December cruises from Sydney

What’s sailing from Sydney in December?

December departures from Sydney span a wide range of destinations and durations, from short coastal getaways to longer voyages reaching New Zealand and the South Pacific. The vast majority are round trips returning to Sydney, so you end up exactly where you started — useful whether you live locally or you’ve flown in for the cruise. Six sailings are one-way, finishing in Auckland, Perth (Fremantle) or Brisbane, so a short domestic flight connects the two ends if you’re not based at the finishing port. Cruise1st can book that flight, along with any hotels and transfers, as part of the same package.

Where do December sailings from Sydney go?

The biggest concentration of sailings stays close to home, exploring the Australian coastline — these are the sailings that suit anyone wanting a genuine sea holiday without straying far from familiar shores. A second strong group combines Australia and New Zealand in one itinerary, typically crossing the Tasman to Auckland and calling at ports along both coastlines. If you want to focus entirely on New Zealand, there are dedicated sailings for that too. And for something a little more exotic, a handful of itineraries head into the South Pacific — warm water, island scenery, and a very different pace.

If you’d like to explore Australia by sea rather than by road or rail, a cruise around Australia is one of the most relaxed ways to do it — no packing and unpacking, and a new port each morning. The South Pacific from Sydney page is worth a look if island itineraries appeal.

Which cruise lines sail from Sydney in December?

Carnival Cruise Line is the most popular choice for December departures, with the highest volume of sailings. Royal Caribbean, Oceania Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises all have sailings in the mix too, so there’s a real spread from fun-family ships through to gourmet small-ship experiences.

The ships sailing in December

Carnival Adventure

Carnival Adventure carries the most December departures of any ship here. The EDGE Adventure Park on deck gives you zip-lining, rock climbing, abseiling and a flying fox — all above the open ocean. Dining runs from Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse to Bonsai Sushi, and evenings can end at the Blanc de Blanc Uncorked cabaret. Families are well served: Camp Ocean takes children aged 2–11, Circle C and Club O2 cover the teens, and the adults-only Serenity Retreat and Cloud 9 Spa are there when you want quiet. See Carnival Adventure cabins and deck plans before you book.

All Carnival Cruise Line sailings from Sydney are listed on their own page if you want to compare the full range.

Cabin grades on Carnival Adventure

• Inside cabin 4A — 15 m²: Walk-in wardrobe and generous storage, sleeps up to 4.
• Ocean-view cabin with porthole PT — 15 m²: Two round portholes for natural light, on the quieter lower decks, sleeps up to 4.
• Balcony cabin 8A — 16 m²: Glass folding door opens onto a private balcony, sleeps up to 4.
• Byron Beach Club Presidential Suite SB — 58 m²: Flagship suite with expansive balcony, dressing area and deluxe bathroom, sleeps up to 4.

Carnival Splendor

Carnival Splendor is Sydney-homeported and a firm favourite. The Green Lightning waterslide and WaterWorks waterpark keep all ages busy, while the retractable-roof midship pool works whatever the weather. Guy’s Burger Joint, Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse and Masala Tiger give you serious dining variety, and the Cloud 9 Spa features Thalassotherapy pools and thermal suites. Check the Carnival Splendor cabins and deck plans for the full layout.

Cabin grades on Carnival Splendor

• Cloud 9 Spa inside cabin 4S — 16 m²: Spa access included — priority reservations, unlimited thermal suites, 2 fitness classes, sleeps up to 3.
• Large sea-view cabin 6K — 30 m²: 10 m² larger than standard ocean-view cabins, sleeps up to 4.
• Balcony cabin 8M with large balcony — 26 m²: 9 m² more than a standard balcony cabin, with a private outdoor area, sleeps up to 4.
• Captain’s Suite CS — 47 m²: The largest suite on board, separate bedroom and living area, sleeps up to 5.

Anthem of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas holds a Guinness World Record: the North Star observation capsule sits 300 feet above the waves, the highest viewing deck at sea. On deck you’ll also find the RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator and SeaPlex bumper cars. The Two70° venue combines 4K immersive performances with Bionic Bar robotic cocktails in one space. For cabin choices, the Anthem of the Seas cabins and deck plans page covers everything from inside cabins with virtual balconies to the 152.4 m² two-level Royal Loft Suite.

Riviera — Oceania Cruises

Oceania’s Riviera is a very different proposition: an intimate 1,250-guest ship with nearly one crew member per guest and 6 gourmet restaurants — Polo Grill, Toscana, Jacques and more — all included with no surcharges. The Culinary Center is the only hands-on cooking school at sea, with classes taught by expert chefs. If you want a quieter, more refined experience than the larger ships, Riviera delivers it. See Riviera cabins and deck plans for the stateroom breakdown.

Celebrity Edge — Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Edge introduced the Magic Carpet — the world’s first cantilevered floating platform — which travels up the side of the hull across 16 storeys, serving as a bar, restaurant or dive platform depending on the day. Infinite Veranda staterooms open the entire balcony wall so indoor and outdoor merge completely. The Eden venue runs three-level live performances every evening. Check Celebrity Edge cabins and deck plans for the full range of stateroom options.

Norwegian Spirit — Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Spirit went through a full refurbishment in 2020, which added Onda by Scarpetta modern Italian dining alongside the long-running Cagney’s Steakhouse. The Spice H2O adults-only open-air beach club brings an outdoor entertainment atmosphere that NCL does particularly well. The Stardust Theatre stages original productions nightly. Cabin options are detailed on the Norwegian Spirit cabins and deck plans page.

What do the fares include?

What’s included varies by cruise line and fare tier, so it’s worth knowing what you’re comparing before you book.

Royal Caribbean offers several fare types, including last-minute fares with discounted pricing and early booking options that can include onboard credit. Fare types such as these are worth discussing with our team, who can match the right one to your travel dates.

Celebrity Cruises offers 3 fare tiers on its sailings here. The base rate covers dining, entertainment and onboard activities, and you choose extras separately. The All Inclusive fare bundles a classic drinks package and basic Wi-Fi in a single price. The Retreat — Celebrity’s suite-class tier — adds premium drinks, premium Wi-Fi, suite accommodation, exclusive lounge and sundeck access, private dining and dedicated service.

Norwegian Cruise Line gives you the choice between a basic cruise fare and 2 bundled packages. The mid-tier Free at Sea package adds beverage and dining packages, Wi-Fi and shore excursion credits. The premium Free at Sea Plus tier extends specialty dining across all restaurants and applies to every guest on the booking.

If all-inclusive sailings from Sydney are what you’re after, there are options in the December programme across these lines.

Are there discounted sailings in December from Sydney?

Some December sailings from Sydney carry price reductions — up to 35% on a small number of departures, measured against the previous price listed for that cabin grade on that sailing. Most reduced sailings are discounted by around 17%, so the larger reductions are the exception rather than the rule. Our Best Price Guarantee means that if you find the same sailing cheaper elsewhere after booking with Cruise1st, we’ll match it. Our team can tell you which sailings currently have reductions applied — call us seven days a week.

If budget is the priority, cheap cruise deals from Sydney has a wider view of value options sailing year-round.

How do I get to the ship?

All December sailings depart from Sydney — if you live in the city, you can reach the wharf without a flight at all. If you’re travelling from interstate, a short domestic hop to Sydney is still far simpler than a long-haul journey to a foreign embarkation port. For the 6 one-way sailings that finish in Auckland, Perth (Fremantle) or Brisbane, a domestic flight home connects the two ends — and Cruise1st can book that flight along with any hotels and transfers as part of a Cruise1st Package.

Make it a complete holiday

Cruise1st is a cruise specialist — every booking is a cruise or a cruise-inclusive package. Our team can add flights, hotels, tours, transfers and insurance around your sailing, either as a bundle or as a fully custom itinerary. Whether you want a night in Sydney before you embark or a hotel at the far end of a one-way voyage, it all goes on one booking. Speak to our Australian cruise experts seven days a week to put it together.

Christmas and New Year sailings from Sydney

December departures naturally include sailings over Christmas and New Year. If you want to spend the festive period at sea, these itineraries let you do exactly that — and Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks are one of the best reasons in the world to be on the water. Our Christmas cruises 2026 from Australia page brings together the full festive picture, and Christmas and New Year cruises covers the broader holiday season. For something specifically focused on the city’s festive season by ship, Christmas cruises from Sydney is worth a look. And if New Year’s Eve on the water is the draw, New Year’s Eve cruises covers those sailings too.

Thinking about other dates?

If December doesn’t quite work, November cruises and January cruises from Sydney cover the months either side. The January cruises page has the broader picture for that month. If you’re planning further ahead, Christmas cruises from Australia in 2027 and December 2027 sailings from Sydney are already on sale. December cruises across all departure ports is also worth browsing if you have flexibility on where you sail from — including December 2026 sailings from Brisbane if that port suits you better.

For the full year-round picture, all cruises from Sydney and 2026 sailings from Sydney both give a broader view. Alternatively, browse all cruises to see what’s on sale across every departure port.

Where a discount is shown, it is a reduction from the price previously listed for that cabin grade on that sailing, not a comparison between cabin grades or against a brochure rate. Discounts and prices shown are not kept up to date: the reduction available now may be smaller, or may have ended, and prices may have changed.