Mate's TableFood tips and first-hand experience from the people who know.
Planning Sydney time before and after a cruise, including practical hotel choices.
Give Sydney several relaxed days for the harbour, neighbourhoods and a Blue Mountains outing, then choose only one additional region if travel time permits. Hotel changes and flights consume more of a short post-cruise stay than the map suggests.
Do not assume a distant destination is a simple add-on to a short post-cruise stay; count airport transfers and hotel changes.
Check the ticket itinerary and hotel dates together before paying.
Plan luggage transport on boarding day separately from the sightseeing walks you can enjoy without bags.
Allow extra time for the first trip with luggage or a group; walking all the way may not be practical.
Give the nature trip its own full day and choose a tour style that suits the group's pace.
If the margin is small, move the flight later or stay overnight rather than assuming an early ship arrival guarantees a quick exit.
Put longer regional outings in the first stay and keep the cruise changeover close to the terminal and luggage plan.
A hotel near a station can be convenient even when its address is not directly on the waterfront.
Compare the walk or ride to the correct cruise terminal, since ships can use different berths.
Confirm the bridge activity finish time, luggage collection and White Bay transfer together; the terminal is not at Circular Quay.
A hotel near dinner and a simple terminal route can be better value for one night than extra facilities you will not use.