By
Guest |
Sydney is undeniably the hub of cruising in the Australasia region, a market that is growing fast as Australians and New Zealanders take to the water in huge numbers. Passengers are treated to spectacular views of the distinctive Harbour Bridge and Opera House as they sail in and out of the stunning harbour, making it a favoured port of departure for cruise lovers around the world. Certainly, Sydney Harbour is fast becoming a busy place for the cruise industry.
The Northern Hemisphere’s cruise season reaches its peak in the summer months (December-February) and passengers take various cruises from Sydney. On 13-14 February, the city’s wharves were especially busy with four of the world’s most luxurious cruise vessels berthing in Sydney Harbour. Not only did Seabourn Cruise Line’s Seabourn Odyssey and Silversea Cruises’ Silver Whisper dock at White Bay Cruise Terminal, but also Ponant’s Le Soleal and Azamara Club Cruises’ Azamara Quest berthed at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Circular Quay.
All four vessels brought a touch of oceangoing opulence to the city and also represented the first time that two vessels have moored together at the Overseas Passenger Terminal. The next day, P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Eden and Royal Caribbean International’s Explorer of the Seas both visited, bringing the grand total up to six ships in two days.
This action-packed weekend in Sydney cruising comes hot on the heels of the ‘Five Ship Extravaganza’, P&O Cruises’ welcome party for its two new ships, which saw all five of the fleet gracing various parts of Sydney Harbour in one fun-filled day last November. During the event, Pacific Pearl, Pacific Dawn, Pacific Jewel, Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden took over both terminals and some temporary mooring spots around the harbour for a celebration like Sydney had never seen before.
The schedules for Sydney’s cruise terminals remain full for the remaining weeks of summer and well into autumn, packed with ships from a range of lines including P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Cunard Line, Celebrity Cruises and more. With a ship in port most days, often one at each terminal, it’s a booming summer in Australasia’s biggest cruise port.
Sydney’s two cruise terminals can handle vessels of almost any size, and when space is at a premium and the wharves are full, the Athol Buoy is used and passengers tendered to the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
The booming cruise industry down under is growing faster than any other region globally, and it is not only evident in Sydney’s busy harbour but elsewhere around Australia and New Zealand. More cruises departing from Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Fremantle and Auckland are bolstering the numbers and making cruise holidays convenient and available for more people. There are also an increasing number of mainland itineraries that visit ports around the two countries rather than heading out into the Pacific Islands – the Australasian waters are seeing more cruise ship traffic than ever before.
Sarah Glover is content editor of Cruise Sale Finder