9 Night New Zealand Cruise

Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia's largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby. Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.

Look up — the Bay of Islands is said to have the world's second bluest sky after Rio de Janeiro. Located on the northwestern coast of New Zealand's North Island, the sea here is also a beautiful shade of turquoise, dotted with 144 subtropical islands of the area. Cruise to Bay of Islands and check out Urupukapuka Island, where you can hike through Maori village sites or relax on the white-sand beach. Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds — this is the site where the treaty that made New Zealand into its own nation was signed. Or head out on a dolphin spotting cruise to see the population of bottlenose dolphins that call these waters home.

It's hobbit enthusiast's dream come true in Tauranga. This town on the Bay of Plenty, perched on New Zealand's North Island, is just a short trek from the rolling hills of Waikato — this is where you'll find Hobbiton, the location that served as the Shire in the uber-popular "Lord of the Rings" movies. But the fantastic findings of Tauranga don't end there. Cruise to Tauranga and hike to the summit of nearby Mount Maunganui, an extinct volcano that offers panoramic views of the city and the Pacific Ocean below. Or take the one-hour drive to Rotorua, a geothermal fairyland where you can soak in the rejuvenating waters of the natural hot springs.

On the eastern side of New Zealand's North Island sits Napier, in Hawke's Bay. The entire city was rebuilt in the Art Deco style following an earthquake in 1931, giving Napier the best collection of authentic Art Deco buildings on the planet. Known for its wine, Napier boasts a cafe culture enjoyed year-round thanks to its sunny, Mediterranean-like climate. Nearby you can find the world's largest colony of gannets – a sleek, white sea bird known for its dramatic plunge-dive fish-catching technique – which can be viewed on a hike or a tractor ride on the beach.

Picton, on the northeast corner of New Zealand's South Island, provides access to the beautiful Marlborough Sounds and to New Zealand's most famous wine region, Marlborough, home to the world's best Sauvignon Blanc. Known as the sunniest place in the country, this small town of about 3,000 is named for Sir Thomas Picton, who fought at the Battle of Waterloo. The pretty harbour town has several cafes and shops, plus a market when cruise ships are in port. The area is home to five different types of dolphins, orca and rare birds.

Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia's largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby. Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.