GREETINGS TRAVEL PARTNERS!

If visiting the land "down under" is on your clients' bucket list, you'll want to make sure their trip includes all the marvelous highlights Australia and New Zealand have to offer. I spent this past holiday season traveling with family and friends on the Celebrity Solstice to ports throughout this gorgeous region, and I'd like to give you a first-person account of how your clients can enjoy this special destination onboard Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises.

VICKI'S SPOTLIGHT EXCLUSIVE NOTIFICATION: AUSTRALIA UPGRADE OFFER!

Your clients enjoy:

Oceanview for the price of an inside stateroom
Balcony for the price of an oceanview stateroom
On select Royal Caribbean Australia & New Zealand sailings across 3 ships
Book between Jan 30. and Feb. 28, 2013
Download flyer for full offer details

Ready to set sail! The ship was docked right next to the Sydney Bridge

Sydney, Australia
My cruise began in Sydney, where we spent an extra day beforehand enjoying the sites of the city. I stayed at the beautiful Westin Hotel, which occupies the city's original post office building — and it delivered that Starwood-heavenly experience! After settling into my room, my family and I walked the Sydney Bridge for panoramic views and visited the famous Opera House. A spectacular fireworks show that evening left us WOWed — tell you clients not to miss it, every Saturday at 9pm. The next day, before boarding, we took a private bus tour for 8 (which our shore excursion department can help create for your own clients as well). The tour took us to places such as Bondi Beach (think Venice Beach in Los Angeles) and Mrs. Macquarie's Chair (a lookout over the city). After the tour, we boarded the Celebrity Solstice, our home away from home for the next 12 nights.

The Opera House was within walking distance from the ship.

Melbourne, Australia
In Melbourne, we took another private tour with Kenneth Park, a widely-traveled cultural historian and curator. He led us through the National Gallery of Victoria art museum, the botanical gardens, the Shrine of Remembrance (a park and memorial for war veterans) and gave us the background on street art along the way (Melbourne has gained international notoriety for its street works). Kenneth was extremely knowledgeable, and I would highly recommend booking him through our shore excursion department.

Tour guide Kenneth Park explains Melbourne's notable street artwork.

Dunedin, New Zealand
When we first arrived in New Zealand, we sailed through the Milford, Doubtful and Dusky Sounds, which were as spectacular as the mountainous landscape in Alaska, but greener. Once in Dunedin, we took a walking tour of Lanarch Castle (a famous historic home in the city) and a 4x4 eco tour of the Natures Wonders conservation experience. If your clients are nature and animal lovers, this is the place for them! Our tour was led by the owner of the company himself, Perry Reid, who was filled to the brim with enthusiasm. Perry and his family personally lead tours 7 days a week, and their love for their land is truly infectious. While with him, we saw one-day-old sea lions, blue penguins, and sheep.

A close-up moment with a newborn sea lion at Natures Wonders conservation area.

Akaroa, New Zealand
Next up: Akaroa, where my family and I experienced the exclusive Trans Alpine Train Tour described at right. This tour was an all-day affair and is perfect for people who want to view expansive farmland and parts of the Souther Alps. Following several hours of travel on both train and bus, we arrived at a Victorian farm, where we watched sheep herded and sheared.