Cruise Ships

Phillip Island welcomes cruise ships each year, with tenders arriving at the Rhyll Jetty area. We provide a package of welcoming infrastructure and support with the development of shore excursions.

Cruise Passenger Information

Are you a cruise passenger visiting Phillip Island? Head over to our website to check out what the Island has to offer! Also be sure to read our blog for more information to assist you during your visit.

Got a question? Send us an email info@visitphillipisland.com.au and we will be happy to help!

This year cruise season at Phillip Island

We have a small cruise season this year with only 3 visits.

The decline in activity is not due to lack of passenger demand but reflects a reduction in ship deployments, turnaround visits, and capacity. This is driven by a less competitive operating environment, as higher costs, regulatory uncertainty and global competition have influenced deployment decisions for the 2024-25 season. • The number of cruise ships operating in Australian waters decreased by 9.3%, from 75 ships in 2023-24 to 68 in 2024-25, with passenger capacity shrinking by 8,174 to 80,280. • Total cruise ship visits fell by 3.8%, with a notable decrease (-87) in turnaround visits, which are particularly valuable due to their larger economic impact, but an increase (+24) in transit visits.

2025/26 Season

Upcoming cruise ship visits by tender to Rhyll Jetty:

Tuesday 23 December 2025 ETA 8am - ETD 11pm – Noordam. Approx. 1972 ship capacity

Thursday 1 January 2026, ETA 7am - ETD 7pm – Seven Seas Explorer. Approx. 750 ship capacity

Saturday 4 April 2026 (Easter period) ETA 8AM - ETD 5pm Carnival Adventure. Approx. 2636 ship capacity

2024 / 2025 Season

This cruise ship season we welcome 8 visits to Phillip Island.

** Note all cruise arrivals are subject to cancellation due to the nature of the weather forecast or for other reasons. This can be with less than 24 hours notice.

We recommend businesses who take bookings from cruise ship passengers consider their Terms and Conditions should the ship cancel the port call. We understand this is an unusual circumstance which passengers have no control of so please consider your approach.

2023/2024 Cruise Season

December '23 - April '24

9 ship arrivals (plus 1 cancellation)

11,481 passengers

5737 crew

4611 tours (pre-booked through cruise operators - many more booked private tours or explored independently)

Economic impact data $2.8m Direct and Indirect supporting 9 jobs

2022/2023 Cruise Season

December '22 - March '23

11 ship arrivals (2 cancelled)

5,838 passengers (2,639 domestic - 3,199 international)

478 crew (disembarked)

3391 tours (pre-booked through cruise operators - many more booked private tours or explored independently)

This cruise season was a great success and supporting the visits was a collaborative effort. Special thanks to the Rhyll Community Group for their set up and support of the welcome area, our volunteers who greeted visitors throughout the season at Olive Justice Place, South Coast Bus Lines, Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre, Bass Coast Shire Events Team, to our many local experience venues as well as the local community for welcoming and helping visitors.

Previous Cruise Seasons

2017/18 - $865,765 (2 cruise visits)
2018/19 - $1.59m (5 cruise visits)
2019/20 - $3.57m (15 cruise visits) - 14,452 passengers - 7,780 crew - 5,000 passengers joined organised tours - 2,500 visited penguin parade

For further information on the Phillip Island Cruise Anchorage and the destination:

Harbour Master, Ports Victoria -
Kylie McDonald Paul Rasmussen
W: https://ports.vic.gov.au/marin...

Destination Phillip Island Regional Tourism Board - Kim Storey, General Manager

T: +61 409 250 895 E: dpi@visitphillipisland.com.au

Bass Coast Shire Council Visitor Economy and Events

T: +61 3 5671 2211
E: events@basscoast.vic.gov.au
W: www.visitbasscoast.com.au

Destination Phillip Island is a proud member of the Australian Cruise Association (ACA)

We recognise the great work delivered to support the industry by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)