New Zealand
United States
Canada
Arriving at Circular Quay, the sheer scale of Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas is the first thing that hits you. It is less a ship and more like a buoyant city. For our crew—myself, my wife, and our two boys, four-year-old George, and four-year-old Alfred—this three-night cruise was an experiment: our first real test of whether constant stimulation could keep the boys engaged long enough for us to stay sane. We also chose a cruise that was long enough to enjoy ourselves (while parenting) and short enough that if it went sideways, we could manage and soothe ourselves with a short countdown to home time.
From the outset, boarding was quick, a small miracle when you are managing a seven-year-old with a low tolerance for queues and a four-year-old high on anticipation. We settled into an ocean-view stateroom, our compact base of operations. Our first experience of the onboard hospitality came when a kind passenger delivered our luggage, which had mysteriously ended up outside the wrong door. A small hiccup, but proof that the ecosystem of a cruise community manages itself.
Life onboard: Containment and controlled chaos
A cruise of this size manages to provide everything, often simultaneously. The ship's inherent value lies in its sheer volume of distraction, which was essential for managing our boys.
For me, the struggle lay in navigating the crowded zones. The main ship areas, like the pools and buffet, were an exercise in patience and crowd control. We all quickly learned that survival meant double breakfasts (the first delivered to our cabin), allowing us to enjoy the vast food offerings (burgers, fruit salad, and various options for the health-conscious) without being part of the great crush. However, the true dining highlight was our nightly experience with our waiters, Jhake and Nyoman. They were absolute saviours, chopping up our children’s food and anticipating our boys' needs with incredible sweetness and patience. This level of dedicated service was the hidden highlight of the trip, with the kindness of the crew standing out.
Another part of the experiment was discovering which activities would hold the boys’ attention the longest. While George loved the arcade (even when the claw machine wasn’t cooperating), his real joy came from watching the FlowRider surf simulator. He spent a solid hour laughing himself silly at the endless stream of people failing spectacularly to surf. For Alfred, the highly focused activities were a gift. He absolutely loved the iFly simulated skydiving, a controlled, high-intensity activity that left him buzzing. He also excelled at archery. In contrast, attempts at roller-blading led to a meltdown—a reminder that managing activity transitions can be more challenging than expected.
Sailing & scenery: The escape from the escape
Leaving Sydney Harbour, with the city fading into the distance, is genuinely calming. It’s the moment you realise the whole point of this experience is the distance it puts between you and regular life. The movement, the sea air—it worked.
We took the opportunity to find the rare quiet spots. One afternoon, we ascended in the Anthem of the Seas’ signature North Star observation capsule. Suspended 300 feet up, it provided a spectacular, silent vantage point over the coastline, a welcome reprieve from the ship’s constant buzz.
Our port stop in Eden, two days in, provided a pleasant change of scenery. Stepping onto land provided a grounded contrast to life on the floating city. Another data point in the experiment: even a brief shore excursion could deliver joy without stress. The boys were delighted with the novelty of grabbing a ridiculously long, spiral potato stick, and I enjoyed watching the mix of fellow passengers, from elderly couples to lively families, exploring the town. This short coastal tour gave us a quick taste of the regional beauty available on longer Australian cruises. The seamless process of disembarking and exploring a new place highlights the logistical brilliance of a cruise journey, where the tour moves you rather than the other way around.
Mission accomplished: What we learned
The final morning and on our way back to Circular Quay presented its own final, frantic test—the mad packing, navigating currency exchanges (USD is used onboard) and the seven-year-old who "can't handle travel days." But we made it through.
The initial hypothesis was whether a highly structured, self-contained environment like the Anthem of the Seas could provide a worthwhile family trip without feeling like a stressful endurance event. The result? The short timeframe, the sheer volume of high-interest distractions and the wonderful service we received proved a success. We packed a tremendous amount of fun into 72 hours, and, remarkably, the boys were mostly on their best behaviour.
This journey offered incredible value and efficiency. If you require a short, yet comprehensive and low-maintenance way to experience some of the Australian coast with a young family, this is proof it can work. Consider this three-night trip as an initiation before committing to a longer Australia and New Zealand cruise with Inspiring Vacations. In short, the experiment was a success, and best of all, it earned the ultimate seal of approval: the kids loved it.
Inspired to experience a short, 3-night cruise like Alex and his family? They sailed on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas from Sydney to Eden. Our Fly Stay Cruise packages cover Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea, Antarctica, North America, and Europe’s most scenic rivers. Visit Cruises by Inspiring Vacations to find your next adventure.