Format: cruise news today

🚢 Is Australia becoming too difficult and expensive for cruise ships?

That’s the BIG question tonight on Deb & Matt Chat LIVE, after a senior global cruise industry figure warned that Australia is losing ground while cruising continues to boom around the world

Australians still LOVE cruising — but increasingly we’re flying overseas to do it

So what’s going wrong?

Tonight we’re looking at operating costs, cruise infrastructure, regulation, geography and the controversial role industrial action could play in where cruise lines decide to send their ships

And that’s just the beginning

🇦🇺 IS AUSTRALIA DRIVING CRUISE SHIPS AWAY?

Australian cruise tourism reportedly fell 13.2% to $7.3 billion in 2024–25, even as global cruising continues to grow

We’ll discuss:

🚢 Why cruise lines are reducing Australian capacity
💰 Australia’s high operating costs
⚓ Our cruise port and infrastructure limitations
⚠️ The debate around regulation and recent union action
✈️ Why Australians are increasingly flying overseas to cruise
🌏 And what Australia needs to do to compete for future ships

With dozens of new cruise ships already on order globally, the decisions being made NOW could determine what Australian cruising looks like well into the 2030s

🎰 CARNIVAL REWARDS IS NOW LIVE

Carnival’s controversial new loyalty program officially launched on September 1

💳 Points based on eligible spending
⭐ Status Qualifying Stars
💎 New paths to Gold, Platinum and Diamond
📆 Two-year qualifying periods
🛳️ Plus separate recognition for lifetime days sailed

Which raises one BIG question:

Should cruise loyalty reward how often you cruise — or how much money you spend?

🏖️ CARNIVAL’S NEW TANGALOOMA CABANAS

Carnival guests now have access to a new dedicated beachfront cabana experience on beautiful Moreton Island

We’ll look at what’s included, the price — and whether we’d pay for one!

🍹 ROYAL CARIBBEAN BRINGS BACK ITS DRINKS PACKAGE EXEMPTION

Don’t drink alcohol but sharing a cabin with somebody who does?

Royal Caribbean has brought back an exemption from its requirement for both adults to purchase the alcoholic drinks package

BUT there’s a catch

We’ll explain what’s changed

🚢 HERO OF THE SEAS HITS THE WATER!

Royal Caribbean’s fourth Icon Class mega-ship has floated for the first time ahead of its 2027 debut

Plus

🐶 Meet Dolly!

Hero of the Seas also has a new Chief Dog Officer — and yes, she’s adorable

⚙️ SERENADE OF THE SEAS RETURNS

After technical problems forced Royal Caribbean to cancel an entire Alaska cruise, Serenade of the Seas is back in service

We’ll also look at the compensation affected passengers received and ask:

Did Royal handle this one well?

And, as always

⚡ 30 Second Quick Questions
💬 Viewer Q&A
😂 Deb & Matt banter
🚢 Cruise tips, news and conversation

💬 TONIGHT’S BIG QUESTION

🇦🇺 If Australians clearly still want to cruise, why are we losing ships to overseas markets?

And what would YOU change to make Australia more competitive?

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Deb & Matt Chat — Life, Cruise & Travel