New Zealand Holiday Cruise 9 Nights • Sydney, Australia • Anthem of the Seas

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.

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.

Start your adventure in downtown Auckland. Pop into one of the many hip cafes for a flat white (the local latte) and muesli, a blend of oats, nuts and dried fruit served with yogurt and honey. Then, stroll the waterfront at Viaduct Basin and admire the yachts — Auckland has more boats per capita than any other city in the world — or set out for a sail yourself. Walk 45 minutes (or take the hop-on-hop-off bus) up to the Auckland Museum for bonus harbor views.

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.

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.