School holiday cruise deals for 2024

Make life easier for yourself this summer by snapping up a great cruise deal.

Alex Keshen's headshot
Veronica Garcia's headshot

By

Alex Keshen

&

Veronica Garcia

Updated

It can be hard to organise a 6-week itinerary for the school holidays to keep your little ones busy and active.

This is where a cruise comes in. Sanctuaries at sea, cruises are where all the entertainment is laid out for you. Australia is surrounded by more than 60 ports of call. Places like Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Darwin, Cairns and Perth are all launch ports for the cruise itineraries of world-famous cruise lines.

School holiday cruise deals and packages

Search for your preferred destination, booking site or cruise line to see what deals are available.

RedBalloon
Deal

$9 off Kangaroo Island 75-minute Coastal Safari: $79

Verified Yesterday Expires 1 Feb 2025
It includes a 75-minute coastal safari, a safe and comfortable undercover 38-seater vessel, a tour guide/skipper, and a toilet onboard. This offer is valid for a limited time only. T&Cs apply.
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RedBalloon
Deal

$18 off Local Wildlife Sightseeing Cruise: $102

Verified Yesterday Expires 1 Feb 2025
It includes a 90-minute seal and dolphin cruise, and a 30-minute debrief / check-in. This offer is valid for a limited time only. T&Cs apply.
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RedBalloon
Deal

$4 off Dolphin Cruise with Scenic Views: $35

Verified Yesterday Expires 1 Feb 2025
It includes 1 hour scenic cruise, on board commentary, and a licensed bar. This offer is valid for a limited time only. T&Cs apply.
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RedBalloon
Deal

$15 off Lake Macquarie Ocean Explorer Tour: $84

Verified Yesterday Expires 1 Feb 2025
It includes a 75-minute adventure boat experience, a professional guide, premium weatherproof jackets, and comfortable, slim-profile life jackets. This offer is valid for a limited time only. T&Cs apply.
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RedBalloon
Deal

$13 off Oyster & Pearl Farm Complete Immersion Experience: $117

Verified Yesterday Expires 1 Feb 2025
It includes a scenic cruise of Hawkesbury River to oyster lease, guided oyster tasting and shucking demonstration, and discovering the hidden gem of the Australian Akoya pearl This offer is valid for a limited time only. T&Cs apply.
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CruiseDirect
Deal

3+ nights last-minute cruises from US$89

Available on select travel dates with Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and more. Sample rate is for a 3-night Bahamas cruise with Carnival Cruises. Destinations include Australia, Japan, Vietnam, Italy and Alaska. T&Cs apply.
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Adrenaline
Deal

Australia sightseeing cruises from $140

Available on select travel dates until 2024, including Easter and school holidays. Activities include whale- and dolphin-watching and lunch and sunset cruises in Sydney, Cairns, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth and Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
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CruiseDirect
Deal

Up to 45% off Australia and New Zealand cruises

Available on select dates in 2023 with Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line and more. Sample rate is for a 3-night cruise with Carnival Cruises.
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Our top picks for school holiday cruises

Intimate Whale Watching Cruise - Sydney

Intimate Whale Watching Cruise - Sydney from RedBalloon

  • Includes: 2.5-hour whale watching cruise and a friendly and experienced skipper
  • Departing from Crown Towers wharf, Darling Harbour you will motor straight to the Tasman Sea on board a 12-metre offshore catamaran at a swift speed of 18 knots
  • Experience only available June - October
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Sydney Harbour Cruise with Taronga Zoo Entry - Family Pass

Sydney Harbour Cruise with Taronga Zoo Entry - Family Pass from RedBalloon

  • Includes: Zoo Express return cruise departing Circular Quay and Taronga Zoo entry pass
  • Cruises depart from Circular Quay Wharf 6 from 9:00 am daily. Please check the experience provider's website for approximate timings. Please note, Taronga Zoo closes at 5 pm
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Oyster & Pearl Farm Complete Immersion Experience - 3 Hours

Oyster & Pearl Farm Complete Immersion Experience - 3 Hours from RedBalloon

  • Includes: Scenic cruise of Hawkesbury River to oyster lease and guided oyster tasting and shucking demonstration
  • This complete experience is 2 hours 45 minutes and comprises four separate tours including Secrets of Pearling, a Farm Cruise, Pearl Grading and an Oyster Tasting experience.
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Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise with Drinks - 3 Hours

Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise with Drinks - 3 Hours from RedBalloon

  • Includes: Three-hour Harbour cruise, three-course a la carte dinner and a premium selection of beer and wine
  • Departing from Darling Harbour, you will gently cruise towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge before passing the glistening cityscape and the iconic Sydney Opera House
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All-inclusive Dolphin and Tangalooma Wrecks Cruise

All-inclusive Dolphin and Tangalooma Wrecks Cruise from Viator

Includes:

  • Lunch and snacks
  • Guided snorkelling at Tangalooma Wrecks
  • Snorkelling equipment
  • Marine watching
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Sydney Harbour Twilight Tall Ship Dinner Cruise - 90 Minutes

Sydney Harbour Twilight Tall Ship Dinner Cruise - 90 Minutes from RedBalloon

  • Includes: 90 minutes sailing experience on an authentic Tall Ship, fresh and tasty meal served on board, opportunity to help the captain steer the ship and help set the sails and informative commentary. Photo opportunities.
  • You will travel past the Opera House, Fort Denison, Luna Park, and under the Harbour Bridge, and learn a little about Sydney's famous landmarks, waterfront suburbs and the history of the ship as you sit back, relax and enjoy the sights
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Tips for cruising during school holidays

  • Be flexible. Many cruise lines offer last-minute deals on cruises, so if you're flexible about where you want to go, booking one of these can save you money.
  • Book a cruise with entertainment. If you're cruising with your kids, look out for ships with the best kids clubs and children's entertainment. Cruise lines offer everything from water parks to aerial assault courses. If you don't have little ones, keep an eye out for adults-only itineraries or ships with adults-only areas like pools or spas.
  • Look for discounts for third and fourth passengers. If you don't mind a full room, many cruise lines discount the third and fourth passenger in a cabin by up to 50%. So if you're travelling with young kids who don't mind a top bunk in a room, you can save loads.
Alex Keshen's headshot
Written by

Author

Alex Keshen was the global travel publisher at Finder and has been living, breathing and, of course, writing about all things travel for more than 10 years. She has a Bachelor of Journalism from Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada and has appeared in Travel Weekly and the Huffington Post. See full bio

Veronica Garcia's headshot
Co-written by

Author

Veronica is the senior publishing support for travel at Finder and has been scouting airline, hotel and tour package deals for over five years. She has a Bachelor of Tourism major in Travel Management from University of Sto. Tomas Legazpi, Philippines and has been a local tour guide. She does her own itinerary and budget research every time she travels and has mastered the art of packing light for her family of three. See full bio

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