Have a spontaneous notion to go on a cruise from Sydney? Have little time to plan the excursion? Have no fear ? your wishes can definitely be accommodated. With the Internet at your fingertips you can monitor last minute deals on Sydney cruises. Cruise lines have every motivation to sell every last cabin on their cruise liners and oftentimes the best deals can be found at the last minute. Below are my top 5 recommendations for a cruise choice.

New Zealand Cruise aboard Statendam
Holland America?s Statendam is a very highly rated ship featuring a glass-walled dining room. This ship is especially recommended for food and wine enthusiasts because the Statendam features a Culinary Arts Center where cruisers can partake in the culinary showcase of the ship. This ship is also recommended for adults without children or adults wishing to have time away from their children as no one under 21 is allowed on the ship. This cruise has 11 port stops during the 2 week cruise and the cruise ends in Auckland so a return flight to Sydney will be needed. Sights along the way include Fjordland National Park, and the Mercury Islands. Steep discounts over 60% are available for the January cruise.

New Zealand Cruise aboard Sapphire Princess
The Sapphire Princess from Princess Cruise Lines has a 5-star rating and features a nine-hole putting green and golf simulations for the golf enthusiast along with an Internet caf? complete with 29 computers. There are no age restrictions so families are welcome. Club-hopping types will also find this ship particularly appealing with its state-of-the-art dance clubs Skywalkers and Club Fusion. The Sapphire Princes will make 7 port stops along the way and also features a stop in Fjordland National Park before ending in Auckland. Steep discounts are also available for this 12 day cruise in January.

New Zealand Cruise aboard Rhapsody of the Seas
Royal Caribbean?s Rhapsody of the Seas is another satisfying ship featuring the Edelweiss formal dining room and the Casino Royale. This ship is particularly attractive for the adventurous health enthusiast with a 200-foot high rock climbing wall, an outdoor jogging track, and an available healthy dining menu. Last minute cabins are available for a November 10 departure date so discounts should be very steep as the cruise line tries to sell every last cabin. This cruise makes a round trip from Sydney and includes a stop in Hobart, Tasmania, before making other port visits at the beautifully rustic Cruise Milford Sound and 6 other ports before a stop is made in Auckland. After Auckland, the ship returns once again to Sydney.

Australia Cruise aboard Rhapsody of the Seas
The Rhapsody of the Seas is available at short notice for another wonderful cruise ? this time exploring the eastern coast of Australia. Features on this cruise include the Great Barrier Reef with port stops at Hamilton Island, Cairns, Port Douglas, and Brisbane before returning to Sydney. The total length of the cruise is 11 days and 2 are available for booking ? the first disembarking on November 11 and the second on December 2.

Hong Kong Cruise aboard Crystal Serenity
Cruises aboard Crystal Cruises? ships are a bit more upscale and pricey. However, if you have the budget they are highly recommended. The Crystal Serenity features ocean view-only staterooms, penthouses complete with personal butlers, their own ?six-star? cuisine, live Broadway-style productions in the Galaxy Lounge, and the Creative Learning Institute where a broad range of subjects can be learned while at sea including piano instruction, tai chi, and many others. The ship features services tailor made for any age group or traveler with the onboard Fantasia playroom for the kiddies and the Waves teen center for older children. This onboard entertainment fits in very nicely during the days spent at sea. On this cruise, the only on the list, the land Down Under is left behind entirely in a cruise to Hong Kong on the southern coast of China. Remember, the prices are a bit higher on this ship, but at ?the last minute? steep discounts can be taken advantage of.

There are many options available to the traveler wishing to plan a holiday cruise from Sydney at the last minute. At these times cruises will always offer the deepest discounts off the retail price because they always want a ship to have a 100% occupancy rate. I highly recommend browsing Vacationstogo.com and Travelocity.com for the latest deals. Vacationstogo features a newsletter that can inform travelers of last-minute cruise deals should you get a spur-of-the-moment urge to jump on a ship.