by Janelle (
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I like to participate in life rather than be a spectator. Music, dancing, theatre, travelling, food, cycling and walking are some of my passions. Writing is an enjoyable pastime that allows me to share my experiences.
The MV Sydney 2000 prior to boarding (image JW)
Sail through a sea of colour and light every evening during Sydney's Vivid Festival.
Captain Cook Cruises operate a range of trips during the festival and as we are not fans of buffet food we chose a sit down dinner cruise. The
7:30pm dinner and drinks cruise runs for 3.5hrs on Saturday nights with a disembarkation time of 11pm with a shorter cruise and 10pm finish during the week.
Couscous salad entree (image JW)
On arrival at King Street Wharf 1 the suggested thirty minutes early we could see our vessel lit up with the Vivid Sydney sign. Boarding was quick and low fuss, not long after we were shown to our allocated table we were offered a welcome
drink and the cruise departed.
The Opera House on show (image JW)
The passengers were a good mix of couple and groups and the low level background noise made it easy to have a conversation. The tables were nicely spaced and dressed with a linen tablecloth, nice china and cutlery. The complimentary bread roll eased hunger pangs while the couscous salad entree was served. The three course
menu offered a choice of main dishes but all diners had the same entree and dessert, there was also the option of a
vegetarian meal.
Choice of salmon and chicken for mains
We found the food to be quite tasty and of decent portion sizes, some people may not have enjoyed the entree and my husband and I found the mango and coconut slice a bit too sweet. After dinner coffee was an extra cost but a nice finish to the meal. In order for people to enjoy the music and sights, the dinner service was quite quick but it was not rushed. Drinks were readily available throughout the evening and there was no restriction about taking them outside.
Mango cake for dessert (image JW)
You have the option of paying $25 extra for a window seat which would probably only be a benefit if you did not want to go to the outside decks and for $15 it is possible to purchase a drink package upgrade. Other services onboard were photographers who were not pushy selling souvenir photos for $10 as well as a friendly pianist playing smooth dancing tunes.
Luna Park lights up (image JW)
During the 3.5hr long Saturday night cruise, the MV Sydney 2000 did three slow circuits of the harbour between the Opera House and Luna Park which ensured ample time for sightseeing and photos from the viewing decks as well as dancing downstairs.
Sydney shines during Vivid (image JW)
Towards the end of the evening, passengers have the option of leaving the boat at Circular Quay thirty minutes early in order to soak up some of the festival atmosphere or to be closer to accommodation and transport options.
Take a relaxing dinner cruise on the MV Sydney 2000 to get a different perspective on the lights of Vivid and leave the onshore crowds behind!
