Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise: Surviving the Mast Climb
We were standing on the docks near The Rocks neighborhood, surrounded by sleek, modern luxury yachts, holding tickets for a wooden 19th-century tall ship. The problem? There wasn’t a single sign telling us where we were supposed to be.
When you book a “Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise,” you imagine a highly organized boarding process. Instead, we were wandering around the harbor feeling completely lost, wondering if our Groupon deal was actually a scam. Just as we were about to give up, a massive, authentic oak cargo ship pulled into port.
Our adventure on the Søren Larsen was finally starting.
“Just Squeeze Your Shoulders Through”
Once aboard, our deckhand Jim gave us the safety briefing and the history of the vessel—the last cargo ship constructed by the Danish shipbuilding family Søren Larsen & Sons. But we were a bit distracted because we had purchased the optional “Mast Climb” add-on.
Before dinner, a friendly crew member strapped us into heavy-duty safety harnesses and pointed up.
Climbing the swaying rope ladder of a moving ship in the middle of Sydney Harbour is a massive thrill. The crew is incredibly well-trained and coaches you up every step, but nobody warned us about the very top. To actually get into the crow’s nest, there is a remarkably narrow entrance. It takes a serious amount of effort and awkward wiggling to position your shoulders through the metal rungs.
Once you squeeze through, though? The panoramic view of the harbor is unbeatable.
The Twilight Hack & Warm Curry
You don’t book a historic wooden pirate ship expecting a white-tablecloth, Michelin-star meal. But after climbing a mast in the ocean breeze, the buffet-style dinner was exactly what we needed.
The crew served up freshly prepared chicken curry over rice, a rich vegetable curry, and several hearty salads. It wasn’t fancy, but it was incredibly flavorful and filling. We paired it with warm mulled wine—a lifesaver once the sun dipped below the horizon and the harbor breeze kicked in.
Booking the “Twilight” timeslot ended up being the ultimate travel hack. Over the course of 90 minutes, we experienced three entirely different atmospheres. We saw the harbor in the bright daylight, watched a stunning sunset over the water, and finally, sailed under the glow of the city’s night lights.
The Harbour by Night
As we finished dinner, the ship circled back near the Sydney Opera House. Viewing it from the water at night gives you a perspective of its iconic “sails” that you rarely see published in magazines. The lights of the city danced off the inky black water, and we sailed right past the glowing, grinning face of Luna Park.
We eventually disembarked right back at The Rocks. Considering the cost of a standard dinner in Sydney, plus the cost of a typical sightseeing boat, combining them into one authentic, historic experience was an incredible value.
As part of the package, we purchased the additional mast climb option. Before dinner, a friendly crewmember fitted us with a harness for the mast climb. This experience was purchased as an add on to the Twilight cruise and is an opportunity that should not pass up. The well-trained crew handled all of our safety needs and coached us through the journey.
There is a narrow entrance to the crow’s nest at the top of the rope ladder. It takes some effort to position your shoulders through the metal rungs that separate the crow’s nest from the ladder.
A Few Quick Notes Before You Book:
- The Location: Don’t panic if you don’t see a sign at the dock near The Rocks. Just arrive early and look for the group of confused tourists—the boat will eventually pull up!
- The Dress Code: Dress comfortably and wear flat, closed-toe shoes. You are on a working wooden ship, and you definitely want sneakers if you plan to climb the mast.
- The Savings: We found our tickets on Groupon, which made this one of the most cost-effective excursions of our entire trip. Always check for discount codes before booking direct.