Transpacific - QN17T030 Quantum of the Seas departing 12 Apr 2023

Discover the capital of Queensland, Australia’s Sunshine State. Laid-back Brisbane feels like a big country town, but it’s actually Australia’s third-largest city. Cruise from Brisbane, Australia and experience its charm in any season thanks to year-round warm temperatures. Head to South Bank, where you join the locals cooling down in one of the many museums and galleries, or enjoy the sunshine at the man-made Streets Beach. Two of Australia’s beach-going meccas, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast, border Brisbane – take a short drive out and hop on a surfboard or relax in the sun-soaked sand.

The International Date Line is the meridian that separates two consecutive calendar days. Of course, since the line is mainly across open ocean, you can’t see it. But without the IDL, if you cruised west around the planet you’d discover that when you returned home, it would seem as though an extra day had passed. This situation actually happened to Magellan’s crew when they returned home after their circumnavigation of the earth. If your cruise should take you across this imaginary line, our staff will let you know the exact time one day turns into another – just in case you want to celebrate.

Papeete is the lively capital of Tahiti – a figure-eight-shaped island formed by the eruption of two volcanoes, it’s become a go-to spot for tropical adventure. A bustling urban centre, Papeete feels more French than anywhere else in Tahiti. Head to the centre of the city to see the vibrant Municipal Market, where you can pick up coffee and chocolate croissants, sample fresh produce or shop for hand-carved Tiki statues. See the waves crash against the volcanic black-sand beach at Plage du Taharuu. Cruise to Tahiti and hike through the verdant jungle at Fautaua Valley – don’t miss the dramatic waterfall that cascades about 300 metres down into a natural pool.

Moorea is the picture-perfect vision of an ideal island paradise. Formed by volcanic activity, this heart-shaped island hidden a few short miles off the Tahiti mainland holds beaches that look out to the brightest blue waters you can imagine, and the soaring green peaks of the mountains here are the stuff of legend. Head to Tiki Village to experience a traditional Polynesian dance. Hike up to Belvedere Lookout for views of famous Cook’s Bay and volcanic Mount Tohivea. Go snorkelling in the lagoon at Opunohu Bay, or check out the Moorea Dolphin Center to get up-close-and-personal with nature’s cutest, most intelligent sea creatures.

Loosely translated from ancient Tahitian, Bora Bora means “created by the gods” — and when you set foot on this heavenly island in French Polynesia, you won’t have any trouble understanding how it got its name. Crystalline turquoise waters and a vibrant coral reef surround a string of motus — tiny islets around the main island, just across the lagoon. Relax in the powder-soft white sand of Matira Beach, and breathe in the fresh scent of Tiare Tahiti, the distinctive white gardenia that grows wild here. Dive or snorkel among the coral reef just off Sofitel Marara. Or hike iconic Mount Otemanu, the lushly forested extinct volcano at the center of the island.

Located on Hawaii Island’s beautiful western shore, Kailua Kona is known for its calm, clear waters that offer the perfect playground for ocean adventure. Take the 25-minute drive north to Manini’owali Beach to swim or snorkel in the ultra-blue waves alongside dolphins and sea turtles. Often referred to simply as Kona, the area is also a place of deep historical significance. Cruise to Kailua Kona and check out Kaloko-Honokahau National Historical Park, a Hawaiian Heritage Site where you’ll encounter early temples, ancient petroglyphs and traditional fishponds. See where your morning cup comes from at one of the coffee plantations on the slopes of Hualalai volcano — if you’re daring, you can even hike to the summit.

Honolulu is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. It is an unincorporated part of and the county seat of the City and County of Honolulu along the southeast coast of the island of Oʻahu