(9) Cruise Crew Life: Docked in Auckland and Sydney

I visited Auckland and Sydney as cruise crew life onboard was great and many times during this contract, as we continuously sailed between these ports for three months. Auckland was the city where I joined the ship to begin my second contract. Let me take you on a journey through these vibrant cities and share my experiences in each port:

Auckland

Auckland is not the capital of New Zealand, that is Wellington. The city is located on the North Island. The first thing I noticed in Auckland was the strong British influence that still shapes much of the city’s character.

When I was there, the famous sailing competition, the America’s Cup, was taking place, and even the historic ship Amerigo Vespucci was visiting the harbor and docked next to our ship.

As you probably know by now, I’m a bit of a daredevil. Auckland’s iconic Sky Tower stands 328 meters tall and offers not only panoramic views but also the chance to have lunch or even bungee jump! It’s kind of like the Euromast in Rotterdam. I actually did the bungee jump there with the same group I went skydiving with in Tauranga. Honestly, the bungee jump felt like a piece of cake compared to the skydive!

Auckland is also rich in Asian influences, with plenty of authentic Asian restaurants. One of my favorite things to do was to go out for dim sum—remember those tables that spin around? It was always a fun and delicious experience.

Many times I went ashore with my friend Julie, the ship’s nurse, who is from Auckland. She showed me around like a local, which made the city feel even more special.

I must admit that I enjoyed Sydney even more, than Auckland.

Sydney

In Sydney, we always dock near the Opera House, which is close to Darling Harbour and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It’s just a short bus ride to the city center, including popular shopping streets like Pitt Street, where you can find some amazing shops. Sydney is spread out over many islands, and some of the most popular beaches—Manly Beach, Bondi Beach, and Bronte Beach—are easily accessible by ferry. They ferries where going from Circular Quay. I never made it to the Taronga Zoo, here they even have kangaroos, koalas and wombats.

This city was by far my favorite, there was so much to do that three days never felt like enough. Sydney also has an iconic landmark called the Sydney Tower Eye, offering stunning views of the city. I never made it to there, myself.

For lunch and dinner, whenever I could, we usually headed to Darling Harbour. It’s a lively waterfront area packed with restaurants and shops, making it one of the most beautiful and vibrant spots to visit in the city. It was not far from where our ship was docked, it was the perfect place to eat lunch or diner when you had little time between work.

Shopping around Pitt Street was excellent, with plenty of great stores to explore. I also visited Manly and Bondi beaches, famous for its surfers. Here have been sightings of great white sharks in the area, so it’s good to stay cautious.

The Sydney Bridge Climb is truly one to remember, you actually climb over the top of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge! It’s a guided experience where you ascend along secure pathways across the bridge’s arches, all safely and harnessed. From the summit, the views are absolutely breathtaking: the Sydney Opera House, the harbor, and the city skyline. The entire tour takes about 2.5 to 3 hours and is designed to be both thrilling and safe. An unforgettable way to see Sydney from above! I have done this climb with the same group I went skydiving and bungee jumping with, it was a memorable experience, with stunning views on the top.

Sailaway in Sydney is truly something to remember. Every time we left port, guests would gather on the open decks, cameras ready, eyes on the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. What made it even more thrilling was the moment we passed under the bridge. It always felt like the ship wouldn’t fit. To make sure we squeezed under safely, the ship would take on extra ballast water, lowering us just enough in the water. It was a quiet little engineering trick, but from the deck, it felt like magic.

For me, those sail aways were some of the most unforgettable moments of working at sea, a perfect blend of excitement, beauty, and a bit of adrenaline.

Have you ever cruised to these places? If not, I’d love to help design your dream cruise Down Under and share tips from my own experience. Feel free to contact me — I’m always happy to help!