ships that host parties and pass out champagne at midnight.
New Year's cruises are a treat you won't soon forget that sail to destinations as close as the next Aussie capital to as far as New Caledonia.
Their parties sparkle with decorations, balloon drops and epic midnight countdowns – and there are even babysitting services available so parents can join in the fun.
From sunny destinations to breathtaking mountains, these are our picks of New Year’s Eve cruises that you can still book.
Handpicked: Our top New Year's sailings from Australia:
1. Exciting New Year cruise from Brisbane
Celebrate New Year in Noumea, Lifou, Isle of Pines and Mare Island with this 7-night cruise.
- Ship name and cruise line. Pacific Aria, P&O Australia.
- Departure destination and date. Round trip cruise from Brisbane departing 28 December 2018.
- Ports of call. Noumea, Lifou and Port Vila. You will spend New Year’s Eve cruising from Lifou to Port Vila.
- Ship features. P&O Edge Adventure Park including flying fox, laser tag and abseiling, tennis and basketball courts, mini-golf, multiple themed parties, 2 pools, live music venues and 16 dining options.
- What to expect on New Year’s Eve. Multiple venues open until late and feature live bands.
2. The Pacific Islands Sydney return cruise
Have a 12-night adventure at sea while waiting for the New Year's countdown.
- Ship name and cruise line. Pacific Explorer, P&O Australia.
- Departure destination and date. Round trip cruise from Sydney departing 28 December 2018.
- Ports of call. Sando, Champagne Bay, Port Vila, Mare and Lifou. You will spend New Year’s Eve cruising to Santo.
- Ship features. Small and intimate bars, multiple themed parties, 2 waterslides, a water park, barefoot bowling, zip lining, live music venues, two theatres and 12 dining options.
- What to expect on New Year’s Eve. Start the night dancing away with a live band followed by your choice of multiple venues which open until late.
3. Festive Season in South Pacific cruise
Have a happy new year when you sail on this 8-night cruise and visit New Caledonia and Vanuatu.
- Ship name and cruise line. Explorer of the Seas, Royal Caribbean.
- Departure destination and date. Round trip cruise from Sydney departing 29 December 2018.
- Ports of call. Noumea, Mystery Island and Isle of Pines. You will spend New Year’s Eve on board cruising to Noumea.
- Ship features. Arcade, 8 dining options, 6 bars and lounges, outdoor movies, dance classes, seminars and workshops, original entertainment shows, ice skating, mini-golf course, full-sized football field, rock climbing, live bands and multiple pools.
- What to expect on New Year’s Eve. Every lounge hosts a party, which includes decorations and party favours. There’s also a countdown to midnight that leads up to the dropping of balloons and confetti.
4. Sydney to New Caledonia cruise
This festive 10-day cruise awaits you to celebrate New Year.
- Ship name and cruise line. Pacific Eden, P&O Australia.
- Departure destination and date. Round trip cruise from Sydney departing 30 December 2018.
- Ports of call. Mare, Lifou and Noumea. You will spend New Year’s Eve on board cruising to Mare.
- Ship features. Multiple themed parties, comedy club, P&O Edge Adventure Park, spa, live music venues, 9 bars and lounges and 15 dining options.
- What to expect on New Year’s Eve. Multiple venues will be open until late. If weather permits, there will be a party on the top deck with a live band.
5. South Pacific from Brisbane cruise
Have a happy new year when you sail on this 9-night cruise and visit New Caledonia and Vanuatu.
- Ship name and cruise line. Pacific Dawn, P&O Australia.
- Departure destination and date. Round trip cruise from Brisbane departing 30 December 2018.
- Ports of call. Lifou, Noumea, Mystery Island and Port Vila. You will spend New Year’s Eve on board cruising to Lifou.
- Ship features. Small and intimate bars, multiple themed parties, 2 waterslides, a water park, teens' virtual reality experience, outdoor movie screen, P&O Edge Adventure Park live music venues and 13 dining options.
- What to expect on New Year’s Eve. In traditional P&O style, you’ll have a choice of venues that open late where a live band kicks off the festivities.
6. Trip with the Carnival Spirit from Sydney
Take in the beautiful surroundings of Mystery Island, Lifou and more on this 12-night cruise.
- Ship name and cruise line. Carnival Spirit, Carnival Cruises Australia.
- Departure destination and date. Round trip cruise from Sydney departing 28 December 2018.
- Ports of call. Mystery Island, Port Vila, Lifou and Noumea. You will spend New Year’s Eve on board cruising to Mystery Island.
- Ship features. 10 restaurants, comedy club, 11 bars and lounges, a nightclub, 3 swimming pools, 2 water slides, kids Splash Zone, mini-golf course, golf simulator and basketball court.
- What to expect on New Year’s Eve. Get set for a huge party at sea either deckside with a DJ or in the atrium with a special balloon drop.
7. Vanuatu and New Caledonia cruise
Plan ahead and get a group together to ring in the new year.
- Ship name and cruise line. Pacific Dawn, P&O Australia.
- Departure destination and date. Round trip cruise from Brisbane departing 30 December 2019.
- Ports of call. Noumea, Mystery Island and Port Vila. You will spend New Year’s Eve on board cruising to Noumea.
- Ship features. Small and intimate bars, multiple themed parties, 2 waterslides, a water park, virtual reality experience, outdoor movie screen, P&O Edge Adventure Park live music venues and 13 dining options.
- What to expect on New Year’s Eve. Stay up late with a live band followed by some bar hopping with a choice of 10 onboard bars and lounges.
8. Festive New Year's cruise from Sydney
9-night cruise to explore the best of the South Pacific for your New Year holiday.
- Ship name and cruise line. Pacific Explorer, P&O Australia.
- Departure destination and date. Round trip cruise from Sydney departing 30 December 2019.
- Ports of call. Port Vila, Lifou and Noumea. You will spend New Year’s Eve on board cruising to Port Vila.
- Ship features. Small and intimate bars, multiple themed parties, 2 waterslides, a water park, barefoot bowling, zip lining, live music venues and 12 dining options.
- What to expect on New Year’s Eve. Dance the night away with a live band and your choice of multiple venues which open until late.
9. Journey with Astor to Margaret River
Relax into a 4-night New Year cruise with an intimate and luxurious setting.
- Ship name and cruise line. Astor, Cruise and Maritime Voyages.
- Departure destination and date. Round trip cruise from Freemantle departing 29 December 2018.
- Ports of call. Margaret River. You will spend New Year’s Eve cruising from Margaret River to Fremantle.
- Ship features. Four restaurants, outdoor and heated, indoor swimming pool, jogging path, volleyball court, wellness centre, half tennis court, mini golf range, three bars and more.
- What to expect on New Year’s Eve. Dress up for the occasion and welcome the New Year on board the festively decorated Astor complete with live music.
What does each cruise line do for New Year's Eve?
Each cruise line has very similar New Year's Eve celebrations and often includes celebrations in their lounges, clubs and bars with New Year’s decorations.
- Princess Cruises celebrates with a special menu just for New Year’s Eve as well as a champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight.
- P&O Cruises hosts parties across multiple venues and a live band leading the festivities.
- Holland America Line hosts a gala.
- Royal Caribbean has a confetti drop, party favours for guests and a balloon drop in the Promenade, Esplanade and Centrum.
All cruises have live music from DJs to bands and more to ring in the new year.
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