Great Barrier Reef 11 Nights • Sydney, Australia • CELEBRITY EDGE

Considered one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the Southern Hemisphere, Sydney offers so much—from beaches and wineries to stunning landmarks and world-class shopping. Tour architectural marvels like the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge, view life below the surface from Sydney Aquarium’s underwater walkways, or take it all in from above on a tour of the Sydney Tower. You’re never far from nature in this thriving urban center. Well-known surf beaches, zoos, national parks, whale watching tours, bush tours, and the Royal Botanic Gardens—featuring over 7,500 plants—offer visitors a chance to enjoy the area’s sunshine, lush greenery, wildlife, and clear blue oceans. Sydney is not only Australia’s oldest city, it is also one of the most ethnically diverse cities on the globe, offering a wealth of cuisines, unique museums, and cultural opportunities. Explore lively pubs, shops, and historic buildings at The Rocks, located on Sydney harbor.

Your ship departs promptly at 4:30 pm, so we recommend arriving at least 2-3 hours early to smoothly navigate check-in and boarding. All ship amenities are open and ready, so kickstart your vacation with a refreshing drink or a delicious snack.

Named for England's famous coal port, Newcastle was developed in the 19th century by dangerous convicts sent to work the coal mines and timber forests. Today, a Newcastle cruise offers stunning surf, a relaxed urban atmosphere, and a gateway to Australia’s wine country.

Near the port, stroll 200 years of local history, visiting Customs House, now a restaurant and bar; Watt Street, with buildings from the convict era; and Christ Church Cathedral, which still dominates the skyline.

Learn about local culture at Newcastle Museum, in the central business district. Collections include Fire and Earth, about the hot and heavy industrial era; Link Gallery, which houses large exhibits like an 1870 locomotive and an 1890 pipe organ; and Newcastle Story, where you can explore Aboriginal life and the pioneering Novocastrians (Newcastle folks).

For military history—and breathtaking Pacific views—venture out to 19th-century Fort Scratchley. There you can also relax on the sunny beaches for which Newcastle is famous in surfing circles—Nobbys Beach, Bar Beach, and Merewether Beach.

To meet rare local animals—koalas, wombats, diamond pythons, blue-tongued lizards, and such—head west to Blackbutt Reserve, occupying 450 acres of natural bushland, nature trails, and wildlife exhibits. Discover inland Hunter Valley, one of Australia's pioneering wine regions. Hunter Valley sémillon is the iconic wine of the region, which also produces wines from Syrah, chardonnay, and cabernet sauvignon grapes.

When it's time for a break, have a drink and savor a delicious meal in one of the many hip bars, cafés, and restaurants of Newcastle City Centre.

Shopping? If your cruise to Newcastle arrives on the first or third Saturday of November or December, don't miss the contemporary handmade art and design and artisan produce at Olive Tree Market, in Civic Park.

On your cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, this is the perfect departure point for local excursions. The coral reef is the largest living thing on the planet—so big you can see it from space—but made of billions of tiny organisms known as polyps.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the reef supports a vast diversity of marine life, with 600 types of soft and hard corals, 1,625 types of fish, and 30 species of whales and dolphins. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park covers 133,000 square miles, including 3,000 coral reefs and 900 islands. The snorkeling and diving here are unmatched.

Airlie Beach is popular with backpackers, yachtsmen, and other lovers of the tropical lifestyle. Sailing among the calm, protected waters of the Witsunday Islands and skydiving over the pristine shorelines are a couple of the must-do adventures for many visitors.

When it's time for some shopping during your Airlie Beach cruise, you'll find lovely seaside markets and galleries with friendly artists, handmade jewelry, colorful paintings, stunning photos, and tropical beachwear—perfect for a leisurely browse after breakfast.

In tropical North Queensland, surrounded on three sides by lush rainforest, your Cairns cruise makes the perfect launchpad for excursions to the Great Barrier Reef. This reef is the largest living thing on the planet—so big you can see it from space—but it's made up of billions of tiny organisms known as coral polyps.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the reef supports a vast diversity of marine life, with 600 types of soft and hard corals, 1,625 types of fish, and 30 species of whales and dolphins. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park covers 133,000 square miles, including 3,000 coral reefs and 900 islands. The snorkeling and diving here are unmatched.

Inland, explore the rainforest by cable car and scenic railway, soaring above treetops, peering into gorges, and observing jungle waterfalls. Join a whitewater rafting adventure in Barron Gorge National Park.

Stop at a rainforest village to see kangaroos, birds, butterflies, and reptiles. Hold a koala in your arms and feed a wallaby. Watch traditional Aboriginal dancers perform and artisans create their pottery, paintings, glass works, jewelry, and fabrics. You can shop for these original keepsakes to take back aboard your Cairns cruise.

Back in town, stroll the lovely native flowers, plants, and trees at Cairns Botanic Gardens. You might even get lucky in the local casino. What a way to top off your cruise to Cairns.

The once-sleepy, now-bustling seaside village of Port Douglas will be your hub to the Great Barrier Reef, home to some 1,500 species of fish, 5,000 species of mollusk and 400 species of coral for your exploration. During your Cruisetour, you'll enjoy a full day of marine adventure with opportunities to swim, snorkel, dive or view the reef from an underwater observatory.

The only humans that make their home on this tiny island—just 1,600 feet long and 490 feet wide—are meteorologists manning a weather monitoring station. From the ship’s deck you'll see thousands of seabirds such as Boobies, wedge-tailed shearwaters and sooty terns. Other highlights include a nearby coral reef and turtle nesting ground.

Considered one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the Southern Hemisphere, Sydney offers so much—from beaches and wineries to stunning landmarks and world-class shopping. Tour architectural marvels like the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge, view life below the surface from Sydney Aquarium’s underwater walkways, or take it all in from above on a tour of the Sydney Tower. You’re never far from nature in this thriving urban center. Well-known surf beaches, zoos, national parks, whale watching tours, bush tours, and the Royal Botanic Gardens—featuring over 7,500 plants—offer visitors a chance to enjoy the area’s sunshine, lush greenery, wildlife, and clear blue oceans. Sydney is not only Australia’s oldest city, it is also one of the most ethnically diverse cities on the globe, offering a wealth of cuisines, unique museums, and cultural opportunities. Explore lively pubs, shops, and historic buildings at The Rocks, located on Sydney harbor.

Your cruise may have ended, but the adventure continues. Take advantage of the fantastic activities in the area. If you're flying out, please keep your departure flight time in mind and plan accordingly.