Australia & New Zealand Cruise

14 nights roundtrip from Sydney, Australia

January 22 – February 5, 2011
Royal Caribbean Rhapsody of the Seas

Sail to New Zealand and Australia on Royal Caribbean Cruises' Rhapsody of the Seas ! (14 nights cruise departing January 22, 20111)
Join Pied Piper Travel as we celebrate our Twenty First Season of organizing gay groups on the world's most luxurious cruise ships! We'll sail roundtrip from exciting, gay-friendly Sydney, Australia and visit many exciting ports in New Zealand! All this is yours while you are pampered with gracious service, gourmet dining, and numerous venues for entertainment on Royal Caribbean Cruises' luxury cruise ship, Rhapsody of the Seas!

Activities

If you've been in search of the ideal cruise to board for your much needed and deserved vacation, look no further. Tie your hair back, kick off your shoes, relax, and enjoy your cruising experience aboard Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas. You're guaranteed to remains completely occupied by our plethora of activity possibilities for your enjoyment.

• Two swimming pools
• An Egyptian-themed Solarium spa and pool, covered by a retractable glass canopy
• State-of-the-art fitness center, with aerobics classes and machines for all types of workouts
• Conference Center
• Card Room
• Club Ocean Children's Room
• FantaSEAS Teen Center
• Solarium
• Sauna and Massage
• Boutiques of Centrum
• Library, Photo Gallery
• One Outdoor Pool
• One Indoor Pool with Sliding Glass Roof
• Six Whirlpools
• Pool Bar
• Beauty Salon and Barber Shop
• Shuffleboard Area
• Jogging Track
• Video Game room

Dining

If the ideal cruising experience includes fine cuisines, the perfect dining atmosphere, and the convenience of room service 24 hours a day, you've boarded the right ship. No matter what type of preference your appetite acquires, our highly skilled chefs are capable of satisfying even the pickiest of taste buds.

• Dramatic two-story dining room surrounded by windows and a sweeping staircase
• Edelweiss Dining Room
• Windjammer Cafe Club

Entertainment

• Broadway Melodies Theater
• Shall We Dance Lounge
• Moonlight Bay Lounge
• Schooner Bar
• Champagne Terrace
• Champagne Bar
• Viking Crown Lounge
• Casino Royaler

Sydney, Australia

The whole world's in love with Sydney. It's stylish, it's sophisticated, it's home to some of the friendliest people on the planet. And yes, a few koalas, if you know where to look. What's not to love? This gateway to the Outback has it all: endless outdoor adventure around the harbor or in spots like the Blue Mountains. Golden sandy beaches named Bondi, Bilgola and Coogee (which are not only beautiful, but also fun to say). A bustling art and entertainment scene. Countless museums, galleries and world-class restaurants where the dishes go way beyond the local Vegemite.

You've seen it in pictures; now see it in person. The Sydney Opera House is more than an architectural icon. There's over 11 acres of floor space to cover. Take in a show or just pop in to admire its stately structure; the reception and concert halls both offer amazing views of Sydney's sparkling harbor. And a stroll along the shoreline at sunset is a must!

Bay of Islands, New Zealand

With its warm azure waters, golden beaches and some of the bluest skies on the planet, Bay of Islands is a magnet for the vacationally deprived. Some 150 isles, many still secluded, and a handful of coastal towns make up New Zealand's favorite holiday haven. Waitangi is your historic hotbed imbued in Maori myth and legends. Then there's Russell, the tranquil fishing town, Kerikeri with its wineries and orchards, and pretty Paihia, with its semi-central location - the perfect jumping-off point to everything the beautiful Bay of Islands has to offer.

If swimming alongside dolphins or trawling for the catch of the day isn't thrilling enough, take a powerboat through The Hole in The Rock. This natural passageway was crafted by salt, surf and wind. The opening is around 240 ft wide, but from a distance it looks really tiny. So hold on tight! Sneaking through it at turbo speed is an exhilarating experience to say the least!

Auckland, New Zealand

With a population of 1.3 million people, including immigrants from all over the world and a heavy concentration of Polynesian people, Auckland is far and away New Zealand's largest and most cosmopolitan city. Called the "City of the Sails" because of its beautiful location between two harbours and great weather, Auckland is a big fish on a small island and a swank city in a rural country.

Sky Tower is the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere, standing 328 meters, or 1,076 feet - which may not sound very tall, until you jump off it. The Sky Jump is 11 seconds of free fall from the platform at the top of Sky Tower to the base. Your life will pass before your eyes, twice.

Tauranga, New Zealand

Tauranga lies in the heart of the Bay of Plenty region, about 2.5 hours south of the city of Auckland. It has become one of New Zealand's fastest-growing areas thanks to plentiful sunshine and beautiful beaches. But with a population of only about 100,000, Tauranga can still offer you generous space to yourself. In fact, the densest concentration of attractions, and perhaps the biggest crowds, is on The Strand in the downtown area. Tauranga also hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year, including arts, comedy, film, jazz and blues.

No visit to Tauranga would be complete without a trip to Mount Maunganui. This extinct volcanic peak rises from the mists of Tauranga Harbour, attracting tourists from all over New Zealand and abroad. The area, once a Maori stronghold, now houses the resort town of Maunganui, which is known for its tiled sidewalks lined with palm trees, turquoise-painted street lamps and gorgeous shoreline. And while you're there, take a dip in the hot saltwater pools located at the base of the mountain.

Volcanic White Island, New Zealand

Located 30 miles off the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand, White Island is the country's only active marine volcano, and may be the most accessible marine volcano in the world. Named by Captain Cook in 1769 for the white clouds hovering around its peak, White Island's Maori name is "Te Puia o Whakaari," which means "The Dramatic Volcano." Declared a private scenic reserve in 1953, White Island offers some of New Zealand's most spectacular views.

How often do you get to spend time on a live volcano? Just approaching the island is a spectacular experience, and there are fascinating things to explore once ashore. As sulfur comes out of the ground, it forms striking yellow towers, many of which are still active and billow with sulfuric fumes. The crater lake, with its brilliant green colors, is a must see and the ruins of the sulfur mining communities make for thrilling exploration.

Napier, New Zealand

Napier, a port city in the Hawke Bay region of New Zealand, is the art deco capital of the world. After a 7.9 magnitude earthquake, and subsequent fires, destroyed most of its commercial center in 1931, the city was rebuilt in the flamboyant art deco style prevalent at the time. The clean geometric lines, neon clocks and brightly lit fountains lend Napier a movie-set feel. Napier also boasts the highest number of sunshine hours of any town in the country, a feature that has made this region one of New Zealand's most important wine-producing areas.

Without a doubt, Napier's biggest attraction is the city itself, with marvelous architecture that offers visitors a look back in time. But The National Aquarium of New Zealand on Marine Parade is a Napier destination you wouldn't want to miss. Opened in March 2002, it has a huge ocean tank with an observation tunnel and holds the most comprehensive collection of marine life in the country. The aquarium's magnificent architecture resembles a stingray. Exhibits include kiwis, piranhas, crocodiles and every sea creature you could imagine.

Wellington, New Zealand

The fact that Wellington has become New Zealand's fastest-growing weekend destination tells you something about the city. Once merely its political capital, the city's calendar is packed with celebrations, festivals and some of the country's best theater and dance. Sandwiched between steep hills on one side and the ocean on the other, New Zealand's second-largest city is a walker's paradise. Because so much of the city is within walking distance, you'll never feel the need to hire a cab. And considering the number of cafés, bars and nightclubs that line the streets, you'll probably never feel the need to go to bed, either.

If there was one event that signaled Wellington's arrival on the cultural scene, it was the opening of the Te Papa Tongarewa national museum of New Zealand in 1998. This enormous $317 million cultural and architectural masterpiece has received 10 million visitors since then, with almost 30% from overseas. Located on Wellington's spectacular waterfront, Te Papa has built a reputation for its "fresh and bold approach" to presenting the country's treasures and stories. A visit to this museum is just as exciting and invigorating for children as it is for adults. For a small fee, you can try the interactive exhibits including a "virtual" bungee jump, sheep-shearing and a trip to prehistoric New Zealand.

Christchurch, New Zealand

Named after a college at the University of Oxford, England, Christchurch has a reputation for being a conservative, "British" city. This may be true on the surface, but a bit of poking around this largest city of the South Island, population 360,000, will reveal a vibrant arts culture and adventurous spirit that's 100% "Kiwi."

Christchurch has traditionally been a jumping-off point for most Antarctic expeditions. In fact, Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton both passed through on their way south. But you can just visit the International Antarctic Center to play with penguins, leopard seals and snowmobiles, as well as learn all about Antartica, without freezing your toes off.

Dunedin, New Zealand

As gateway to Queenstown's many adrenaline-pumping activities and guard to the unspoiled natural habitats of the Otago Peninsula, Dunedin, the second-largest city on the South Island, with its historic Victorian architecture, alternative collegiate vibe and outstanding outdoor recreation, stands second to none. Whether you want to peep at rare penguins, view historic buildings or take in a museum, Dunedin has it all and then some.

Got a sweet tooth? You won't after you've visited Cadbury World, a working chocolate factory. The 40-minute guided tour is all about information, education and samples, lots and lots of samples. Be sure to bring the kids. If your tastes run in a different direction, then tour Speight's Brewery instead.

Dusky Sound, New Zealand

One of the most complex fjords on New Zealand's southern coast, Dusky Sound is a place of serene beauty, accessible today only by sea or air. European explorers first spotted this treasure when Captain Cook and his crew happened upon its opening in the late eighteenth century. Although they returned to explore its waters months later, Cook and his crew named it Dusky Sound for the time of night when they first found it.

The myriad islands that lie in the sound make for spectacular sightseeing, particularly majestic Resolution Island, whose Five Fingers Peninsula shelters the sound from the northwest. The abundance of sunbathing seals on Seal Rock also sends visitors reaching for their cameras. Finally, keep your eyes peeled for bird and wildlife sanctuaries: Curlew, Shag, Petrel, Pigeon and Parrot Isles; Shag River; Seal Rock; Goose, Duck and Woodhen Coves.

Doubtful Sound, New Zealand

Often referred to as the "Sound of Silence," Doubtful Sound is a tranquil, awe-inspiring destination known for its cascading waterfalls, looming mountains and rare marine life. While years ago only the most courageous sailors would enter the sound, today it is one of the most beautifully protected bodies of water in Fiordland National Park, attracting photographers, adventurers and cruisers from all over the globe.

Its mountains and cascades are more immediately eye-catching, but Doubtful Sound abounds in rich marine life that makes a trip through its waters a special treat. Look overboard for bottlenose dolphins following the boat, or turn your eye ashore for lounging fur seals. You may even catch a glimpse of the Fiordland crested and blue penguins, gorgeous rare birds that call the sound home.

Milford Sound, New Zealand

For first-time visitors and lifelong natives alike, Milford Sound is one of the most immediately breathtaking places in New Zealand. The 22-km-long fjord is dominated by beautiful Mitre Peak and calmed by gorgeous waters that mirror the sheer peaks surrounding them. Although remote, Milford Sound has visitors come from all over the world to admire its raw, unspoiled beauty and rare marine life.

Cruising the sound affords views of Bowen Falls, Mitre Peak, Anita Bay and both Elephant and Stirling Falls. If there's still film left in your camera after that, try to catch a glimpse of the dolphins, seals and penguins that pop to the surface on nice days in these calm waters.