18 Nights Cruise: PASSAGE TO OZ Auckland to Bali (Benoa) (2025)

Departs 7PM

Shimmering Auckland lies on a narrow isthmus between the sparkling waters of the Waitemata and Manukau harbors. Marvel at the cosmopolitan city’s volcanic landscape in suburbs boasting iconic cones with Maori and English names like Maungawhau/Mount Eden (the city’s highest point), Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill and Maungarei/Mount Wellington. Browse the shops of Queen Street or the Parnell area with their galleries and boutiques in quaintly restored Victorian buildings, or visit the Skytower for loftier views. See first-hand why Auckland is called the ‘City of Sails’ on a harbor cruise aboard a ketch-rigged sailing yacht before exploring an enticing array of eclectic restaurants, bars and cafes.

The "Bay of Islands" was how Captain Cook described this area two centuries ago and the simplicity of his name masks the diversity of its charms. The Bay of Islands is the finest Maritime Park in the country with 144 islands, secluded bays and abundance of marine life. It is one of the most popular fishing, sailing and tourist destinations in the country, and has been renowned internationally for its big-game fishing since author Zane Grey publicized it in the 1930s.

Make the most of your time in one of the liveliest, must-see cities of the Pacific Rim. From bustling Circular Quay along the glamorous waterfront, take in the graceful sails of Sydney’s iconic Opera House. Catch a glimpse of the past along the narrow, twisting laneways of the historic Rocks district in the shadow of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Head west to the spectacular, untamed beauty of the Blue Mountains for a ride on the world’s steepest perpendicular railway. Get up close with Australia’s charming wildlife at the Koala Park Sanctuary, then end your day with a refreshing stop at a traditional Aussie pub.

This welcoming beachside city boasts an intriguing maritime history along with beautiful coastline and diverse natural landscapes ranging from lush rainforests to preserved wetlands to coastal sand dunes. In addition to its celebrated beaches, the city’s unique ocean baths are among the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. The most spectacular views of the beaches and harbor are found at Fort Scratchley Historic Site, where you can also learn about the city’s naval and mining history in the system of underground tunnels. For a taste of the local flavor, stroll down Darby Street and find great eateries and restaurants.

This lush metropolis among the tropical treasures of northern Queensland may be a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, but it has unmissable attractions within reach. Take a short ferry ride to the coral-fringed beaches and walking trails of Magnetic Island. Wander among the cafes, galleries and boutiques of Townsville’s sprawling seaside esplanade. Visit the much-lauded Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium, a marine wonderland. Take a scenic ride to Billabong Sanctuary for up-close encounters with cassowaries, kookaburras, dingoes and other Aussie wildlife. Trek to the top of Castle Hill – a giant, pink-granite monolith that is Townsville’s centerpiece – for the city’s finest panoramic views.

This laid-back city in Far North Queensland is the gateway to a pair of World Heritage-listed treasures: the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef and spectacular Wet Tropics Rainforest. Sail by luxury catamaran to a pontoon moored atop the Outer Reef for a once-in-a-lifetime marine experience. Glide over miles of verdant jungle aboard the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, stopping to explore on foot the world’s oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest. In Cairns (pronounced ‘cans’), walk the city’s Esplanade overlooking the Coral Sea, pausing to dip your toes in an artificial saltwater lagoon. Encounter natural splendor at the city’s Botanic Garden and Cairns Aquarium or hit some lively shops and cafes.

Along the coast of the Northern Territory lies Darwin, a city isolated by the vast Australian desert. The area was sought by the French, Dutch and British, and was established as the town of Darwin in 1869. In 1942, the city was under the threat of a Japanese attack, so a major Australian military base was established. Today Darwin is the largest city of the Northern Territory, offering sights from its colonial past and excellent shopping and dining opportunities.

Indonesia’s isolated Komodo Island is a natural wonder of tropical savanna and scrubland, home to the famed pre-historic Komodo dragon. Komodo National Park is the only place on earth that they can be found in the wild. The island of Komodo itself is about 60 squares miles in area with dramatic landscapes of 2,000 foot craggy mountains, canyons, Savannas and monsoon rain forests in the valleys. Human habitation is therefore limited to only one settlement in Slawi Bay.

Benoa’s charms are most evident in Nusa Dua, one of the most beautiful beaches in already-legendary Bali. In this land of rice terraces, spectacular volcanoes and over 20,000 temples, the main destination is the stunning 17th-century royal temple complex of Pura Taman Ayun in nearby Mengwi, surrounded by a lotus-filled moat, giving it the feel of a garden sanctuary. Another favorite is the Sunset Temple, Tanah Lot, and don’t miss the batik factories for that perfect gift or souvenir.