Overseas Passenger Terminal

Nearest train station: Circular Quay
Operating hours: The cruise terminal is accessible from 5.00am for those passengers disembarking the ship and 1 hour after departure of the ship, eg if vessel departs at 4.00pm, gates will close at 5.00pm.
Please note that during this time the terminal remains a restricted area and access will only be
granted to those embarking on the departing cruise ship.
Car parking: No car parking available on-site, however a set down and pick up is available for private vehicles.Drivers need to remain in their car at all times. The precinct is controlled by security who will tow
any private vehicle left unmanned. Mini-bus & taxi parking Mini buses and taxis are allowed to enter the site on ship days to drop off and pick up passengers and have assigned designated bays for this process.
Coach parking Coach transfers are organised through the cruise line and will be permitted a 15 minute pick up bay. The driver's arrival time will be coordinated by the cruise line.
Duty Free Duty: Free is not available in the terminal precinct but can be bought onboard the ship. There is a Customs Office on ship departure days where passengers can claim back on Duty Free goods over the prescribed value.
Café:Cruise Bar, which is adjacent to the terminal building, provides a coffee service. The Rocks shopping district is also in close proximity to the terminal.
Toilets:Female, male and disabled toilets are available on-site.
ATMs and foreign exchange: A commonwealth bank ATM is on-site and a foreign exchange can be found at Circular Quay which is approximately a 5 minute walk from the terminal.
Passports:All guests departing on an international cruise need to bring their passport and booking itinerary.
Wheelchair assistance: Wheelchair assistance will be provided at the terminal through the shipping operator as long as a request has been made at the time of booking.
Baggage drop-off:There is a baggage drop-off point from 9.30am, but passengers are not able to check-in until their allocated check-in time. Please see your itinerary for details.
Lost luggage: Any queries regarding lost or stolen luggage should be directed to your booking agent.
Payphones and public Wi-Fi: Not available.
Accomodation: Before and after the cruise Metro Apartments Darling Harbour Specializes in Cruise Passengers. With FREE WiFi and All facilities of Home. Your Home away from home. Staff are happy to assist with the transfers to and from the Ship. To receive a 10% DISCOUNT  Put in the Promo Code CRUISE into the booking page Book Now

Discount For Cruise Passengers at Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour

As another Australian summer draws near and thousands of Australians prepare for the annual cruise season, Metro Apartments Darling Harbour is offering cruise passengers a special 10 per cent discount off the best available rate for the length of their stay, to ensure their time in Sydney is as enjoyable as their time at sea. 

With more than 80 cruises departing Sydney between September 1st and December 30, 2013, thousands of passengers will pass through Sydney before being carried off to intriguing destinations around the globe in ships such as Pacific Pearl, Radiance of the Seas, Carnival Spirit and Sun Princess. Sydney Harbour will be transformed into floating apartment hotels as these majestic cruise liners of the world prepare to pamper their multitude of guests.

Many interstate and regional guests will arrive in Sydney over the next few months to embark on a cruise, with cruises departing from the International Passenger Terminal in Circular Quay and from the White Bay Terminal at Rozelle.  Located close to both departure points, Metro Apartments Darling Harbour is perfect for a pre- and post-cruise stay, just a short taxi trip away from both terminals.

Metro Apartments Darling Harbour offers a selection of 32 recently renovated loft-style one-bedroom apartments, each with a queen sized bed and sofa bed and offering all the comforts of a ‘home away from home’ with the convenience of a perfect city location.

Located in two separate buildings in Sussex and King Streets, guests can choose from the larger, contemporary-styled Sussex St apartments with views over Darling Harbour or a New York styled King Street apartment with access to rooftop pool.

Apartments have full kitchen and laundry facilities, spacious living rooms with cathedral windows and have been designed as a ‘home away from home’ where families can relax at the end of a long day’s sightseeing, or just have a break before venturing out again to explore more of Sydney.

Discount parking of $30 for 24 hours is provided nearby at 170 Sussex St Secure Car Parking.

To access the special offer, cruise passengers can book online at:

METRO APARTMENTS ON DARLING HARBOUR

METRO APARTMENTS ON KING

On these websites you will get the best available packages and rate and use the word CRUISE when prompted for a discount code.  

Alternately they can ring the toll free Central Reservations line on 1800 004 321

View all Metro Hotels Press Releases at Metro Hotels News

The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Tour

The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, famed for their precision marching and musical versatility, will perform a concert featuring military classics to jazz and big band favourites. This concert will display the outstanding versatility of some of the world’s finest military musicians.

There really is something for everyone as the Royal Marines display their incredible musicianship and pageantry.  A wide range of musical styles includes music from the big screen and superb solo items. This concert would not be complete without the famous traditional marches and overtures that have proved such a hit with audiences over the years with the Royal Marines’ exceptional display of precision and skill.

The 90 minute performance is a testimony to the professionalism of the world’s finest military bands, proudly demonstrating talents acquired over many years of practice and experience both in the classroom and on the parade square.

When: Monday 9 October 2013
Where: Capitol Theatre Sydney - 13 Campbell Street, Haymarket NSW 2000 Australia
Tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/Band-of-Her-Majestys-Royal-Marines-tickets/artist/1191547

Staying in SYDNEY for The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines?

Need a hotel room close to Capitol Theatre Sydney?

Look no further than Metro Hotel Sydney Central - RIGHT next to the Capitol Theatre Sydney whilst being close to other iconic Sydney attractions. 

Website: Metro Hotel Sydney Central

Metro Hotel Sydney Central is offering this Capitol Theatre Hotel Package

For $165.00 per room per night you get:

• One night's accommodation in a Superior Queen Room
• Hot Buffet Breakfast for 2 adults
• Extended check-out to 12 noon the following day

• Book Online and Terms here: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/242
• Or call: 02 9281 6999

Want to try another hotel? Metro Hotel on Pitt, only a 10 minute walk to Capitol Theatre.

Website: Metro Hotel on Pitt

Metro Hotel on Pitt is offering this Winter Sydney CBD Getaway Hotel Package

For $134.00 per room per night you get:

• Free WiFi
• A bottle of wine on arrival
• Late check out of 12 noon
• Staying in a Standard\Single\double\twin room*

• Book Online and Terms here: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/306
• Or call: 02 9283 8088

Other Metro Hotels and Apartments:

• Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour (the closest train station is Wynyard)

• Aspire Hotel Sydney Ultimo (13 minutes walk to Central station)

NNS Thunder Heads To Australia For International Fleet Review

Nigeria’s NNS Thunder has left the city of Calabar to represent Africa for the Royal Australian Navy’s International Fleet Review (IFR) slated for 3rd to the 11th of October this year in Sydney, Australia.

Joining about  Fifty other countries of the world including Russia and America and South Africa being the second African country to represent the continent, the international event is to be reviewed by the queen of England to mark the 200 years battle of Trafalgar.

The Flag officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command Rear Admiral Joe Aikhomu disclosed this at the Nigerian Port Authority NPA jetty in Calabar, Cross River State Capital been venue for the take-off point of the NNS thunder ship conveying forty officers and 140 ratings of Nigerian Navy participating.

According to the Rear Admiral the voyage to Sidney is a friendly and diplomatic expedition urging the crew to see the mission as a training program meant to enhance the Navy’s proficiency.

NNS THUNDER will be making outbound port calls at Luanda, Cape Town, Port Louis, Freemantle and Sydney and on the in-bound leg visit Melbourne, Albany, Port Des Galet, Durban, Walvis Bay and Pointe Noire.

The officers on board are expected to be back to the country within the next four to five months.

About International Fleet Review Sydney - 2013

In late 2011, the Chief of Navy (CN) - Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, AO, CSC, RAN extended an invitation to over 50 nations to send a warship and/or tall ship to participate in an International Fleet Review (IFR) to be held in Sydney from 3 - 11 October 2013. The Review is being held to commemorate the centenary of the first entry of the Royal Australian Navy's Fleet into Sydney.

On 4 October 1913 the flagship, HMAS Australia, led the new Australian Fleet Unit comprising HMA Ships Melbourne, Sydney, Encounter, Warrego, Parramatta and Yarra into Sydney Harbour for the first time to be greeted by thousands of cheering citizens lining the foreshore. This was a moment of great national pride and importance, one recognised as a key indicator of Australia's progress towards national maturity.

The IFR is a high profile international event and Navy's signature commemorative event for 2013. Planned in partnership with the NSW State Government and the City of Sydney, it is anticipated that approximately 40 warships and 20 tall ships will participate in this historic event. The RAN Sea Power Conference 2013 and Pacific 2013 International Maritime Congress and Exposition, are also scheduled to take place at Darling Harbour from 7 October 2013 to coincide with the IFR.


The current plan will see RAN and visiting warships rendezvousing in Jervis Bay, NSW on 1 October 2013 to conduct final preparations and briefings. The formal aspects of the IFR will commence with all tall ships entering Sydney Harbour on Thursday 3 October 2013 and all warships entering on Friday 4 October 2013 - exactly 100 years after the first RAN Fleet entry.

To mark this historic occasion, the Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, her Excellency, the Hon Ms Quentin Bryce, AC, CVO will welcome the Fleet from Bradley’s Head on 4 October, and officially review the fleet onboard HMAS Leeuwin on Saturday, 5 October, as part of the Ceremonial Fleet Review. The Review will include a moving line of seven RAN ships to further symbolise the 1913 entry. 

The day's events are also likely to feature formation fly-pasts by fixed and rotary wing aircraft, naval displays and demonstrations, naval gun salutes and naval band performances, and will culminate in a spectacular evening pyrotechnics and light show on the harbour.

Other activities being planned to occur during the week long celebrations, include a combined naval march through the Sydney CBD, ships open to the public, inter-navy sporting competitions, naval memorial and religious services, and a range of community and cultural events.

The tall ships will depart on Thursday 10 October 2013 followed by the fleet departing on Friday 11 October 2013 to participate in Exercise TRITON CENTENARY in the East Australian Exercise Areas (EAXA).

The IFR is planned to be similar in scale and public impact to that experienced during the RAN 75th Anniversary in 1986 and the Bicentennial Naval Salute in 1988.


The full program of IFR planned events can be found on our Events page.

Book Now to Enjoy the Biggest Naval Event on Sydney Harbour this Century

The biggest naval event on Sydney Harbour this century will take place from October 3-11, 2013 and Sydneysiders, regional NSW residents and interstate visitors are advised to book accommodation early to avoid missing out.

The Royal Australian Navy is celebrating 100 years since the first RAN ships sailed into Sydney Harbour to great fanfare in 1913 – and it has asked 50 nations to join the party. Called the International Fleet Review (IFR), the celebrations will see 40 warships and 20 tall ships from around the world sail into Sydney Harbour for a week-long celebration.

Commencing on Thursday 3 October 2013 and concluding eight days later, the IFR will be a harbour spectacular no Australian will want to miss. Her Excellency the Governor-General, Quentin Bryce will welcome the fleet from Bradley’s Head on October 4, and officially review the fleet onboard HMAS Leeuwin on October 5 as part of the Ceremonial Fleet Review.

With the world heritage backdrop of Sydney Harbour setting the scene, the Royal Australian Navy band will perform while fixed and rotary wing aircraft fly past in formation overhead. Military demonstrations will be held, the official ceremony will be staged on the steps of the Opera House, and the event will conclude with a fireworks display fit for the occasion.

Other activities being planned include a combined naval march through the Sydney CBD, ships open to the public, inter-navy sporting competitions and a range of community and cultural events.

Whether you’re a navy buff or just keen not to miss the amazing pageantry of this historic event, now is the time to book your accommodation in Sydney to be sure you make the most of the week-long celebrations – and Metro Hotels has a number of properties from which to choose.

Metro Hotel Sydney Central is the group’s flagship property located on the corner of Pitt and Hay Streets in the heart of Sydney’s entertainment precinct. Having recently completed a two year refurbishment, the hotel now offers 220 fully-refurbished Superior and Deluxe rooms, all priced affordably.

Metro Hotel on Pitt is a stylish boutique hotel in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, within easy walking distance of Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, The Rocks, Pitt Street Mall, Queen Victoria Building, Hyde Park and Chinatown, while Metro Apartments Darling Harbour provides easy access to the popular harbour restaurant precinct of King Street Wharf and Cockle Bay, as well as IMAX, Sydney Aquarium, Wildlife World and Australian Maritime Museum and Star Casino.

For those looking for something a little quieter and out of the hustle and bustle of the city centre, Aspire Hotel Sydney in Ultimo is just a short stroll to Darling Harbour, the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre and Sydney Entertainment Centre.

International Fleet Review - Sydney Australia 3-11 October 2013

Don't Miss the Nation's Most Significant Commemorative Naval Event in the Past 100 Years

International Fleet Review - Sydney 2013