Melbourne, Australia - Melbourne is a huge, sprawling city with something for everyone ‐ culture, art, fashion, and friendly Australians. It is also Australia's financial and commercial center. Easy to explore, at the heart of the city is the Golden Mile, the city's governmental and business corridor, home to hotels, shops, restaurants and theaters.

Melbourne also offers one of the world's finest parks - the Royal Botanic Gardens. Tour this city's charming Victorian-era architecture and visit the countryside via a vintage steam train.

At Sea - Cruising - Cruising

Sydney, Australia - The whole world's in love with Sydney. It's stylish, it's sophisticated, it's home to some of the friendliest people on the planet. And yes, a few koalas, if you know where to look. What's not to love? This gateway to the Outback has it all: endless outdoor adventure around the harbor or in spots like the Blue Mountains. Golden sandy beaches named Bondi, Bilgola and Coogee (which are not only beautiful, but also fun to say). A bustling art and entertainment scene. Countless museums, galleries and world-class restaurants where the dishes go way beyond the local Vegemite.

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.

Dunedin (Port Chalmers), New Zealand - Dunedin is the old Gaelic name for Edinburgh. Uncover this "kiwi" city's Scottish heritage roots as you meander its octagon-shaped streets and quaint Victorian buildings.

Akaroa, New Zealand -

Visit the historic French-British settlement of Akaroa, 1.5 hours south of Christchurch, and explore the mountainous Banks Peninsula on which the town sits.

The Akaroa Marine Reserve, at the mouth of Akaroa Harbor (once an active volcano) was created in 2013, and many species of its fauna and flora are still undescribed. During an Akaroa cruise, enjoy a boat ride around this harbor, stopping to take in the natural beauty and snap picturesque photos.

This area is visited by Hector’s dolphins, endemic to New Zealand and the smallest species, just 4–5 feet long and 90–130 pounds in weight. Unlike the more common bottlenose dolphin, the Hector’s dolphin has a short beak, a rounded black dorsal fin, and elegant color variations from creamy white belly to dark gray extremities. Smaller species of whales also visit the reserve.

Fur seals and white-flippered penguins hang out along the rocky platforms edging the harbor, where albatrosses, petrels, and other seabirds visit. Do some excellent bird watching with your binoculars on a cliff-side stroll—but remember to watch your step.
Visit the historic French-British settlement of Akaroa, 1.5 hours south of Christchurch, and explore the mountainous Banks Peninsula on which the town sits.

The Akaroa Marine Reserve, at the mouth of Akaroa Harbor (once an active volcano) was created in 2013, and many species of its fauna and flora are still undescribed. During an Akaroa cruise, enjoy a boat ride around this harbor, stopping to take in the natural beauty and snap picturesque photos.

This area is visited by Hector’s dolphins, endemic to New Zealand and the smallest species, just 4–5 feet long and 90–130 pounds in weight. Unlike the more common bottlenose dolphin, the Hector’s dolphin has a short beak, a rounded black dorsal fin, and elegant color variations from creamy white belly to dark gray extremities. Smaller species of whales also visit the reserve.

Fur seals and white-flippered penguins hang out along the rocky platforms edging the harbor, where albatrosses, petrels, and other seabirds visit. Do some excellent bird watching with your binoculars on a cliff-side stroll—but remember to watch your step.

Tauranga, New Zealand - The "Bay of Plenty" was named by Captain Cook after the prosperous Maori villages of the region generously replenished his supplies. Tauranga, the chief city, is a bustling port, an agricultural and timber center and a popular seaside resort. Tauranga is the gateway to Rotorua, a geothermal wonderland that is the heart of Maori culture and New Zealand's primary tourist attraction.

Tauranga, meaning "sheltered waters" in Maori, is rich with native culture and tradition. Waterskiing, windsurfing and deep-sea fishing abound in Tauranga Harbour. Rotorua with its healing, natural mineral springs is an ideal place to unwind in a therapeutic bath.

Auckland, New Zealand - Shop along the picturesque waterfront of this ever-expanding city, home to one-third of the country's population. From museums housing Maori artifacts to extinct volcanic peaks, this pedestrian-friendly city is the perfect combination of nature and commerce.

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.

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.