Our YouTube video shows the Diamond Princess sailing away from Sydney Harbour – known as the world’s best sail away. See the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, the Rocks and more. It was a cool drizzly day but the sights were still spectacular.
Thursday morning in Sydney welcomed us with weather straight from a drizzly storybook—wet, windy, and cold. We braved the elements, jumping on the light rail headed to Circular Quay, where our next adventure awaited aboard the Diamond Princess.
The Diamond Princess is an elegant cruise ship operated by Princess Cruises, renowned for its luxurious design and array of amenities catering to diverse traveller preferences. Launched in 2004 and refurbished in 2019, the ship offers spacious accommodation, including luxurious suites and comfortable staterooms with stunning ocean views. Onboard, guests can indulge in various dining options featuring international cuisine, as well as multiple pools, hot tubs, and engaging entertainment such as Broadway-style shows and live music performances.
We had started planning this trip a few months prior, taking the Diamond Princess from Sydney to Melbourne, a short vacation bracketed by fantastic dinners in both cities. It felt like a long-overdue return to the cruising experience, especially since we have two more cruises planned for later this year. The pandemic had effectively paused our travel adventures for far too long, and we were eager to get our sea legs back.
For us, ultra-short cruises like this one—lasting about 40 hours—offer a unique way to “suspend reality.” At one end is the bustling life of Sydney; at the other end is the vibrant atmosphere of Melbourne, which, ironically, was basking in glorious sunshine during our visit. The 40 hours in between felt like a refreshing escape, where time loses its strict hold on us; you can eat when you want, sleep when you like, and simply enjoy the feeling of being at sea.
The transition from land to sea was swift and exhilarating as we moved through the passenger terminal, onto the gangplank, and aboard the ship. The boarding experience was flawless, allowing us to quickly familiarise ourselves with the Diamond Princess and settle down for a leisurely lunch.
After our meal, we located our stateroom—a beautiful room with a balcony on the Lido deck – deck 14 – and headed to the stern of the ship to witness one of the most captivating moments in travel: the sail away from Sydney Harbour. The sight was nothing short of enchanting: the majestic Sydney Harbour Bridge loomed overhead like a giant coathanger, while the sails of the Opera House seemed to wave goodbye to us. As Kirribilli House faded from view, we admired the multi-million-dollar properties lining the harbor, marvelling at the luxurious real estate.
As the vessel made its way out through the heads, we observed the tugboats expertly manoeuvring the 290-meter-long ship into a safe passage out to open water. The swell of the ocean increased, causing us to rock gently as the offshore southerly wind whipped rain across our faces; sometimes, it felt like icy razor blades! Yet, we couldn’t bear to take our eyes off the glorious sight of Sydney Harbour as it transitioned into the open ocean.
Once we were out at sea, we retreated to our stateroom, watching the coastline slip away.
Practicing what Michael likes to call “Mardi Magic,” within a few minutes, our room was perfectly organised, and everything had a designated place for easy access.
As we continued our exploration of the ship, the weather began to clear, and we enjoyed visiting the various decks.
Click here for a brief overview of the amenities we discovered.
After exploring, we made a stop at the Explorer’s Lounge for drinks and participated in a Beatles trivia contest. The ship had a distinctly Beatles theme, and judging by the attire of many passengers, the AFL Grand Final wasn’t just a game; it felt like a festival, with many sporting the red and white of the Sydney Swans. We didn’t realise until later, but Princess Cruises is a sponsor of the Sydney Swans, who were playing in the AFL Grand Final in Melbourne the day we arrived.
After a rest, we opted for a casual dinner at the Trident Grill. Being just down the hallway from our room made it a convenient choice, and we relished a selection of pizza, hot dogs, and burgers washed down with a couple of drinks. Later, we attended a performance by an Australian Beatles cover band, who truly brought the excitement with their renditions of classic hits.
Following the show, Michael decided to try his luck at the casino. While he’s not a regular gambler, he enjoys the social aspect of shooting craps. Unfortunately, he found himself alone at the craps table on the Diamond Princess (apart from me but I don’t play), which took some of the fun out of it. With no fellow players to share in the excitement and banter, he quickly grew bored and decided to switch gears and try his hand at roulette instead.
At the roulette table, we encountered a livelier atmosphere. Bets were low—only a dollar each—so it felt fun and casual as we watched the wheel spin and the white ball dance between the numbers. It was a quintessential cruise experience, firmly rooted in the thrill of chance.
Eventually, we ended our night and returned to our stateroom, where the ocean had calmed a bit. We opened the door to the gentle sound of waves lapping against the ship, which quickly lulled us to sleep.
Friday morning greeted us with bright sunshine and smooth sailing; a stark contrast to the tumultuous weather we had experienced just a day earlier. We decided to take it easy, finally coaxing ourselves out of our stateroom for breakfast in the buffet then a stroll around the promenade deck. We observed a couple of cargo ships pass in the nearby channel and spent some time admiring the ocean views.
In the afternoon, we joined a photography scavenger hunt, an entertaining challenge that involved capturing images of items beginning with each letter of the alphabet. To our surprise, we won! We also participated in a spelling bee, where much to our astonishment, we didn’t come away with a victory, despite Mardi’s impressive spelling abilities.
Needing a moment to relax, we made our way to the Grand Plaza, where we found a cozy spot to unwind. Mardi picked up a book while I jotted down notes on our experiences so far. A few drinks and light snacks later, we ventured to the Wheelhouse Bar for another trivia competition, fully immersing ourselves in the light-hearted fun that the cruise offers.
Suspending reality for these 40 hours had allowed us to enjoy activities like spelling bees, trivia games, and even indulging in ice cream first thing in the morning without a second thought.
As we sat at the bar, we answered trivia questions and shared laughs with fellow passengers, even when the host’s method of scoring seemed a bit unconventional. Regardless, we revelled in the congeniality of our cruise fellowships and soaked in the delightful atmosphere.
Once we felt sufficiently entertained, we returned to our stateroom to recharge before dinner at Kai Sushi, a beautiful Japanese restaurant onboard. Our meal was a feast for the senses, featuring lavish sashimi, sushi, and miso soup that left us satisfied.
Yet again, we returned to the casino after dinner. Unfortunately, the craps table remained deserted, but we joined other guests at the roulette table, where we spent a couple of hours relaxing and mingling.
As the clock ticked down on our 40-hour escape, we bid farewell to our fellow players and retreated to our stateroom to pack, preparing for disembarkation the following morning. The process was straightforward: instructions in our room outlined where to go and what time to gather. After a quick breakfast, we exited the ship as easily as we had boarded, stepping onto the dock in Melbourne.