SITTING on the top deck of Captain Cook
Cruises’ MV Sydney 2000 sipping champagne
and eating canapés as Sydney Harbour begins
to dress her dark waters in evening finery of
lights and stars, it is easy to understand why
the company’s Gold Dinner Cruise is such a
strong drawcard for tourists and locals alike.
Cruise Weekly recently had the opportunity
to experience the exclusive voyage, which
departs seven evenings a week at 7pm from
Circular Quay and 7.30pm from King Street Wharf.
The evening’s festivities kicked off with
priority boarding at 6.30pm, followed by a
welcome reception on Sydney 2000’s top deck.
After departure, guests were moved into the
upperdeck restaurant for a luxuriant six course
degustation menu accompanied by matching
wines, and the smooth sounds of a pianist.
Once seated it was hard not to get caught
slack jaw gazing out the panoramic windows at
the twinkling lights, mannerly mansions, secret
sandy beaches, city scapes and rough hewn bush
covered contours that make up the border of
Sydney before she plunges into the harbour.
The next two and a half hours of the voyage
CW spent filling up with course after course of
fine food, served by Captain Cook’s friendly
wait staff, with dishes including pan fried
scallop with pickled seaweed, seared tuna
wasabi soya mirin with salmon pearls; and
duck confit pumpkin gnocchi; as well as seared
aged beef fillet sauteed peas and pancetta,
caramelized onion, veal jus and desire potatoes.
Each course was accompanied by a wine
selected specially to accompany the dish, and
just when it seemed a physical impossibility to
eat or drink anything more, the evening was
capped off with an espresso coffee to waken
wine lulled minds, before Sydney 2000 pulled
up her pew and deposited guests back into the
throng of Sydney’s nightlife.
The voyage is priced from $219 including a
bar package and $199 without the bar, whilst
guests can also pay an extra $25 to ensure
they are given a window table.
For more details visit www.captaincook.com.au.
