New Zealand Aotearoa Cruises Cruise to Auckland & Other New Zealand Destinations

cruise new zealand

Head out of the city through a wildlife cruise to Akaroa Harbor to catch rare glimpses of Hector’s dolphins, penguins, fur seals, and other native animals. Alternatively, book a shore excursion kayaking in the Pohatu Marine Reserve to discover white-flippered penguins, yellow-eyed penguins, seals, Hector’s dolphins. Whether you are spending the day exploring the inner workings of Akaroa or venturing further out into the countryside, this city is a fabulous port on New Zealand cruises.

New Zealand cruise ports

Regatta offers an experience that's close to luxury without being all-inclusive or priced sky-high. You won't find any rock climbing walls or quirky pool games on Holland America's refurbished Noordam, which prides itself on dining and a relaxed, traditional cruising experience. The ship tends to appeal to a more mature crowd, though you will see more families and multigenerational groups on New Zealand cruises, especially during school holidays. The seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere, so the best time to cruise is from October to April. New Zealand has a shorter summer than Australia as it’s further south, so is best visited between December and March, when the days are long and sunny.

cruise new zealand

New Zealand-only Cruises

After what seems like a very long time, the Australian Government has announced that the ban on cruise vessels entering Australia will not be extended when it ends on April 17. Watch from the deck as you wind through the beautiful bays and inlets of Marlborough Sounds, before sampling the renowned wine of the region. Coach to Cape Reinga, cruise to the Hole in the Rock, or take a scenic flight over this lovely archipelago. Be awestruck by the beauty of Fiordland National Park / Piopiotahi, named one of the 7 Cruise Wonders of the World by Condé Nast Traveler.

Country Selection

Day or night, you'll discover unique experiences that give you a new perspective on the region. The most popular places for boarding a cruise to New Zealand are Australia and the South Pacific. Adventure cruises bound for Antarctica also pass through here, as well as round-the-world cruises. When the first settlers came here, it was by boat and even up to the 1960’s it was the only way to arrive in this country.

Passengers range from young couples and singles to families and active retirees. Princess Cruises' Majestic Princess offers a fresh take on 'The Love Boat' line. All outside cabins have balconies so you can take full advantage of New Zealand's stunning scenery. New Zealand is home to towering mountains, award-winning wineries, adrenaline-pumping activities and cultural experiences. With more than a dozen mainstream ships plying New Zealand's waters from October to April, passengers certainly have a lot of choice. Finally, one-way cruises between Singapore and Sydney visit Bali, Darwin, Cairns, and Airlie Beach, giving you a taste of Asia as well as different Australian ports.

Pacific Adventure refused New Zealand entry due to biosecurity risk - Seatrade Cruise News

Pacific Adventure refused New Zealand entry due to biosecurity risk.

Posted: Sun, 26 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

What are the Different New Zealand Itineraries?

Elevate your experience to the next level at The Retreat®, with suite accommodation, access to a tranquil lounge, and dining at the exclusive Luminae at The Retreat. From the Bay of Islands at the top of the North Island to dramatic Fiordland in the far south, cruising New Zealand opens up a world of natural wonders and reveals a vibrant culture. It's also one of the safest countries in which to travel, with efficient airline networks, generally good roads, and excellent healthcare, and emergency and hospital facilities. The North and South islands are separated by the Cook Strait, which is just more than 19 kilometers wide at its narrowest point. The North Island is more heavily populated, featuring bigger cities that include Auckland and the nation's capital, Wellington. The South Island is the true star of the show, with its wide-open spaces, spectacular mountains, lakes and glaciers.

Related Ports

The space includes games such as bocce and mini-golf, and is perfect for soaking up the sun when the weather permits. Celebrity typically attracts sophisticated young adult and middle-aged couples, though you'll notice more families during school holidays. Immerse yourself in spectacular diversity on a cruise to Australia and New Zealand, home to some of the world’s oldest cultures and most extraordinary natural beauty. Let Celebrity introduce you to landscapes that range from emerald-green rainforests to rainbow-colored coral reefs and rolling vineyards. The average New Zealand temperature decreases as you travel south, with January and February the warmest months.

Port Chalmers (Dunedin)

Some highlights of the longer 7+ night New Zealand cruises include ports of call in New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Others add on other South Pacific islands like Tonga, the Cook Islands, and Fiji. This New Zealand cruise itinerary is very popular amongst the locals as they typically leave from Auckland. The waters can be quite rough during these itineraries, however, if you are sailing during the summer months, you should not have anything to worry about.

akaroa, new zealand

Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. Remove the hassle from air travel and give yourself the gift of flexibility, time and a thicker wallet with Princess EZair flights. We negotiate lower rates with the airlines, allow you to modify your flight up to 45 days prior with no penalty and protect you if your flight is late or canceled.

New Zealand’s cruise ports are well set-up to welcome international visitors on cruise ships with a wide range of onshore activities and day trips available. Let Celebrity take you to some of the region’s most exciting ports, whether your dream is to snorkel amid the dazzling corals of the Great Barrier Reef or to brave the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb. Explore Tasmania’s lush nature and complex history, sample world-class wines from the Barossa Valley, or head to the paradise islands of Fiji and Tonga, where limpid lagoons and beaches of soft sand await. Our range of imaginative excursions, from Destination Highlights to Small Group Discoveries and custom-designed Private Journeys, mean that you’ll always get the most out of your time ashore.

Satiate yourself on Bluff oysters, thought by many connoisseurs to be the world's best. Or try the country's British-inspired favourite, crisp-fried fish and chips with plenty of malt vinegar to cut through the richness. Top that off with savory whitebait fritters and green-lipped mussels in curry sauce with crusty bread. Lord of the Rings lovers, appreciators of the arts and culinary enthusiasts won't be disappointed. New Zealand, too, is a great place to explore by ship, especially as you sail through the stunning Fiordland and the exquisite Bay of Islands.

If you are cruising during the rainy season, you will luckily get to witness hundreds of waterfalls gushing down from the green hills above. Keep an eye out for sleeping seals on Dusky Sound’s Seal Rock and Astronomer’s Point— a historic observatory dating back to 1773 overlooking the dramatic fjord. Check out the Bay of Islands Maritime Park featuring a lovely lighthouse, Cape Brett, and the infamous Hole in the Rock formation.

Strolling along Timaru's hilly streets and past its historic buildings, you might not guess that the city was built on the lava flows of a now-extinct volcano with the evocative name Mount Horrible. Timaru's own name comes from the Maori Te Maru, which means "place of shelter." Chief among its charms are its parks and gardens. As if the backdrop of the Southern Alps wasn't enough, a rose garden, boardwalk and beach enliven the waterfront. The stellar Aigantighe Art Gallery and South Canterbury Museum showcase New Zealand and Maori art. Some popular ports include Fiordland National Park, Dunedin, Auckland, Bay of Islands, Tauranga, Wellington, and Christchurch, among others. Dine out on an eclectic range of culture, natural wonders, fascinating historical highlights, and exquisite culinary experiences.

Those who enjoy art and wine will enjoy Napier, the world-famous art deco city in the Hawke's Bay wine region. Many cruises to New Zealand offer trips to these popular ports of call that are consistent with most itineraries. Like Caribbean cruise ports, these ports cater to the New Zealand cruise market. If you are looking for more than touristy attractions and activities, make sure to get out of the main port area and explore. You will have up to two days at sea perfect for scenic cruising as you enjoy the views of the landscape passing by.

The majority of cruise lines visit New Zealand during the October – April summer cruise season. Most of the world's major cruise companies offer cruise services to New Zealand. Cruises between Australia and New Zealand offer the opportunity to travel the length of both North and South Islands. Most depart from Auckland in New Zealand, or Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane in Australia. Typically they visit New Zealand destinations including the Bay of Islands, Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Fiordland.

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