Disembarking at Sydney: what to do with the luggage

[WTMhs]

If one gets off the boat in the morning, what does one do with one's luggage until check in? (In the US check-in is usually after 2 pm). Is there a safe place to check luggage, hit the botanical gardens, etc. and then head to the hotel near the airport later in the day. I'd hate to schlep all the way down there, just to deposit suitcases, and then schelp back.

Is the only choice a more central hotel, and will it take our luggage early in the day?

Thanks

[Northern Aurora]

We stayed at the Sir Stamford at Circular Quay. The ship arrived at the Overseas Passenger Terminal early in the AM. Since we were staying in Sydney for a week following the cruise we had a late disembarkation. We dropped off the luggage at the Sir Stamford and then walked through the Botanical Gardens followed by a visit to a museum. By the time we returned to the hotel the luggage had already been delivered to our room.

[cjm66]

There are no easily accessible luggage storage facilities for cruise passengers - especially if you dock at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay. All the luggage storage places are either close to central Railway - at the other end of the CBD or mid city. See link to recent thread below. Unless you travel really light or are backpacking you will need a taxi to get to them. As far as I know they all have limited hours and you would need to pick up in the afternoon leaving you a rush hour taxi journey to the airport hotel of your choice. I suggest you follow your own suggestion and try for a centrally located hotel and take a transfer by shuttle or taxi from the hotel to the airport on the following day.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1578024

 

That is if you want to see something of Sydney. Try for a hotel in the Rocks area - Ask for advice on this if you need to.

 

Enjoy whatever you do and travel safely.

 

Colleen

[WTMhs]

 

That is if you want to see something of Sydney. Try for a hotel in the Rocks area - Ask for advice on this if you need to.

 

Thanks. I double checked and the flight out is in the afternoon, so they should be able to get down to the airport at a civilized hour.

 

Hotels in the Rocks area: this would be for a father and school aged child, so the focus would be safe, clean, not a party-zone, and frugal (do not need luxury or pampering). I'm thinking of steering them towards a beach, the harbor/botanical gardens and the Australian Museum for the 48 hours they will be there. Any thoughts on a specific hotel?

 

Thanks so much for your link and help.

[paul929207]

We stayed at the Marriott Circular Quay. Just dropped our luggage with the concierge and went off. Came back later and checked in.

[Floridiana]

We stayed at the Marriott Circular Quay. Just dropped our luggage with the concierge and went off. Came back later and checked in.

 

Same here.

[cjm66]

Thanks. I double checked and the flight out is in the afternoon, so they should be able to get down to the airport at a civilized hour.

 

Hotels in the Rocks area: this would be for a father and school aged child, so the focus would be safe, clean, not a party-zone, and frugal (do not need luxury or pampering). I'm thinking of steering them towards a beach, the harbor/botanical gardens and the Australian Museum for the 48 hours they will be there. Any thoughts on a specific hotel?

 

Thanks so much for your link and help.

 

For frugal in the Rocks area try the Youth Hostel in the Rocks. Before you cringe take a look at the web site. They have a brilliant view from the roof and you can book twin rooms with ensuite on line. Almosy next door is the Holiday Inn - mid range - also bookable on line. Everyone has their favourite - go for the best deal you can get for you time of travel. Hope your husband and son enjoy their cruise and time in Sydney.

 

Colleen

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Never had any trouble dropping bags off early at a hotel.

They just store them while we go sight seeing and come back later when room is ready.

[bigdawgs]

But if one is disembarking around 0900 and flight is not until 1500, what to do with the luggage? We would like to do some last-minute sightseeing or shopping. Would the hotel that we stayed at pre-cruise be willing to store our luggage for a few hours?

 

Larry & Ethel

[cassamanda]

But if one is disembarking around 0900 and flight is not until 1500, what to do with the luggage? We would like to do some last-minute sightseeing or shopping. Would the hotel that we stayed at pre-cruise be willing to store our luggage for a few hours?

 

Larry & Ethel

Probably not but ask them anyway. Otherwise do as suggested at thread #3 for storage locatins in the CBD.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

But if one is disembarking around 0900 and flight is not until 1500, what to do with the luggage? We would like to do some last-minute sightseeing or shopping. Would the hotel that we stayed at pre-cruise be willing to store our luggage for a few hours?

Larry & Ethel

 

You may not have much time for sightseeing after you travel to/ drop off luggage at a hotel ...sightsee...back to hotel, (it would have to be handy) pick up bags and out to the airport.

Check in for International flights is usually 3 hours so you would have to be out there by noon.

 

[cassamanda]

You may not have much time for sightseeing after you travel to/ drop off luggage at a hotel ...sightsee...back to hotel, (it would have to be handy) pick up bags and out to the airport.

Check in for International flights is usually 3 hours so you would have to be out there by noon.

 

An alternative could be to take the ship's shore ex that does a short city sights tour before dropping you off at the airport.

[Cruisin_Granny]

We will be doing the Solar Eclipse cruise on the Oosterdam in a few days - something that has been on my bucket list for years! We will arrive after a grueling series of flights two days before we embark. Our flight home does not leave until 9:30 PM on the day we disembark. We want to see as much of Sydney as possible. We are open to suggestions - and like the original query, wonder what to do with our luggage on our departure day.

[cjm66]

Hi Groovin Cruisin Granny

 

There are no easily accessible luggage lockers or storage around Circular Quay. The closest would be Travellers Contact Point in George Street.

 

http://www.travellers.com.au/TravelTours/LuggageStorage/tabid/145/Default.aspx

 

They close at 5:45 but that is not too desperately early to get a taxi or train to the airport for a 7.30 PM check in. Train could be easy as Dymocks Building is not far from Town Hall Station. There are places to eat once you get to the airport.

 

Depending on your fitness and luggage you could trundle from the OPT to the Dymocks Building or take a taxi. Here is a map - several blocks but it is all flat walking along George Street from the Quay. A marks the Dymocks Building and the OPT is on the LHS (western side) of Circular Quay about where it says The Rocks. We may see you onboard only 7 days to go!! There is a meet and Greet planned for the first sea day. Check out the roll call if you are interested.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1543019

 

[cassamanda]

We will be doing the Solar Eclipse cruise on the Oosterdam in a few days - something that has been on my bucket list for years! We will arrive after a grueling series of flights two days before we embark. Our flight home does not leave until 9:30 PM on the day we disembark. We want to see as much of Sydney as possible. We are open to suggestions - and like the original query, wonder what to do with our luggage on our departure day.

This is a common problem. I and others made some suggestions on another thread http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=35888890&postcount=34:

Be careful if you use city storage on a week day as traffic in downtown Sydney is horrific late afternoon.