36-day World cruise: New Zealand, Australia & Bali explorer

Your voyage begins in Auckland, New Zealand. Straddling a narrow isthmus created by 60 different volcanoes, New Zealand's former capital boasts scenic beauty, historical interest and a cosmopolitan collection of shops, restaurants, museums, galleries and gardens. Rangitoto, Auckland's largest and youngest volcano, sits in majestic splendor just offshore. Mt. Eden and One Tree Hill, once home to Maori earthworks, overlook the city. One of New Zealand's fine wine districts lies to the north of Auckland. Auckland served as New Zealand's capital from 1841 until 1865, when the seat of government moved to Wellington.

New Zealand's natural bounty is always on display at the Bay of Plenty. It was Captain James Cook who in 1769 aptly named this bay, thanks to the prosperous Maori villages of the region. Tauranga, the chief city, is a bustling port, an agricultural and timber center and a popular seaside resort. Tauranga is also the gateway to Rotorua - a geothermal wonderland that is the heart of Maori culture. A 90-minute drive from Tauranga, Rotorua is New Zealand's primary tourist attraction.Your ship docks near the foot of Mt. Maunganui, which rises 761 feet above the bay. Across the harbor, Tauranga offers scenic tidal beaches at Omokoroa and Pahoia. The region boasts fine beaches, big-game fishing, thermal springs and seaside resorts.

Your ship calls at Gisborne, New Zealand.

Napier and Hawke's Bay have become New Zealand's premier lifestyle getaways. Located on the North Island's eastern coast, New Zealand's oldest wine-growing region boasts a superb Mediterranean climate and golden sand beaches. In recent years, Hawke's Bay has become a leading producer of fine olive oils and artisanal cheeses. Wildlife lovers and birders will flock to Cape Kidnappers in Southern Hawke Bay: the Cape is home to the largest mainland gannet colony in the world. In 1931, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake leveled Napier. The town rebuilt itself, and today Napier is hailed as the "Art Deco City" for its superb collection of Deco, Spanish Mission and Classical Revival buildings.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Seabourn Quest's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Your ship calls at Picton, New Zealand.

Your ship calls at Akaroa (Christchurch), New Zealand.

Your ship calls at Port Chalmers (Dunedin), New Zealand.

Your ship calls at Cruising Fiordland Natl Park.

Continue your voyage aboard Seabourn Quest with a leisurely day at sea.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Seabourn Quest's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

As your ship passes Harbour Heads, you are presented with the shimmering skyline of Sydney - hailed by many seafarers as "the most beautiful harbor in the world." Two prominent landmarks, Harbour Bridge and the sail-like curves of the Sydney Opera House, grace the backdrop of this picturesque harbor. There is a wealth of adventure waiting in Sydney - from its cosmopolitan city center to miles of beautiful beaches and the Blue Mountains.Australia's oldest and largest city was born in 1788 with the arrival of the "First Fleet" transporting 760 British convicts. Today, Sydney is the largest port in the South Pacific and is often voted the most popular destination in the South Pacific.

A second day in Sydney, Australia - time to explore at your own pace.

Continue your voyage aboard Seabourn Quest with a leisurely day at sea.

Your ship calls at Burnie, Tasmania, Australia.

Victoria may be Australia's smallest continental state, but Melbourne, its capital, is big on everything. With a population of 4.25 million people living in 59 separately named communities within 715 square miles, Melbourne is a sprawling city offering culture, art, fashion and friendly, sports-minded Australians. It is also an easy city to explore. At the heart of the city is the Golden Mile, the city's governmental and commercial center, home to hotels, shops, restaurants and theaters.Originally part of New South Wales, Victoria became a colony in its own right in 1851. The discovery of gold propelled Melbourne's growth to prominence and prosperity.Travel Tip: Melbourne is pronounced "mell-burn."

Your ship calls at Portland, Victoria, Australia.

Your ship calls at Robe, South Australia, Australia.

Founded in 1836, this graceful city lies nestled on the coastal plain between Gulf St. Vincent and the Adelaide Hills. Adelaide was the vision of Colonel William Light, Australia's Surveyor General, who created a one-mile-square grid for the city's center and surrounded it with a belt of stunning parkland. Today, Adelaide is a metropolis of over one million people, boasting wide, tree-lined boulevards, superb Victorian and Edwardian architecture, tranquil parks, world-class shopping, and the highest number of restaurants per capita of any city in Australia. Beyond the city and the rugged Adelaide Hills lie the Barossa and Eden Valleys. Here Australian vintners are winning international acclaim for their Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz.

Your ship calls at Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island, Australia.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Seabourn Quest's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Continue your voyage aboard Seabourn Quest with a leisurely day at sea.

This vibrant coastal city is a laid-back charmer with an enticing array of natural wonders and active pursuits. Just steps from the mile-long Jetty are glistening white sand beaches and sun-drenched seaside villages. Yet the magic of the Margaret River area beckons with 120 premium wineries; ancient caves boasting a subterranean world of jaw-dropping stalactite, stalagmite, helictite and shawl formations; a fascinating Aboriginal culture rooted in ancient history; and a picture perfect landscape of meandering country roads and spectacular scenery.

Your ship calls at Fremantle (Perth), Australia.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Seabourn Quest's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Continue your voyage aboard Seabourn Quest with a leisurely day at sea.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

Your ship calls at Benoa (Denpasar), Bali, Indonesia.

A second day in Benoa (Denpasar), Bali, Indonesia - time to explore at your own pace.

Your ship calls at Probolinggo, Java, Indonesia.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Seabourn Quest's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Continue your voyage aboard Seabourn Quest with a leisurely day at sea.

Singapore - the very name summons visions of the mysterious East. The commercial center of Southeast Asia, this island city-state of five million people is a metropolis of modern high-rise buildings, Chinese shop-houses with red-tiled roofs, sturdy Victorian buildings, Buddhist temples and Arab bazaars. Founded in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles of the fabled East India Company, the city is a melting pot of people and cultures. Malay, Chinese, English and Tamil are official languages. Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Hinduism and Christianity are the major faiths. Singapore is an ever-fascinating island boasting colorful traditions, luxurious hotels and some of the finest duty-free shopping in the world. Lying just 85 miles north of the Equator at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, the island was a haven for Malay pirates and Chinese and Arab traders.

Your voyage concludes in Singapore.