Guide · Cruise from Sydney

Cruising from Sydney: Your Departure Day Guide

Few cruise departures in the world compare with sailing out of Sydney Harbour. Here's what makes cruising from Sydney so much fun, how to plan a family cruise, and how departure day works from the moment you leave home.

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Why cruising from Sydney is so much fun

A sail away like no other

Ships leaving Sydney sail down the harbour past the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge and out through Sydney Heads. It's one of the most memorable ways to start a holiday.

Unpack once, wake up somewhere new

Your cabin, meals and entertainment travel with you, so you can visit several destinations without packing and unpacking.

No flights needed

Your holiday starts right here in Sydney. Drive to your car park, take a short ride to the terminal and you're on your way.

Something for everyone

With pools, shows, dining and shore excursions on many ships, everyone in your group can holiday their own way.

Cruising with family

A cruise is one of the easiest family holidays to plan. Your accommodation, meals and entertainment are all in one place, and many ships have kids clubs and family activities. Check with your cruise line for what's included on your ship.

Travel together in one car. Parking is charged per vehicle, so one car for the whole family means one parking fee.
Our private return transfer takes up to 5 cruise passengers for a flat $250.00 including GST.
Pack a small day bag with swimwear, sunscreen, medication and snacks, as your main luggage may take a while to reach your cabin.
Driving a motorhome, campervan or towing a trailer? Contact us before booking, as additional fees apply.

Sydney's two cruise terminals

White Bay Cruise Terminal is on James Craig Road in Rozelle, west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, so ships berthing there must be able to pass under the bridge. The Overseas Passenger Terminal is at Circular Quay West in The Rocks, where larger ships berth.

Your cruise documents tell you which terminal you're sailing from, and Port Authority of NSW publishes the Sydney Harbour cruise schedule. Our terminal guides cover drop off, pick up and access for each one.

We don't provide parking at either terminal. We're an independent offsite car park, and neither terminal offers long term parking for cruise passengers.

Your departure day timeline

1
Leave home with time to spare
Allow for traffic, fuel stops and breaks, especially if you're driving from outside Sydney.
2
Arrive at your car park
Mascot is open from 5am to 11pm and keys are left with the office. At Turrella and Marrickville, lock your car and take your keys with you.
3
Ride to the terminal
Arrange your own Uber or taxi, or use your booked private return transfer.
4
Drop your bags and check in
Bag drop usually opens around 9am. At the Overseas Passenger Terminal it runs until about 90 minutes before departure, and at White Bay until about an hour before. Check your cruise line's times.
5
Sail away
Find a spot on deck as your ship heads down the harbour and out through Sydney Heads.

What to bring on departure day

Your car park booking confirmation. At Mascot you must have it printed or on your phone.
Your cruise documents and the ID your cruise line requires. Many cruises from Sydney visit overseas ports, so check whether you need your passport.
Medication, valuables and travel documents in your carry bag rather than your checked luggage.
Your cruise line's luggage tags, attached before you arrive at the terminal.

Coming home after your cruise

When you disembark, arrange your own Uber or taxi back to your car park. At the Overseas Passenger Terminal there's a taxi rank at the terminal, and at White Bay the pick up area is directly outside. If you booked our private return transfer, follow the arrangements you made when you called on departure day.

Mascot is open from 5am to 11pm, so plan your pick up within those hours.

Popular cruises from Sydney

Itineraries change every season, so check with your cruise line for current sailings.

South Pacific islands such as New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Fiji
New Zealand's North and South Islands
The Queensland coast
Melbourne and Tasmania
Short getaway cruises of a few nights
Longer voyages, including world cruise sectors

Our three cruise parking locations

All three are offsite car parks for cruise passengers, a short ride from both Sydney cruise terminals.

Mascot

286a Coward Street, Mascot NSW

$25.00 per day + GST

Open 5am to 11pm
Keys are left with the office
2 day minimum
White Bay: About 15 minutes
Circular Quay: Up to 25 minutes

Book Mascot Location details

Turrella

75 Henderson Street, Turrella NSW

$25.00 per day + GST

Secure Gated 24 Hours
Take your keys with you
White Bay: About 15 to 19 minutes
Circular Quay: About 15 to 19 minutes

Book Turrella Location details

Marrickville

100 Marrickville Road, Marrickville NSW

$35.00 per day + GST

Secure Gated
Take your keys with you
White Bay: About 15 to 19 minutes
Circular Quay: About 15 to 19 minutes

Book Marrickville Location details

Frequently asked questions

Which cruise terminal does my ship leave from?

Check your cruise documents. Sydney has two cruise terminals: White Bay Cruise Terminal in Rozelle and the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay. Port Authority of NSW also publishes the Sydney Harbour cruise schedule.

What time should I arrive for my cruise?

Follow your cruise line's check in time. Bag drop usually opens around 9am. At the Overseas Passenger Terminal it runs until about 90 minutes before departure, and at White Bay until about an hour before. Check your cruise line's times. Allow time to park and ride to the terminal.

Is a cruise a good family holiday?

Many families love cruising because accommodation, meals and entertainment are all in one place, and many ships have kids clubs and family activities. Check with your cruise line for what's included on your ship.