The Australian cruise scene is set for a major boost with two leading lines, Windstar Cruises and Oceania Cruises, unveiling an array of spectacular new itineraries for 2027, offering everything from intimate European river explorations to an epic around-the-world voyage.
Windstar's Boutique Yacht Sails European Rivers
Windstar Cruises has officially opened bookings for its brand new, all-suite yacht, the Star Explorer. This boutique vessel, carrying a maximum of just 224 guests, is scheduled to begin year-round sailings in Europe from 2027, with its official launch in December 2026.
The Star Explorer promises a uniquely luxurious experience, with spacious suites where most accommodations feature either a full private veranda or dramatic floor-to-ceiling infinity windows. A key advantage of this new ship is its flexibility, allowing it to navigate both ocean and river routes. This capability enables itineraries that feature longer stays in port and overnight visits in some of Europe's most captivating cities.
President Christopher Prelog emphasised the unique opportunities the ship's small size creates, stating, "Windstar has a long history of exploring in the Mediterranean and Europe, and the small size of this ship opens even more interesting places, including rivers." He added that the carefully crafted journeys "meld the bucket list with the unknown and unexpected."
Highlight itineraries for the Star Explorer include a 10-night Circumnavigating Ireland voyage, exploring the Isles of Scilly with stops in Cork, Dingle, Galway, Londonderry, and Belfast. Another standout is the eight-night Seven Gems of the Baltic cruise, which visits an impressive seven countries: Denmark, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Sweden, Finland, and Estonia. Select voyages to France and northern Spain will also start or end in central river ports like Bordeaux, Rouen, and London.
Oceania's World Cruise: Epic or Bite-Sized
For travellers with grander ambitions, Oceania Cruises has detailed its full 2027 Around the World voyage, an epic 244-day journey aboard the luxury ship Oceania Vista. The voyage will feature more than 125 ports across 53 countries.
Understanding that not everyone can commit to an eight-month holiday, Oceania is catering to individual budgets and preferences by selling segments of the cruise ranging from nine to 20 days. An Oceania spokesperson explained that this approach reflects the line's ethos of 'Your World. Your Way,' allowing guests to tailor a personalised journey that fits their timeline.
Chief luxury officer Jason Montague confirmed the flexible approach, saying, "While our Around the World cruise is an incredible way to explore the world in style, we understand that not all guests have the time to enjoy a 244-day sailing." He assured that each segmented itinerary offers "the same unparalleled luxury, personalised service and immersive destination experiences at sea."
Key segments of the world cruise available to Australian travellers include the 18-day Idyllic Pacific Wonders from Los Angeles to Papeete (departing January 21, 2027), the 15-day Koalas to Komodos from Sydney to Bali (departing February 26, 2027), and the 11-day Charms of Northern Europe from Paris to Copenhagen (departing July 16, 2027).
Luxury Amenities and Norwegian Adventures
The elegant Oceania Vista, which will host the world voyage, has a capacity for 1200 passengers in all-veranda cabins. The ship is renowned for its cuisine, offering optional wine-pairing dining experiences and The Culinary Center for hands-on cooking classes.
Meanwhile, the Star Explorer, as the newest of Windstar’s Star class, will also feature the Marina, a watersports platform that allows for activities directly from the ship.
In other cruise news, Viking has launched a new eight-day Nordic Wonders cruise, sailing from Bergen to Oslo or vice versa. Priced from $8695 per person for a Veranda Stateroom, the cruise explores the dramatic Norwegian fjords and the shores of Denmark. A special offer for Australian travellers provides a companion with free flights (up to $2500 per couple) if booked before December 1, 2025.
With these new offerings, Australian cruise enthusiasts have a wealth of sophisticated and flexible travel options to consider for their 2027 adventures, from intimate European rivers to the far corners of the globe.
