About Cruise to Busselton
Busselton has a growing reputation as a destination port within the global cruise industry. Key factors attracting cruise lines to Busselton include a safe anchorage in the north facing Geographe Bay, the spectacular visual surroundings as passengers disembark onto the heritage-listed Busselton Jetty via cruise tender vessels and ease of access to a choice world-class nature, food and wine experiences nearby.
The tender port also stands out because of the high level of cooperation between the local tourism association (MRBTA), local government (City of Busselton), local tourism operators and the local community, who all work together to welcome cruise ships in a professional and seamless way.
During the 2022/23 season:
- 11 cruise ships visited Busselton
- Combined these ships carried over 16,000 passengers and 7,000 crew making it one of the largest cruise seasons yet delivered since the first Busselton season in 2014/15
- A team 29 volunteers completed 144 volunteer shifts to help meet and greet passengers as they arrive at the Busselton Foreshore
- Four of the ships had their maiden (first time) visit
MRBTA Contribution
MRBTA manages the shoreside experience for cruise ship arrivals at Busselton. A tailored welcome is offered to passengers of every cruise ship arriving at Busselton. This includes a team of 29 volunteers greeting passengers and providing advice and information to help them explore Busselton and the surrounding region.
Passenger surveys carried out during each arrival produce overwhelmingly positive feedback. Previous surveys have found that:
- 97% of passengers said that they would return to the destination as a result of their visit.
- Busselton received a rating of 7/10 or more from every single passenger, with 66% of passengers giving the destination a rating of 9 or 10/10.
- Ranked most highly by passengers was the tailored welcome; including friendly staff, volunteers and City Hopper Bus.
The contribution of MRBTA also includes holding regular ‘Cruise Ready’ workshops for local tourism operators in order to build capacity and ensure that current and future shore excursions meet the changing expectations of cruise passengers.
Retailer & Busselton business guide to welcoming cruise passengers
2023 – 2024 Busselton Cruise Ship Arrival Schedule
The below schedule is subject to change. Download a print friendly version here.
Sunday 12th November 2023 - Coral Princess (Visit cancelled)
- Passengers: 2000
- Crew: 895
- Arrival Time: 7:00
- Departure Time: 16:00
- Cruise Duration: 28 days
- Originating Port: Sydney
- Destination Port: Sydney
- Cruise Line: Princess Cruises
Call cancelled due to adverse wind conditions causing delays in Geraldton, enroute to Fremantle. (Advice 11NOV23, 9.40am)
Thursday 7th December 2023 - Crystal Symphony (Maiden Call)
- Passengers: 606
- Crew: 575
- Arrival Time: 08:00
- Departure Time: 16:00
- Cruise Duration: 15 days
- Originating Port: Fremantle
- Destination Port: Auckland
- Cruise Line: Crystal Cruises
Sunday, 10th December 2023 - Regatta
- Passengers: 656
- Crew: 386
- Arrival Time: 7:00
- Departure Time: 15:00 (new updated schedule 7/12/23)
- Cruise Duration: 24 days
- Originating Port: Singapore
- Destination Port: Sydney
- Cruise Line: Oceania
Friday, 22nd December 2023 - Azamara Journey (Maiden Call)
- Passengers: 694
- Crew: 390
- Arrival Time: 07:30
- Departure Time: 18:00
- Cruise Duration: 15 days
- Originating Port: Fremantle
- Destination Port: Sydney
- Cruise Line: Azamara Cruises
Friday, 12th January 2024 - Regatta
- Passengers: 656
- Crew: 386
- Arrival Time: 07:00
- Departure Time: 16:00
- Cruise Duration: 35 days
- Originating Port: Sydney
- Destination Port: Sydney
- Cruise Line: Oceania Cruises
Sunday, 18th February 2024 - Azamara Journey
- Passengers: 694
- Crew: 390
- Arrival Time: 09:30
- Departure Time: 21:00
- Cruise Duration: 15 days
- Originating Port: Sydney
- Destination Port: Fremantle
- Cruise Line: Azamara
Saturday, 16th March 2024 - Coral Princess
- Passengers: 1970
- Crew: 900
- Arrival Time: 07:00
- Departure Time: 16:00
- Cruise Duration: 11 days
- Originating Port: Sydney
- Destination Port: Fremantle
- Cruise Line: Princess
Tuesday, 26th March 2024 - Crystal Serenity
- Passengers: 740
- Crew: 655
- Arrival Time: 07:30
08:00 - Departure Time: 18:00
- Cruise Duration: 19 days
- Originating Port: Auckland
- Destination Port: Fremantle
- Cruise Line: Crystal
Tuesday, 2nd April 2024 - Pacific Explorer
- Passengers: 1998
- Crew: 924
- Arrival Time: 09:00
- Departure Time: 18:00
- Cruise Duration: 6 days
- Originating Port: Adelaide
- Destination Port: Fremantle
- Cruise Line: P&O
Schedule last updated: 11th March 2024
2024-2025 Busselton Cruise Ship Arrival Schedule
The below schedule is subject to change.
Sunday 13th October 2024 & Monday 14th October 2024 - Coral Adventurer (Expedition Ship)
- Passengers: 120
- Crew: TBA
- Arrival Time: TBA
- Departure Time: TBA
- Cruise Duration: 12 days
- Originating Port: Fremantle
- Destination Port: Fremantle
- Cruise Line: Coral Expeditions
As an expedition ship, this ship will be able to anchor and land passengers beachside towards Eagle Bay and/or Hamelin Bay/Flinders Bay with inclusive shore based itineraries included in fare.
Thursday 17th October 2024 & Friday 18th October 2024 - Coral Adventurer (Expedition Ship)
- Passengers: 120
- Crew: TBA
- Arrival Time: TBA
- Departure Time: TBA
- Cruise Duration: 14 days
- Originating Port: Fremantle
- Destination Port: Adelaide
- Cruise Line: Coral Expeditions
As an expedition ship, this ship will be able to anchor and land passengers beachside towards Eagle Bay and/or Hamelin Bay/Flinders Bay with inclusive shore based itineraries included in fare.
Thursday, 5th November 2024 - Crown Princess (Maiden Call)
- Passengers: 3080
- Crew: 1200
- Arrival Time: 09:00
- Departure Time: 18:00
- Cruise Duration: 22 days
- Originating Port: Adelaide
- Destination Port: Sydney
- Cruise Line: Princess
Wednesday, 4th December 2024 - Resilient Lady (Maiden call)
- Passengers: TBA
- Crew: TBA
- Arrival Time: 09:00
- Departure Time: 17:00
- Cruise Duration: TBA
- Originating Port: TBA
- Destination Port: TBA
- Cruise Line: TBA
Monday, 23rd December 2024 - Azamara Pursuit (Maiden Call)
- Passengers: 702
- Crew: 408
- Arrival Time: 07:30
- Departure Time: 17:30
- Cruise Duration: 16 days
- Originating Port: Fremantle
- Destination Port: Melbourne
- Cruise Line: Azamara
Sunday, 12th January 2025 - Regatta
- Passengers: 656
- Crew: 386
- Arrival Time: 07:00
- Departure Time: 16:00
- Cruise Duration: 21 days
- Originating Port: Sydney
- Destination Port: Fremantle
- Cruise Line: Oceania
Sunday, 2nd February 2025 - Pacific Explorer
- Passengers: 1998
- Crew: 924
- Arrival Time: 09:00
- Departure Time: 18:00
- Cruise Duration: 8 days
- Originating Port: Melbourne
- Destination Port: Fremantle
- Cruise Line: P&O
Sunday, 9th February 2025 - Viking Venus (Maiden Call)
- Passengers: 930
- Crew: 465
- Arrival Time: 12:00
- Departure Time: 22:00
- Cruise Duration: 31 days
- Originating Port: Sydney
- Destination Port: Sydney
- Cruise Line: Viking
Sunday, 2nd March 2025 - Azamara Onward (Maiden Call)
- Passengers: 684
- Crew: 408
- Arrival Time: 08:00
- Departure Time: 17:00
- Cruise Duration: 23 days
- Originating Port: Sydney
- Destination Port: Singapore
- Cruise Line: Azamara
Wednesday, 19th March 2025 - Pacific Explorer
- Passengers: 1998
- Crew: 924
- Arrival Time: 08:00
- Departure Time: 17:00
- Cruise Duration: 5 days
- Originating Port: Fremantle
- Destination Port: Fremantle
- Cruise Line: P&O
Tuesday, 25th March 2025 - Pacific Explorer
- Passengers: 1998
- Crew: 924
- Arrival Time: 07:00
- Departure Time: 16:00
- Cruise Duration: 6 days
- Originating Port: Fremantle
- Destination Port: Adelaide
- Cruise Line: P&O
Wednesday, 26th March 2025 - MSC Magnifica (Maiden Call)
- Passengers: 3223
- Crew: 987
- Arrival Time: 08:00
- Departure Time: 18:00
- Cruise Duration: 116 days
- Originating Port: Genoa (Portofino)
- Destination Port: Genoa (Portofino)
- Cruise Line: MSC
Saturday, 29th March 2025 - Crown Princess
- Passengers: 3080
- Crew: 1200
- Arrival Time: 09:00
- Departure Time: 18:00
- Cruise Duration: 28 days
- Originating Port: Sydney
- Destination Port: Sydney
- Cruise Line: Princess
Monday, 5th May 2025 - Insignia (Maiden Call)
- Passengers: 656
- Crew: 400
- Arrival Time: 07:00
- Departure Time: 18:00
- Cruise Duration: 24 days
- Originating Port: Fremantle
- Destination Port: Auckland
- Cruise Line: Oceania
Schedule last updated: 29th March 2024