Day 1 : Brisbane, Australia
Discover the capital of Queensland, Australia's Sunshine Sate. Laid-back Brisbane feels big country town, but it's actually Australia's third larger 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.
See Brisbane from several different perspectives. Check out the wide-angled view from Mt Coot-tha Lookout, then face your fears and do the Story Bridge Adventure Climb. Next, see the sunset from Kangaroo Points Cliff Park, or hop on a free CityCat ferry for skyline views from the Brisbane River.
Quantum of the Seas by Royal Caribbean will depart at 4:30pm. Due to security reasons, all guests must be on board 2 hours before the cruise departs.
Overnight at Quantum of the Seas by Royal Caribbean (Ocean View Balcony)
Day 2-3: Cruising at Sea
Free at your own leisure.
*Recommended activities:
[Bumper Cars] Buckle up and take the wheel for nonstop fun on the only bumper cars at sea. Rush hour gets a thrilling spin at the largest indoor activity space ever to set sail.
[FlowRider] Grab your board and get ready for 30,000 gallons of rushing awesome headed your way. The surf's always up on the 40-foot-long FlowRider surf simulator.
[SeaPlex] The largest indoor active space at sea is only on Royal Caribbean. Basketball and bumper cars - it's the first time you'll ever play like this on a cruise.
[Solarium] Slip away to this adults-only indoor and outdoor retreat. The Solarium is your slice of paradise, with soothing whirlpools, warm sunshine and a refreshing water mist.
Overnight at Quantum of the Seas by Royal Caribbean (Ocean View Balcony)
Day 4: Port Vila, Vanuatu
In Port Vila, Vanuatu's energetic capital, you'll be greeted by friendly Bislama-speaking locals and street-side markets. The history of Port Vila alone is impressive — add that to the story of the entire South Pacific, and you've got the Vanuatu Cultural Center. It houses one of the most extensive collections of South Pacific artifacts on the planet. Outrigger canoes, photos, videos and traditional sand drawing exhibitions await.
It gets pretty hot and sticky on a tropical island. Do like the locals do and cool down at the Mele Cascades Waterfall. At 150 feet high, the spray alone is refreshing. A bus ride and a brief walk up the valley gets you to this spectacular feat of nature.
A quick drive and a water taxi trip will bring you to the tiny Hideaway Island. Jump right in and snorkel in crystal clear waters teeming with rainbows of fish. Jump onboard a Port Vila, Vanuatu cruise to swim to the world's only underwater post office, and post a waterproof postcard to your friends back home.
For cheap eats, go to Mama's Market, where you can sample taro root pancakes, Vanuatu French fries — delicious flakes of coconut deep fried and salted to perfection —or traditional lap lap, grated yam and banana cooked with coconut cream in an earthen oven. Or dine al fresco along the waterfront: Modern eateries serve up French-inspired takes on local fish and grass-fed beef, which is some of the world's best.
Along Wharf Road in the center of town, you'll see the charming Vanuatu Handicraft Market. Here, local vendors sell authentic Vanuatu wooden carvings, as well as prints and other crafts. If you're looking for something a bit more tailored during your cruise, pop in at the nearby Pandanus shop, which supports local creators.
Overnight at Quantum of the Seas by Royal Caribbean (Ocean View Balcony)
Day 5: Mystery Island, Vanuatu
Uninhabited and untouched by modern society, Mystery Island will make you believe it wouldn't be so bad to be a marooned sailor in an old storybook. You'll find no electricity, roads or telephones here. A comfortable 30-minute walk will take you on a self-guided tour of the entire island. Only accessible by cruise ship and the nearby inhabitants of Aneityum, you'll truly get to experience life on a deserted island. Explore the white-sand shoreline and its warm waters — go for a snorkel and see an incredible underwater world untouched by human influence.
Because Mystery Island is so secluded, the coral is exceptionally healthy and the fish plentiful. Whether you are swimming or snorkeling, you'll pass clown fish, parrot fish, barracudas and majestic sea turtles. You might even be lucky enough to glimpse a seahorse.
Hop on a quick boat ride to the nearby inhabited island of Aneityum for a little adventure. From there, you'll be given a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) and a quick beginner's lesson on how to use it. Enjoy the remainder of your time by SUPing around the lush bay in cool island style. Take a break from the real world and take in the shimmering turquoise ocean with your Mystery Island cruise. Dig your toes into the white powdery sand, and breathe in the warm, tropical air.
The inhabitants of the nearby Aneityum come to the island to prepare food and entertainment for visitors. They serve traditional Vanuatuan food, which is simple and delicious. Tuck in to freshly caught grilled lobster for lunch, and treat yourself to island banana pie for dessert.
Along the beach, you can find small market stalls set up by locals. They sell postcards, sarongs and traditional trinkets. For a more cultural experience, have your hair braided by one of the local women or enjoy a traditional Vanuatu massage on the beach.
Overnight at Quantum of the Seas by Royal Caribbean (Ocean View Balcony)
Day 6: Noumea, New Caledonia
A melting pot of ethnicity and culture, sunny Noumea will quickly win you over with its upbeat city vibe. The capital city of New Caledonia offers some of the best weather in the South Pacific. Noumea's cultural pride shines through in its museums, theaters and art galleries — check out the Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre to explore the traditional Kanak culture. Head to the top of the Noumea Cathedral for views of the island, dotted with palms, hibiscuses and coconut trees. Hop a ferry out to Amedee Island to see its lighthouse and swim with sea turtles. Cruise to Noumea and relax on the picturesque beach at lemon tree-lined Baie des Citrons, or go snorkeling in Anse Vata Bay.
Noumea has every water sport imaginable. Head on over to the Bay of Anse Vata to speed across the water with a kitesurfing lesson. From Anse Vata Beach, catch a water taxi to Duck Island ("Ile aux Canards") and snorkel in the majestic underwater world.
Stretch your land legs and take a tour around the Michel Corbasson Zoological and Forest Park. Full of lush greenery and unique species of fauna native to New Caledonia, the park lets you catch glimpses of giant geckos, flying foxes and exotic birds, including New Caledonia's national bird, the kagu.
Although New Caledonians speak French, their native culture is called Kanak. The Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre is a spectacular feat of architecture that celebrates Kanak culture and educates visitors on its core beliefs. Check out traditional Kanak totems and artifacts, as well as recreated traditional huts.
Discover the abundance of French-influenced food found on Noumea. Head to Baie de Citrons to find the best restaurants, bistros and bars. Cruise to Noumea and sample French classics like slow-cooked lamb shanks and escargots, or experience island-inspired twists on Old World cuisine, like choucroute (a filling platter-style meal typical in Alsace) with sweet potato, cabbage, papaya and pumpkin. And look out for the bakeries — they stock bread worthy of a Parisian cafe.
There are two main shopping attractions in Noumea: grocery stores and open-air markets. Head to the Casino (a grocery store) and indulge in the array of French goodies — pick up some hard-to-find French wine to take home. At the market, you'll find local spices, including regionally produced vanilla, alongside Kanak artifacts. For souvenirs, browse the market for Melanesian masks or tribal turtle sculptures.
Overnight at Quantum of the Seas by Royal Caribbean (Ocean View Balcony)
Day 7-8: Cruising at Sea
Free at your own leisure.
*Recommended Cuisine:
Exclusively for suite guests and Pinnacle Club members, Coastal Kitchen fuses Mediterranean influences with farm-fresh flavors from California. Filled with Pacific Coast favorites and Med-inspired entrees, the menu here rotates to spotlight delicious, seasonal ingredients. And you can pair every bite with a glass or bottle of wine off a list that includes vintages from the sun-kissed valleys of Napa to the golden-green hills of Tuscany.
Welcome to Chef’s Table, the most exclusive and elevated dining experience on our fleet. Join an intimate group of fellow foodies on a private epicurean journey led by the ship’s Chef de Cuisine. You’ll sit down to a white tablecloth dinner spotlighting five exquisite courses that range from scallop carpaccio with yuzu vinaigrette, to grilled filet mignon served with truffle potato puree — each expertly paired with the perfect wine to highlight every flavor on the menu.
Dip into a dining experience unlike any other onboard. With roots in Chinese culture, Hot Pot at Solarium Bistro features a style of dining where you cook your meats and vegetables right at the table in a simmering pot of stock — or a “hot pot.”
Get ready for some French confectionary perfection. Take your sweet tooth on a decadent journey through an exciting assortment of flaky macarons, tantalizing petits-fours and rich artisan chocolates — all paired with tasty espressos, frothy cappuccinos and more at La Patisserie.
Overnight at Quantum of the Seas by Royal Caribbean (Ocean View Balcony)
Day 9: Brisbane, Australia
Take a drive north to the Sunshine Coast — you will find not only pristine beaches but also the untouched beauty of the region's hinterlands. Get onboard a Brisbane cruise to experience the volcanic peaks of the Glasshouse Mountains, or walk through the rock pools of Gardners Falls.
Queen Street Mall is Brisbane's biggest shopping street. Meanwhile, James Street is lined with boutiques stocking some of Australia's favorite designers. For a unique souvenir, purchase a handmade treasure from Collective Markets in South Bank with Australia cruises. The market is made up of stalls where artisans of everything from jewelry to home decor set up shop.