Queensland Cruise 6 Nights • Brisbane, Australie • Quantum of the Seas

The Airtrain effortlessly connects Brisbane city with the airport. If you have time pre-departure, step out of the city center and explore the inner-city suburbs. Affluent Paddington is known for its thrift stores, cafes and independent boutiques. Fortitude Valley is home to Chinatown, the James Street shopping district and great weekend markets.

Your ship departs promptly at 4:00 pm, so plan to arrive at least 2-3 hours early to account for checking in and boarding protocols. During this time, many of the ship's amenities are open and operating, so feel free to start your vacation early.

Start your day exploring this seaside town: Stroll the Bicentennial Walkway along the oceanfront, then head to Airlie Beach Lagoon or Boathaven Beach for an afternoon dip. Or take a half-day trip to the famous Whitsunday Islands. There, you can snorkel along the Great Barrier Reef, or discover rain forest hiking paths and secluded beaches at Molle National Park.

There's a lot you can experience with a single day in Cairns. Take half-day trip to Green Island, where you can snorkel along the outer Great Barrier Reef. Or, you can head to the rainforest at Kuranda and visit the region's best beaches nearby at Palm Cove and Trinity Beach. Otherwise, stay in Cairns and relax at the Esplanade Lagoon before doing some souvenir shopping.

Cruising by Willis Island, you'll see a small sandy vegetated cay surrounded by reef. Situated in the Coral Sea, the island is home to much of the same ocean wildlife as the nearby Great Barrier Reef. Spot long-winged wedgetail shearwaters and black-and-white sooty terns flying over the turquoise waters. Try to spot hammerhead sharks or bright-yellow queen angelfish swimming among the reef.

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.

The cruise might have ended, but there are still some great activities to enjoy in the area. If you flew into this port, be mindful of your departure flight time and plan accordingly.