Pool Days And Award-Winning Musicals: This All-In Escape Is Primed For Your Next Group Getaway

Picture this: endless ocean views in every direction, award-winning entertainment night after night, adrenaline dialled all the way up by day, and cocktails that somehow taste even better at sea.

That’s the kind of energy Royal Caribbean® is bringing to our Australian waters for summer 26-27, with Anthem of the Seas® and Quantum of the Seas® delivering all-inclusive holidays built for maximum memory-making from the second you step aboard. 

And if you’re on the east coast, you’re in luck. Royal Caribbean is back, setting sail from Brisbane and Sydney from October 30 2026, so consider this your sign to fire up the group chat and hit the high seas—we’ve saved you a sun lounger. 

Sydney To Hobart And Back Again: A Long Weekend That Pulls Out All The Stops

If your soon-to-be-sailing squad includes theatre tragics, thrill seekers and people who just want to relax poolside with a cocktail in hand, Anthem of the Seas® is where all roads happily converge. Departing from Sydney on a four-night Hobart getaway, this is the cruise holiday that punches well above its annual-leave weight.

By day, the ship is a choose-your-own-adventure playground. Daredevils can suit up for the skydiving simulator RipCord® by iFLY®; race into the friendly chaos of the on-board bumper cars; throw a shaka on the FlowRider® surf simulator; or take in sky-high views from North Star®, the tallest observation capsule at sea.

Prefer something a little slower? Take your pick of the many sun loungers on the top deck; slip into the adults-only Solarium; or unwind and zen out with a hot-stone massage at the Vitality℠ Spa.

After dark is where you can experience the real showstopper of Anthem of the Seas®: a full-tilt production of Ben Elton's We Will Rock You. Yep, the same West End musical that’s won a tidy Olivier Award, soundtracked by Queen's biggest and best hits. Think wildly talented performers belting out Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, Somebody To Love, and more. 

Once the applause finally fades and the curtain falls, the night keeps rolling with live music and cocktails at late-night bars, with an optional (but highly encouraged) dance floor detour. 

Brisbane’s Eight-Night Sun-Soaked Island Hop Through The South Pacific

When four nights at sea just won’t cut it, Quantum of the Seas® delivers with an eight-night South Pacific cruise holiday that leans all the way in.

Departing from Brisbane, this one is the full holiday fantasy: endless onboard experiences to keep every day feeling different, tropical ports to explore along the way, world-class dining throughout the ship, and more than enough time to properly find your sea legs. 

Sure, we could bang on about the crystal-clear waters of Vanuatu’s Mystery Island (the first step along the way), or wax lyrical about the cascading waterfalls of Port Vila (where you’ll have an entire day to explore), but it’s the on-board adventures that we’re most excited about. 

While this one features all the same top-tier experiences as Anthem of the Seas®, you can also hit the gym, shoot hoops, play pickleball, take on the rock climbing wall, join a dance class, get hooked on the arcade games—and that’s just scratching the surface.

It’s not all go-go-go, either. You can get around interactive game shows, outdoor movie nights, art auctions, wine tastings, and even an escape room if you really want to test the friendships in your fam. 

When it’s time to eat, this is where the holiday’s “all-in” mantra really shines. Across the cruise holiday, all main meals are covered*, with a globe-trotting lineup of dining experiences to satisfy everyone’s palate and preference. Or, treat yourself at one of the specialty dining venues and snack on fresh sashimi and nigiri at Izumi, or settle in for date night at Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver.

Big experiences and treasured memories that’ll stick with you for a lifetime, summer holidays don’t get much better—or easier to organise with a chaotic crew—than this. Royal Caribbean takes care of all of the details, all you have to do is plant the seed in the group chat. Excuse us while we lock in our annual leave. 

Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Royal Caribbean and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.

Imagery: Royal Caribbean 

*T&Cs apply. Speciality dining, select beverages and some activities incur an additional cost. Activities vary by ship.