Transpacific Cruise 25 netter • Seattle, Washington til Brisbane, Australia • Voyager of the Seas

Sailing out on a cruise from Seattle? Make sure you spend a few a days in the beautiful Emerald City. If you’re a nature lover, this jewel in the Pacific Northwest is the perfect place for you to explore ahead of your cruise vacation. Though it offers plenty of metropolitan delights — think great restaurants, bars, a ton of shopping and lots (and lots) of hip coffee shops — Seattle is a big city with a wild, great-outdoors soul. It’s surrounded by ancient forests, sprawling public parks and, of course, the misty Puget Sound, where you can slow-moving tugboats, sleek kayaks and the occasional pod of whales. Head to Discovery Park for beautiful views of the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges or visit the Olympic Sculpture Park near Elliott Bay. And if you’re craving a drink and a tasty bite to eat, head to one of Seattle’s many rooftop bars and take advantage of those extra-long northern summer days while you sip local brews and expertly crafted cocktails.

Hawaii's capital is also the center of its culture and history. Dive into Hawaii's monarchical past at Bishop Museum and Iolani Palace, or take the boat ride out to explore Pearl Harbor. Head to Waikiki International Market Place for designer shopping and hip restaurants serving creative takes on the Asian roots of Hawaiian cuisine. Stretch out on a white sand beach to finish your day.

Moorea is a treasure trove of island activities that'll satisfy your every whim. Snorkel through the warm turquoise Lagoonarium of Moorea, home to pristine coral reefs and darting exotic fish. Trek up Magical Mountain on foot or by ATV for views of the volcano and the bay. Or head to Temae Beach and relax by the translucent, coral-filled waters surrounded by coconut trees and mountain peaks.

Papeete has some of the world's best waves for surfers of all experience levels — Papara and Papeenoo are perfect for beginners to intermediates, while experienced surfers looking for a challenge can head to Teahupoo. Looking to wade rather than catch a wave? Stroll the volcanic black sands at Plague du Taharuu. Stroll the botanic Paofai Gardens, and check out the Robert Wan Pearl Museum nearby.

Some of the best Raiatea, French Polynesia travel activities include exploring Raiatea in its most natural form. Venture over its bright blue lagoon on a boat trip to find tiny islets ringed with sugar white sands and topped with palm trees, a prime place to laze the day away. Snorkel around coral gardens, and peek into reef crags to find eels, octopuses, anemones and their resident clown fish, reef sharks and stingrays. Or, wander along Raiatea's largely untouched trails to botanical gardens, waterfalls that range from a roar to a trickle, and lookout points to see the Raiatea landscape in all its splendor. Admiring one of the most revered ceremonial sites, Marae Taputapuatea, is also a must-do on a Raiatea, French Polynesia, vacation. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and meeting point for locals and modern seafarers. Though it's one of the largest cities in French Polynesia, Raiatea's capital city of Uturoa embodies a relaxed way of life. Let your stomach lead the way around town and browse the market for ripe produce, grab a piping hot pastry from a brasserie or dig into a plate of seafood prepared from the catch of the day.

On Mystery Island, you can live the simple life. Stroll around the entire island and find your special secluded spot. Go on a hunt for the old military airstrip built during World War II. Melt into a traditional Vanuatu massage right on the beach. Or simply dive into the warm, turquoise waters and make friends with the exotic marine life and coral.

Small, bustling and surrounded by sky blue waters, Port Vila is the perfect spot to soak up Vanuatu's natural beauty. Learn about the islands' rich history at the Vanuatu Cultural Center, which showcases indigenous artifacts and features exhibitions on the practice of sand drawing. Marvel at rainforest-surrounded waterfalls of Mele Cascades. Or ride a water taxi to nearby Pele Island and soak up the sun on a powdery white beach.

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.