Celebrity Cruises ended its 930-day hiatus in Australia, sailing out of Sydney on Oct. 22.
Australia in April welcomed back cruise ships after two-plus years of a Covid-related ban, but the region is now entering its first high season for cruising since 2019.
The Celebrity Eclipse set sail on a 12-night itinerary exploring New Zealand. The voyage is the first of 17 departing from Sydney and Auckland through April 2023 and the first in the region for the 2,850-passenger Eclipse.
This first season back will include experiences visiting the Great Barrier Reef and sailing an Australian food-and-wine itinerary to Melbourne, Adelaide and Hobart. Guests will have opportunities to overnight in Hobart, Cairns and Adelaide, along with evening departures from Melbourne, Brisbane and Christchurch leaving at 8 p.m.
Celebrity is also reintroducing an Auckland-to-Fiji voyage in January. The line will offer three South Pacific island itineraries and a new transpacific sailing to cap off the end of the season by sailing from Sydney to Honolulu.
The Eclipse, built in 2010, offers 22 restaurants and bar spaces and The Retreat, an exclusive resort area. The Eclipse is the only ship at sea with a a half acre of lawn grass.
The Celebrity Edge will make its Australia debut next year.