Cruises from Sydney in January 2028

Where do January 2028 sailings from Sydney go?

January is one of the strongest months for cruising out of Sydney, with departures spreading across four distinct regions. Australia draws the largest share of sailings — coastal voyages that let you wake up to a new stretch of the Australian coastline each morning. New Zealand is the second most popular direction, with ships crossing the Tasman to call at the fiords and harbours of the South Island and North Island alike. The South Pacific adds a tropical flavour, and a handful of longer voyages reach as far as South East Asia. Durations run from short 2-night getaways right through to 44-night grand voyages, with a median around 13 nights — long enough to feel truly away.

Of the sailings departing in January 2028, just over half are round trips that bring you back to Sydney, while a significant share are one-way voyages ending in ports such as Auckland, Singapore, Bali, Melbourne or Dubai. If your voyage finishes somewhere other than Sydney, a domestic flight (or an international one for the longer repositioning crossings) connects the two ends — and we can book that for you, along with hotels either side and any transfers you need.

Which cruise lines sail from Sydney in January 2028?

Carnival Cruise Line leads the choice this month, with more January 2028 departures from Sydney than any other line — a mix of short coastal hops and longer South Pacific and New Zealand itineraries. Royal Caribbean brings its flagship entertainment at sea, while Celebrity Cruises offers a more refined experience with a strong focus on dining and design. Norwegian Cruise Line keeps things flexible with its freestyle dining approach, and Holland America Line suits those who prefer a more classic, unhurried pace. Princess Cruises rounds out the line-up with itineraries along the Australian coast and beyond.

If you’d like a cruise paired with flights, hotels and transfers already arranged, take a look at our DreamAway Packages — cruise-inclusive bundles built by CruiseAway so you have one booking covering everything.

The ships sailing from Sydney in January 2028

Carnival Adventure

Carnival Adventure is built with Australian cruisers firmly in mind — fresh local produce, a laid-back onboard atmosphere and a programme that works for every age. Thrill-seekers can zip-line and climb above the deck while sunset watchers settle in for a movie under the stars on the same evening. Families particularly appreciate the way the ship splits itself naturally: drop the kids at Camp Ocean and claim a sun lounger at the adults-only Serenity Retreat, and everyone gets exactly the afternoon they wanted.

Cabin grades on Carnival Adventure range from inside to suite. Here’s what each level offers:

• Inside cabin 4A — 15 m²: Compact and well organised, with a walk-in wardrobe and generous storage that makes it genuinely workable on longer voyages.
• Ocean-view cabin with porthole PT — 15 m²: Two round portholes bring natural light into the cabin, sitting in the quieter lower section of the ship on Decks 1–2.
• Balcony cabin 8A — 16 m²: A glass bifold door opens directly onto your private balcony — the outdoor space that inside and ocean-view guests simply don’t have.
• Byron Beach Club Presidential Suite SB — 58 m²: The flagship suite is more than twice the size of a standard balcony cabin, with an expansive balcony, a separate dressing area and a deluxe bathroom.

For a full breakdown of decks and cabin positions, see the Carnival Adventure cabins and deck plans.

Carnival Splendor

One of Australia’s best-loved fun ships, Carnival Splendor sails from Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef, Vanuatu and New Zealand with a reputation for keeping things lively. The Punchliner Comedy Club draws a crowd most evenings, and the ship’s party credentials are well established. As with Carnival Adventure, there’s a genuine split between the high-energy areas and the adults-only Serenity Retreat — so the kids can conquer the waterpark while you find somewhere quiet.

Cabin options on Carnival Splendor:

• Cloud 9 Spa Inside cabin 4S — 16 m²: Comes with Cloud 9 Spa access included — priority reservations, unlimited thermal suite use and 2 complimentary fitness classes.
• Large Sea-view cabin 6K — 30 m²: At 30 m² this is 10 m² larger than standard sea-view grades, giving noticeably more living space for the same view.
• Balcony cabin 8M with large balcony — 26 m²: Nine square metres more than a standard balcony cabin, with a private outdoor area included.
• Captain’s Suite CS — 47 m²: The largest suite on board at 47 m², with a separate bedroom and living area.

Check the Carnival Splendor cabins and deck plans to find the grade and position that suits you best.

Anthem of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas is the ship to choose if you want something to do at every hour of the day. The North Star observation pod lifts you above the ocean for a view unlike anything else afloat from Sydney. Back on deck, the FlowRider surf simulator, the SeaPlex skating rink and circus classes keep the whole family occupied, while the glass-domed Solarium pool gives adults a genuinely calm alternative after a morning of South Pacific island adventures. Evenings bring world-class theatre and live music in a venue purpose-built for it.

Cabin grades on Anthem of the Seas:

• Inside cabin with virtual balcony 1U — 15.4 m²: A high-resolution screen showing a live sea view replaces the window — you get the outside world without paying balcony prices.
• Ocean-view cabin 2P — 253 m²: Generously proportioned with a spacious living area and sofa.
• Large Balcony cabin 2G — 253 m²: A double sofa bed alongside the balcony makes this a comfortable choice for families or anyone on a longer voyage.
• Royal Loft Suite RL — 152.4 m², two-level maisonette, sleeps up to 6: The bedroom sits on the upper level overlooking the living room below — among the most spacious accommodation sailing from Sydney this season.

See the full layout on the Anthem of the Seas cabins and deck plans page.

Celebrity Edge

Celebrity Edge sets itself apart with design and dining choices you won’t find elsewhere. The Magic Carpet — a cantilevered platform suspended 16 storeys above the ocean — moves between decks and serves as a bar, a restaurant and an event space depending on the time of day. Every stateroom from the standard grade up comes with an Infinite Veranda: a sliding glass wall that opens the entire front of the room to the sea air, so there’s no hard line between inside and outside. Then there’s Eden, a three-level living garden space where performers appear unannounced — a concept that’s genuinely unlike anything on a competing ship.

Celebrity Cruises offers several fare tiers for these sailings. The cruise-only rate gives you the lowest price and lets you add extras later. The value tier bundles a drinks package and basic Wi-Fi into one price. At the top, The Retreat includes premium drinks, premium Wi-Fi, suite accommodation, an exclusive lounge and dedicated personal service throughout.

For cabin positions and deck layouts, visit the Celebrity Edge cabins and deck plans page. You can also browse all Celebrity Edge Australia and New Zealand 2028–2029 sailings if you’re keeping your options open on the month.

Norwegian Spirit

Mid-sized and intimate compared with the megaships sailing from Sydney, Norwegian Spirit suits anyone who wants a more relaxed cruise without sacrificing choice. The freestyle dining model means you eat where you like and when you like — Cagney’s Steakhouse, Le Bistro and the wider restaurant lineup are all available without a fixed seating time. Afternoons at Spice H2O, the adults-only open-air beach club, have a genuinely unhurried feel. The Stardust Theatre rounds out the evenings with live productions.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s fare tiers for these sailings range from the lowest basic cruise fare right through to a bundled package that adds a Premium Beverage Package, speciality dining at restaurants such as Cagney’s Steakhouse and Le Bistro, Wi-Fi and shore excursion credits per port. A mid-tier option adds beverages, a dining package and Wi-Fi without the excursion credit. See the Norwegian Spirit cabins and deck plans for cabin grades and positions.

If Norwegian’s scheduling for the South Pacific appeals and you’d like to explore their January offer more broadly, see our Norwegian January cruise deals.

Royal Princess

Royal Princess is the Princess Cruises ship for this season, and it carries a couple of features worth knowing about before you book. The SeaWalk is a glass-floored walkway extending 40 metres out over the ocean — there’s 28 metres of sea directly below your feet, and nothing between you and it but glass. The Sanctuary is the ship’s adults-only retreat, with stewards, sun loungers and ocean views for a genuinely quiet afternoon at sea. Evenings bring Movies Under the Stars on deck, the duelling pianos at Crooners and a dancing fountain light show.

Royal Caribbean’s fare tiers for these sailings include a standard cruise fare, a single/solo fare for guests travelling alone, and promotional fare types such as last-minute offers and guest-sail deals — the available options vary by sailing, so it’s worth checking with our cruise experts when you enquire. See the Royal Princess cabins and deck plans for a full grade breakdown. The Princess 2027–2028 season launch page covers the broader programme if you’re comparing dates.

How much do January 2028 Sydney cruises cost?

Fares start from A$430 pp* for January 2028 departures from Sydney. The median sailing runs around 13 nights, so the range across the programme is wide — a short coastal getaway sits at a very different price point from a 44-night grand voyage. Among the sailings where a discount applies, reductions reach up to 18% off that cabin grade’s previously listed price on one departure, with most discounted sailings sitting around 8% off. Nine sailings are sold on all-inclusive or inclusive-package fares.

Prices are per person based on 2 adults sharing. Our cruise experts can walk you through the fare tiers available on any specific sailing — what’s included, what can be added and where the genuine savings are — so you book the right cabin at the right price rather than the lowest headline figure that might not suit your trip.

What fare options are available on these sailings?

The fare structure varies by cruise line. Carnival sailings typically offer a straightforward cruise fare with optional extras. Royal Caribbean sailings carry fare types such as early booking bonuses, last-minute offers and guest-sail promotions — the combinations available change, so check with our team for what’s live on your chosen departure. Celebrity Cruises runs three clear tiers: cruise-only at the entry level, a bundled value tier with drinks and Wi-Fi, and The Retreat for suite guests who want the full premium experience including exclusive lounge access. Norwegian Cruise Line’s top tiers add a Premium Beverage Package, speciality dining across multiple restaurants, Wi-Fi and per-port shore excursion credits. Princess Cruises rounds out the line-up with standard and solo fares alongside promotional types that vary by sailing.

Make it a full holiday

Whether you’re boarding in Sydney with nothing more than a taxi ride to the terminal or flying in from Perth, Darwin or Cairns, CruiseAway puts the whole trip on one booking. We’re cruise specialists — every offer is a cruise or a cruise-inclusive package. Our team can add flights, hotels, tours, transfers and insurance around your cruise, as a bundle or a fully custom holiday. If your January voyage is a one-way sailing ending in Auckland, Singapore or another port, we book the return leg too, so you never face a loose end.

For a ready-made option that combines the cruise with flights and land arrangements, explore our DreamAway Packages — built for exactly this kind of trip.

Are there alternatives to January 2028?

If January doesn’t quite fit, Sydney sailings run across the year and the 2028 programme is broad. A few places to look:

• Cruises from Sydney in April 2028 — autumn departures along the Australian coast and beyond.
• All 2028 cruises from Sydney — the full year in one view.
• January cruises from Sydney — if the month is fixed but the year is flexible.
• January 2027 cruises from Sydney — the neighbouring year for comparison.
• All 2028 cruises — if you’re open to departing from a different Australian port.

If you’d like to compare what’s sailing from another city in summer, January cruises from Brisbane offer a similar seasonal mix departing from Queensland. You can also browse all available cruises to explore the full range by line, region and date.

For Christmas and New Year departures just before this window, see Christmas cruises from Australia or the more specific Christmas cruises from Sydney page. If you’re planning around the festive season more broadly, Christmas cruises from Brisbane and Royal Caribbean Christmas cruises in Australia are worth a look.

Longer repositioning voyages that connect Australian ports to Asia are another option worth considering — see our Singapore to Australia 2028 and Fremantle to Singapore 2028 pages for those longer crossings. And if you’re weighing up summer destinations further afield, our summer cruises hub covers what’s sailing across all regions in the southern summer.

*Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing, and are subject to change. This price is not kept up to date and therefore does not reflect live pricing and availability. Prices and any discounts shown were checked on 14 October 2026.

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.