Showboat Christmas Day Lunch Cruise

From $175

Start Time 12:30

Duration 3hr

3hr Christmas Day lunch cruise on Sydney Harbour (including boarding)
Festive multi-cuisine buffet lunch with traditional favourites
Restaurant-quality dining with reserved seats and waiter service
Views of Opera House, Harbour Bridge & other harbour attractions
Drinks available to purchase from the licensed bar on board

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About This Experience

The Showboat Christmas Day Lunch Cruise gives you three hours of harbour magic while you indulge in a festive multi-cuisine buffet that goes well beyond the standard holiday spread. With roast meats, fresh salads, decadent desserts and other seasonal favourites, the menu truly captures the spirit of Christmas.

As you cruise past the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and other stunning harbour attractions, it’s the charm of the paddlewheeler itself that keeps families coming back year after year.

David, a regular guest, puts it simply: "Been doing this Christmas Cruise for a few years now and always enjoy it. The food and service are always excellent. I look forward to coming aboard again next Christmas." That kind of consistency matters when you’re planning something as special as Christmas Day—and Showboat delivers every time.

There’s also a well-stocked bar available to purchase drinks, though many guests prefer the ‘with drinks package’ for a more seamless experience.

For couples, families or groups looking to skip the kitchen and create a memorable Christmas tradition, this cruise takes care of everything—so you can simply relax and celebrate. Book early and make it a Christmas to remember!

Cruise Details

Location King Street Wharf - 5

Departure	Boards	Departs	Returns	Duration
1	12:00	12:30	15:00	3hr

3hr Christmas Day lunch cruise on Sydney Harbour (including boarding)
Festive multi-cuisine buffet lunch with traditional favourites
Restaurant-quality dining with reserved seats and waiter service
Views of Opera House, Harbour Bridge & other harbour attractions
Drinks available to purchase from the licensed bar on board

Celebrate on a cruise with a multi-cuisine buffet and drinks - no planning, cooking or cleanup required
Christmas celebration on the only paddlewheeler on the harbour
Enjoy a truly spectacular backdrop for the day with unbeatable views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge

Adult Price

from $175
Child (4–15 years)

from $175

Barangaroo
- Cruise past this spectacular 22-hectare waterfront precinct, which was previously a disused container terminal on the edge of Sydney’s CBD
Sydney Harbour Bridge
- Cruise under this magnificent bridge also nicknamed ‘The Coat Hanger’ because of its arched design
Sydney Opera House
- Come face-to-face with this distinctive masterpiece of 20th century architecture that is synonymous with modern-day Sydney
Fort Denison
- Cruise around this heritage island fort, an ancient military Martello Tower, which once upon a time housed prisoners
Lady Macquarie’s Chair
- Specially commissioned for Governor Macquarie’s wife, this chair was carved out of a sandstone rock ledge by convicts in 1810
Luna Park
- See the welcoming ‘moon face’ of this rare surviving amusement park featuring fantasy architecture in the Art Deco style of the 1930s

What’s included in the lunch?
A festive buffet with a mix of classic roast meats, traditional trimmings, seasonal vegetables, fresh salads, rich gravies, indulgent desserts and more.

What kind of boat is the Showboat?
The Showboat is an authentic New Orleans-style paddlewheeler, one of its kind on the harbour.

Do I need to book early?
Yes. Christmas Day seats usually fill faster. So, it is recommended to book at least one month before the cruise date.

Are drinks included?
Drinks aren’t included by default. You can buy them from the licensed bar or upgrade to a 'with drinks’ package if you prefer something set and easy.

Is the cruise suitable for families?
Yes, families book it because no one has to cook, clean or organise anything. Kids also love being on the paddlewheeler.

How long is the cruise?
Three hours including boarding.

Can I step outside during the cruise?
Yes. The wrap-around verandahs give you panoramic views of Sydney Harbour attractions and some great photo opportunities.

(All communication with the company must be made in writing to help@australiancruisegroup.com.au)

Please see our full terms of service on this link: https://www.australiancruisegroup.com.au/terms-conditions The terms and services supersede all other information provided, either on a website or by any of our staff members.

All odd number bookings (1, 3, 5, 7, 9 etc.. ) will be seated at shared tables, subject to the cruise director’s discretion.
All bookings for 1 guest will be seated at shared tables of 2.
All guests/passengers must carefully check the booking confirmation and invoice and ensure that date of cruise, number of guests and all cruise inclusions and prices are correct.
Requests for dietary (gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free), substitutions and modifications of menus will be politely declined.
Please refer to our cancellation and transfer policy on the above link. Please note policies vary between regular lunch, dinner and sightseeing cruises and special event cruises (NYE, Australia Day, Valentine’s Day, VIVID Sydney, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and any other special event cruise).
All requests for cancellations, amendments, transfer/change of date must be submitted in writing (WE DO NOT PROCESS THESE REQUESTS OVER THE PHONE). Please allow up to 14 days for your refund to be processed.
We recommend all guests to arrive at the wharf at least 15 minutes prior to boarding time as shown on your confirmation ticket. No refund or credit will be issued for passengers that do not board the cruise on time (no show)
All passengers including the infants must be manifested for safety and security reasons. Un-manifested guests will be refused boarding.
Our fleet does not offer wheelchair accessibility. Whilst our vessels are not wheelchair friendly, our crew will be happy to assist passengers with limited mobility in boarding the vessel both on the gangway and using the stairs, with your or a carer’s consent, where possible. We do not accept any risk or liability in relation to our staff providing assistance with boarding. Guests must make their own informed decision in choosing to access the vessel with assistance of the crew at the boarding point. Amenities on some of our boats are located on lower levels accessible by stairs only. We do not recommend our cruises to guests with mobility restrictions which prevent them from using stairs. We do not have facilities to store motorised wheelchairs or heavy/non-collapsible mobility devices, either onboard or on the wharf. If you contact our staff either by phone or email, our staffs’ comments are only to assist you in making your own informed decision on whether the vessel is suitable for the guest’s mobility requirements. Staff comments must not be misinterpreted that the vessels are wheelchair friendly. In the event that a guest is unable to access the vessel due to their mobility limitations, a refund will only be provided for the guest and 1 carer.
Cruise program, menu and beverage inclusions, and schedule are subject to change without notice.
Beverage service for the duration of the cruise: Service begins from boarding (a selection of beer, wine & soft drinks) and stops 15 minutes prior to the end of cruise.
Sydney Harbour has very strict marine pollution (MARPOL) regulations. YOU OR YOUR GUESTS MUST NOT THROW ANY OBJECT INTO THE HARBOUR WHILST ON BOARD (Including cigarette butts, glassware & bottles). You will be liable to all fines imposed by the regulatory authority on behalf of you or your group. You are only allowed to smoke within designated smoking areas on board. As part of our privacy policy, if requested by authorities we are forced to disclose your details to regulators. Please refrain yourself and your group members from breaching these regulations at all times. We appreciate your cooperation.
We strictly adhere to NSW Responsible Service of Alcohol Guidelines and house policies are strictly enforced. Failure to comply may lead to the removal of the group from the vessel.
We do not offer split bills onboard.
Seating requests must be made in writing 7 days prior to cruise but are not guaranteed.
The Company reserves the right to transfer your booking to the next available cruise and re-issue you with a new e-ticket/confirmation. If you wish to not proceed with the scheduled new cruise, please forward the new e-ticket to the email above.
Guests are not allowed to bring infants or children onboard without a valid ticket.
There are no baby-changing facilities on board
We do not offer highchairs due to safety reasons.
It is the obligation of the guests to ensure children below 14 are always accompanied by an adult or seated at the table. The company will not be responsible for any accidents due to non-compliance to this strict guideline. It is also important to ensure children do not disturb any other passengers.

Please see the special terms and conditions relevant to your event.

Many special event cruises fall on a public holiday. The higher ticket prices are reflective of the higher wage costs associated with double time payments made to staff on public holidays.
If your special event cruise includes a Harbour event (fireworks display, Australia Day celebration etc.) organised by the government or any regulatory authority:
- that is cancelled for any reason, no refund will be offered, either partial or in full.
- The location of the vessel, in most instances, are pre-determined by the government/Harbour authorities. Location may also be affected by various factors beyond our control (harbour traffic, weather, wind, etc.) No refund will be offered, either partial or in full due to vessel location.

These Terms and Conditions set out the terms on which you (on behalf of yourself and any person on whose behalf you are booking, together "you" or "your") book through Australian Cruise Group Pty Ltd ABN 89 152 554 302 (referred to as, we, us and our, in these Terms and Conditions) for all bookings, reservations, products and cruises operated by us including Sydney Showboats, Magistic Cruises, Clearview Cruises Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruises, Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruises, Vivid Sydney Cruises, Sydney Christmas Party Cruises, Sydney New Year’s Eve Cruises, and any other cruises, websites, operations or entities operated by us. These Terms and Conditions constitute the agreement between you and us.
Full payment is required at the time of booking for all scheduled and special event cruises. Click here to read the Cancellation Policies that apply to the respective cruises.
A ‘Book with Deposit’ option is available for online group bookings (6 or more guests) on select scheduled cruises, provided the cruise date is more than 10 days from the booking date.
For partially paid bookings, the balance payment must be settled 7 days prior to the cruise date. Bookings not settled by the due date will be automatically cancelled and the deposit forfeited.
Online group discounts are applicable on select cruises throughout the year, excluding the periods from 1 November to 1 January and 20 May to 15 June.
Group bookings (10 guests or more): The guest has a choice to pay 20% deposit to confirm the booking, if the cruise date is more than 21 days in advance. The customer must confirm the final number of guests 7 days prior to the cruise date and are required a full and final payment 21 days prior to the cruise. Credit will be issued for any reduction in final passenger numbers up to 7 days prior to the cruise date.
Change cruise date (transfer your booking): Any request to transfer a booking to another date must be made 72 hours prior to the cruise date. Such transfer of bookings are subject to availability of seats at the same price for the new cruise date. If the price is higher for the new cruise date, you will be required to pay the difference in addition to the minimum transfer fee.
Transfer fee: There is a $10 per person minimum transfer fee will apply. New Year’s Eve cruise tickets cannot be transferred to a different date.
All passengers including the infants must be manifested for safety and security reasons. Un-manifested guests will be refused boarding.
All cruise fares are quoted in Australian Dollars and include Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST).
We reserve the right, if we consider necessary (for example, due to mechanical breakdown, for safety reasons or weather conditions), to substitute vessels without notice (including any vessels of a third party), deviate from a vessels advertised route, change any menu, service, schedule, program, performance or cruise fare. We will endeavour to provide a similar quality vessel, route, menu, service, schedule, program, performance or cruise fare (as the case may be) in these circumstances. In such circumstances, we will not be liable for your direct or indirect loss, or to refund any fares or portions of fares, nor will we be liable for any other damage, loss, expense, loss of time, disappointment, inconvenience, or any other consequential loss suffered by you.
Requests from our guests for dietary requirements (gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free), substitutions and modifications of menus on board our cruises will be politely declined, as our kitchen team prepares the meals in our onboard kitchens. As we cater for large number of guests in a relatively small meal time, it is not practical for us to accommodate to such requests within the given time frame. All of our cruises have at least on vegetarian menu option for seated & served menus. Banquet/buffet menus also offer vegetarian choice. We cannot guarantee that certain products or ingredients (nuts, gluten, diary, etc.) will not be in our food, and we explicitly accept no liability in this regard. For serious food allergies you must make own decisions on selecting meals. Our staff’s comments are only to assist you in making an informed decision. In exceptional circumstances, with our prior written consent you (or one of your guests) may bring your own meal.
Our cruises operate on busy waterways and are subject to the risks and perils of cruising on such waterways including loss, damage and injury arising out of or in connection with changing tidal and weather conditions and the navigation of other craft. To the extent permissible by law, we will not be responsible in tort, contract or otherwise for any loss or damage arising out of injury or death sustained by you or any other passenger, howsoever arising and whether or not arising as a result of our negligence or failure to render due care and skill. You enter into this agreement and book and travel on our cruises at your own risk. If however any guarantees, terms, conditions or warranties are implied into this agreement by any law of the Commonwealth or New South Wales, the exclusion of which would contravene that law or cause part or all of this clause to be void, then to the extent permissible by law:

(a) We exclude all other guarantees, terms, conditions and warranties; and
(b) Our liability for breach of such guarantee, term, condition or warranty is limited to the supply of the relevant cruise again or the cost of re-supplying the cruise.
We exclude all liability for any loss or damage to clothing or personal items/belongings howsoever arising and whether or not our liability arises in tort, contract or otherwise.
Some of the tours, products and cruises we operate may be considered dangerous and you should be aware of the risks involved before participating, which may include injury or death. Where the tours, products and cruises include activities that could be considered dangerous, you assume all of the inherent risks which are applicable to those activities. Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude you from participating in activities and you are responsible for confirming your ability to participate. You must use caution when participating in activities and inform us of any medical or other conditions.
It is a condition of this agreement that any claim for loss or damage must be notified to us in writing within seven (7) days from the day the cruise finishes, and any court action, suit or proceeding must be brought no later than one (1) year from the same day. If you fail to comply with either of these conditions, we will be forever discharged from all claims, suits, actions and/or proceedings relating to or arising out of or in any way connected with the cruise and we will be discharged from all liability whatsoever, including any liability for negligence.
We may contract or arrange for third parties to provide the whole or part of the cruise and any related services to you. You must not bring any claims or actions against such third parties. If you bring such a claim or action in breach of this agreement, you agree to indemnify us and the person against whom the claim or action is made against the consequences of that claim or action. You agree that in entering into this agreement, we are acting as the agent of and trustee for each of our employees, officers, agents and subcontractors, and each of these persons is deemed to be a party to the contract for the purpose of entitling each of them to enforce, have the benefit of and rely upon these Terms and Conditions.
We strictly do not permit any alcohol to be brought on board for consumption. Any discussions with our representatives should not be construed as an acceptance to bring alcohol of any nature on board for any event or function. In line with our Responsible Service of Alcohol policy, such requests will be refused politely.
You must not bring any alcohol or illegal substances onto the vessel. We reserve the right to refuse you entry to the vessel, or to require you to disembark from the vessel, including due to your intoxication or for the safety of other passengers or the vessel.
This agreement is to be governed by and is to be construed in accordance with the laws in force in New South Wales. Any action, claim, suit or proceeding arising out of or connected in any way with this agreement or the cruise will only be brought in the Courts of New South Wales.
If any of these provisions are unenforceable, this shall not affect the enforceability of any other part of the provision or any other provision. In the event of inconsistency between these Terms and Conditions and any other terms, these Terms and Conditions will prevail to the extent of the inconsistency. No waiver or variation of this agreement will have binding effect unless such waiver or agreement is in writing and signed by us.

Customer Reviews

We had a wonderful time on Christmas Day. Thank you

Michael

Amazing experience for Xmas Day lunch. Had an awesome time and will recommend to anyone. Thank you so much to Warrior and the team for making our Xmas Day so special

Neil

My family has been doing the Christmas cruise for many years now and have always enjoyed it. The atmosphere is always festive, the staff are friendly and efficient, the food is always great and there is a good selection of drinks to choose from. The...

David

Thank you for a wonderful day. Staff were very friendly.

Jane

Great Christmas Lunch Cruise! Highly recommended.

Jennifer

From $175

Start Time 12:30

Duration 3hr

3hr Christmas Day lunch cruise on Sydney Harbour (including boarding)
Festive multi-cuisine buffet lunch with traditional favourites
Restaurant-quality dining with reserved seats and waiter service
Views of Opera House, Harbour Bridge & other harbour attractions
Drinks available to purchase from the licensed bar on board

View More Inclusions

Send Enquiry Book Now

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