A growing number of cruise lines, including Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Silversea Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines are including ports of call in Australia and New Zealand on their cruise itineraries. Some cruises call on ports "Down Under" as part of a longer South Pacific voyage or world cruise, but some focus specifically on these fascinating Southern Hemisphere destinations.

Australia, an island and a continent unto itself, offers stunning scenery that ranges from the vast inland wilderness of the Outback to world-famous beaches. New Zealand, while much smaller, offers everything from exotic black sand beaches – a result remnant of the nation’s volcanic origins – to rugged mountains swathed in glaciers.

Major ports in Australia and New Zealand include:

• Sydney, a world-class, multicultural city with outstanding shopping, nightlife and attractions. Landmarks include the Sydney Opera House, which watches over the harbor, and the 1,000-foot-tall AMP Tower in the central city, which offers breathtaking views.
• Cairns, a resort town that serves as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the largest living coral formation in the world. Many excursions to the Outback also depart from Cairns. Local artists sell their works at the Pier Marketplace adjacent to Trinity Warf.
• Auckland, a center of yacht racing. The National Maritime Museum exhibits the nautical history of the city, including triumphs in the prestigious America’s Cup competition. Inland, the city of Rotorua is the county’s geothermal capital, complete with bubbling mud pools, geysers and steam vents. Visitors can also learn about the lifestyle of the native people, the Maori.

To start planning a cruise to Australia and New Zealand (winter is a terrific time to go), call Marilyn at 1-800-720-7245.