Circular Quay is where you'll find the Opera House, museums such as the Art Gallery of NSW and some of the best restaurants in the city. A short walk will take you to the historic George Street district, while top-tier shopping can be found in the historical Queen Victoria Building. A 45-minute ferry ride will take you to the heart of Manly Beach when you cruise from Sydney.
Your ship departs promptly at 5:00 pm, so plan to arrive at least 2-3 hours early to account for checking in and boarding protocols. During this time, many of the ship's amenities are open and operating, so feel free to start your holiday early.

While at sea, take time to recharge before the next adventure. Lounge by the pool, be spoiled at the spa, dine at any of the onboard restaurants or explore the thrills on each deck until we arrive at the next destination.

Walk 20 minutes from the cruise ship dock at Aotea Quay to Lambton Harbour and then stroll along the waterfront to the Te Papa museum, keeping your eye out for the street art sculptures along the way. There are often shuttles to the city center too. Walk back through the downtown to see more of Wellington's architecture.

From the port, shuttle buses and taxis take you the short distance to the vibrant downtown. It's easy to explore Napier's Art Deco architecture and boat-packed seaside on foot. Or take the 30-minute drive out to Cape Kidnappers for a hike along the dramatic sandstone cliffs or a relaxing round of golf. If you feel like heading indoors, you can admire both native and worldwide species at the National Aquarium of New Zealand.

Take the 45-minute drive to Hobbiton to live like you're "Lord of the Rings" character. Or visit McLaren Falls Park, where you can trek past exotic flora to see the crashing waterfall.

Sail through the Hole in the Rock, where you can spot friendly bottlenose dolphins and maybe even dip into the water to swim with them. Or head across the water from Paihia to Russell, New Zealand's first capital city: Take the 30-minute loop walk up to Flagstaff Hill, and pop into Russell Museum to learn more about the old capital's sailing history.

While at sea, take time to recharge before the next adventure. Lounge by the pool, be spoiled at the spa, dine at any of the onboard restaurants or explore the thrills on each deck until we arrive at the next destination.

The Blue Mountains, just an hour west of central Sydney, feel like they're world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. With more than 1 million hectares of forests, cliffs, canyons, caves and waterfalls — and plenty of walking paths to take you there — this is one of the best day trips Sydney has to offer. Quaint towns such as Katoomba stand in stark contrast to iconic landmarks such as the Three Sisters, the towering rock formation overlooking the valley.
The cruise might have ended, but there are still some great activities to enjoy in the area. If you flew into this port, be mindful of your departure flight time and plan accordingly.