Singapore to Brisbane: A Royal Caribbean Odyssey

Welcome to Singapore. You have 2 nights to explore the city.

Singapore is small in size but big on excitement. Discover the multicultural medley of this city-state through its neighbourhoods: Check out the statue-adorned temples of Little India and the colourful pagodas of Chinatown. Cruise to Singapore and explore the city’s Malay section on the Kampong Glam Heritage Trail, which will take you past Arabic-influenced mansions and the gold-dome-topped Masjid Sultan mosque. Experience the contrast between the lush rainforest flora of the Singapore Botanic Garden and the high-tech ‘supertrees’ and biodomes of Gardens by the Bay. Complete your Singapore adventure with a panorama from the rooftop of the Marina Bay Sands or a Singapore Sling cocktail at the historical Raffles Hotel.

When you arrive at Benoa, it’s like hitting the Bali jackpot: You get all the beauty of this exotic location in a quiet, uncrowded setting where you can really soak it all in. Cruise to Bali and head to the beaches at Nusa Dua, with their golden sands and rocky cliff sides, or head out on a kayak in the calm waves of Tanung Benoa. Explore the Coa Eng Bio Chinese temple, a Buddhist holy site where you can see a dragon boat sculpture and the intricately decorated pagoda. Get to know the aquatic wildlife at the Bali Turtle Conservatory, or paddle through the lush greenery of the quiet, secluded Mangrove Forest.

The capital city of Australia’s Northern Territory, Darwin delivers more than enough rugged natural beauty to earn its namesake: none other than renowned naturalist Charles Darwin. This port city on Australia’s Top End — the lushly forested northern tip of the province — is known for its year-round tropical climate. After you take in the ocean views at Cullen Bay Marina, cool down inside the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Here, you’ll find collections on Cyclone Tracy, Darwin’s World War II history and indigenous and Australian art. If you’re looking to venture farther out with your Darwin cruise, it’s just over an hour to the Kakadu rainforest or the waterfalls and plunge pools of Litchfield National Park.

Situated in tropical north Queensland, Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. These two UNESCO World Heritage Sites are why Cairns is the fourth most popular destination for international tourists in Australia. Enjoy the city’s year-round tropical summer weather as you relax beside the man-made lagoon on the Esplanade. Then, experience one of Cairns’ two main drawcards: Head into the rainforest in nearby Kuranda, which you can reach by taking the Skyrail Cableway or the Scenic Railway. Cruise to Cairns and take the half-day trip to Green Island — you’ll be snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef within an hour of leaving the city.

Airlie Beach is the Queensland coast’s go-to spot for maritime adventure. It’s the mainland town that allows the easiest access to the 74 incredible Whitsunday Islands — take the ferry out and spend your day relaxing by clear aqua waters at Whitehaven Beach or snorkeling among the heart-shaped portion of the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Or stick to the mainland: Walk the Bicentennial Walkway along the Airlie Beach waterfront, popping into a cafe for a late-morning flat white (the Australian signature latte). Take a dip in Airlie Beach Lagoon, or head to Conway National Park, where you can hike your way through rain forest to panoramic views of the city and the harbor.

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.