 Leaving Hawaii on 22 July , the ships next stopped at Auckland , Sydney , and Melbourne . High seas and winds hampered the ships for part of the voyage to New Zealand , but they arrived on 9 August ; festivities , parades , balls , and games were staples of the visits to each city . The highlight of the austral visit was a parade of 12 @,@ 000 U.S. Navy , Royal Navy , and Commonwealth naval and military personnel in front of 250 @,@ 000 people . 
