Get the Finder app 🥳

Track your credit score

Free

Install
finder.com.au

Cruise for less than the cost of living in Sydney

Rent money is dead money - so spend it on a holiday instead.

Stephanie Yip
Stephanie Yip

&

Georgia Tan
Georgia Tan

Updated

We’re committed to our readers and editorial independence. We don’t compare all products in the market and may receive compensation when we refer you to our partners, but this does not influence our opinions or reviews. Learn more about Finder.

While Sydney's house prices have fallen back down to 2016 levels, Sydney still remains the nation's most expensive capital city to rent a unit with the median rental price sitting at a whopping $525 a week as at September 2019. That being said, the best option may just be to pack up and ship out. Literally. Especially considering that $525 still doesn't get you anything to eat, drink or entertainment.

Yes, you will need to pay for the transfer to the port or the flight to the cruise departure location (some of these do leave from Brisbane) but just consider them your typical moving expenses.

Don't believe us? Here are cruises that are actually cheaper than living in Sydney

All "cheaper than" comparisons were calculated using the average cost of living for a single person household in Sydney at $847/week, including rent, based off Numbeo as at September 2019.

Princess Cruises

5-night Japan and Korea

Check off two dream destinations from your bucket list while indulging in freshly prepared sashimi dinners and pampering yourself to Izumi Japanese Baths as you cruise your way through Asia with stops at Busan in South Korea, Tokyo and Nagasaki.

  • Cruise line: Princess Cruises
  • Price: $690 per person on 2 October 2019
  • Cheaper than: Living in Sydney

Cruisecheaper11

7-night New Caledonia and Vanuatu

Hop the dots in the Pacific Ocean from New Caledonia's paradises to Vanuatu's finest beaches for less than a week's living expenses.

  • Cruise line: P&O Cruises
  • Price: $774 per person on 12 October 2019
  • Cheaper than: Living in Sydney

Learn more about this cruise

Sydney

6-night Dark Mofo Cruise

Journey south for the winter to experience Dark Mofo (and be the envy of all your friends). This cruise doesn't just come with your board, meals and cruise journey to Tasmania - it also includes a priority pass to Winter Feast and ferry ride and entry to MONA during the festival.

  • Cruise line: P&O Cruises
  • Price: $739.38 per person based on a 3-person room on 18 June 2020
  • Cheaper than: Living in Sydney

Learn more about this cruise

Cruisecheaper22

7-night Great Barrier Reef and Queensland Coast

Make this cruise ship your new home for a week and spend your days dining, drinking and sleeping for free as you make your way up Australia’s eastern coastline stopping by Airlie Beach, Cairns, Port Douglas and Willis Island.

  • Cruise line: P&O Cruises
  • Price: $674 per person on 25 April 2020
  • Cheaper than: Living in Sydney

Learn more about this cruise

Holland America Cruise

Sailing to Auckland from Sydney

From scenic fiordlands to historic towns and fine wineries, see the varied and beautiful landscapes of New Zealand's South and North Island including stops at Fiordland National Park, Port Chalmers, Picton, Napier, Wellington, Tauranga and Auckland and don't skip the opportunity to enjoy the best that Melbourne and Hobart has to offer along the way.

  • Cruise line: Holland America Line
  • Price: $1,566 for 2 weeks (or $783 per week) on 7 December 2019
  • Cheaper than: Living in Sydney

Top cruise deals and sales

P&O Cruises P&O Cruises

Up to $1,000 OBC on cruises

Available on cruises in 2021 and 2022. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu, Singapore and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

Luxury Escapes Luxury Escapes

Up to 61% off Australia holiday packages

Available on select dates until December 2021, including over Christmas and New Year's Eve. Destinations include Adelaide, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Sydney, Cairns, Canberra, Hunter Valley and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal
P&O Cruises P&O Cruises

Comedy cruises from $361.50

Available for travel from January 2021 - November 2022 in Sydney. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

Uniworld Uniworld

Up to $1,750 off worldwide voyages

Available on select 2021 dates. Destinations include Cairo, Cambodia, Peru, India, Russia and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

Uniworld Uniworld

Up to 10% off 2022 worldwide cruises

Available on select travel dates when you pay in full within 3 days of booking. Destinations include France, Amsterdam, Paris, Egypt, Vietnam, Cambodia and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

P&O Cruises P&O Cruises

Short break cruises from $236

Available on select dates in 2020 and 2021. Destinations include Auckland, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and more. Sample rate is for a 3-night Comedy Cruise.

Last verified

Get deal
P&O Cruises P&O Cruises

School Holiday cruises from $436

Available on select dates from December 2020 - September 2022. Destinations include Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Fremantle and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

CruiseDirect CruiseDirect

Australia and New Zealand cruises from USD$365

Available on select dates in 2021 with Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line and more. Sample rate is for a 3-night cruise with Royal Caribbean.

Last verified

Get deal
CruiseDirect CruiseDirect

Up to USD$1,000 OBC with Carnival Cruises

Available on select dates in 2021. Destinations include Los Angeles, Mexico, London, Canada and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

CruiseDirect CruiseDirect

Up to USD$1,300 OBC + free drinks and WiFi with MSC cruises

Available on select dates in 2021. Destinations include Miami, Costa Rica, Barbados, Jamaica, Mexico and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

CruiseDirect CruiseDirect

Up to 60% off 2nd guest + kids sail free on worldwide cruises

Available on select dates in 2021 with Royal Caribbean Cruises. Plus get 30% off 3rd and 4th guest and up to USD$1,000 OBC. Destinations include Mexico, Bahamas, Alaska, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

Travel Talk Travel Talk

Up to 50% off Turkey sailings

Available on select travel dates in 2020 and 2021. Package includes accommodation, meals, transfers and guide. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

CruiseDirect CruiseDirect

Up to USD$1,300 OBC with Celebrity Cruises

Available on select dates in 2021. Destinations include Bahamas, Japan, Argentina, Canada, France, Australia, New Zealand and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

CruiseDirect CruiseDirect

Up to USD$1,000 OBC with Princess Cruises

Available on select dates in 2021. Destinations include Los Angeles, Australia, Canada, Spain, London and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

Uniworld Uniworld

No Single Supplement for solo travellers

Available on select 2021 trips to, Germany, Venice, Paris, Amsterdam, Budapest and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

Uniworld Uniworld

Up to 10% off 2021 cruises

Available on select 2021 dates when you pay in full within 3 days of booking. Destinations include Asia, Europe, Egypt, France, India, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Russia and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

G Adventures G Adventures

Up to $427 off worldwide sailings

Available on select sail dates from October 2020 and May 2021 to Cuba, Croatia, Maldives, Thailand, Geece and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

Uniworld Uniworld

Up to $700 off River Heritage Club members

Available on select 2021 dates. Destinations include India, France, Portugal, Spain, Egypt and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

CruiseDirect CruiseDirect

Last minute cruises from USD$109

Available on select dates in 2020 to Australia, New Zealand, London, Amsterdam, Italy, Greece and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

Destination International Destination International

Up to $200 19-days Antarctica cruise with flights

Available on select dates from 28 January - 25 February 2022 and 27 January - 24 February 2023. Includes return economy airfares from Australia to Buenos Aires, airport transfers, accommodation and on board meals. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

Destination International Destination International

10-night Papua New Guinea cruise from $1,059

Available for travel on 21 November 2021 departing from Brisbane. Includes on board meals. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

TourRadar TourRadar

Up to 50% off worldwide cruises

Available on select travel dates to Croatia, Greece, Egypt, London, Turkey, Italy, France and more.

Last verified

Get deal
TourRadar TourRadar

Up to 50% off river cruises

Available on select travel dates. Destinations include Egypt, London, Morocco, Jordan, Vietnam, Germany, Austria, Brussels and more.

Last verified

Get deal
P&O Cruises P&O Cruises

One-way cruises from $236

Available on select dates in 2021 and 2022 to Adelaide, Brisbane, Albany, Thailand, Singapore and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Popular Cruises coupon codes

Last checked Code description Code
28 Oct 2020 Up to $1,000 OBC on cruises ********
21 Oct 2020 Up to 61% off Australia holiday packages ********
28 Oct 2020 Comedy cruises from $361.50 ********
20 Oct 2020 Up to $1,750 off worldwide voyages ********
19 Oct 2020 Up to 10% off 2022 worldwide cruises ********

Feature image: P&O Cruises

More guides on Finder

Ask an Expert

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy and Privacy & Cookies Policy.
Go to site