Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays is a growing hot spot for cruise ship stop overs, with passengers enjoying the year round warm weather and the local day activities. The two main ports for arrival are Port of Airlie & Shute Harbour Marina. Most cruise ships offer their passengers ferry transfers and buses into town. Airlie Beach locals always put on a good show for tourists coming off the ships, often setting up market stalls along the Main Street with local goods and surrounding restaurants keep the vibes high with music and great food!
Our sister company, ReefStar Cruises have had a long history of providing ferry transport from the ships to the ports with their specialty passenger vessels.
If you’re looking to explore off the beaten track, head out to Northerlies Beach Bar & Grill! It’s just a 15 minute drive from the town centre and offers a free courtesy bus on Friday – Sundays!
Below is the schedule for cruise ships visiting Airlie Beach in 2024:
| DATE | SHIP NAME | ARRIVING | ARRIVAL TIME | DEPARTURE TIME |
| Monday 1st July | Pacific Encounter | Port of Airlie | 7am | 4pm |
| Thursday 11th July | Pacific Encounter | Port of Airlie | 7am | 5:30pm |
| Wednesday 17th July | Pacific Adventure | Port of Airlie | 7am | 4pm |
| Thursday 25th July | Carnival Splendor | Port of Airlie | 7am | 4pm |
| Monday 29th July | Pacific Encounter | Port of Airlie | 7am | 4pm |
| Monday 12th August | Pacific Encounter | Port of Airlie | 7am | 5:30pm |
| Wednesday 28th August | Pacific Adventure | Port of Airlie | 7am | 4pm |
| Thursday 29th August | Pacific Encounter | Port of Airlie | 7am | 5:30pm |
| Monday 2nd September | Pacific Encounter | Port of Airlie | 7am | 4pm |
| Thursday 5th September | Carnival Splendor | Port of Airlie | 8am | 6pm |
| Thursday 12th September | Carnival Splendor | Port of Airlie | 7am | 3pm |
| Thursday 12th September | Pacific Encounter | Port of Airlie | 7am | 5:30pm |
| Monday 30th September | Carnival Splendor | Port of Airlie | 7am | 4pm |
| Thursday 3rd October | Pacific Encounter | Port of Airlie | 7am | 5:30pm |
| Monday 7th October | Pacific Encounter | Port of Airlie | 7am | 4pm |
| Monday 14th October | Pacific Encounter | Port of Airlie | 7am | 5:30pm |
| Monday 21st October | Queen Elizabeth | Port of Airlie | TBA | TBA |
| Wednesday 23rd October | Celebrity Solstice | Shute Harbour | 7am | 4pm |
| Saturday 26th October | Celebrity Edge | Shute Harbour | 8am | 4pm |
| Thursday 31st October | Pacific Encounter | Port of Airlie | 7am | 5:30pm |
| Tuesday 12th November | Carnival Luminosa | Port of Airlie | 7am | 4pm |
| Thursday 14th November | Pacific Encounter | Port of Airlie | 7am | 5:30pm |
| Saturday 16th November | Ovation Of The Seas | Shute Harbour | 7am | 5pm |
| Monday 18th November | Pacific Encounter | Port of Airlie | 7am | 4pm |
| Tuesday 19th November | Carnival Luminosa | Port of Airlie | 7am | 4pm |
| Thursday 21st November | Queen Elizabeth | Port of Airlie | TBA | TBA |
| Friday 22nd November | ms Europa 2 | Port of Airlie | 1pm | 8pm |
| Friday 22nd November | ms Westerdam | Port of Airlie | 8am | 5pm |
| Saturday 23rd November | Viking Orion | Port of Airlie | TBA | TBA |
| Sunday 24th November | Viking Orion | Port of Airlie | TBA | TBA |
| Wednesday 27th November | Crown Princess | Port of Airlie | 7am | 4pm |
| Friday 29th November | Quantum Of The Seas | Shute Harbour | 9am | 7pm |
| Tuesday 3rd December | Quantum Of The Seas | Shute Harbour | TBA | TBA |
| Wednesday 4th December | Quantum Of The Seas | Shute Harbour | 7am | TBA |
| Thursday 5th December | Pacific Encounter | Port of Airlie | 7am | 5:30pm |
| Tuesday 10th December | Carnival Luminosa | Port of Airlie | 7am | 4pm |
| Saturday 14th December | Celebrity Edge | Shute Harbour | 8am | 4pm |
| Sunday 15th December | Seven Seas Explorer | Port of Airlie | 7am | 5pm |
| Tuesday 17th December | Carnival Luminosa | Port of Airlie | 7am | 5pm |
| Wednesday 18th December | Viking Venus | Port of Airlie | TBA | TBA |
| Thursday 26th December | Regatta | Port of Airlie | 7am | 3pm |
| Sunday 29th December | Ms Europa | Port of Airlie | 7am | 5pm |
Subject to change