Day 1: Sydney, Australia

Uncovering authentic local finds and having experiences that make you feel like you’ve really connected with a place are important elements in ensuring an extraordinary vacation. We’re taking advantage of our partnership with Travel + Leisure to get their editors’ recommendations and insider tips on the places you will want to visit. Here are their picks for just one of the 150 destinations they covered.

Must-Sees from the Editors of
Travel + Leisure

Bondi Beach
Laid-back beach culture predominates here—along the half-mile stretch of sand, in the adjacent 10-acre park, and spilling into the neighborhood beyond. When conditions are right—which is most of the time—surfers in black wetsuits provide optimal people-watching. Want to be more than a bystander? Grab your “cossie” (swimming costume) and sign up for a lesson with Let’s Go Surfing.

The BridgeClimb
At practically any hour of the day, you’ll spot what looks like a procession of ants crawling along the Sydney Harbour Bridge’s upper arch (known as “the Coathanger”). Welcome to the infamous BridgeClimb, a 3½-hour guided trek 440 feet above the harbor waters. While the climb isn’t for everyone—participants should be able to traverse catwalks and ladders—it’s perfectly safe: you’re fastened to the bridge’s struts with a safety cable.

Sydney Opera House
Under the swooping, cantilevered roofs of Australia’s most famous landmark, the Opera House contains six different performance spaces—including the 2,679-seat concert hall, which hosts everything from performances of La Bohème to ballet and aboriginal dance. Take the hourlong behind-the-scenes tour, which traces the history of Danish architect Jørn Utzon’s masterpiece.

Be sure to visit our Shore Excursions page or speak with our onboard Destination Concierge for arrangements to any of these must-sees.

To learn more about this exciting port, please refer to our Port Explorer guide.

Day 2: Sydney, Australia

Uncovering authentic local finds and having experiences that make you feel like you’ve really connected with a place are important elements in ensuring an extraordinary vacation. We’re taking advantage of our partnership with Travel + Leisure to get their editors’ recommendations and insider tips on the places you will want to visit. Here are their picks for just one of the 150 destinations they covered.

Must-Sees from the Editors of
Travel + Leisure

Bondi Beach
Laid-back beach culture predominates here—along the half-mile stretch of sand, in the adjacent 10-acre park, and spilling into the neighborhood beyond. When conditions are right—which is most of the time—surfers in black wetsuits provide optimal people-watching. Want to be more than a bystander? Grab your “cossie” (swimming costume) and sign up for a lesson with Let’s Go Surfing.

The BridgeClimb
At practically any hour of the day, you’ll spot what looks like a procession of ants crawling along the Sydney Harbour Bridge’s upper arch (known as “the Coathanger”). Welcome to the infamous BridgeClimb, a 3½-hour guided trek 440 feet above the harbor waters. While the climb isn’t for everyone—participants should be able to traverse catwalks and ladders—it’s perfectly safe: you’re fastened to the bridge’s struts with a safety cable.

Sydney Opera House
Under the swooping, cantilevered roofs of Australia’s most famous landmark, the Opera House contains six different performance spaces—including the 2,679-seat concert hall, which hosts everything from performances of La Bohème to ballet and aboriginal dance. Take the hourlong behind-the-scenes tour, which traces the history of Danish architect Jørn Utzon’s masterpiece.

Be sure to visit our Shore Excursions page or speak with our onboard Destination Concierge for arrangements to any of these must-sees.

To learn more about this exciting port, please refer to our Port Explorer guide.

Day 3: At Sea

Try a bold collection of both familiar and unknown wines from around the world in this inviting wine bar. To help you explore, we feature the state-of-the-art Enomatic^® wine-by-the-glass dispensing system. It will pour your choice directly from the bottle in a 1-ounce, 2.5-ounce or 5-ounce portion as you swipe you SeaPass^® card. Our Sommeliers will offer further insight into the fine art of wine selection.

Day 4: Melbourne, Australia

Europeans and Asians each have put their stamp on this amazing city and turned Melbourne into a cultural melting pot of Greek, Chinese, Italian, English and Irish, and host to major international events. From the Old World architecture and a cricket field at the center of the city, to the abundance of Australia's unusual animals found at the Melbourne Zoo, this city never ceases to amaze.

To learn more about this exciting port, please refer to our Port Explorer guide.

Day 5: At Sea

There's absolutely nothing like it. A freshly manicured lawn on the highest deck of Celebrity Solstice. This is The Lawn Club. Enjoy casual outdoor activities in a decidedly Country Club atmosphere, and let the grass between your toes take you places no cruise has gone before.

Day 6: At Sea

A quiet refuge by day for gazing over the sea with a cocktail at hand. At night, the space comes to life with live music and dancing. In addition, special interactive theme parties include Live@Sky—music and dances of the 40s with a modern twist—and Motown, featuring funky soul with a live band, singers and dancers.

Day 7: Milford Sound, New Zealand

As we sail into the narrow fjords of the Milford Sound, even your massive ship seems to shrink in comparison to the towering cliffs topped by lush mountain terrain. Situated within Fiordland National Park, this natural wonder is part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site and is protected by its natural geography, which makes it a haven for all types of wildlife.

Day 7: Doubtful Sound

As cold mountain water cascades from the cliffs above Doubtful Sound, it creates an unusual phenomenon-a dual-layered marine ecosystem of fresh and saltwater. This serves as a playground for a number of species, including fur seals and two types of penguins - the fiordland crested and blue penguin.

Day 7: Dusky Sound

Steep cliffs that have been carved over centuries by dozens of waterfalls surround the largest and most complex of the many fjords along the New Zealand coast, Dusky Sound. It's also a wildlife paradise, with seals and dolphins patrolling the water, and birds like broad billed prions, mottled petrels and sooty shearwaters floating on the overhead thermals.

Day 8: DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND

Were it not for the absence of the Scottish brogue, you might think you'd landed in Edinburgh. Both the scenery and the architecture borrow heavily from Scotland. You can even shop for kilts or dig into a piece of fresh haggis. Dunedin is also home to New Zealand's only castle, a 15-year construction endeavor complete with the only staircase of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and magnificent woodwork.

To learn more about this exciting port, please refer to our Port Explorer guide.

Day 9: Akaroa, New Zealand

Nestled in the heart of an ancient volcano, Akaroa is rich with beautiful bays, French and English colonial history, even the largest little penguin colony on the mainland. It's also home to the rarest and smallest marine dolphin and lots of water sports-kayaking, sailboats, also hiking paths and cycle tours. Pick up a unique souvenir from one of the many local craft shops and boutiques.

Day 10: Wellington, New Zealand

From the new to the old, Wellington offers a bit of everything. Locals are particularly proud of the National Museum of New Zealand- Te Papa Tongarewa. Loosely translated as "our place" from the native Maori tongue, the museum is one of the world's largest and most progressive. A great way to explore the city is on the restored cable cars, which traverse the shopping district. And if you want to experience it all from above, take in the panoramic views from Mount Victoria.

To learn more about this exciting port, please refer to our Port Explorer guide.

Day 11: At Sea

Don't just appreciate art, experience it. Witness the incredible, gorgeous art of glassblowing with intimate live demonstrations. Watch and learn from professional glassblowers in this popular, one-of-a-kind exhibition from the renowned Corning Museum of Glass.

Day 12: Tauranga, New Zealand

Known as the Bay of Plenty, Tauranga is located at the entrance to one of the largest natural harbors in New Zealand. You can take a ride on a bush jet boat, go white-water rafting on the Rangitaiki River, or dine on the freshest fish and chips you'll ever taste, served al fresco. If you're looking for a more exotic counter, travel to the Mount Mauganui Hot Salt Water Pools.

To learn more about this exciting port, please refer to our Port Explorer guide.

Day 13: Auckland, New Zealand

Uncovering authentic local finds and having experiences that make you feel like you’ve really connected with a place are important elements in ensuring an extraordinary vacation. We’re taking advantage of our partnership with Travel + Leisure to get their editors’ recommendations and insider tips on the places you will want to visit. Here are their picks for just one of the 150 destinations they covered.

Must-Sees from the Editors of
Travel + Leisure

Parnell Rose Gardens
Some 5,000 rosebushes of every conceivable color and variety bloom November through March in this formally landscaped park, a quick bus ride from the center of town. Paths winding through the fragrant blooms lead to a lookout over Judge’s Bay.

Sky Tower
At 1,076 feet, the “tallest man-made structure in New Zealand” didn’t claim any world records, but it does have two high-adrenaline attractions. On SkyJump, you can leap off a ledge while attached to a wire and come to a smooth landing 630 feet below; on SkyWalk, you’re harnessed and tethered to an overhead rail as you stroll the tower’s walkway—no guardrail in sight.

Waiheke Island
Forty minutes by ferry from downtown Auckland, this bucolic little isle makes a peaceful daytrip. You can laze on its white-sand beaches; tour local artists’ studios; or learn about New Zealand’s prolific wine production at one of Waiheke’s dozen-plus vineyards.

Be sure to visit our Shore Excursions page or speak with our onboard Destination Concierge for arrangements to any of these must-sees.

To learn more about this exciting port, please refer to our Port Explorer guide.