New Zealand Cruise

Day 1 - Sydney

Arrive: Sat 20 February 2027 / Depart: Sat 20 February 2027 at 16:00

Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia's largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby.

Day 2 - At Sea

Day 3 - Port Arthur, Tasmania

Arrive: Mon 22 February 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Mon 22 February 2027 at 18:00

Port Arthur is named for George Arthur, the Lieutenant Governor of Tasmania from 1823 to 1837. It was Arthur who converted a small convict lumber station on the Tasman Peninsula into the most feared penal colony in Australia. Preserved today as the Port Arthur Historical Site, the then state-of-the-art prison was designed to hold repeat offenders in isolation and hard labor. When it closed in 1877, it marked the end of a dark chapter in English and Australian history. Both Port Arthur is also your gateway to the wild and scenic Tasman Peninsula. Its wave-lashed coast is the site of spectacular rock formations such as Tasman Arch, the Tessellated Pavement and the Devil's Kitchen. The peninsula is also home to small farms, superb fruit orchards and acclaimed vineyards. The Tasman Peninsula is one of the last refuges for the endangered Tasmanian devil. The Tasmania Devil Conservation Park is in the forefront of protecting these unique - if surly and downright disagreeable - remnants of Tasmanian prehistory.

Day 4 - Hobart

Arrive: Tue 23 February 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Tue 23 February 2027 at 17:00

Tasmania's capital has much in common with Sydney. Founded but a few years later, Hobart also owes its origins to the establishment of a penal colony - and its natural setting is just as impressive. Seen from its fine deep-water harbor, Hobart spills over the lower reaches of the Derwent Valley as Mt. Wellington towers in the background. Much of the city's heritage is centered on the historic waterfront. North of the city stretches the vast parkland of the Queen's Domain. Many of Tasmania's other attractions are within easy reach of Hobart. With more than 90 National Trust buildings, Hobart, founded in 1804, combines colonial character with a sophisticated metropolitan lifestyle.

Day 5 - At Sea

Day 6 - At Sea

Day 7 - Fiordland Park

Arrive: Fri 26 February 2027 at 09:00 / Depart: Fri 26 February 2027 at 18:00

New Zealand's largest national park was formed millennia ago by massive glacial flows that carved deep fiords into the coast of New Zealand's South Island. At the heart of Fiordland National Park lies Milford Sound. Lined by cliffs that soar nearly a mile above its surface, Milford Sound cuts into the heart of the Southern Alps. Rainforest clings to the cliffs and graceful waterfalls plummet into the void. Mile-high Mitre Peak dominates the upper reaches of the sound. The town of Te Anau in Fiordland National Park is also your gateway to the South Island's other natural wonders including Lake Wakatipu, the resort of Queenstown and Mt. Cook National Park.

Day 8 - At Sea

Day 9 - Wellington

Arrive: Sun 28 February 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Sun 28 February 2027 at 21:00

Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, sits near the North Island’s southernmost point on the Cook Strait. A compact city, it encompasses a waterfront promenade, sandy beaches, a working harbour and colourful timber houses on surrounding hills. From Lambton Quay, the iconic red Wellington Cable Car heads to the Wellington Botanic Gardens.

Day 10 - Picton, Neuseeland

Arrive: Mon 01 March 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Mon 01 March 2027 at 15:00

Located at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound, Picton is your gateway to the South Island's famed Marlborough District. Once known primarily for its lush farm lands and many sheep stations, Marlborough came to international attention thanks to a new agricultural product - wine. The release of the 1985 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc put New Zealand on the map and changed the world's focus on winemaking in the Southern Hemisphere. Today, the Marlborough region boasts dramatic sea and landscapes, fascinating wine country, excellent restaurants and a number of the nation's finest gardens. Military names abound in this corner of New Zealand - the region is named for the first Duke of Marlborough, while the largest town, Blenheim, is named after his most famous battle. Picton is named for Sir Thomas Picton, a favorite of another general, the first duke of Wellington.

Day 11 - Napier, New Zealand

Arrive: Tue 02 March 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Tue 02 March 2027 at 15:00

Napier and Hawke's Bay have become New Zealand's premier lifestyle getaways. Located on the North Island's eastern coast, New Zealand's oldest wine-growing region boasts a superb Mediterranean climate and golden sand beaches. In recent years, Hawke's Bay has become a leading producer of fine olive oils and artisanal cheeses. Wildlife lovers and birders will flock to Cape Kidnappers in Southern Hawke Bay: the Cape is home to the largest mainland gannet colony in the world. In 1931, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake leveled Napier. The town rebuilt itself, and today Napier is hailed as the "Art Deco City" for its superb collection of Deco, Spanish Mission and Classical Revival buildings.

Day 12 - Tauranga, New Zealand

Arrive: Wed 03 March 2027 at 10:45 / Depart: Wed 03 March 2027 at 21:45

New Zealand's natural bounty is always on display at the Bay of Plenty. It was Captain James Cook who in 1769 aptly named this bay after he was able to replenish his ship's provisions, thanks to the prosperous Maori villages of the region. Tauranga, the chief city, is a bustling port, an agricultural and timber center and a popular seaside resort. Tauranga is also the gateway to Rotorua - a geothermal wonderland that is the heart of Maori culture. A 90-minute drive from Tauranga, Rotorua is New Zealand's primary tourist attraction. Your ship docks near the foot of Mt. Maunganui, which rises 761 feet above the bay. Across the harbor, Tauranga offers scenic tidal beaches at Omokoroa and Pahoia. The region boasts fine beaches, big-game fishing, thermal springs and seaside resorts.

Day 13 - At Sea

Day 14 - Bay Of Islands, New Zealand

Arrive: Fri 05 March 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Fri 05 March 2027 at 18:00

The Bay of Islands offers more than broad vistas of sea and sky, more than beaches, boating, and fabulous water sports. The Bay is the birthplace of modern New Zealand. Here the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, establishing British rule and granting the native inhabitants equal status. Rich in legend and mystery, the Bay of Islands has age-old ties to the Maori and to whalers, missionaries and New Zealand's early settlers. The Bay of Islands has lured explorers for countless centuries. The Maori say that Kupe, the great Polynesian adventurer, came here in the 10th century. Captain Cook anchored offshore in 1769, followed by assorted brigands, traders, colonists and missionaries. Note: Bay of Islands is an anchorage port. Passengers transfer to shore via ship's tender.

Day 15 - Auckland

Arrive: Sat 06 March 2027 at 06:30 / Depart: Sat 06 March 2027

Straddling a narrow isthmus created by 60 different volcanoes, New Zealand's former capital boasts scenic beauty, historical interest and a cosmopolitan collection of shops, restaurants, museums, galleries and gardens. Rangitoto, Auckland's largest and youngest volcano, sits in majestic splendor just offshore. Mt. Eden and One Tree Hill, once home to Maori earthworks, overlook the city. One of New Zealand's fine wine districts lies to the north of Auckland. Auckland served as New Zealand's capital from 1841 until 1865, when the seat of government moved to Wellington.