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.

With lofted suites, a handcrafted carousel, sculptured glass domes and the first zip line at sea, Royal Caribbean’s new ship, Oasis of the Seas, will make its debut for a Thanksgiving Week cruise of the Caribbean. The 5,400-passenger ship will introduce the cruise line’s "neighborhood" concept, which offers a variety of settings for relaxation, dining and entertainment.

There are seven special neighborhoods on board, including Central Park, Boardwalk and AquaTheater.

In Central Park, pathways wander through lush plantings of grass, flowers and trees, with two glass-domed canopies transferring sunlight to the decks below. The park also provides lovely views for more than 300 staterooms that rise six decks high on either side.

The Boardwalk provides old-fashioned fun. The centerpiece is a handcrafted carousel, the first at sea. Guests can select from a variety of dining spots, browse through shops and try their skill at carnival games.

The Boardwalk leads to the stunning AquaTheater, the first amphitheater at sea. Guests can swim and take SCUBA lessons in the AquaTheater’s large freshwater pool. At night, the pool becomes a performance venue for acrobatics, water ballet, professional high-diving and fountain shows.

Additional neighborhoods include Entertainment Place, the Pool and Sports Zone, the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, plus an expanded version of the cruise line’s signature Royal Promenade.

The sheer size of the Oasis of the Seas allows new types of accommodations, such as contemporary loft suites with double-height windows. Other surprises on board include not one, but two of the cruise line’s popular rock climbing walls, plus the first zip line at sea.

For more information about how you can sail on the Oasis of the Seas, call Marilyn at 1-800-720-7245(sail). Royal Caribbean also expects to launch a sister ship, the Allure of the Seas, in 2010.