A Unique Long Weekend Cruise Trip - Australian Traveller

Tiana Templeman recently stepped aboard Quantum of the Seas with her husband for a short cruise from Brisbane to Airlie Beach and inadvertently discovered the perfect long weekend away.

I’d never thought of cruising as something you could do on a weekend, but our recent cruise on Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas proved a Sampler Cruise isn’t just short, it’s also sweet. There was no need to take leave either, as the ship departed on a Friday afternoon, and had us back in time for work on Monday morning. I strolled off the ship and was back at my desk by 8.30am.

It was relaxing too as the biggest decision we had to make while we were at sea was where to eat dinner each night. And whether we wanted to hit new heights on the North Star, go skydiving at sea, or just sit on our balcony and watch the sunlight dancing across the ocean.

Here are seven reasons to pack your bag and spend a long weekend at sea like we did.

Budgeting is easy

If you’re like us and your love of weekend getaways is larger than your budget, a cruise could be just what you’re looking for. There’s a cabin to suit every budget, especially if you book early, and most dining and entertainment options are included in the cost of your fare. Top tip: Downloading the (free) onboard app will help you make the most of all those free restaurants, shows and activities.

a Surfing Flow Rider onboard RCI Quantum of the Seas — Ride through a simulated Surfing Flow Rider. (Image: Tiana Templeman)

Travelling as a family is child’s play

Keeping everyone happy can be hard work if you’re travelling with kids, but a mega-ship has enough facilities to ensure you all have fun. Adventurous activities like the iFly skydiving simulator, FlowRider surf simulator and bumper cars are a hit with kids (and adults) of all ages. There are also age-appropriate hang-out spaces and activities for children aged up to 17 if you feel like a break.

bumper cars onboard RCI Quantum of the Seas — Enjoy kid-friendly activities on Quantum of the Seas. (Image: Tiana Templeman)

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

The more, the merrier

If you’re planning a group getaway, it can be easier, cheaper and a lot more fun to go on a cruise instead of travelling to someone’s house. Whether you’re organising a hen’s or buck’s celebration or just want to get away with your besties, a weekend cruise can be a fun and affordable way to catch up. If you’re travelling with family, a cruise offers the perfect mix of time spent together and apart.

cruising The Whitsundays onboard RCI Quantum of the Seas — For a fuss-free weekend away, it is time you consider a cruise. (Image: Trevor Templeman)

You’re a first-timer

If you’ve never been on a cruise before and aren’t sure whether this type of holiday is for you, a short weekend getaway can be a great way to test the waters before you book a longer trip. Regular cruisers tend to be a friendly bunch and love sharing their expertise, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. And if you love it? Booking another cruise while you’re onboard often comes with extra discounts and perks!

roller skating onboard RCI Quantum of the Seas — The rollerskating rink has your name on it. (Image: Trevor Templeman)

It’s party time

Everyone is onboard for a good time, not a long time, on a weekend cruise. This means the mood is fun, the vibe is high, and the nights are long with people on the dance floor until the early hours of the morning. Whether you’re travelling as a group, with your partner or sailing solo, finding someone to party with is never a problem. And if you prefer to relax? That’s just as easy to do.

people enjoying onboard RCI Quantum of the Seas — Party all day and night onboard Quantum of the Seas. (Image: Tiana Templeman)

No planning, no stress

On a shorter weekend cruise, there are no ports to tempt you to give up your much-needed downtime organising everyone to go ashore and planning (and paying for) activities. Sampler Cruise itineraries typically include sea days only, with plenty of fun and relaxation available onboard and no need to leave the ship. If you do want to explore ashore, opt for a slightly longer four-night sailing that includes a port day like the one we enjoyed at Airlie Beach.

Airlie Beach on a sunny day — Soak up the sun on Airlie Beach if you opt for a slightly longer cruise and make it a 4-night sailing.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Cruising is inclusive

Enjoying a weekend away with friends or family members with special needs can require additional planning, but cruise lines make this easy. From sensory-friendly toys for families living with autism to accessible bathrooms on every floor and swimming pools with a lift, there’s plenty of assistance available on board and on shore if you fill out the cruise lines’ Guest Special Needs Form.

passengers enjoying the sunset on a paid North Star experience on a sea day — Capture incredible sunset views. (Image: Tiana Templeman)

It’s the ultimate holiday add-on

If you’re heading to Brisbane, Perth or Sydney on holiday, a weekend cruise from these popular capital city ports is a great way to wind down if you’ve been racing around sightseeing. Step onboard, find a sunlounger and enjoy a relaxing holiday from your holiday before you head back to work.

sunloungers by the pool onboard RCI Quantum of the Seas — Relax on a sun lounger.

Getting there is a breeze

As I discovered on our recent long weekend cruise from Brisbane, it was much quicker and easier getting to our local cruise port than battling the Friday afternoon traffic on the M1. Instead of arriving at our accommodation feeling stressed out, we were onboard the ship and sipping a cocktail 90 minutes after we left home. It’s hard to think of a more perfect start to a long weekend away!

a restaurant onboard RCI Quantum of the Seas — Dine and sip cocktails onboard. (Image: Jamies F)

For more cruising tips, reviews and inspiration, read our cruising travel guide.

With unhurried mornings, long, sun-filled afternoons, evenings shaped around sunset, this iconic beach offers an all-day experience (and it’s about to get even better).

As the sun slowly rises over the languid waves and fine sand of Broome’s Cable Beach, the morning colours shift from rich apricot to pale gold and frosty pearl. Remnants of life reveal themselves in the subtle shadows – crab claw marks, towel impressions, footprints. Life here is unhurried, but don’t be fooled. This town is continually shifting like the desert dunes that surround it.

And with a $75 million upgrade – offering easier and more inclusive access for people of all abilities – it’s getting even better.

Cable Beach upgrade foreshore redevelopment stage 1 — Discover the Cable Beach redevelopment.

The addition of comfortable and welcoming spaces has begun (and will continue). This means visitors will be able to spend longer enjoying this beautiful environment, while knowing that the upgrade will create a more environmentally protected setting that preserves the natural character visitors come for. Come sunset, soak it in all the better thanks to the already improved foreshore areas, made for lingering while the light changes. And for the kids, a new splash park and accessible dry playground will make it easy to while away the hours.

Think you know what a day at this beach is like? Think again.

Morning colours

car on cable beach at sunrise — Cable Beach comes alive after sunrise. (Credit: Tourism WA)

As the sun colours the sky, Cable Beach shows signs of life (and not just the aquatic kind). Locals and visitors alike float in the cool water as it laps the shore, landlubbers explore the coast on foot, runners pace and beachside yoga classes bring quiet movement to the day.

When the sky is blue and the sun is firmly in position, head down to the well-known Cable Beach House for a long, slow breakfast overlooking the ocean. Think fresh tropical fruit, eggs cooked your way and strong coffee in the warm morning breeze.

Afternoon adventures

camel train on cable beach in broome at sunset — Join a camel train at sunset. (Credit: C J Maddock)

When you’re ready to explore, carve a path along the Minyirr Park Trail – a gentle 1.5-2km track through coastal bushland with spectacular views of the dunes. Refuel at the nearby Spinifex Brewery for lunch with its low-key, outdoor beer garden. There’s even an outdoor playground if you’re travelling with young humans.

Walk off your lazy lunch by watching (or joining) one of the beach soccer or volleyball games, or even try Silent Beats Broome – a silent walking disco through the dunes. Or book a spot on the famous camel trains, watching the sun drop below the horizon along the way. They’re a constant reminder of the fascinating history, landscape and cultural mix in this part of the country.

Evening degustation

server at Cable Beach Club — Stop into the Cable Beach Club. (Credit: Tourism WA)

As the day closes, watch the world-famous Cable Beach sunset from the appropriately named Sunset Grill at Cable Beach Club. This open-air terraced dining spot overlooking the beach is the kind of place where the view takes centre stage.

While you sip on a lychee, lime & lemonade mocktail or a local beer, enjoy the bustle of life and nature outside as the day comes to an end.

For dinner, nab a table at the Bali Hai Cafe, where they offer pan-fried crispy barramundi, Abrolhos Island scallops and deep-sea snow crab. When you’re ready for bed, check in to Pinctada Hotel Broome – a lush, tropical resort with palm-dotted gardens and a large, lagoon-style pool to cool off in.

Beyond the beach

Beyond the wide, open beach and never-ending sky of Cable Beach, there are many more reasons to visit North West Australia. These are just a few.

Unmatched experiences

Shinju Matsuri Festival's popular Long Table Dinner on cable beach — Join Shinju Matsuri Festival’s popular Long Table Dinner. (Credit: Tourism WA)

Engage with the history of the land and its people on an Indigenous cultural tour exploring everything from the local wildlife to the tastes of bush tucker. To understand the importance of pearling to this town, take a tour of Chinatown, or head outside of town to the live pearl harvests at Willie Creek or Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, one of Australia’s oldest pearl farms.

Learn why Japanese pearlers were central to Broome’s pearling success and visit the largest Japanese cemetery in Australia, where 900 Japanese pearlers were buried – a testament to the risks and rewards of this dangerous profession.

And book ahead every spring for when communal tables, freshly cooked local fare and festoon lighting fill the beach for the extremely popular Long Table Dinner on Cable Beach. It’s a highlight of the Shinju Matsuri Festival, along with the Floating Lanterns Matsuri, where you can personalise a lantern and gently release it into the sea to honour those you love.

Dining discoveries

Further your culinary adventure at the laid-back Sunday Sesh at Matso’s Broome Brewery. Chow down on smoked crocodile or Aussie barramundi while kicking back to a local DJ as the heat of the day fades.

For more tunes, the beautiful outdoor Bay Club at the Mangrove Hotel is a great choice for dinner with live music, DJs or an event that stretches on into the early hours. Still hungry? Pop by Johnny Sausage for Italian-influenced meals paired with impeccable wines.

Natural beauties

Gantheaume Point cabnle beach broome — Experience the striking colours of Gantheaume Point. (Credit: Tourism WA)

Avoid the crowds and head to Town Beach for a quieter vantage point to see the phenomenal Staircase to the Moon – a natural illusion where the rising full moon is reflected on the tidal flats, creating a shimmering ‘staircase’ stretching up to the sky.

Just south of Cable Beach are the deep red cliffs and dramatic ocean views of Gantheaume Point, where 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints can be seen, revealed at low tide. Or head to Roebuck Bay to visit the internationally significant wetlands, where vast tidal flats are home to shorebirds and coastal fauna.

Between October and March, watch turtles nesting and hatchlings emerge from the sand. You’ll be holding your breath as they make their way down to the shoreline, ready to start their life in one of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes.

For more on Cable Beach and Australia’s North West, visit australiasnorthwest.com.

A unique long weekend trip you’ve probably never thought of