Royal Caribbean International has announced its 2010-11 Australia and Hawaii cruise and cruisetour season offering a choice of 50 different ports of call across eight countries in the region.

The new season will offer 12 distinct itineraries, more variety in cruise lengths and itineraries than ever before across 17 different sailings, 14 of which depart from the iconic city of Sydney, Australia. Rhapsody of the Seas’ 2010-11 Australia and Hawaii season is now open for booking. Prices start from £519 per person (cruise only) for an 11-night Queensland cruise based on two sharing an inside stateroom.

Rhapsody of the Seas will sail roundtrip from Sydney on a range of new itineraries for its 2010-11 Australia season. Travellers can choose from two sailings of an 11-night Queensland itinerary that will depart in October 2010, and March 2011, which will feature a maiden call at Australia’s Newcastle. A 12-night Fiji itinerary will mark Royal Caribbean’s return to the island nation after a year’s absence and will depart in October 2010, and February 2011. 

Five new South Pacific itineraries will range from seven to 12 nights, and feature a second maiden call of the season at Champagne Bay, Vanuatu on the 8 November 2010 sailing. Travellers can also revel in the Christmas spirit down under in the sunshine on a nine-night Christmas sailing on 18 December 2010 and herald in the New Year in the South Pacific on the 10-night sailing on 27 December 2010.

The option to combine two itineraries for a grand 29-night trans-Pacific crossing aboard Rhapsody of the Seas is also available including a 12-night Vancouver to Honolulu leg departing on 17 September 2010, and Honolulu to Sydney cruise departing on 29 September 2010.

Shore excursions available in New Zealand include 8 x 8 wheel-driving in an amphibious vehicle known as the Argo for spotting fur seals, sea lions, cormorants and Yellow Eyed penguins on the ‘Otago Wild Wonders’ trip in Dunedin. In Australia try snorkeling adventures on the Great Barrier Reef from Airlie Beach, and steering four-wheel drive vehicles through spectacular mountains and rivers on steep, rugged trails once travelled by miners and their pack animals on Melbourne’s ‘Ghost Towns, Mines & Mountains.’

Guests can choose to add optional six- or seven-day escorted cruisetours to their cruise holidays. A six-day Australia land package begins in Sydney, followed by a flight to Cairns and the beach resort destination of Port Douglas. Here guests will visit the Kuranda Rainforest and be treated to a full-day boating adventure exploring the outer Great Barrier Reef. Other highlights include a visit to the famed Ayers Rock in the Northern Territory, where they can witness the sun rising over the world famous sandstone formation before returning to Sydney.

Guests on the seven-day New Zealand package will visit a private sheep farm in Auckland; excursion to a winery, museum and wildlife reserve in Rotorua; and embark on a Milford South cruise to soak in the magnificent fjords before flying to Sydney and embarking on their Australia cruise.

With dramatic walls of glass and retractable canopy, guests sailing aboard Rhapsody of the Seas will be treated to panoramic vistas of the South Pacific. During days at sea relax in the Day Spa, swim in one of the two pools, enjoy a soothing whirlpool or drinks with friends in one of the ship’s eight lounges.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 20 ships currently in service and two under construction.  The line also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand.