"Wave season" has arrived
By: Louise Goldsbury, Cruise Weekly

Australia's 2009/10 cruising season officially opens on Friday, with highlights for cruise lovers across the country - on land and at sea.

Sydney will celebrate the start of the Australian cruise season this month when Dawn Princess returns to the city after her first world voyage.

The first international ship to arrive back in Australia, Rhapsody of the Seas brings home more than 1300 Australians as well as 500 American and 300 European passengers.

In total, Sydney will enjoy 52 visits by 12 Carnival Australia cruise ships over the season, including the launch of P&O's superliner Pacific Jewel, the maiden visit of the world's most luxurious cruise ship, Seabourn Odyssey (24 February) and QM2's first overnight call.

Also in NSW, Newcastle will feature on the Australian circumnavigations of Sun Princess and Dawn Princess for the first time, with three visits scheduled. Western Australia is the next biggest state for cruising this season, with 47 visits by seven Carnival ships - almost double last year's 24 visits - and P&O's first ever season from Fremantle, starting 16 December.

Cunard's Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2 and Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas will visit Fremantle, Albany and Exmouth. Rhapsody also visits Broome and Bunbury.

In November Regent Seven Seas Mariner will make calls along the west coast as well as Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

Classic International Cruises' Athena is offering ten itineraries to and from WA, and six sailings to and from Adelaide, including the first-ever return cruise to Tasmania.

Rhapsody opens the city's season with her arrival on 8 November, and two days later commences the season in Melbourne followed by Tasmania's Burnie on 11 November and Hobart the next day.

Carnival ships will visit Tasmania 25 times and Victoria 29 times, including the first visit to Phillip Island on New Year's Day.

In Queensland, the season opens when Rhapsody of the Seas docks into Brisbane at 7am on 19 October, followed by Airlie Beach and Cairns.

Cairns will also welcome Amsterdam on 26 October, followed by other capital cities, marking Holland America Line's return to Australia. Seven Carnival ships will make 43 calls in the state, with Pacific Dawn moving to her new homeport of Brisbane.

In Darwin, Rhapsody of the Seas and Sun Princess both arrive on 27 October, with HAL's Volendam, Silverseas' Silver Whisper and Princess Cruises' Diamond Princess all making the city their first port of call in Australia this season.

Cruising also comes to Christmas Island this year with the arrival of Pacific Sun, which also returns to Norfolk Island this season - the first time since 1932.

Other major ships on the way include The World, Balmoral, Europa, Saga Ruby, Crystal Symphony and Oceania Nautica.

Cruise Weekly provides you with all the latest cruising information, including news, deals, competitions and much more. Click here to check it out.