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Captain Cook Cruises

Captain Cook Cruises

Captain Cook Cruises
4
9:00 AM - 10:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 10:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 10:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 10:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 10:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 10:30 PM
About
For over 50 years, Captain Cook Cruises Sydney Harbour has delighted guests with sightseeing, dining, and private cruise experiences. Our expertise lies in showcasing the finest Sydney Harbour has to offer, while providing an array of cruise options to suit every itinerary. Indulge in our captivating sightseeing cruises with virtual commentary, savour the refined High Tea cruise or the delightful Top Deck Lunch. For enchanting evenings, experience the Sunset Dinner, Starlight Dinner, or the opulent Penfold's Gold Dinner cruises. Enhance your exploration with our 1 or 2-day Hop On Hop Off Explorer cruise, featuring the choice to include Taronga Zoo entry or embark on a breath-taking Whale Watching adventure. With front-row seats to Sydney Harbour's iconic landmarks, you can be sure to have an unforgettable time when you choose Captain Cook Cruises.
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles2,965 reviews
Excellent
1,484
Very good
828
Average
300
Poor
166
Terrible
188

These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.

Lauren C
Melbourne, Australia31 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
My husband,daughter and my self had a fantastic 2 hour pm Harbour story cruise on the 29th of December. Bob did an expectational job telling the story of Sydney harbour fighting to speak over loud British tourists who persisted calling to out to each other from one side of the boat to the other . Julie had all my gluten free afternoon tea ready for me. A wonderful way of seeing a different view of Sydney. Well done Captain Cook cruises for employing great staff.
Written 3 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Lauren C, Thank you for your review of your Captain Cook Cruises experience. We are glad that you enjoyed our Harbour Story Cruise especially with our commentator Bob. As you know we do strive to deliver world best practice customer service from booking all the way through to the product – so your review for this is very satisfying to receive. Your comments are very much appreciated by all our hospitality and catering manager. Thank you once again for your feedback. Kind Regards, Head of Customer Service Captain Cook Cruises
Written 17 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

yvwords
Greater Melbourne, Australia6,810 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2021
I went on the Christmas Day lunch cruise, on the Ocean deck, which was the lowest cost area. The cruise left from Kings Wharf on Darling Harbour, and I got several messages beforehand re this location, and the Covid safe measures. At the wharf, there were long queues to board, and it wasn't clear which queue to join. I hung back till the crowd lessened and got on without much waiting, but some people had a bad time, getting to the head of a queue, then being told they were in the wrong queue and being sent to the back of another long line. The advertised 'jazz band' was a duo of guitar and sax, who were competent, and entertained the waiting crowd with Christmas tunes.
On board, there was good social distancing and comfortable chairs for the sit down meal. The wines (included) were all Tyrells, and reasonable quality, and the top ups were generous. The food was disappointing. First course was a few slices of processed ham and turkey, just dumped on a plate with no attempt at presentation.
Main course was a "Seafood Buffet" presented on a three tier server. The quality was good but the servings were totally inadequate. My table of four got a top layer consisting of five oysters and four large prawns, plus a tiny plate of salad with a few strips of calamari in it. The middle tier had only small cups of condiments. The bottom tier had a basket of hot chips. There was supposed to be smoked salmon, but we didn't get any. Dessert was some small pieces cut off a plum pudding and individual little pavlovas - one for each person. No coffee or tea included in the price. Don't go for the food.
The cruise round the harbour was lovely, though a bit repetitive over three hours. The windows are large and everyone gets a good view. The staff were uniformly excellent.
Written 6 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear yvwords, Thank you for sharing your feedback regarding your Christmas Day lunch cruise experience on the Ocean deck. We appreciate your comments about the boarding process and apologize for any confusion or inconvenience caused. We're glad to hear that the social distancing measures and comfortable seating arrangements onboard met your expectations. However, we apologize that the food did not meet your satisfaction. We value your feedback and will take it into consideration as we continually work to improve our offerings. On a positive note, we're pleased that you enjoyed the lovely cruise around the harbour and that the large windows provided everyone with a good view. We appreciate your kind words about our staff, and we will pass on your compliments to them. Once again, we apologize for any shortcomings during your cruise and appreciate your valuable feedback. We hope to have another opportunity to provide you with a more enjoyable experience in the future. Best regards, Captain Cook Sydney Team
Written 25 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Irish_Harry
Palm Springs, CA450 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
My husband and I wanted a evening cruise of Sydney Harbour and decided that a dinner cruise was the way to go. We were a little hesitant about what the quality of the food would be like but decided 'why not'? Reservations were easy to make and we opted to purchase a table by the window. We boarded the ship on Circular Quay and off we went. It was a sparkling clear, calm evening which was great. There was a complimentary glass of Prosecco to begin the evening. The food was surprisingly excellent: both the salad the the steak were outstanding as was the dessert. We ordered a bottle of wine with dinner which was extra. The cruise had a singer who complimented the evening without being the center of attention. All in all a great evening at a reasonable price. After dinner we walked on the upper outside deck while the ship cruised under the famous Harbour Bridge. An excellent evening! Highly recommended.
Written 3 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Harry M, Thank you for your review of your Captain Cook Cruises experience. We are pleased that you enjoyed the food, ambience and value of your cruise. We agree that a dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour is an excellent experience. Thank you once again for your feedback. Kind Regards, Head of Customer Service Captain Cook Cruises
Written 3 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

judycrisp
Melbourne78 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2021
Husband gave me this harbour cruise as an Anniversary gift. He couldn't have chosen better.
Even though it was a wet and overcast day this did not in any way spoil our total enjoyment of the afternoon.
The staff were wonderful and the enjoyment of their jobs was very evident in their warm welcome.
Afternoon tea was served on a beautiful 4 tiered serving stand and to say it was loaded with delectable food would be an understatement. We enjoyed it all and especially loved the great variety on offer.
The staff came out with a complimentary celebration cake to wish us a happy Anniversary which was much appreciated.
The harbour itself gave me as much pleasure as it did the first time I saw it as a 12yr old in 1962 and to enjoy it from the comfort of the interior of the Captain Cook tour boat was a whole new experience.
What a perfect gift for our special occasion and certainly an outing I highly recommend.
Written 3 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear judycrisp, Thank you for choosing Captain Cook Cruises to celebrate your anniversary. We're delighted to hear that your husband's gift couldn't have been better. It's wonderful to know that our staff were fantastic and their genuine enjoyment of their jobs shone through in their warm welcome. It's our pleasure to be part of your special occasion and make it even more memorable. We're grateful for your recommendation of our cruise as a perfect gift and a highly recommended outing. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back for more memorable experiences in the future. Best regards, Captain Cook Sydney Team
Written 25 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Gerry
Chattanooga, TN2,560 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
Capt cook cruises is a good choice when wanting to move about Sydney harbor. You can get a 2 day go anywhere ticket that includes entry to the zoo for about $75 AUD, a very good deal. It’s also a good way to tour the harbor, just ride, you don’t even have to get off. Main port is at pier 6 at the Circular Quay.
Written 14 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Gerry K, Thank you for your positive review! We're pleased to hear that you found Captain Cook Cruises to be a good choice for exploring Sydney Harbor. The 2-day go-anywhere ticket with zoo entry for $75 AUD sounds like a great deal, providing an excellent way to tour the harbor at your own pace. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back for more enjoyable experiences. Best Regards, Captain Cook Sydney Team
Written 16 January 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Shelley v
6 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
Band was rubbish, every song took about 8 minutes with half that at least being an iPad playing the backing track, they only sing about 5 songs then take a break. The cocktails had too much fruit syrup and burnt my tongue. Windows were filthy and once the sun hit then you couldn’t see the view. We did the cocktail cruise and the charcuterie board was good, but that was really the only positive about this cruise. If I was paying the band, I wouldn’t. Cruised on 5/3/23.
Written 5 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear 864shelleyv We are very disappointed to hear that you were dissatisfied with your experience onboard with us and the music and drinks were not to the high standards we are continuously aiming for at Captain Cook Cruises. Your feedback has been passed onto the relevant departments. We would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss further, may we ask that you email us at feedback@captaincook.com.au. Regards, The Captain Cook Team Sydney
Written 6 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

TravellerLoggy
Wigan, UK162 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
I went whale watching with Captain Cook back in 2016 and had a great time. We rebooked for today which left us very disappointed as we are at the end of our Australia trip and really wanted to see whales close up before we go home.

Firstly, the cruise was booked for 1:15, we did not leave the port until after 1:30. Whereas other companies nearby which were also booked for 1:15 left boarded prior to this time and left the port at 1:15. Following a fellow passenger suffering with sea sickness just as we got out to sea, we returned to Watson's Quay to allow them off the boat with several other passengers. I could not hear what was being said over the speaker at any point outside as it was not loud enough, so had to ask staff when we stopped at Watsons Quay what on earth was going on. We were first told that we would be returning to Circular Quay and could enquire with the booking office to explore our options. However I was then advised that we were going back out whale watching following the drop off at Watsons Quay. They did not mention at this point that this would be for about 15 minutes (having lost about an hour of the trip returning the unwell customer back to the quay and then getting back out to sea) and we would still be returning to Circular Quay at the same time as previously planned, I wrongly assumed that we would be allowed a little more time. We did thankfully see a couple of whales, but just their fins surfacing from the water, however we did not have time to hang around in the area and wait for any more to resurface due to the rush to get back to Circular Quay.

I would recommend that others book with other companies who offer 3 hour trips as it gives you a bit more time to see the whales, and should anything go wrong, it will hopefully mean you're not rushing back. These companies also seemed to set off from Circular Quay before us, despite having the same booking time.

The problems above were clearly not the staff on boards fault, but I just feel as though the situation could have been handled better and communicated better with the remaining customers on board.
Written 28 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi TravellerLoggy We appreciate your detailed feedback and sincerely apologize for the unsatisfactory experience you had. Your feedback is immensely valuable to us. We will conduct a thorough investigation into this unusual situation, as we typically receive numerous positive reviews and have satisfied passengers. It is essential to emphasize that the safety of our passengers is our utmost priority. We regret that one of the passengers fell unwell and had to return. We will carefully consider all the points you've raised for future enhancements. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you aboard again, providing you with a more enjoyable experience. Best Regards, Captain Cook Sydney Team
Written 29 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jenny F
Sydney, Australia18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2021
On Saturday 18 December I had booked a Sail GP Premium experience. From the time we stepped onto the boat at 2pm, I was amazed by the friendliness of the all the staff. We were shown to the second level to our dining table. The food, the dining staff were exceptional, couldn't do enough to make our day spectacular. The day was full of excitement especially being part of a great sports event. Thank you to Captain Cook cruises for being an exceptional company. We have experienced a few cruises on Barrier Reef & in Fiji, would highly recommend this to all travellers. We will definitely be back next year for the Sail GP.
Written 22 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Jenny F, Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that your Sail GP Premium experience on Saturday was nothing short of amazing. It's fantastic to know that the friendliness of our staff left a lasting impression on you from the moment you stepped onto the boat. We appreciate your recommendation and are honored to be considered an exceptional company. We look forward to welcoming you back next year for another unforgettable Sail GP experience. Best regards, Captain Cook Sydney Team
Written 25 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

しんや
Tokyo Prefecture, Japan224 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2023 • Solo
The 1 hour and 30 minute voyage allowed us to see pretty much every corner of the bay.
It may have been a cruise, but it also felt like a normal ferry used for commuting and travel.
The noise from the elementary school kids who got on from the zoo, which also sounded like a zoo, was the worst...
They didn't even notice. Maybe it was a cultural difference?
The four Australian teachers were definitely on a cruise.
The scenery was truly amazing, but I would have liked a little more quiet sightseeing.
The fare was 28 Australian dollars.
Google
Written 26 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi shintani-shin Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're glad you got to explore the bay during the 1.5-hour cruise and enjoyed the scenic views. We're sorry to hear about the noise disturbance from the students. We'll take this into consideration for future cruises to ensure a more peaceful experience for everyone. We appreciate your feedback as it helps us improve our services. Best Regards, Captain Cook Team.
Written 27 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Cam
Greater Sydney, Australia28 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Solo
Great trip from Watson Bay to Manly return.

Make sure you pay with your Opal card, the management have advised the staff that credit cards are cheaper than Opal which is a lie.

Almost 50% more expensive with credit card
Written 12 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Cam00543TA, Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're pleased to hear that you enjoyed the trip from Watson's Bay to Manly. We appreciate your feedback regarding payment options and apologize for any confusion. We'll review this matter internally to ensure accurate information is provided to our passengers. If you have any further concerns or if there's anything else you'd like to discuss, please feel free to contact us directly at sydney@captaincook.com.au. We value your input and hope to welcome you back for another enjoyable journey. Best Regards, Captain Cook Sydney Team
Written 16 January 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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Captain Cook Cruises - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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