South Pacific Cruise 7 Nights • Brisbane, Australia • Quantum of the Seas

The Airtrain effortlessly connects Brisbane city with the airport. If you have time pre-departure, step out of the city center and explore the inner-city suburbs. Affluent Paddington is known for its thrift stores, cafes and independent boutiques. Fortitude Valley is home to Chinatown, the James Street shopping district and great weekend markets.

Your ship departs promptly at 4:00 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.

Located on the southernmost point of the Vanuatu archipelago, this little jewel of the South Pacific is completely uninhabited. Formerly used as an allied force landing strip during WWII, today only palm trees and sweet seclusion grow from the white sand of Mystery Island. The locals live across the waters on Tanna and visit the island during the day to spread their warmth, culture and wares. It's the perfect spot for couples, beach lovers, or anyone looking to lounge in an ocean of beauty and literally get away from it all.

Vanuatu is a lush, verdant, tropical land that has risen out of the sea on coral beds formed by volcanoes. The mix of rugged coral coastlines, sandy beaches, beautiful waterfalls, thick jungles, and blue lagoons makes it one of the most charming ports worldwide. Port Vila offers dozens of places to visit, island feasts to sample local flavors, museums, and quaint little back streets to explore. It offers an array of tours and adventure, waterfront restaurants, and lively markets. The islands and people of Vanuatu also have an appeal that you simply won’t find elsewhere.

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 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.