Day 1 · Sydney departure
Board at the Overseas Passenger Terminal and sail out under the Harbour Bridge.
Cruise travel guide
Cruise Holidays from Australia
Cruising is the easiest way to see several countries without repacking, and Sydney is a genuine home port — South Pacific and New Zealand sailings leave from Circular Quay and White Bay all summer. This guide covers a proven first cruise, what the total cost really looks like once extras are counted, how to choose a cabin and when to sail.
A classic 10-night South Pacific cruise
Round trip from Sydney through New Caledonia and Vanuatu — the most popular first cruise for Australians. The same planning applies to New Zealand, Alaska, Mediterranean and river sailings.
Days 2–3 · At sea
Sea days for the pools, shows, specialty dining and enrichment talks.
Day 4 · Noumea
Amedee Lighthouse island, the markets or a lagoon snorkelling tour.
Day 5 · Lifou or Mare
Tender ashore to white-sand beaches and Loyalty Islands reef snorkelling.
Days 6–7 · Port Vila & Mystery Island
Blue lagoon and village tours in Vanuatu, then a beach day on Mystery Island.
Days 8–10 · At sea & return
Two relaxed sea days back to Sydney with a morning harbour arrival.
More ideas on the cruise holidays page.
What this holiday costs
10-night South Pacific fare
From around $1,400 per person for an inside cabin, twin share
Balcony cabin upgrade
Typically $500–$900 more per person on the same sailing
Gratuities and service charges
Around $20–$26 per person per day unless prepaid
Drinks and specialty dining
Beverage packages roughly $85–$130 per person per day
Shore excursions
Allow $80–$200 per person per port
All figures are indicative guides in Australian dollars for planning only. Final pricing depends on your travel dates, airline, hotel category, group size, exchange rates and availability at the time of booking, and is confirmed in writing before you pay.
Best time to travel
October to April · Australia season
Ships homeport in Sydney and Brisbane for South Pacific and New Zealand sailings. Book 9 to 12 months out for Christmas and January.
May to September · northern season
Alaska, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Baltic — the natural pairing with an Australian winter escape.
Repositioning voyages
April and October one-way sailings offer the lowest per-night fares, with more sea days and a one-way airfare to plan.
River cruising
Europe's rivers run from March to December, with Christmas market sailings in late November and December.
Seasonal dates shift each year with the weather; we track the forecasts and advise on departure dates before you commit.
Visa and entry tips
- Most South Pacific ports allow Australian passport holders to visit visa-free as cruise passengers, but rules differ by nationality.
- Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the end of the cruise; cruise lines routinely refuse boarding otherwise.
- Cruises that call at the United States require an ESTA even if you never leave the ship in port.
- Travel insurance with medical and evacuation cover is effectively essential — onboard medical care is charged at private rates.
Entry rules can change at short notice. Always confirm current requirements with the relevant embassy or consulate and with Smartraveller before you travel. We assist with documentation but cannot guarantee entry decisions.
Ready to book your cruise?
Tell us your dates, the region and how many are travelling. Our Sydney consultants compare lines and cabin grades, apply group and past-passenger savings, and arrange flights, hotels and transfers around the sailing.