Quantum Tenders Athol Bay 1 March 2023

[willsaway]

Question for the Sydney knowledge trust. We're considering a little 5 nighter out of BICP next year, Eden and Sydney. The itinerary has Quantum tendering at Athol Bay, 6.00 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. Having little experience of tendering in the harbour, where will the tenders drop off/pick up? Time spent in Sydney is a bit stingy, so Circular Quay is doable, but White Bay is ridiculous. Lots of passengers leaving it to the last minute to get a return  tender is a scary thought. Over to the brains trust.

[arxcards]

Athol Buoy, which is an anchorage near Taronga Zoo.

 

In the past, the tenders have operated to the Man-o-War steps on the eastern side of the Opera House.

[vada_9]

I have read on some old trip reports that they used either the Man'o'War Steps or the ones nearer the bridge. Think it was when Crystal were moored there.

[willsaway]

I did mean to type Buoy, adaptive text strikes again.

[gbenjo]

Pretty sure it would be Man-o-War steps at the back of the opera house . It is the closest to Athol buoy and acccess to the city. In 2020 we debarked the Quantum of the Seas from there, including luggage, after the free thank you cruise(s)  for firefighters when the OPT was occupied so would bet that is where you will go. . They could also  possibly use the much larger ferries ( Fantasea or Captain Cook) as well as the ship tenders .

Edited August 24, 2022 by gbenjo

[gbenjo]

7 hours ago, willsaway said:

Question for the Sydney knowledge trust. We're considering a little 5 nighter out of BICP next year, Eden and Sydney. The itinerary has Quantum tendering at Athol Bay, 6.00 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. Having little experience of tendering in the harbour, where will the tenders drop off/pick up? Time spent in Sydney is a bit stingy, so Circular Quay is doable, but White Bay is ridiculous. Lots of passengers leaving it to the last minute to get a return  tender is a scary thought. Over to the brains trust.

By the  way.....Are you sure it is the 1st March?  According to the Sydney Ports schedule it is the 28th Feb for Quantum  

Edited August 24, 2022 by gbenjo

[willsaway]

gbenjo, we also saw the Port schedule. Definitely leaves Brisbane 26 Feb. Sea day 27th, Eden 28th, and Sydney 1st March. Is it possible it might anchor at 5 minutes to midnight, on the 28th?

[gbenjo]

35 minutes ago, willsaway said:

gbenjo, we also saw the Port schedule. Definitely leaves Brisbane 26 Feb. Sea day 27th, Eden 28th, and Sydney 1st March. Is it possible it might anchor at 5 minutes to midnight, on the 28th?

Don't think so, the Ports schedule says it overnights in Sydney arriving the 28th Feband leaving the 1st March but  looking at the itinery that is incorrect. 

No matter when you arrive or leave I think you will still be tendered to Man-o War steps. 😁😁😁

Edited August 24, 2022 by gbenjo

[arxcards]

8 minutes ago, gbenjo said:

Reading the schedule again, it arrives 8am 28th Feb and " overnights" leaving the 1st March at 6:45 pm so you have plenty of time in Sydney.

That is a strange one.

Royal's schedule is showing as

28 Feb 08:00 - 16:00    Eden, NSW Australia

01 Mar 06:00 - 14:30    Sydney, NSW Australia

 

For whatever reason though, this itinerary isn't showing on Royal's site at present, so an itinerary change could be on the cards (still showing as available on T/A sites). A single day with 2:30 departure isn't much more than a half day visit, especially when slowed by tendering, so an overnight would be a bonus for many.