THE countdown is on to the start of the international cruise season, and making a welcome return is Royal Caribbean.
Its Superliner Radiance of the Seas will arrive in Sydney on October 8 for the line's 10th season down under.
RCL Cruises - comprising Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises - will offer 97 cruises throughout Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and Asia during the 2017-18 summer season.
Joining Radiance of the Seas will be Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas, as well as family favourites Voyager of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas, known as the South Pacific Sisters.
Celebrity Solstice will celebrate her sixth season in Australia, arriving in Sydney on October 20 for her first sampler cruise in three seasons.
Meanwhile, boutique line Azamara Club Cruises returns for its third and biggest season yet. Azamara Journey will arrive via Australia's west coast in January, making maiden calls to Adelaide and Perth, as well as a number of regional destinations.
Modern luxury line Celebrity Cruises will offer 17 sailings ranging from two to 18 nights, calling at 32 ports during the season with overnight calls to Cairns, Sydney and Melbourne.
- Travel agents, 1800-754-500, www.royalcaribbean.com.au
