A cruise from Australia 🇦🇺

[little britain]

We have just started the first of three cruises in the land down under.

We’ve immediately noticed how things are a little different so we thought we would share our thoughts.

 

The ships dock at Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney. Possibly one of the best locations and sail always in the world.

On one side is the arch of Sydney Bridge and on the other are the iconic white sails of the Opera House. It’s magnificent. Then there are the ferries rushing backwards and forwards into Circular Quay coming it seems perilously close to the ship at times! 

 

Check in was the easiest we have ever experienced. There must have been staff ever 10ft advising you where to go. Bag drop off opened early if you wanted to drop and explore the city a little more. No one tipped the porters and yes, surprisingly all the cases even made it to the cabin by 2pm! 
 

OPT is next to The Rocks historical district full of restaurants, cafes and shops. 

Sydney is very very hilly, with lots of steps. 

 

The main School holidays in Australia is the month of January. There are a lot of families and even more children on board.

 

Cabins have kettles and coffee set up. Bring tea bags if you want a decent cuppa tea as it is Bigelow onboard 

Skimmed milk is readily available in the WJ. I haven’t seen any flipping half and half but admittedly it is only day one!

 

 

aft balcony with a view! 

[Tree_skier]

Beautiful, you are on a bucket list trip for me...  I don't know if you intend to make this a live thread but I hope you'll update this thread with some pics from time to time.  

[Tlbecker1]

We love Sydney and it is our favorite port. We enjoyed cruising Australia & New Zealand so much.  Enjoy!

[fla33023]

8 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

Beautiful, you are on a bucket list trip for me...  I don't know if you intend to make this a live thread but I hope you'll update this thread with some pics from time to time.  

Yes, please! One post and I'm already wanting more!

[CaptainBazz]

We have sailed twice from Sydney, such a beautiful city. The first time the ship was at the OPT but the second time it sailed from White Bay terminal. It was at the other side of the bridge. It was an even better sail away as the ship sailed under the bridge and past the Opera House.

[sandebeach]

We had the pleasure in 2022 of sailing into and then docking in Sydney at the OPT. I have many wonderful memories from that cruise. Hope you have a fabulous time. 

[crzndeb]

I don’t know why I thought you were on the Ovation with me last year from Sydney. Maybe it was just the Alaska leg. I know that because I am in one of your pictures from the Screech event. 😉

Great pictures!

[little britain]

Top tier event at 10:30 on the first sea day. Very very low turn out, so a lot of new and first time to Royal cruisers on board 

 

Surprisingly we were top cruisers and we are very lowly Pinnacles !!

[njkruzer]

Enjoy.  We sailed Radiance from there in February 2020 for the circumnavigation.   Great trjp.  Was supposed to stay on for a 3rd cruise but covid changed everyone's plans.  Btw unless things have changed Australian border forces required us at the end of our 1st cruise, Freemantle, to leave the ship by 9 am and nit return for at least 2 hrs.  Found plenty to do in Freemantle.  

[janabelle61]

I just spoke with a Future/Next Cruise rep about booking Australia & New Zealand for 25/26! Excited to see anything you have to share and hoping, along with Tree_Skier, that you make this a live.  Sailing into Sydney Harbor has been a bucket list dream for a long time!

[little britain]

So this is the first itinerary. Departure time was pulled back from 6:45p to 3:45p about 2 days before the sailing! 

 

Naturally most on board are Australians. I was the only person on the pool yesterday … mad British people enjoying the sun! It’s snowing back home apparently. 
 

Our plans for this itinerary is to crack the jet lag, take it easy, go for lots of swimming and snorkelling 🤿 and to avoid the sharks 🦈!! Beaches in Noumea have been closed for months due to shark attacks apparently 

Edited January 10 by little britain

[bonsai3s]

42 minutes ago, little britain said:

Top tier event at 10:30 on the first sea day. Very very low turn out, so a lot of new and first time to Royal cruisers on board 

 

Surprisingly we were top cruisers and we are very lowly Pinnacles !!

 

Congrats on being Top Cruisers! 

[cruiselvr04]

We are headed your way at the end of month.  Your post makes us even more excited!  Keep her in good shape for us. 

[cruiseguy1016]

We are planning to visit Australia (with a cruise involved) in '25 or maybe '26. I am really looking forward to hearing your reports from this adventure.

[perfect match]

This is a bucket list trip for me. I hope I’m able to make it happen one of these days but for now I’m looking forward to sailing virtually along with you.

[cublet]

7 hours ago, little britain said:

Top tier event at 10:30 on the first sea day. Very very low turn out, so a lot of new and first time to Royal cruisers on board 

 

Surprisingly we were top cruisers and we are very lowly Pinnacles !!

Hello,

 

I would be interested to know what bottle of 'pop' was given to you as the reward for being the top cruiser. A bottle of Lindauer (from NZ) would have been more than acceptable!

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

[little britain]

Smoking: 🚬 not allowed indoors so the casino is smoke free 👏 

 

it is a generally younger demographic on board.. lots of families… I haven’t seen an mobility scooter yet

 

Australians love lanyards it appears!! They all wear one! Even the sea pass card comes ready punched! 

 

This is a tricky one to explain.. There is generally relaxed atmosphere onboard.. Australians prepay their tips with the cruise fare so, staff aren’t expecting tips and there is no overt (false) friendliness.  It just runs smoothly.  We have seen no tipping in the CL. It simply isn’t expected 

 

Another positive ✔️ from us! 

 

[little britain]

6 minutes ago, cublet said:

Hello,

 

I would be interested to know what bottle of 'pop' was given to you as the reward for being the top cruiser. A bottle of Lindauer (from NZ) would have been more than acceptable!

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

Chandon. Which I find eminently drinkable! 

[little britain]

The biggest noticeable difference is the wine and beer selection. A lot of local Australian wines and beers 🍻 which is good to see. I wish other cruises had a larger selection of local drinks. 
 

I can vouch that this rose is delicious! The menu is from Vintages.  

 

Because tips are included the drinks allowance rises to $15
 

 

 

 

[FionaMG]

Oooh, bucket list for me too a few years from now as a retirement celebration.

Eagerly following along.

Have an amazing time! 😊

[Chiliburn]

It looks like you are on Brilliance,are you on in 2 weeks? The Melbourne and Hobart cruise? 

[kernow]

Can't wait to hear all about it, especially the NZ leg which we had to miss last year🥲.

 

I know you'll love cruising with the Aussies, we loved the friendly, lively atmosphere onboard, quite different from cruises in other parts of the world.

 

Enjoy.

[swoopy2110]

Very exited to read this 😄

We're going to AUS for the first time in 2025 (having a few days in Singapore on the way), few days in Sydney, then 11 night cruise on Ovation to NZ.

 

It'll be great to get a 'Brits' take on it all.

[bretts173]

56 minutes ago, little britain said:

The biggest noticeable difference is the wine and beer selection. A lot of local Australian wines and beers 🍻 which is good to see. I wish other cruises had a larger selection of local drinks. 
 

I can vouch that this rose is delicious! The menu is from Vintages.  

 

Because tips are included the drinks allowance rises to $15
 

 

 

 

Ponting wines, with former Australian cricket captain as the figurehead. 

 

Rianna is his wife's name.

[little britain]

27 minutes ago, bretts173 said:

Ponting wines, with former Australian cricket captain as the figurehead. 

 

Rianna is his wife's name.

We took the Ashes 🏏 off him ( apparently!!) so good to see he has a second career!!  lol!