Christmas Party Cruises In Sydney – Compare & Book Best Packages

Sydney Harbour Christmas party cruises are festive lunch and dinner cruise experiences for office and social groups, available from late-November to mid-December. Most lunch and dinner packages cater to groups, combining a scenic harbour cruise, deluxe meals, drinks and entertainment. Packages with unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks need a minimum of six guests, and packaged without drinks need no minimum group size.
 

Why Choose A Harbour Cruise As Your Party Venue?

A harbour cruise is one of the easiest Christmas party venues in Sydney to organise. One booking covers the venue, food, drinks and, on select cruises, the entertainment too. There's no venue hunting and no catering quotes, and your team gets the Opera House and Harbour Bridge as the backdrop. 

Every year, thousands of guests choose Australian Cruise Group for their Christmas celebrations, with guests leaving reviews such as “enjoyed a lovely relaxing Staff Christmas Party” and “Food and entertainment were fantastic”. In 2025 alone, nearly 5,000 guests cruised with us during this season. So compare trusted Christmas party cruise options in one place and book with confidence.
 

What's Included In A Christmas Party Cruise Package?

Depending on the harbour cruise Christmas party package you choose, it might include:  

• A festive meal: Deluxe buffet or plated lunch and dinner menus.
• Reserved seating: Tables reserved for your group.
• Festive table settings: Christmas bonbons and seasonal décor.
• Drinks package (select cruises): Unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks for the duration of the cruise.
• Live entertainment (select cruises): Cabaret shows, live music or a DJ, depending on the vessel.
• Weekday packages: More value and flexibility with selected lunch and dinner cruises available on weekdays.
• Air-conditioned boats
• Event planning made easy: Food, drinks, venue and entertainment organised in a single package.

As inclusions vary between different Sydney Christmas party cruises, it's worth checking the individual package details before booking.
 

Which Christmas Party Cruise Is Right For You? 

• Clearview – the premium choice: A sleek glass boat with floor-to-ceiling windows, 360° harbour views and a choice of 4-course dinner or buffet lunch. 
  Best for: Client hosting or team celebrations in a luxury glass boat setting
• Showboat – the entertainment choice: A 3-course dinner aboard Sydney's grand paddlewheeler, with a 1hr cabaret show. Only dinner packages available. 
  Best for: Christmas dinner with a show
• Magistic – the best-value choice: A spacious catamaran with a festive buffet and DJ, well suited to bigger teams. Dinner and lunch packages available. 
  Best for: Energetic team parties on a budget
• Vagabond – the flexible choice: A smaller-scale cruise running on weekdays, giving smaller teams more flexibility when planning their party. Dinner and lunch packages available. 
  Best for: Teams looking for a value-for-money weekday celebration.
• Boutique Cruise – the foodie choice: A regional produce menu with drinks included and no minimum group size, suited to smaller teams. Dinner and lunch packages available. 
  Best for: Smaller groups looking for a premium dining experience with drinks included

 

Private Deck Hire for Bigger Teams

If your team is 40 people or more (up to 100, depending on the vessel), you can book a private deck instead of joining a shared cruise. You get flexible cocktail or seated layouts and catering that ranges from canapés to a full deluxe buffet. 

It is worth considering if your group wants its own space rather than sharing the boat with other parties. Enquire about private deck hire and speak to our team for more details. Contact us at (+612) 8296 7351 between 10am and 8pm to get the best deals.
 

Booking Basics

• Fully refundable deposit: For groups of 6+, secure your seats with a 20% deposit and pay the balance later. The deposit is refundable up to 7 days before the cruise date.
• Group size: 6+ for ‘with drinks’ packages, no minimum for dinner-only ‘without drinks’ packages.
• Departure from: King Street Wharf, Darling Harbour.
• Season: Cruises run end-November to mid-December, so book early as popular dates fill quickly. 
• Dress code: Smart casual, festive dress-up welcome, but no thongs or beachwear.

Christmas party dates fill fast, and Friday and Saturday nights go first. So compare the cruises above and secure your team's Christmas party cruise with a 20% deposit. Book now!

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions from our guests:

When do Sydney Christmas party cruises operate?
Most Christmas party cruises in Sydney operate from end-November to mid-December, with lunch and dinner departures available on selected dates. Fridays and Saturdays book out the earliest, so it's best to reserve your preferred date well in advance.

Is there a minimum group size?
It depends on the package. Christmas party packages with included drinks generally require a minimum of six guests. Packages without drinks have no minimum booking requirement, making them suitable for smaller groups.

What's included in the drinks package?
Packages with drinks include beer, wine and soft drinks for the duration of the cruise. Spirits and cocktails may be available for purchase onboard, depending on the vessel.

Can we book with a deposit?
Yes. You can secure your booking with a 20% deposit and pay the remaining balance later. The deposit is fully refundable if you cancel at least seven days before your cruise date.

Why do these packages cost less than the regular cruises?
We know the end of the year comes with many celebrations and expenses. That’s why we offer special seasonal rates on our Christmas party cruises, giving groups the opportunity to celebrate on Sydney Harbour at a lower price than our regular lunch and dinner cruises. 

Are the boats air-conditioned? 
Yes, all boats listed here are air-conditioned.

Can we get an invoice or pay as a company? 
Yes. You can make a booking in the name of the company. Once the payment is made and the booking is confirmed, you will receive an e-ticket and tax invoice for your records. 

Where do the Christmas party cruises depart from?
All Sydney Christmas party cruises depart from King Street Wharf, Darling Harbour, one of Sydney's most convenient waterfront locations.

Can we book a private Christmas party cruise?
Yes. Groups of around 40 guests or more (up to approximately 100 guests depending on the vessel) can hire a private deck or charter an entire section of the vessel. Private bookings can be customised with cocktail or seated layouts and a choice of catering options.

Are drinks included on every Christmas party cruise?
No. Some packages include unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks, while others allow you to purchase beverages individually from the licensed onboard bar.

What's the difference between Christmas party lunch and dinner cruises?
Christmas party lunch cruises offer a relaxed daytime experience with harbour views and festive dining, while Christmas party dinner cruises showcase Sydney Harbour after dark. 

What food is served onboard?
The menu depends on the cruise you choose. Options include deluxe buffets, three-course and four-course plated meals, as well as premium regional produce menus on Boutique cruises.

Is entertainment included?
Yes, some cruises like the Showboat, Magistic and Vagabond cruises include live entertainment such as cabaret shows, live music or a DJ. 

What should I wear?
Smart casual attire is recommended. Christmas-themed outfits and festive accessories are welcome, but beachwear, singlets and thongs are not permitted.

Can our group sit together?
Yes. Your group will be seated together at a reserved table or in a dedicated area, depending on your group size and the cruise selected.

Are Christmas party cruises suitable for corporate events?
Yes. These Christmas cruises in Sydney combine the venue, catering, drinks, entertainment and harbour cruise into a single package, making it easier for corporate celebrations. 

When should I book a Christmas party cruise?
For the widest choice of dates and vessels, it's best to book as early as possible. Popular Friday and Saturday evenings throughout December often sell out several months in advance.