luxury vivid cruise

Set Sail for Spectacular Views: 8 of the Best Vivid Sydney Cruises

BY Pelago by Singapore Airlines

21 MAR 24 . 3 MIN READ . GUIDES

The Vivid Sydney 2024 Experience

Get ready for an epic adventure with the best Vivid Sydney cruises.

As the city lights up with Vivid Sydney’s dazzling displays, there’s no better place to be than on deck, soaking in the sights and sounds of the harbour.

Think of these cruises as the VIP pass to experiencing Vivid Sydney in all its glory.

Just imagine being surrounded by iconic landmarks, with the vibrant energy of the harbour pulsating around you.

From gourmet dining experiences to thrilling moments on the water, these cruises have it all. So gather your crew, grab your camera, and get ready for a night you’ll be talking about for years to come!

Here’s our pick of the best Vivid Sydney cruises to experience:

1. Vivid Sydney BYO Catamaran Cruise on Kirralee

Vivid sydney byo catamaran cruise on kirralee.

Step aboard the Kirralee catamaran for an incredible journey through Sydney’s Vivid Festival.

With breathtaking views of iconic landmarks like the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and just 25-30 passengers max, it’s a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle.

Treat yourself to some light refreshments or bring your own drinks for that extra personal touch.

Perfect for everyone, this BYO Vivid Sydney Cruise guarantees an unforgettable time on the water.

2. Vivid Sydney Intimate Catamaran Cruise on Fleetwing II

Vivid sydney intimate catamaran cruise on fleetwing ii.

Come aboard with Sea Sydney Harbour for an intimate Vivid Sydney Cruise on Fleetwing II.

You’ll be treated to stunning views of Sydney’s glowing skyline from a luxury motor catamaran, which has four entertaining areas to enjoy.

Don’t forget to indulge in the roaming canapes and a complimentary beverage, and there’s even a licensed bar on deck for more drinks.

It’s the ultimate getaway from the crowds, giving you a one-of-a-kind experience of Vivid Sydney.

3. Vivid Tall Ship Cruise

[vivid] experience the vivid sydney festival on a tall ship....

Picture all of Sydney sparkling like a giant Christmas tree – that’s right…it happens every year at Vivid Sydney festival that turns the whole city into a dazzling display.

Skip the masses and sail into the magic aboard a historic tall ship cruise ! This 1.5-hour cruise gives you the best seats in the house for the light show.

You can see the Sydney Opera House’s sails come alive with amazing 3D projections, like stepping into a movie. Plus, the tall ship itself is like a floating time machine, taking you back to the age of pirates and adventure.

4. Majestic Vivid Dinner Cruise

[vivid] sydney harbour all-inclusive dinner.

Embark on a Vivid Sydney Harbour All-Inclusive Dinner cruise to travel in luxury.

Enjoy the best up-close views of dazzling light installations spanning iconic landmarks like the Harbour Bridge and Circular Quay.

Indulge in a gourmet 3-course dinner meal paired with premium beverages as you cruise through Sydney Harbour.

And experience the world’s largest light festival in unparalleled comfort and style, admiring the city’s top attractions from the water.

5. Captain Cook Cruises Vivid Sydney

Captain cook sunset dinner cruise.

Set sail on an unforgettable voyage with Captain Cook Cruises’ Sunset Dinner cruise and witness the dazzling spectacle of Vivid Sydney unfold before your eyes.

As you glide across the harbour, the gentle breeze carries the city’s hum, as mesmerising light installations paint the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge in a kaleidoscope of colours.

It’s a scene straight out of a dream and you’re right at the heart of it.

6. Vivid Festival of Light and Sound Cruise

[vivid] vivid festival of light and sound cruise.

Set sail on a dazzling Vivid Festival of Light and Sound cruise with your family or loved ones and immerse yourself in the grand celebration of Vivid Sydney.

Witness the city’s iconic landmarks transformed into luminous masterpieces with captivating art displays and mesmerising 3D projections.

Savour a delicious meal under the stars as you glide past the Sydney Opera House, the historic Customs House and the National Maritime Museum’s rooftop awash in a vibrant light display – all this and more on this breath-taking celebration cruise.

7. Vivid Sydney Intimate Catamaran Cruise on Heaven

Vivid sydney intimate catamaran cruise on heaven.

Get ready to dive into the magic of Vivid Sydney with Sea Sydney Harbour aboard Heaven.

Imagine cruising through Sydney’s vibrant lights on a deluxe multi-story catamaran , where there’s plenty of room to kick back and relax. Plus, we’ve got you covered with mouthwatering roaming canapés and a complimentary drink to sip on.

With just 40 people onboard, you’ll have front-row seats to all the iconic sights like the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

8. Glass Boat Vivid Cruise

Embark on a dazzling 2-hour journey through Sydney Harbour transformed by the Vivid light festival.

This glass boat cruise offers breath-taking 360° views, both indoors and out, as you glide past illuminated landmarks and vibrant installations.

As you enjoy the spectacle, you also savour a delicious cocktail buffet and quench your thirst with additional drinks available at the onboard bar. Could it get any better than this?

Provider:   Australian Cruise Group, (+612) 8296 7351

A Pocketful of Vivid Memories

While Vivid Sydney cruises offer a pocketful of vivid memories, don’t forget about the plethora of boat tours and cruise deals awaiting your discovery in Sydney.

From sightseeing adventures to harbour excursions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy on the waters of Sydney.

Explore the city’s iconic landmarks, soak in the breathtaking views, and create unforgettable memories aboard one of Sydney’s many boat tours. Book your adventure now and embark on a journey you won’t soon forget!

Commonly Asked Questions

What can i see at vivid sydney.

Vivid Sydney is known for its mesmerising light installations, glittering iconic landmarks, buildings and public spaces across the city, apart from dazzling sculptures, interactive displays and performances.

What are the best places to see the displays?

The waterfront offers stunning views, with Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and Walsh Bay being popular hotspots.

Is the festival free to visit?

Many light installations and events are free to enjoy. However, some ticketed events, talks, workshops and performances are also planned.

How do I get around during Vivid Sydney festival?

Public transport is the recommended way to navigate the city. Walking and cycling are also great options for short distances.

Is Vivid Sydney suitable for families?

Of course. Many areas offer child-friendly installations and activities and even dedicated family-oriented events.

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Vivid Sydney Cruises

Vivid Sydney Clearview Glass Boat Dinner Cruise With Drinks

Vivid Sydney Showboat Dinner Cruise

Vivid Lights Glass Boat Cruise (Mezzanine Bar Lounge)

Vivid Sydney Clearview Glass Boat Dinner Cruise

Vivid Lights Magistic EARLY Harbour Cruise

Vivid Lights Magistic LATE Harbour Cruise

Tribal Warrior Vivid Sydney Sightseeing Cruise

MV Fusion Vivid Sydney Cruise

Tall Ships Vivid Sydney Festival of Lights Cruise

Vivid Sydney All-Inclusive Dinner Cruise

Guest comments.

"Awesome service and very helpful to reschedule after I made an incorrect booking - much appreciated."

"We did this cruise to catch the vivid lights and it certainly didn't disappoint, there were plenty of sightseeing opportunities from both inside and outside and, apart from that, the food and staff were wonderful."

"Great glass boat, we were able to enjoy the wonderful Vivid show without the crowds. Plenty of time to take it all in."

"Excellent experience for Vivid lights."

"Amazing night at the best table to see a fabulous show..! Many thanks for your work and your kindness Can’t wait to come again."

"I booked the cruise only for myself and my husband and was pleasantly surprised to be offered a downstairs table with dinner as an upgrade. We were extremely appreciative and thoroughly enjoyed both the meal and the cruise in general including the fabulous show. Will definitely choose to cruise again with Australian Cruises. It was everything we expected and certainly value for money. Thank you for your generosity."

WELCOME TO THE MAGICAL FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS, MUSIC, IDEAS & FOOD - VIVID SYDNEY 2024

In 2009, Sydney hosted a smart light festival to promote the creative industries and showcase the city as a global hub for innovation and technology. Fast forward to 2024, it has blossomed into one of the world’s largest festivals of lights, music, ideas and food - Vivid Sydney! A staple in the New South Wales winter economy, Vivid Sydney awes its audience every year with ethereal light projections, electrifying music concerts, empowering workshops and culinary experiences. Are you ready to see the best of Vivid Lights on a cruise?

The four pillars, Light, Music, Ideas & Food are brought to life by this year's theme - ‘Humanity’. Sydney Harbour is the place to be to experience Vivid Sydney 2024 in all its glory. Vivid Sydney cruises guarantee an edge over other vantage points, by taking you right into the heart of the festivities.

Our selection of Vivid Sydney harbour cruises include – private deck cruises for small groups, unique dining experiences, entertainment cruises with live shows and wallet-friendly Vivid Sydney sightseeing cruises. We have cruises operating daily during the 3-week span of the festival; so plan your night out, book ahead and enjoy the lights from a unique on-water vantage point.

This year, watch the textural animations on the sails of the Opera House, and the dramatic displays of Torres Strait 8 (TS8) climate warriors on the Harbour Bridge pylons. Global Rainbow casts its magical glow on the city with 40km of rainbow laser beams. Our Connected City and Vivid Light on Sydney Harbour unite the light projections across the city's high-rises, Harbour Bridge and a flotilla of yachts, transforming the harbour into a technicolour wonderland! Cruise to see it all and more!

Last year, Australian Cruise Group participated in the Vivid Sydney Local Business Program, lighting up our flagship vessels alongside the city’s landmarks for a coordinated display of Vivid Lights. Stay tuned for updates on our participation in 2024.

About The Festival

Rapidly evolving since its inception in 2009, Vivid Sydney has successfully established itself today as one of the most anticipated annual events in the city. Split into Vivid Light, Vivid Music, Vivid Ideas and Vivid Food, this festival of creativity broke the record for total attendees last year with an estimated 3.28 million people visiting the event. Vivid Lights steals the spotlight every year and people crowd the streets of Sydney trying to catch a glimpse of the boundary-pushing installations.

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VIVID Cruises on Sydney Harbour

24th May - 15th June 2024

1hr VIVID Sydney Harbour Cruise

Just when you thought a Sydney Harbour Cruise couldn’t get any better, VIVID returns for yet another year of spectacular light, art and music displays.

Join Fantasea Cruising as we explore the waterside wonder of this annual festival, cruising to the official VIVID Sydney playlist, watching in awe as magical projections illuminate the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.

From VIVID’s humble beginnings back in 2009, VIVID Sydney is now one of the Harbour city’s most anticipated events, and with increased Sydney Harbour waterfront activations there is no better time to combine Sydney Harbour cruising with your VIVID Sydney exploration.

To ensure you can make the most out of your evening, Fantasea Cruising’s, VIVID Sydney Harbour Cruises depart twice every night from Darling Harbour and Circular Quay. Over the course of one hour we will take you on a journey showing off the foreshore installations from the perspective of our friendly crew, who are lucky enough to live and breathe Sydney Harbour every day.

With this winter wonderland set to take place in May and June, VIVID Sydney is sure to light up the main precincts of Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and Barangaroo and the Sydney Skyline bigger and better than the years before.

So let us add a little FANTASEA to your VIVID Sydney Harbour Cruise, we can’t wait to welcome you aboard!

• Chevron down VIVID Sydney 2024 Dates

Cruises operate 7 days a week during 24th May – 15th June 2024.

• Chevron down Inclusions

A unique perspective and great photo opportunities

• See Opera House, Harbour Bridge as they are transformed into spectacular canvas boards of light, music and 3D projections
• Drinks and snacks are available for purchase from our friendly crew at the on board bar (please note our bar is cashless, card payments only)
• Chevron down Departure Times
• Chevron down My NRMA Members save 10%

My NRMA Members save 10% on VIVID cruises on Sydney Harbour with Fantasea Cruising. Please enter you Membership number when booking to redeem this offer.

Why a harbour cruise?

On a cruise, you can enjoy the world’s largest outdoor art-gallery at a gentle pace from the comfort of your own seat. Sydney’s famous foreshore landmarks are best viewed from the water. Experience the full canvas of the massive shoreside projections from Fort Denison, Circular Quay, The Rocks, Walsh Bay and Darling Harbour.

My NRMA Members save 10% on VIVID cruises on Sydney Harbour

Please enter you Membership number when booking to redeem this offer.

We acknowledge the land on which we gather, from places as widespread and diverse as the NRMA. In the presence of Elders past, present and future, we recognise all journeys and our mutual role in creating new paths together.

Rated "Excellent" by 200+ Travellers!

My partner and I booked a night cruise to see the Vivid lights and we had a very good time. The vessel is very modern and roomy, with plenty of space indoors and outdoors and an open rooftop. Sailing was smooth and touched all relevant Vivid landmarks, particular note that the boat goes all the way into Circular Quai so you can see lights from relatively close distance. There is also a bar on board which serves alcohol, soft drinks and snack. Staff was lovely and the whole service was seamless. I would highly recommend this cruise particularly if you would like to grasp all major Sydney Vivid lights in one go (cruise last about 1 hour) or if you have limited time in Sydney.

I would highly recommend this cruise company, they were able to embark and disembark passages professionally and fast. The vivid lights were fantastic from the boat. Great way to beat the crowds and see the lights. They had a man singing and playing guitar which was fantastic. Definitely worth the money.

Very impressed with the Fantasea cruise - we didn’t want dinner etc just the cruise and drinks - this was exactly what Fantasea delivered - arrived at the wharf on time and left the wharf exactly on time - great tour - very clean vessel and had an enjoyable time with lovely crew - highly recommend!

We booked the 8:30pm VIVID cruise on a Monday night, the boat was not packed at all, we actually had the whole front deck to ourselves on the return trip. The boat was exactly as described, even more pleasant than expected even. Smooth sailing, went up close to all the lights - VIVID itself was a bit mellow this year) but we got a great close up view of everything in Circular Quay then cruise close past the Opera House and around to the Botanical Gardens and past Mrs Macquarie Chair. Took a wide turn out in the harbour and came through under the centre of the bridge. We had a brilliant time and I would highly recommend this cruise to anyone interested. Great for all ages, I even noticed a kids play area inside the lower deck cabin.

We spend the night in Sydney to get the whole Vivid experience. As part of the visit, we booked a trip with Fantasea cruises to look at the lights of Vivid. It was very economical, and in the 1hr cruise we got to see the city from the water from Darling Harbour right around to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. The view of the city, Botanical Gardens, Opera House and Harbour Bridge was fantastic, and allowed for some great photo opportunities that you can't get unless you're on the water. The cruise was not over crowded, and boarding and disembarking was well organised and simple. This is a great way to add to the whole Vivid experience

This is such a great way to see vivid! First off, the boat is nice. It has something for everyone. You can sit inside, go out on the upper deck outside, or go down to the bar. They had a musician playing on the second level and he was really good! We loved the views and the experience was great. You really can't beat the value! Price point- good, boat- good, views-spectacular.

Sightseeing VIVID Sydney - Illuminated Luxury Yacht Cruise

• Pick up and drop off
• Lifejackets
• Bring-your-own alcohol (no hard spirits)
• 1B Bolingbroke Parade, Fairlight NSW 2094, Australia Please come down to the Manly Boatshed, Fairlight wharf 10 mins before the scheduled departure time.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Infants must sit on laps
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Most travelers can participate
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• Sydney Opera House

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Sightseeing VIVID Sydney - Illuminated Luxury Yacht Cruise provided by Manly Sailing

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Vivid Sydney Dinner Cruises

*May 26 - 17 June.

• Premium Menu
• 360° Harbour Views
• Licensed Bar

Vivid Sydney Clearview Glass Boat Dinner Cruise With Drinks

• 3hr Vivid Sydney dinner cruise on Sydney’s newest glass boat (including boarding)
• 360° views of Vivid Lights from the Sky Deck & Main Deck
• Chef's signature 3-course dinner with entrées, main course & dessert
• Selection of beers, wines & soft drinks for the duration of the cruise
• Restaurant-quality dining with reserved seating and waiter service

*May 26 - 17 June

Vivid Lights Glass Boat Cruise (Mezzanine Bar Lounge)

• 3hr Vivid lights cruise on the Mezzanine Bar Lounge (including boarding)
• Floor-to-ceiling glass windows for 360°views of Vivid Lights
• Free seating layout - lounges and chairs both indoors and on the Sky Deck
• Limited food menu with items for purchase (from 8.30pm)
• Fully licensed bar with wide selection of beverages
• Strictly No BYO food and drinks

Vivid Sydney Clearview Glass Boat Dinner Cruise

• 3hr Vivid Sydney dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour (including boarding)
• See the Vivid displays on the Opera House, Harbour Bridge & more
• 360° views of Vivid Lights from the Sky Deck & glass-wrapped Main Deck
• Restaurant-quality dining with Chef's signature 3-course dinner
• Drinks package available as an upgrade or can be purchased on board

What Our Guests Say

How do we get these reviews?

We send out a customer survey form to all guests that join us on board. This form aims to understand how we can improve our cruise experience for future guests. Our customer service team regularly follows up with guests that report a sub-optimal experience to better understand their concerns.

While we feature positive reviews on our website, all feedback is appreciated and taken into consideration when developing our products & training staff.

Loved it. Will cruise with you again and again…)))

Friendly staff. Clean boat.

Did the Vivid Cruise, staff were so warm friendly & welcoming & the boat was stunning, modern & spotless. Highly recommend.

Very worthwhile experience.

Can’t Find What You Are Looking For?

Vivid sydney cruises 2024.

As Sydney lights up in all its glory for the latest edition of Vivid Sydney, experience all the extravaganza from a Vivid Sydney glass boat dinner cruise. Prepare to be wowed by the visual Vivid spectacle that unfolds before you on a Vivid cruise on Sydney Harbour. On board the Clearview, you can enjoy stunning Vivid Lights including the iconic ‘Lighting of the Sails’ of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge projections. A Vivid cruise in Sydney attracts locals and tourists alike and is an extremely popular activity during the winter season every year.

The attractions are best experienced on our 360° glass boat cruise with a delicious dinner. This is perfect for those looking for a more comprehensive Vivid Sydney dinner cruise experience on Sydney Harbour!

The Sydney Opera House has been an integral part of Vivid Sydney every year and this year promises to be no different. As part of Vivid Sydney 2024, the sails will be lit with a colourful display that showcases the theme of the year, Humanity.

Vivid Sydney 2023 was incredible and we expect 2024 to surpass it. Book your seats as soon as possible to not miss the opportunity as we are selling fast. What makes us special? With more than 8 million happy customers, we have continued to be one of Sydney’s favourite cruise operators. You can get in touch with our expert team of cruise consultants for more information regarding our cruises. Also, all our transactions are processed by a secured server and an efficient team. That way, we make sure a seamless experience from the moment you get in touch with us to the day of cruising.

*All of our special event cruises, including Vivid Sydney dinner cruises, are usually in high demand and fully booked prior to cruise date. The seating arrangements on board various cruises are planned by our Cruise Directors well in advance. If you have any special requests to be seated next to a particular group/friends booked on the same cruise, please advise us 7 days prior to your Vivid Sydney cruise date.

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Vivid Sydney Harbour Cruise

24 MAY – 15 JUNE 2024

Vivid  on Sydney Harbour is spectacular, and a Vivid Sydney Harbour cruise is the ideal way to experience it. The harbour comes alive in a hive of lights and displays. For 3 weeks of the year, the southern hemisphere’s most spectacular outdoor lighting, music and ideas festival will transform Sydney into a kaleidoscope of creative energy. Of course, the best seats to the light festival are on the harbour with Spirit Fleet.

In a first for the festival, see lights on vessels sailing on the harbour sync with the animated Martumili collective painting –  Yarrkalpa – Hunting Ground  – that illuminates Sydney Opera House. Through clever programming and innovative technologies, the 3D mapped projections created by Curious in collaboration with Martu Artists that beautifully depict the Indigenous artists’ community and country also ripple across the water. When imagery morphs on the Sydney Opera House sails, the boats change colour simultaneously, making the watercraft part of a luminous aquatic artwork. This flotilla of colour also synchronises with the lights on Sydney Harbour Bridge and the city’s skyscrapers in an awe-inspiring array.   

Together, boats and ferries become part of a coordinated display that moves across the colour spectrum as they sail across the harbour. 

A number of commercial operators, including our very own Silver Spirit, participate in the installation, enabling passengers to enjoy an additional perspective on Vivid Sydney with mesmerising light reflections that dance upon the water.

Vivid Sydney Harbour Cruise 2024

Specials Onboard Silver Spirit

These special rates are for group bookings on Silver Spirit, our luxury 60ft cruiser. Silver Spirit can host up to 30 guests.

1.5 HOUR CRUISE

$1600 up to 15 pax – Cash Bar, no food $99pp for each additional guest up to 30

$1900 up to 15 pax – Open bar; beers, wines and soft drinks, with catering $129pp for each additional guest up to 30

Includes crew, wharf fees and hot food (where applicable):

Vegetarian spring rolls Hot meat party pies Arancini balls 

2 HOUR CRUISE 

$1850 up to 15 pax – Cash Bar, no food $129pp for each additional guest up to 30

$2200 up to 15 pax – Open bar; beers, wines and soft drinks, with catering $144pp for each additional guest up to 30

Vivid Sydney Harbour Cruise 2023

$2300 up to 20pax – BYO 2 hrs – available Mon-Thurs

$2585 up to 20pax – BYO 3 hrs available Sun-Thurs

$3180 up to 20pax – BYO 4 hrs

Includes crew, wharf fees

Optional catering from $45pp

$3645 BYO 2 hrs + $15pp

$4495 BYO 3 hrs + $15pp

$5420 BYO 4 hrs + $15pp

Book your Vivid Sydney Harbour cruise with Spirit Fleet Boat Charters 

Vivid Sydney is a unique annual winter event of light, music, and ideas returning to illuminate Sydney for 2024 from 24 MAY – 15 JUNE 2024. With the Harbour City transformed into an outdoor lights sculptures exhibition. With Spirit Fleet Boat Charters private vivid cruise, you will get front-row seats to see all the action. Our knowledgeable skippers know how to cruise all the best vantage points.

Our boats cruise past the main precincts of the Vivid light festival; Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Taronga Zoo, The Botanical Gardens and Walsh Bay. Our mission is to give you the best vantage point anywhere on the Harbour. We have a range of boats available for Vivid Sydney harbour cruise for Vivid Sydney 2024.

We can provide food and drinks or if you’d prefer, we can quote BYO, as we have a range of boats depending on budget, taste and style. Enquire now about our packages available for both boats.

Vivid Sydney is sure to light up the Sydney skyline this year with mesmerising exhibitions of outdoor lighting sculptures and installations.

Vivid festival of light is a major winter event in Australia and has established itself as one of Australia’s best tourism events, something not to be missed. A vivid cruise is one of the best ways to capture the excitement of almost every installation on Sydney Harbour and Spirit Fleet Boat Charters have some special offers just for private Vivid Sydney harbour cruises.

Vivid cruises are one of the best ways to enjoy and experience most of the major installations that vivid Sydney has to offer. From the lights, the crowd, the music and the food, Vivid Festivals are definitely one of the must go to events in Sydney, and a vivid cruise provides you with an opportunity to experience all of these. If you have never attended a Vivid Festival, you are about to learn about one of the most beautiful and popular festivals in Australia. 

Both our boats have ample of space so that you do not miss out on any of the action. Several places on a yacht can be perfect for enjoying the festival. The rear deck, the aft deck the front deck and the wrap around decks should have plenty of space to make sure you have the time of your life.

Vivid 2024 runs from 24 MAY – 15 JUNE 2024 and is forecasted to be even better than last year. For more images of Vivid,  check out Vivid Sydneys instagram page.

Spirit Fleet runs a Vivid Sydney Harbour cruise every year. Vivid Sydney have yet to announce the dates for Vivid 2025. We will let you know when they have been released.

What is Vivid Sydney?

As summer fades into winter, the Vivid Light Festival illuminates Sydney with colour and creativity, attracting the best creative minds in the world. Art, music, technology and creativity meet at the crossroads to create Vivid Sydney – one of the most explosive events organised in Sydney.

Vivid Sydney 2024 promises us eventful days of illuminating celebrations from 24 MAY – 15 JUNE 2024, and like every year it should have a lot of surprises in store for us!

The Vivid Lights Festival cruises on Sydney Harbour give you the exclusive opportunity to enjoy Vivid’s most extravagant spectacle – the light projections on the Opera House sails. You also get to see the interactive light display that paints the Harbour Bridge with a riot of colours and patterns. Be there on a Vivid Sydney Harbour Cruise, to enjoy the best of what Vivid 2024 has to offer.

Depending on your budget, you could choose to do a Vivid Sydney Lights Cruise on Spirit Fleets private charters or simply join our ticketed cruise around the harbour taking in the dazzling Vivid Lights, inclusive of complimentary drink and food!

What were the highlights of Vivid Sydney last year?

Sydney Opera House Sydney Opera House hogs the limelight with its creative 3D light projections since the inception of Vivid Sydney festivals. Thousands of visitors choose to go on board Vivid Sydney cruises to get the best views of Sydney Harbour and the projected artworks on the Opera House sails.

Campbells Cove The interactive light installations on Campbell’s Cove wharf and surrounds are he major attractions of the Vivid Sydney Festival. Go on board Spirit Fleet Boat Charter’s special Vivid Sydney harbour cruise and see the stunning experience up close.

Circular Quay

Vivid Sydney Festival is set to attract tens of thousands of spectators to see the spectacular foreshore of Circular Quay, a vibrant port where ferries and cruises dock.

Where can I learn more about Vivid Sydney?

For more details about Vivid Sydney, please visit  vividsydney.com

Other boats you maybe interested in

Max capacity: 12 $400 per hour

Ideal for wedding transfers and small groups, MV Salute is a beautifully presented motor yacht. Off shore cruises for 9.

Hoochie Mumma

Max capacity: 45 $550 per hour

A budget party boat, great for swimming and casual days out. BBQ menus available and BYO drinks.

Max capacity: 58 $900-$1100 per hour

A beautifully presented large 80ft motor yacht, experience luxury. Excellent catering and drinks packages as well as BYO outside of December.

Get in Touch

• Experiences
• Walsh Bay, New S... Walsh Bay, New South Wales, Australia
• Sydney: 1.5-Hour... Sydney: 1.5-Hour Vivid Harbour Cruise aboard the Fleetwing II with Canapes & Drink

Sydney: 1.5-Hour Vivid Harbour Cruise aboard the Fleetwing II with Canapes & Drink

Experience the glowing magic of Vivid Sydney aboard the Fleetwing II, a luxury catamaran offering prime views of the city's iconic landmarks. Enjoy exclusive access away from crowds, indulging in roaming canapes, a complimentary drink, and a licensed bar onboard. Capture stunning photos of Sydney's illuminated skyline while cruising in comfort and style. Don't miss this intimate Vivid experience on the water!

• Valid for one child (0–12), one adult (13+), or two adults (13+)
• 1.5-hour evening catamaran cruise in Sydney Harbour
• See the highlights of the Vivid Sydney festival with unobstructed views from the decks
• Roaming canapes
• Complimentary drink on arrival (choice of beer, wine, soft drink or juice) (*18+ for alcohol consumption)
• Licensed bar onboard for additional drinks available to purchase
• Medium group cruise experience (maximum 40 passengers)
• Available selected dates: 24 May – 15 June 2024
• Available departure times: Departs at 5.45pm, 7.45pm, or 9.30pm. See booking calendar for details
• Departure Point: Wharf 2, Walsh Bay
• Bookings available from 24 May 2024
• Bookings valid to 15 June 2024

Sample Canapes

• Dolmades served with tzatziki
• Arancini balls
• Mini beef pies and sausage rolls
• Pulled pork and coleslaw sliders
• Dessert selection: mixture of cakes, danishes and/or tarts

*Menu is subject to change

Pricing & availability

Things to know.

• A warm jacket
• Valid form of photo ID

Selected dates

Availability:

• Available dates: 24 May – 15 June 2024
• Departure point: Wharf 2, Walsh Bay
• Please arrive at the wharf 15–20 minutes prior to departure time. Late arrivals and no-shows voids offer
• Exclusions: Additional drinks and hotel transfers
• Special dietary requirements cannot be accommodated on Vivid Sydney Cruises
• Cruise duration includes boarding and disembarking
• You must inform Sea Sydney Harbour prior to your scheduled booking date if you have any food allergies or health conditions which may affect your safety on the vessel
• Jumping/diving from the vessel is dangerous and not allowed. The skipper, crew, charter company and vessel owners accept no responsibility for your safety or for any injury incurred once you have left the vessel

Terms & Conditions:

• Valid for the date/location selected at the time of purchase – please make your selection carefully
• Must be aged 18+ for alcohol consumption and provide valid ID upon request
• Minimum numbers apply for cruise to proceed. If a cruise fails to satisfy minimum numbers, the trip may be cancelled or rescheduled
• It is recommended that if you or your guests have a medical consideration (such as a pregnancy) which may affect your ability to travel, you should get the proper approval and opinion of a medical professional before boarding the vessel
• Any and all passengers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult, parent or guardian
• Cruise routes are a guide only, weather dependent and subject to change without notice. Site stops may be impacted by weather and are left to the skipper’s discretion on the day
• Cruises are generally not affected by weather and the cruise proceeds in all weather conditions, as vessels contain indoor and outdoor areas. If Sea Sydney Harbour deems the weather conditions unsafe, your cruise will be rescheduled to an alternate date
• Vessel is subject to change depending on availability
• For full Sea Sydney Harbour Terms and Conditions, see here

Cancellations:

• This experience is non-refundable and non-transferable

Changes to Booking:

• Seven (7) days’ notice is required to change a booking you have made
• Proposed rescheduled dates must be within 12 months of the original booking date otherwise you will be deemed to have cancelled the booking and requests are at the discretion of Sea Sydney Harbour
• Maximum one rescheduling request per booking
• All rescheduling requests and cancellations must be made in writing to [email protected]

Please Note:

• Bookings for this offer are limited and subject to availability. Not valid with any other offer
• Entire value must be used in one visit; any unused portions will be forfeited, and cannot be used at a later date
• The venue you are attending may have health, insurance and vaccination requirements in place. Please ensure you stay up to date with any requirements prior to your visit
• We reserve the right to modify prices for marketing and commercial reasons. Please note that full terms and conditions apply. Full terms and conditions are located on the terms and conditions page of our website

Sea Sydney Habour

Sea Sydney Harbour offers private charters and harbour tours on the Sydney Harbour aboard catamarans, providing intimate experiences for various occasions. They specialize in event planning, offering boating experiences with professional crews, plus ticketed tours for specials, showcasing Sydney's iconic harbor.

• Update 3/4/24: Departure point has been updated in Inclusions and Conditions of Offer

SPECTACULAR SYDNEY VIVID CRUISES LIMITED SEATS - BOOK NOW!

Vivid festival 2024.

Join us as we celebrate Sydney’s annual festival of Light, Music, and Ideas at Vivid Sydney 2024

Vivid Sydney: May 24th 2024

Departs Thurs/Sun:  From 6pm – $70ad & $60ch (0-12yrs) – BOOK NOW! Departs Fri/Sat:  From 5:30pm & 8:00pm- $80ad & $70ch (0-12yrs) – BOOK NOW!

A bit about  sydney vivid festival.

Vivid Sydney 2024  is the largest festival of light, music, and ideas, in the Southern Hemisphere. From Friday 24th May to Saturday 15th June 2024 the harbour city’s iconic buildings will be bathed in light and sound.

Vivid Sydney is an annual festival that sparks the soul of our city with creative brilliance for 23 days and nights. Celebrating its 13th year in 2024, Vivid Sydney fuses art, innovation and technology in collaboration with some of the most boundary-pushing artists, thinkers and musicians of our time. Vivid Sydney tells a story of the harbour city beyond the icons, about urban legends, secret spaces and visions for the future. The 2024 light festival boasts the longest continuous Light Walk in the history of the event, from Sydney Opera House to Central Station. Once again, the Sydney Opera House will be aglow for the Lighting of the Sails, and at a new Light Walk addition, Central Station, the George Street façade will boast an interactive projection.

Vivid Sydney 2024 will warm the creative soul of the Sydney CBD, Circular Quay, The Rocks, Walsh Bay, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, Darling Square, Darling Quarter and iconic city structures such as the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Customs House, and new light canvases, The Goods Line, ASN Clocktower in The Rocks and Central Station.

All best viewed from the water.

About Vivid Sydney Cruises

Experience Vivid Sydney and see the city’s iconic landmarks be bathed in light and sound from the water. Aboard a Luxury Glass boat or modern catamaran, take in the dazzling view of the festival’s major precincts including the Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, The Sydney Harbour Bridge Light Show and the entire city skyline.

Witness as the evening show transforms skyscrapers and heritage sites into an amazing colourful canvas.

More details about the Vivid Sydney 2024 Cruises

Enjoy this signature event from the water aboard our luxury vessel on our 2 hour nightly Vivid Lights Cruise

The Sydney Vivid Cruise showcases Vivid’s dazzling nightly displays from Sydney Harbour from the best vantage point from the Bella Vista Glass boat*. Taking in Vivid’s major precincts including the Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, Taronga Zoo, The Sydney Harbour Bridge Light show and the entire city skyline where the nightly shows transform skyscrapers and heritage sites at night into an amazing colourful canvas. Vivid not only brings creative minds together in Sydney to connect with global leaders in the creative industries but it brings Australian’s together to share in a winter wonderland every year.

* vessel subject to change without notice.

Vivid Sydney, now in its 13th year, is a 23-day festival of light, music & ideas - is the largest festival of its kind in the world.

Vivid Sydney is owned, managed & produced by Destination NSW, the Government’s tourism & major events agency. Vivid Sydney celebrates creativity and innovation and showcases the magic that can be created when art and technology meet. The program features large scale light installations and projections (Vivid Light); music performances and collaborations (Vivid Music including Vivid LIVE at the Sydney Opera House); and creative ideas, discussion and debate (Vivid Ideas). All three celebrate Sydney as the creative hub of the Asia-Pacific. Vivid Sydney was recently recognised by the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) and received 13 accolades at the 2017 IFEA Pinnacle Awards. Vivid Sydney was also voted Australia’s Best Event in 2013 and Best Tourism Event in 2013, 2014 and 2015 and Australia’s Best Tourism Event and Best Cultural, Arts or Music Event in 2017.

A unique Vivid Sydney experience this 2024.

Vivid Sydney features many of the world’s most important creative industry forums, a mesmerising free public exhibition of outdoor lighting sculptures and installations and a cutting-edge contemporary music program. Vivid Sydney is where art, technology, and commerce intersect. Vivid Light transforms Sydney into a wonderland of light art sculptures, innovative light installations and grand-scale projections for all to enjoy. It is a magical celebration of light-design excellence and the world’s largest outdoor art gallery. A unique Vivid Sydney experience. Vivid Light engages lighting artists, designers, and manufacturers from around Australia and the world to illuminate interpret and transform Sydney’s urban spaces through their creative vision.

Don’t Miss the Best Seats in Sydney BOOK NOW!

Be part of the action and excitement as Sydney comes to life with this amazing light festival. Your ticket with Vivid Sydney Cruises gives you the best view of the harbour and surrounds as you cruise past the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Avoid the crowds and enjoy a relaxed cruise with your friends and family onboard the Bella Vista as you dine in comfort, and watch the lights from your waterfront seats.  Contact Us Now to Book! CALL: 0400 257 005

*All images used are from previous vivid festivals and may not be on display this year.

Pre-Vivid Sunset Cruise Weekday Special - up to 12

From 24 May to 15 June 2024, one of Sydney's most loved festivals will bring brilliant light installations and projections, live music, fantastic food and a buzzing energy to the city.

Ahead of the evening light shows at 6pm, relax on this exclusive cruise and indulge in the Vivid atmosphere radiating throughout Sydney Harbour. Take in the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and stunning cityscape while sipping on sparkling wine and watching the sky transform into a spectacle of colour.

From the comfort of our stunning cruiser, the MV Inception is undeniably one of the most incredible ways to experience the sunset ahead of Vivid festivities. Our Superyacht Captain will look after you from start to finish, whether you want to cruise intimately with your loved one, or enjoy the stunning sunset with your family or friends.

Beat the crowds flooding into the city for the show and instead allow our experienced Skipper to drop you off right where you need to be, in time for the iconic illuminations.

• Tour Sydney Harbour's iconic sites
• 2 Hour Private Cruise & Skipper - no need to share with other guests.
• Complimentary bottle of sparkling wine
• Stops for photos against the stunning sunset backdrop
• BYO food and drink
• Utilise the Bluetooth stereo on board for personalized music

MV Inception can welcome up to 12 guests, although we recommend cruising with a group of up to 8 adults for ultimate comfort. Please enquire about cruising with a bigger group by calling our  office . Our Vivid cruises can book out quickly, so we recommended booking as soon as possible.

Ideal for Couples, Families and Small Groups

I couldn’t have pulled off my proposal without the help of Glenn. He was incredibly well organised, well coordinated with other event organisers and made sure our special day went according to plan without any issues. Thank you again Glenn! You are a skipper to remember

Danie Moussa

From the time my fiancé and I got picked up to the time we got dropped off, I couldn’t fault anything. Thankyou Glenn for a lovely cruise!!

Lewis Partington

Fantastic cruise with great captain. Couldn't recommend highly enough

Sophie Parry

Fantastic cruise! I had family visiting from overseas and wanted them to experience Sydney from a luxury boat on the harbour. They all loved the experience, thank you!

Johannes Eriksson

Captain Marty was an excellent host. Had a wonderful evening on the Harbour.

Karen Harris

What a beautiful way to start our girls night out, cruising around Sydney Harbour drinking champagne, dancing and hanging with my besties. Thanks Marty for a truly memorable experience on board the coolest cruiser on the harbour.

Nicholas Hall

Wow!! What a way to see the Harbour and surrounds. Our group of friends were going to celebrate an important birthday in a bar as usual but fortunately one of our crew decided we should do something a little more special this time. We booked the Sydney Secret Beaches Tour and what a fantastic time we had. The ruggedly handsome and knowledgeable Captain Marty took us on a “deck”-adent afternoon of cruising, enjoying a few drinks whilst we soaked in the sights and learnt plenty about this beautiful harbour, getting up close to places we had long admired from a distance and visiting coves we never knew existed. What a great day. Thank you Captain Marty.

Lisa Kaplan

Such an amazing evening spent with friends on "Captain Marty's" luxury cruiser! We booked the Sunset Cruise as our dearest friend was visiting from the U.K. and we thought it would be fabulous to travel to dinner taking in the stunning scenery on Sydney Harbour! Sitting on this beautifully crafted timber boat, If it wasn't for the vast water one might think you were cruising the canals of Venice! Super comfortable & a great host. Thank you Marty, we look forward to our next adventure with you!

Mitchell Day

We had a great afternoon and evening out on the boat. The whole experience was great, starting with meeting the captain and getting the first view of the boat - what a classic. We got to cruise around the inner harbour while the captain provided us with some great stories about Sydney and it’s waterways. We had a great time and I would highly recommend this experience to both Sydneysiders and visitors to Sydney.

Tameem Aswad

Great private boat cruise for couples

First time cruiser and wow....it was perfect! I saw the boat on sunrise with Michael buble and I thought that would be a special treat to do with close friends for some celebrations. We saw not only the river at dusk but all the lights if the harbour too. A magical evening, beautiful boat, delicious cheese platter and an entertaining skipper. We all said we will do it again... 5stars

Anne Arbuthnot

I am back again in Sydney and have just have enjoyed another cruise with Sydney Luxury Cruises. This time we enjoyed a long lunch cruise with Captain Glenn, a very knowledgeable, friendly and competent skipper. Food was amazing and drinks even better!! Thoroughly recommend to anyone who wants to see Sydney Harbour and enjoys the 'personal' touch.

Jolanda Schat

We booked a sunset cruise and it was definetely the highlight of our trip to Australia! Sydney Harbour is beautyfull and it was amazing to dicover it on a beautiful boat and great Captain Glenn. Thank you for a wonderfull experience!

Rhiannon West

Ultimate first class experience! We were looking for a more intimate cruise for 4 adults to enjoy the sunset on a warm summers evening on the harbour. Thanks to Captain Marty for making our private Sydney Harbour cruise the most memorable experience for us. The cheese platter was delicious and the bubbles were fantastic. We'd recommend to anyone! The boat itself is amazing...timber 'Italian' style and a dream to relax on. We were picked up from Mosman Bay half an hour before sunset and dropped off at Woolloomooloo just in time for dinner. Perfect in every way!

Kevin Treharne

The private sunset cruise was the absolute best highlight of our time in Sydney! Glenn combined outstanding customer service and great information about Sydney harbor with a smooth, enjoyable ride. Exceeded even our highest expectations and was worth every penny. Stop reading this and just book it now!

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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You Can Visit 40 Different Countries On This Luxury Cruise In Just Five Months

The World of Splendor, set to sail in 2027, will give guests an unparalleled trip across 40 countries in a span of five months.

Faith Katunga • Apr 8, 2024

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has unveiled an offering that redefines the essence of luxury cruising . The World of Splendor, set to sail in 2027, is a true passport to the world. The cruise will give guests an unparalleled trip across 40 countries in five months. Departing from Miami on January 11 and concluding its journey in New York City on June 1, the World of Splendor promises an odyssey of 140 nights that covers 35,668 nautical miles across three oceans. 

The meticulously crafted itinerary includes visits to an astounding 71 destinations, a dream come true for those with insatiable wanderlust. There will be 14 overnight port stays and 73 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Guests will enjoy stopovers in the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Asia.

The Cruise and its Luxuries

This incredible journey revolves around the Seven Seas Splendor, a technological and aesthetic marvel. The ship is luxury personified. It boasts the world’s most expensive cruise cabin—the Regent Suite. The two-bedroom suite, priced at a staggering $839,999, features 270-degree wraparound terrace views. There’s also an indoor spa complex, dedicated butler service, and many other exclusive amenities . 

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has left no stone unturned in ensuring that the World of Splendor offers an all-inclusive luxury experience. When passengers step aboard, they enter a world where every desire is anticipated and fulfilled. The cruise fare includes a pre-cruise gala event and a one-night hotel stay in Miami. In addition, there are unlimited shore excursions, beverages, open bars and lounges, specialty restaurants, 24-hour room service, pre-paid gratuities, and much more. 

Passengers can also expect several enriching activities and entertainment options. They can unwind in the serene ambiance of the spa or engage in lively discussions with guest lecturers. The ship’s state-of-the-art facilities, including a paddle tennis court, shuffleboard, and an 18-hole putting green, ensure that guests stay active and entertained throughout their voyage.

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24 Luxury Cruise Facts That Might Surprise You

Posted: January 20, 2024 | Last updated: January 22, 2024

Sumptuous escapes at sea

Wondering what it’s like to sail on the most opulent cruise ships, be waited on by butlers, and sleep under 3,000-thread count sheets in suites designed by Ralph Lauren? Well, wonder no more – we’ve got the lowdown on the world’s most luxurious sailings, whether it’s expedition ship-based explorations of the Arctic or Champagne-soaked floats around the Caribbean.

Some Oceania Cruises suites have walk-in closets and grand pianos

No expense has been spared when it comes to suite decor on luxury ships. For ultimate opulence, opt for the Owner’s suites which you’ll find on Oceania Cruises ' ships. These cover 1,991 square feet, have two walk-in closets and entrance foyers with a grand piano and a mahogany bar. A 15-day Svalbard & Arctic Passage cruise with accommodation in the Grand Owner’s suite costs from $23,044 per person.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Explorer had a big design budget

We’re increasingly seeing bigger budgets for ships’ decor. Huge amounts of cash are being splashed on sprucing up interiors, and one example of this decadence is Regent Seven Seas Cruises ' Seven Seas Explorer, which has 473 Swedish-designed chandeliers, 45,876 square feet of marble, Versace-designed dinnerware, crystal glasses from Eastern Europe and a $12 million art collection which includes several Picassos.

Orient Express is set to launch a seriously luxurious ship

After launching the world’s most luxurious train 140 years ago, Orient Express will launch an opulent ship to match. Orient Express Silenseas, which will take to the waves in 2026, will have 54 suites (including a 15,231-square-foot Presidential Suite), two swimming pools, two restaurants and a speakeasy bar. Oh, and a recording studio. Prices are to be confirmed (but will inevitably be eye-watering).

Windstar Cruises’ Star Legend offers themed suites

Sail on Windstar Cruises’ Star Legend and you can book a suite inspired by exotic destinations and hotels. We recommend the suite inspired by the Sea Island resort in Georgia. Expect ocean-inspired colourways and plenty of sea-glass green. A Treasures of the Greek Isles cruise with Windstar starts from $3,745 per person.

There are butlers onboard with a Silversea cruise

Book a sailing with  Silversea  and you’re guaranteed your own butler. They'll be on hand to help with everything from the unpacking of luggage to the opening of the Champagne bottles. They’re not just any butlers, either – they’ve undertaken a 108-point training programme created for the cruise line by the London-based School for Butlers. An 11-day Mediterranean Cruise in 2024 costs from $8,092 per person.

You can go beneath the ocean's surface with Scenic Cruises

An abundance of onboard kit means that luxury ships don’t just help passengers get to the world’s most remote places – they help them get below the waves and into the skies too. Take Scenic Cruises – their Scenic Eclipse ship recently became the first vessel to offer both helicopter flights and submarine dives in the Canadian Arctic. An Antarctica in Depth cruise costs from $16,310 per person.

Seven Seas Grandeur has in-suite spas

Love a session in the spa but value your personal space? Book Regent Seven Seas Cruises ’ Regent Suite, which you’ll find on Seven Seas Grandeur, due to launch in November 2023. Highlights include the two enormous bedrooms and the whirlpool bath on the balcony, although the pièce de resistance is the suite’s very own spa retreat.

You can sleep under the stars with the SeaDream Yacht Club

Set sail on one of SeaDream Yacht Club ’s yacht-style vessels and you’ll be able to spend a night under the stars. At night, staff transform the upper deck’s huge Balinese day beds by adding luxurious bed linens and fluffy pillows, allowing you to drift off to the sound of the ocean. Expect to pay around $3,700 for a seven-day cruise.

SeaDream Yacht Club has one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios at sea

Some cruise lines offer boats on boats

Zodiacs – small, fast boats carried on ships – make it easy to explore different landscapes, whether it’s the frozen tundra or the Galapagos’ wildlife-dotted islands. Special mentions go to Quark , which uses environmentally friendly four-stroke engine zodiacs; Silversea , famous for its expert-led zodiac excursions, and AE Expeditions – the line’s new expedition ship Sylvia Earle has 15 zodiacs. A seven-day Spitsbergen sailing with Quark costs from $5,547.

Aurora Expeditions and AE Expeditions ships have science laboratories onboard

If peering at distant shorelines through binoculars doesn’t cut it, sign up for a sailing with Aurora Expeditions or AE Expeditions . AE Expeditions ships have tech-filled laboratories and lecture theaters, making it easy to gain new perspectives on the destinations in question. Guests can contribute to a wide range of research projects, including ones relating to micro-plastics and sea life. A 15-day Svalbard In Depth sailing starts from $12,137 per person.

You can have your very own Dom Perignon Experience on Oceania Cruises’ Vista ship

Is spaciousness a priority? Consider Oceania Cruises . Their newest ship Vista (which set sail in May 2023) is tipped as having the largest entry-level staterooms at sea (280 square feet, if you were wondering). We’re equally excited about the Dom Perignon Experience – during this six-course extravaganza you’ll sip Dom Perignon Champagnes chosen to suit the various dishes. A 10-day Bangkok to Singapore cruise starts from $5,335 per person.

Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Flora has a stargazing platform

Celebrity Cruises ’ Celebrity Flora, which has space for just 100 passengers and is based permanently in the Galapagos Islands, is a pint-sized ship that can effortlessly access the areas other vessels can’t reach. But our favorite feature is the stargazing platform. Head here for stargazing sessions led by the ship’s onboard astronomer. You’ll pay from $7,796 for a Galapagos Inner Loop sailing on Celebrity Flora.

The naming ceremonies are often spectacular

Simply swinging a bottle against the side of a ship is so passé. In January 2023 Viking christened new luxury ship Viking Neptune. The ship’s godmother Nicole Stott (a retired NASA astronaut) used a traditional Viking broad ax to cut the rope, which sent a bottle of fizz smashing into the ship. A 13-day Mediterranean Odyssey cruise with Viking costs $5,911.

Your Abercrombie & Kent guide might be a famous explorer

Abercrombie & Kent Luxury Expedition Cruises – previously known as Crystal Cruises – are famous for their onboard experts. The cruise line’s expedition leaders include explorer James McClintock, recipient of the Antarctica Service Medal, and former Royal Marine Commando Russ Manning, who served as base commander in the South Orkneys and earned the Polar Medal. A 14-night Arctic Cruise Adventure with Abercrombie & Kent costs from $17,922.

You no longer have to wear a ball gown to dinner

You can ride on a magic carpet with Celebrity Cruises

Okay, not the type ridden by Aladdin. We’re talking about Celebrity Cruises’ Magic Carpet – a cantilevered platform which appears to float in thin air, and which glides up and down the side of Celebrity Edge, one of the cruise line’s most luxurious ships. Depending on what level it stops at, the Magic Carpet can become a restaurant, bar or nightclub, although the one constant is breathtaking views.

There are luxury ships you can live on

Dread disembarkation day? Why not simply stay onboard? No, we’re not suggesting claiming squatters’ rights at the end of your cruise, but splashing out on a cabin on  The World , described by its owners as a luxury private residence at sea. There are 165 residences available for purchase and the ship sails around the planet – in 2023 it will visit South Asia, the Middle East, the Iberian Peninsula, Greenland, South America and Antarctica. Some residents live on the ship full-time, while others visit throughout the year, and residences start at around $1.2m.

Luxury cruise lines can be fully all-inclusive too

You can feast on cuisine prepared by Michelin-starred chefs

You can learn firsthand about the Polar regions

Luxury cruise lines are going all out to provide fascinating insights into the explorers who first mapped these regions. In 2024, Scenic will launch several East Antarctic cruises focusing on the routes taken by explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. If you sail through the Arctic on Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot (the world’s only luxury ice breaker), a team of 23 polar experts will help you gain a whole new perspective on these remote regions.

There’s designer decor on Oceania Cruises’ Vista ship

SeaDream Yacht Club offer a ‘Champagne & Caviar Splash’

You need to book well in advance

If you’re planning on a bucket list-worthy sailing on one of the more luxurious ships, you’ll need to bag your spot early on. Take  Azamara’s World Voyage , a 155-night, 37-country sailing which takes place in 2024 and is currently sold out (there’s a waiting list of passengers hoping for cancellations). Luckily, spots on the 2025 World Voyage are still available – if you’ve got a minimum of $42,622 to spare.

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About Your Vivid Cruise

Join the Fantasea Cruising team for a Vivid Sydney Harbour Cruise. Cruise to the official Vivid Sydney playlist and witness magical projections illuminating the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

From its initial launch in 2009, Vivid Sydney has become one of the most highly anticipated events in the Harbour city. With increased waterfront activations, there’s no better time to combine your Vivid Sydney exploration with a Sydney Harbour Vivid Cruise.

Departing three times nightly from Circular Quay, this one-hour journey will showcase the foreshore installations from the perspective of the friendly crew, who live and breathe Sydney Harbour every day. Don’t miss out on this winter wonderland that lights up the main precincts of Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Barangaroo, and the Sydney Skyline bigger and better than before.

The Fantasea Cruising team can’t wait to welcome you aboard and show you the best of Vivid Sydney 2024.

Multiple departure times available. Click book now to buy your Vivid cruise tickets.

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One of the oldest hotels in Hong Kong is the definition of luxury. 13 photos offer a glimpse inside Art Basel's hotel partner, The Peninsula.

• The Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong, an iconic property that opened in 1928, offers a luxury experience.
• The hotel boasts nine restaurants, a spa, a mall featuring high-end brands, and over 50 suites.
• The Peninsula also offers unique experiences like the Art in Resonance program and a helicopter pad used by celebrities.

Steps away from the glistening Victoria Harbour sits the Peninsula Hotel.

The flagship hotel in the Peninsula Hotels group, which boasts properties worldwide, opened in December 1928, making it one of the oldest hotels in Hong Kong. The original building only housed six floors and was the tallest building in the city when it was built.

Now, the hotel has a 30-story tower, more than 50 hotel suites, nine restaurants and lounges, a spa, and what they call a "shopping arcade," or an intimate mall featuring Chanel, Harry Winston, and other luxury brands.

The iconic hotel, one of the official hotel partners of Art Basel Hong Kong , sponsored by the global lead partner UBS, is nestled right on the Kowloon Peninsula in Tsim Sha Tsui. Thanks to their Art in Resonance program, it's also home to four memorable art pieces featuring "emerging and mid-career" artists. I toured the 5-star hotel and saw exactly why the Peninsula provides the best in hospitality and accommodations, from the hotel's helicopter pad, which has welcomed Bon Jovi and Tom Cruise, to the gym that Madonna specially requested be outfitted in the hotel's biggest suite.

When you first walk up to the hotel, you're greeted by an art installation in the hotel's signature green.

Kingsley Ng, a visual artist based in Hong Kong, was the creator behind the art installation affixed to the hotel's exterior. During Art Basel, " Esmeralda ," as it's titled, was unveiled revealing a sky-high art moment that mimics water waves.

You're also greeted by a fleet of Rolls-Royce cars.

Before you enter the hotel, guests know they'll be treated to a luxury experience thanks to the Rolls-Royce fleet parked outside. The hotel has 14 Rolls-Royce Extended Wheelbase Phantoms on hand for guests to use.

Every car is in the hotel's signature green with a peanut butter leather and wood paneling interior.

The cars are facing two stone Chinese lions, placed outside the hotel for protection, according to Kylie Cheung, the hotel's assistant director of communications.

There's also a vintage Rolls-Royce tucked away in the hotel's basement.

Housed in the garage is the hotel's most precious member of the fleet, a 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II , a tailor-made car that belongs to the Kadoorie family. The family owns the Peninsula Hotel Group along with China Light and Power, an electricity company servicing most of Hong Kong.

The car, built in antique fashion, is preserved beautifully. I got a chance to sit inside the car, to feel the buttered leather under my hands. There's even a rotary telephone inside the vehicle, a call back to an earlier time before cellular phones and devices.

The hotel lobby is lavish. It features tall white columns with 76 hand-painted gargoyles on top.

Walking inside the hotel, you're met with two sides, both for dining.

The hotel's communications director told Business Insider that the middle of the lobby was previously used as a dance floor and that men and women would sit separately on two sides "so as not to cause embarrassment."

Today, the lobby is the place for the hotel's famous afternoon tea , held from 2-6 p.m. local time for a minimum cost of $350 Hong Kong dollars, or around $44. The all-day menu features an assortment of salads, pastas, sandwiches, and what they call "Asian specialties."

The lobby also houses an art installation by French artist Elise Morin. The art dune-shaped piece, titled "SOLI," comprises broken CDs, a nod to the piece's sustainable message.

The 300-room hotel has over 50 suites, including its finest, the Presidential Suite.

BI toured two of the hotel's suites, including the 4,000-square-foot Presidential Suite that's welcomed presidents, billionaires, and business leaders, according to Cheung.

The room, number 2608, is the picture of opulence thanks to marble floors, an executive dining table, a piano, and custom-made furniture.

Walking in, you're greeted by artwork, a 2011 wooden sculpture by Sun Yi titled "Dancer II." To the left is a media room where guests can relax and enjoy a movie.

If you'd rather look at the Harbour, floor-to-ceiling windows and a terrace offer the perfect unobstructed view.

A gym, specially requested by Madonna, sits in one of the suite's rooms.

As you move through the suite's dining room, if you walk too fast, you might miss the hidden full-sized kitchen, which features Miele appliances, a wine fridge, and an espresso machine .

Along with a bedroom comes a his-and-hers closet and bathroom. There's also a gym, the brainchild of Madonna. Yes, that Madonna.

When she stayed at The Peninsula, she didn't want to go downstairs to the gym, Cheung told BI, with the other hotel guests, and requested a gym be built inside the suite for her. It's stayed there ever since.

The cost for the entire suite? A mere $234,000 HKD or around $29,900 per night.

A smaller suite, costing about $2,000 per night, includes a spacious vanity area and closet.

If that price tag gave you a bit of sticker shock, don't worry. There are plenty of smaller, more affordable suites that aren't as grandiose as the Presidential Suite but are elegant all the same.

One of the smaller suites I saw included a dining room table, a living room with a faux fireplace, and a sitting area in the bedroom, along with a roomy closet and vanity area. The room even came with a nail dryer in case you need an impromptu manicure.

Outside The Verandah, a buffet-style restaurant, sits another art installation.

Lachlan Turczan, a native of Los Angeles, created one of my favorite art pieces with his water sculpture titled "Harmonic Resonance."

This kinetic sculpture moves water , thanks to submersible low-frequency vibrations.

When staring at the drum, I felt a sense of calm, feeling the remnants of the vibration through my feet. Looking at the sculpture reminded me that every cause has an effect.

A tucked-away music room also serves as the hotel's archive.

With such a history, the Peninsula Hotel also houses an archive of its achievements. It also serves as a soundproof room for the many musicians who've stayed at the hotel.

The hotel houses nine restaurants and lounges, featuring different cuisines.

Dining is one of the best aspects of staying at the Peninsula Hotel. The hotel boasts nine restaurants and lounges with two restaurants earning a Michelin star.

A Swiss chalet inspired Chesa, a manager told Business Insider. In fact, the entire interior of the restaurants was flown in from Switzerland.

There's also Spring Moon, which has earned a Michelin star and features Cantonese on its menu, a Japanese-inspired restaurant named Imasa, and Felix, which boasts "Contemporary European" cuisine, according to the hotel's website.

There are also two lounges, The Bar, and The Lobby, which I previously mentioned, and The Peninsula Boutique & Café that serves coffees and delicate pastries.

There's a reason Gaddi's has a Michelin star.

Business Insider tried a six-course meal at the French restaurant Gaddi's, led by Chef Albin Gobil. He recently earned a Michelin star, and it's easy to see why.

He's clearly a thoughtful artist who doesn't skip any detail regarding presentation. He also served a foie gras that was my best this year.

The experience is complemented by a dining room featuring chandeliers and textiles from the Ming dynasty, part of the private Kadoori family collection.

While shopping in the arcade, don't miss Saya Woolfalk's art installation.

According to on-site materials, Woolfalk's " Visionary Reality Portal ," is created by two kaleidoscope videos, 3D animation, live action, and hand-painted paper. The installation is meant to mimic the stained glass of churches.

Guests can skip Hong Kong traffic by landing at the hotel's private helipad.

Before walking out to the hotel's helipad, guests are treated to a small museum documenting the history of the China Clipper. The first plane, which could only go up about 10,000 feet in the air, lasted 10 years starting in 1935.

It's an area used for private dining and for going over safety precautions for anyone about to board the hotel's helicopter. And a few famous faces, including Tom Cruise and Bon Jovi, have walked this corridor since a helicopter is only an 18-minute ride from the city's airport, operator Paul Leigh, who's worked at the hotel for 30 years in various capacities, told Business Insider.

For any Batman fans, you might recognize the helipad from a 10-second shot in Christopher Nolan's 2008 film, "The Dark Knight," starring Christian Bale as the Caped Crusader and the late Heath Ledger as Joker.

Today, the hotel's helicopter is also used for many proposals. Leigh told BI he's never seen anyone say no to a proposal in the sky.

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