Westerdam: 35-Night South Pacific from Sydney

Sydney cruise port is the main gateway to Australia and one of the most visually spectacular arrivals in the world. Ships sail past the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House into one of the largest natural harbors on Earth, with the city rising up on all sides.

Papeete is the capital of French Polynesia and the main cruise hub for the South Pacific, on the northwest coast of Tahiti. Ships dock at the Autonomous Port of Papeete, directly in the city center, about a 5-minute walk from the central market and waterfront.

A tender port on the Big Island's sunny Kona Coast, ships anchor in Kailua Bay with views of Hualalai volcano. Popular excursions include snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay, visiting a Kona coffee farm, and exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii and the primary cruise hub for the Hawaiian Islands, serving as both the embarkation point for inter-island Hawaii cruises and a port of call on transpacific and repositioning itineraries. Ships dock at Honolulu Harbor's Aloha Tower or Pier 2, both within the downtown waterfront area and a short distance from Waikiki.

Ships dock at Kahului Harbor on Maui's north shore, providing access to the stunning Road to Hana, the Haleakala volcanic crater at sunrise, and the historic whaling town of Lahaina. Maui's beaches are consistently rated among the best in the world.

Seattle cruise port is the primary departure point for Alaska cruises out of the United States, with ships running the Inside Passage route from late April through early October. The city has two cruise terminals about three miles apart on the downtown waterfront.