Holidays Down Under
December 19, 2025 to January 4, 2025
Round Trip from Sydney, Australia

Join us for the ultimate holiday celebration in Australia! After two days exploring Sydney you’ll board Holland America’s Noordam where we kick off the festivities with a champagne toast on the ship’s bow as we cruise past the famous Opera House in Sydney Harbor. Then get ready for two weeks filled with adventures on shore in bucket list destinations like Tasmania and Kangaroo Island; back on board you can embrace the holiday spirit by attending holiday services for Christmas and Hanukkah, visit with Santa, party at Elite Cruises private events, and ring in the new year by the pool under a fireworks show like you’ve never seen before.

This voyage is appropriate for active adults, seniors that desire a highly supported travel experience, multigenerational families, and individuals that enjoy a concierge curated vacation where all they have to do is show up and have fun. Plus for classic car afficionados we’re offering special itineraries in several locations throughout our journey. Elite Cruises travel concierges will be escorting all travelers throughout Australia and can assist with ETA/Visas, shore excursion recommendations and booking, special event planning, Wi-Fi upgrades to enhance working or school work from the ship, and more. Wheelchair accessible shore excursions are limited on this voyage. Private duty care is available for clients with medical and personal requirements at additional expense. For dementia-friendly, fully accessible vacations please visit our schedule HERE.

Where We’re Taking You

December 19: Arrive in Sydney where Elite Cruises concierges will greet you at Sydney Airport SYD and collect your luggage before escorting you to our luxury five star hotel. Here you’ll receive your welcome gift bag and have a chance to rest before setting out to explore this stunning city.

December 20: Today is your chance to really get to know Sydney. Join Elite Cruises concierges on a group tour or allow us to help you book something private, make recommendations, or assist in any way that we can. Or just spend your day on the iconic Bondi Beach where you can relax and recover from your flight before festivities start on the 21st!

December 21: The fun starts today when we depart for the port and board Holland America’s Noordam where Elite Cruises concierges will escort you through port security and to your cabin. Please ask us about unpacking services when Holland America porters deliver your suitcase to your door. Once we are settled in we’ll wave goodbye to Sydney with a champagne toast before the Christmas tree lighting ceremony onboard. We’ll enjoy dinner in the dining room before heading out for the night to discover all the over the top decorated areas onboard our ship (like the Dutch Christmas village created entirely out of gingerbread) and enjoy the music venues on deck 2, including live music at Billboard and Rolling Stone Lounge.

December 22: This day at sea is entirely your own to relax and explore our beautiful ship. Ask us about assistance booking spa services (we strongly recommend a hot stone massage), obtaining daily or weekly passes for the hydrotherapy pool at the spa, booking a private cabana at The Retreat, reserving seats for a special Morimoto By Sea dining experience, and more. Travelers interested in a private tour of the ship will be escorted by Elite Cruises concierges to get better acquainted with the Noordam and directed to amenities of interest to their lifestyle. For families with children and teens ask us about activities at the kids club onboard or Elite Cruises staff private care; for anyone finishing up some pre-holiday work ask us about using our private conference space or Wi-Fi upgrades for video conferences.

December 23: Our first port is Philip Island which offers something for every traveler; nature lovers can stop by a koala conservation center while history buffs can visit the Vietnam Veterans Museum and the incredible collection of helicopters there. And at night don’t miss out on the island’s penguin parade at Summerland Beach before heading back to the ship and getting back into the holiday spirit by watching a Christmas movie and enjoying some Dutch hot cocoa (or a holiday themed adult beverage from the special menu).
*Car afficionados can enjoy a visit to the Grand Prix Circuit Visitor Center to view the History of Motorsports display featuring cars, memorabilia, and a collection of Grand Prix Italian motorcycles.

December 24: We know that the best holiday gifts are experiences and this stop in Tasmania is going to set the bar really high for years to come. Treat your family to a day at Wing’s Wildlife Park rescue center where you can meet kangaroos, emus, and of course some Tasmanian devils. For some adults only fun enjoy visits to local wineries or distilleries. Whatever you do today, don’t leave the town of Burnie without stopping for tea and pastries smothered in some delicious Tasmanian cream and butter. Once back on the ship keep a watchful eye out for Santa between festivities such as caroling and decorating cookies. Midnight mass will be celebrated in the ship’s theater and mass broadcasts from around the world will be available on cabin TVs.
*Car afficionados can enjoy a visit to the National Automobile Museum of Tasmania with a variety of exceptional collectable autos on display, including the Hall of Muscle which pays homage to Australian muscle cars.

December 25: Santa arrived with goodies for everyone! Families traveling with children can meet Santa and open gifts with him but all travelers can expect some presents from all of us at Elite Cruises. Join in the festive fun by singing Christmas carols all around the ship and don’t miss out on the special holiday high tea today. Dinner will be a traditional Christmas feast with all your favorites and afterwards is the perfect time to take some family photos at one of the holiday backdrops around the ship. As us about private photography sessions with ship photographers.

December 26: Adelaide is Australia’s cosmopolitan coastal capital where you can find art galleries, incredible restaurants, and some of the best wine in the world. Discover indigenous art at the Art Gallery of South Australia, stroll between the beaches of Glenelg and Brighton, or venture outside the city on a group trip the Barossa Valley for a winery tour and tasting.
*Car afficionados will undoubtedly consider the National Motor Museum the highlight of this trip, with over 300 vehicles and exhibits such as The 1920s Garage featuring cars of the era as well as tools and equipment.

December 27: Welcome to Kangaroo Island! Our ship docks in Penneshaw where you’ll have your pick of activities. Discover Ngarrindjeri culture on a guided informational tour, walk along the boardwalk past sand dunes and limestone cliffs in search of sealions, or continue to taste your way through Australia by sampling local island wines.

December 28: This day at sea gives us another chance to enjoy ship amenities. Take full advantage of your all-inclusive onboard package to sip mango margaritas by the pool, catch up on your reading in the Crow’s Nest, or maybe even win a free cruise at the casino onboard! In the evening join us for one of our special dining experiences on board…if we’re dining at the Pinnacle we HIGHLY recommend their candied bacon appetizer.

December 29: Take advantage of this day back in Tasmania to get to make friends with a kangaroo at the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. For foodies make sure to venture off the beaten tourist path and take the ferry to Bruny Island for some incredible seafood washed down by local gin or whisky.

December 30: Port Arthur offers a glimpse back in time into Australia’s history as a penal colony; visit the ruins of the UNESCO sites where prisoners once lived and worked but also uncover how the convicts of the past have been replaced with adventure tourists and artisans who love this tiny under the radar destination.

December 31: It’s New Years Eve and we’re ready to kick off the New Year in style. Get the party started with mimosas at brunch or order room service and enjoy coffee on your private balcony to conserve your energy for later. Gentlemen, we recommend a stop at the barbershop on board for a shave and relaxing facial; ladies, treat yourself to a mani/pedi in some fun, festive colors. Then at night get ready to party under the stars as the house band moves from the Rolling Stone Lounge up to the pool for a night of dancing, cocktails, and an incredible fireworks display to welcome 2026. Make sure your dancing shoes are comfy because this party lasts until the sun comes up.

January 1: The new year brings a new you when we arrive in Melbourne; treat yourself to some new clothes in this shopping mecca, taste some new wines in the nearby Yarra Valley, try some new foods at the iconic Queen Victoria Market, or discover a new beach by following the seaside paths. Don’t worry if you’re rooted firmly in the past though, just outside Melbourne offers a glimpse back in time to the region’s gold rush era where you can pan for gold and even take a stage coach ride!
*Car afficionados should explore the Fox Classic Car Collection which focuses on limited edition and prestigious vehicles from around the world. Highlights of the collection include a Mercedes Benz 300SL Gullwing and Jaguar SS 100.

January 2: Our last day at sea gives you one last chance to enjoy all the amenities of the Noordam and we’re willing to bet this is the night our ship hosts Holland America’s renowned Orange Night party. Wear your brightest orange colored clothes, dig into our party bag of goodies, and get ready to party like you’re in the Netherlands. Join us for a bar crawl starting at the Crow’s Nest that takes us through various venues onboard where you’ll see bartending tricks, try experimental cocktails, and maybe even win a game of flip cup. At dinner don’t forget to try some of the Dutch foods featured on special menus, especially the decadent chocolate tulip dessert which is a chocolate lovers dream.

January 3: Our last stop brings us to Eden and we recommend treating yourself to a leisurely day; go on a whale watching tour, take a stroll along the coast to visit lighthouses or Aslings Beach Rock Pool, or just soak up the sun on a nearby beach because it’s summer in Australia and the weather is absolutely incredible. In the evening board out ship one last time to pack and enjoy one last incredible meal with a farewell ceremony in the dining room.

January 4: Unfortunately our journey ends back in Sydney but the fun doesn’t have to stop here. Ask us about extending your stay in Syndey or booking a short stay in California to break up the journey back home.
*Car afficionados extending their stay can visit the Australian Motorlife Museum showcasing vintage autos as well as motorcycles, bicycles, and a collection of antiques from the late 1800s.

VIEW PRICING NOW

*Allianz Travel Insurance is not included in cost and can be added up to 10 days after deposit date. Please call Kathy at 219-608-2002 for quote on coverage.

Our team of travel agents, tour guides, and concierges ensure an incredible international experience where your family will be accompanied every step of the way.

Full Service Travel Agency Amenities:

Our travel agents will walk you though visa registration, can assist booking airfare and arrange car service from your home to local airport, have arranged a two night stay in Sydney at a five star hotel, will reserve the accommodations of your choice onboard our ship, can walk you through travel insurance options (insurance can be added at additional expense), suggest shore excursion recommendations or arrange personalized activities at each port, and will be onboard our ship to assist with any requirements throughout your journey.

Concierge Assisted Travel:

Right when you land at Syndey airport our concierges will be waiting to assist with luggage and escort you to our hotel. We’ll get you checked in to the five star hotel we have carefully selcted and provide a welcome bag before leaving you to explore Sydney. On embarkation day our concierges will handle your luggage and ensure it gets safely to Holland America porters before escorting your family through the cruise terminal and to your onboard accommodations where we offer unpacking service by request. Throughout the journey concierges will be running special holiday events for Elite Cruises travelers and will arrange any additional activities to make your trip extra special; ask us about reserving a private cabana at The Retreat, enrolling in an international wine tasting, obtaining spa passes, or arranging celebrations for birthdays, anniversaries, bachelor/bachelorette parties, weddings, and more. Concierges accompanying our group are available 24/7 and can be called for any needs including medical; Elite Cruises owner Kathy is a nurse as well as a travel agent and is available should any traveler require assistance.

Elite Tour Guides:

Traveling with our group will be Elite Cruises dedicated tour guides who will lead pre-cruise excursions in Sydney and can arrange for specialty tours throughout our journey; such tours will include antique automobile/classic car focused itineraries in several ports. Based on your family’s interests we can arrange custom tours to fit your unique travel needs and make sure this is truly a dream vacation.

Celebrate the holidays with us onboard Holland America’s Noordam. Festivities can include:

• Sail away party in Sydney Harbor
• Holiday-themed scavenger hunt to discover all decorated areas onboard, including Dutch Christmas village made entirely of gingerbread.
• Religious ceremonies for Christmas and Hanukkah
• Christmas caroling around ship
• Christmas cookie decorating
• Private Elite Cruises holiday party with gifts for all travelers in our group and not open to other Holland America passengers
• Visits with Santa and gifts for all children onboard Noordam
• Special high tea event on Christmas day
• Multi-course Christmas dinner in main dining room
• New Years Eve party with live music and fireworks
• Holland America Orange Party with special party bag from Elite Cruises
• Ask us about creating special celebrations for birthdays, anniversaries, wedding vow renewals, weddings, and more.

What's Included

We take care of everything so you don’t have to. This concierge curated experience features:

• Full-service travel agency assistance
• Concierge escort from Sydney airport to hotel and from hotel through cruise terminal
• 2 night pre-cruise stay in Sydney at five star hotel
• 14 day journey onboard Holland America’s Noordam, a smaller, more intimate Vista class ship completely refurbished in 2019.
• All-inclusive onboard package with beverages, meals, Wifi, onboard credits, shore excursion credits, etc. Additional amenities may be included depending on deposit date.
• Two premium dining experiences onboard the Noordam. Specialty events such as Morimoto At Sea reserved by request and additional expense.
• Elite Cruises staff assistance 24/7. Staff includes travel agents, concierges, tour guides, and medical professionals that exclusively serve Elite Cruises travelers and are not available to other Holland America clients. Staff members will accompany group throughout Australia to ensure constant availability.
• Holiday festivities including parties, religious services, dining events, etc.
• Elite Cruises welcome gift, embarkation surprise, holiday gift, and Orange Party pack.

VIEW PRICING NOW

*Allianz Travel Insurance is not included in cost and can be added up to 10 days after deposit date. Please call Kathy at 219-608-2002 for quote on coverage.