What is a Fly Cruise?
A Simple Way to Cruise the World
A Fly Cruise is one of the most popular ways for Australians to experience cruising internationally. In simple terms, a Fly Cruise combines your flights and cruise into one seamless holiday, often including hotel stays and transfers as well. Instead of starting your cruise from Australia, you fly to your destination, join your cruise, then return home at the end of your journey. This opens up a world of possibilities, from the Mediterranean and Alaska to Japan, North America and beyond.
Why Fly Cruise?
For many travellers, this is the easiest way to experience destinations that would otherwise take weeks to reach by sea. Rather than spending days sailing from Australia, you fly directly to the region and maximise your time exploring.
Key benefits:
- More destinations → Access Europe, Asia, Alaska, the Caribbean and more
- Better use of time → Spend more time in destination, less at sea (when you want to)
- Curated itineraries → Combine land and cruise experiences
- Simplified planning → Flights, cruise and often hotels arranged together
Quick Links
- Read our full guide to Fly Cruise
- Search our cruise packages
- Explore our destination guide
- Dive into our guides for popular destinations like:
How a Fly Cruise Works
A typical itinerary looks like this:
- Fly from Australia to your destination (e.g. Rome, Vancouver, Singapore)
- Stay 1–3 nights before boarding your cruise
- Join your cruise and explore multiple destinations
- Disembark and return home (or extend your trip)
Some itineraries also include:
- Touring or guided experiences
- Additional hotel stays
- One-way journeys between major cities
The result is a well-balanced holiday combining land and sea.
Where Can You Go on a Fly Cruise?
These holidays open up some of the world’s most sought-after cruise destinations:
- Europe & Mediterranean: Sail between iconic cities like Rome, Barcelona and Athens
- Alaska: Combine scenic cruising with glaciers, wildlife and North American travel
- Asia & Japan: Experience a mix of culture, cuisine and modern cities
- Northern Europe: Discover fjords, capitals and unique landscapes
- Caribbean: Fly into Florida and explore multiple tropical islands
Who is a Fly Cruise Best For?
Fly Cruise suits a wide range of travellers, particularly:
- First-time international cruisers looking for a structured way to experience long-haul travel
- Couples and long-haul travellers, ideal for combining cruising with time on land
- Experienced cruisers who would like to access new regions beyond Australian departures
- Travellers looking for convenience with everything planned and aligned in one package
What Makes Fly Cruise Different?
The key difference is how the trip is structured. Instead of building your holiday piece by piece, a package brings everything together into a single itinerary. It ensures flights and cruise timings align. Often, it includes extras not available when booking separately. It also removes the stress of coordinating international travel.
It’s designed to make long-haul cruising simpler and more accessible.
Fly Cruise vs Cruise Only
A Cruise Only holiday typically starts and ends in Australia, with no flights or land elements included. A package including flights, hotel and cruise takes you overseas and expands your destination options. Typically, it includes additional experiences beyond the cruise itself.
For many travellers, it’s the step from “Cruising locally” to “Exploring the world by cruise.”
Explore Air, Hotel and Cruise Packages
If you’re considering this style of travel, the next step is to explore available itineraries and destinations.
What to Consider Before Booking
Before choosing a cruise package including air and hotel, think about:
- How long you want to travel (most are 10+ nights).
- Whether you want more time at sea or more time in port
- Which cruise line suits your travel style
- What inclusions are most important (flights, hotels, upgrades)
Ready to Explore the World by Cruise?
A cruise package that includes your airfare and hotels is one of the most rewarding ways to travel, combining the ease of cruising with the excitement of international destinations. Whether it’s your first time cruising overseas or your next long-haul adventure, a cruise package opens up a new way to experience the world.