Planning your next escape from Australia’s most iconic harbour? Cruise Guru brings together one of the largest selections of cruises from Sydney, with options for couples, families and first-timers across short cruises, longer adventures and great-value fares. With hundreds of itineraries to compare in one place, finding the right dates, ship and price is simple.
Our Sydney page typically lists more than 500 cruises, updated frequently, so you can check availability and pricing in real time. If the choice feels overwhelming, contact our team. They can help you narrow it down, highlight current cruise deals and guide you to cheap cruises that fit your budget. Prefer to chat? Call 13 13 03 for friendly, local advice.
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Where can you go from Sydney?
Set sail round-trip to the South Pacific for beach time and warm seas, cross the Tasman on a Sydney to New Zealand itinerary, or choose coastal getaways that visit local favourites like Eden and Hobart. If you are after a quick break, short cruises from Sydney run across the year in popular windows, with themes like comedy weekends and special event sailings appearing seasonally. Longer journeys also feature during select months, including repositioning voyages for travellers who want more sea days and bigger savings.
What types of cruises are available?
You will find something for every travel style and budget.
– Longer itineraries and repositioning sailings: Ideal if you want more time at sea and strong per-night value. You will also find some of the best prices on repositioning cruises, typically one-way sailings when a ship moves between seasonal homeports. They often run longer and include more sea days, making them an excellent value.
– Affordable family holidays: Think waterslides, kids’ clubs and casual dining that keep costs predictable, with plenty of cabins that suit groups.
– Short breaks and 3 day cruises: Great for celebrations or a quick reset, often scheduled as 1–3 night or 4–6 night getaways with lines like Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. If price is your focus, sort by lowest fare or check our curated collection of under $1,000pp sailings to quickly see entry-level deals. Many departures also appear in our broader promotions hub, so you can compare base fares with bonus perks when available.
Sydney cruise logistics made easy
Sydney has two primary cruise terminals. The Overseas Passenger Terminal sits at Circular Quay near trains and ferries, while White Bay Cruise Terminal is in Rozelle and usually accessed by taxi, rideshare or cruise transfer. From the airport, travel time is typically around 30 minutes, subject to traffic. Public transport is straightforward to Circular Quay, while White Bay does not have a direct train link, so a car transfer is recommended.
Make time for sailaway. Watching your ship glide past the Opera House and Harbour Bridge is a must-see moment. Pack a small day bag with swimwear, sunscreen and essentials in case your checked luggage arrives later on embarkation day.
Why book Sydney cruises with Cruise Guru?
– Wide choice and transparent pricing: Our Sydney page aggregates hundreds of itineraries with clear inclusions and live pricing, so you can compare quickly. – Great fares on popular lines: We also secure excellent fares with popular cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruises.
– Local expertise: Our Australia-based consultants can help you compare cabins, explain port logistics and surface timely cruise deals that match your plans.
– Price Protection Guarantee: Every Sydney booking with Cruise Guru is backed by our Price Guarantee. If you find a lower rate for the same sailing and stateroom within 48 hours of booking, contact us and we’ll refund the difference or adjust your fare. It is a simple way to book early, lock in the cabin you want, and still feel confident you paid the best available price. Learn more on our Price Guarantee page.
Cruises from Sydney FAQ’s
Where do cruise ships leave from in Sydney?
Cruise ships either depart from the Overseas Passenger Terminal located at Circular Quay or the White Bay Terminal, which can be found at Rozelle. Both terminals are relatively close to the Sydney CBD and its various landmarks; however, the Overseas Passenger Terminal, in particular, is perfectly nestled between both the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House and within walking distance from Circular Quay train station. Within walking distance from these world-renowned landmarks, we recommend keeping on the lookout for cruises departing from Sydney departing from this terminal.
How far from Sydney Airport is the Sydney Cruise Terminal?
Travel times will be approximately 30 minutes via taxi or rideshare for both the Overseas Passenger Terminal and the White Bay Terminal. The varying travel time is heavily dependent on the time of departure, as rush hour (between 7am – 9am and 5pm – 7pm) can add a dramatic level of traffic. So be sure to plan early!
However, when taking public transport, travel time is noticeably different depending on your cruise terminal. Sydney Airport boasts a train line that goes directly to the Overseas Passenger Terminal, with transit time being approximately 30 minutes.
In comparison, White Bay Terminal does not have a direct train line, and walking directly to the terminal from the nearest bus stop is extremely difficult, leading to travel times that usually extend to around an hour. If your cruise is at White Bay Terminal, we strongly recommend taking a taxi or a cruise line-organised airport transfer.
What cruise lines depart from Sydney?
Here are the following cruise lines that depart from Sydney:
- Azamara Cruises
- Carnival Cruises
- Celebrity Cruises
- Costa Cruise Lines
- Cunard
- Holland America Line
- MSC Cruises
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Oceania Cruises
- Princess Cruises
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises
- Royal Caribbean Cruises
- Seabourn Cruises
- Silversea Cruises
- Viking Ocean Cruises
What cruise ships leave from Sydney?
Sydney is the main cruising hub in Australia with hundreds of thousands of people across the country visiting every year. While some cruise lines such as Oceania Cruises visit Sydney, these are typically only as a stop on a larger itinerary. This means you might only have a moment or two to visit Sydney before departing for another port.
Here are the following cruise ships that depart from Sydney:
- Azamara Pursuit – Azamara Cruises
- Carnival Adventure– Carnival Cruises
- Carnival Luminosa – Carnival Cruises
- Carnival Splendor – Carnival Cruises
- Celebrity Edge – Celebrity Cruises
- Celebrity Solstice – Celebrity Cruises
- Costa Deliziosa – Costa
- Queen Mary 2 – Cunard
- Disney Wonder – Disney Cruise Line
- Noordam – Holland America Line
- Norwegian Spirit – Norwegian Cruise Line
- Riviera – Oceania Cruises
- Discovery Princess – Princess Cruises
- Coral Princess – Princess Cruises
- Royal Princess – Princess Cruises
- Grand Princess – Princess Cruises
- Seven Seas Explorer – Regent Seven Seas Cruises
- Anthem of the Seas – Royal Caribbean Cruises
- Seabourn Quest – Seabourn
- Viking Venus – Viking Cruises
Bear in mind that this is not a complete list. Just like the tides, cruises can change a lot with ships being swapped out, introduced, and retired.
To have the most accurate list of cruise ships leaving Sydney, visit our Cruise Finder page, then select Sydney as your departure port. This will give you the latest and most accurate list of what cruise ships leave Sydney.
Are there short Sydney cruises available?
Yes! Carnival Cruises regularly offer short cruises from Sydney at great prices. Many of these voyages are also themed, from Comedy cruises, 80s/90s cruises, to event-based voyages including Melbourne Cup and Easter. Other cruise lines also offer short Sydney cruises, including Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean, though these might only happen during the Summer months.
Best time to look and how to save
1. Pick your trip length: Set filters to 1–3 nights or 4–6 nights for short cruises, or extend for New Zealand and South Pacific itineraries.
2. Compare total value: Balance base fares with inclusions and any promotions available on our deals page.
3. Cabin strategy: If you are flexible on exact location, a guarantee category may secure a lower fare with the possibility of an upgrade if inventory shifts.
Quick planning checklist
– Documents: Ensure your passport and visas match your itinerary, even for short international routes.
– Transfers: If your sailing departs White Bay, pre-book a taxi or rideshare to save time.
– Timing: Allow for traffic peaks when travelling from the airport to either terminal.
– Budget: Consider total trip cost, not just the fare. Keep an eye on cheap cruises and 3 day cruises when you want a low-commitment getaway.
Contact us to book your Sydney Cruise
Whether you are choosing between short cruises from Sydney, comparing cheap cruises for a family holiday, or planning a longer New Zealand voyage, our team will guide you through ships, cabins and inclusions. Call 13 13 03 or request a call back and we will get you underway. To stay updated with Cruise Guru’s latest news, offers and promotions, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.
