Cruises from Auckland 2028

Where do Auckland 2028 sailings go?

Every sailing departs from Auckland, New Zealand, and all are ocean voyages — there are no river cruises here. Most itineraries are one-way, which means the ship finishes in a different city. That is worth knowing from the start: a domestic flight home is part of the trip for most travellers, and our team can book that leg along with any hotels and transfers you need.

The mix runs from focused New Zealand sailings of around 10 to 14 nights through to grand transpacific crossings of up to 96 nights. New Zealand dominates the 2028 sailings from Auckland, accounting for the large majority of departures. Beyond that, a handful of itineraries head across to Australia, one reaches into South East Asia, and there is even a sailing to the Mediterranean for those after something genuinely epic.

Close to home — New Zealand, Australia and South East Asia

The heart of Auckland’s 2028 departures is New Zealand. Most sailings explore the country’s coastline and islands in depth, calling at ports that reward time ashore. These itineraries are well suited to travellers who want to see New Zealand properly rather than in a hurry, and the typical voyage runs around 14 nights. If you’re flying in from interstate, New Zealand is a straightforward destination — a short international hop rather than a long-haul commitment, and the ship does the rest of the travel for you.

A smaller number of sailings continue into Australia, with Sydney the most common finishing port by some distance. If you’re based in Sydney or flying home through there, this is a practical and scenic way to connect the two countries. Melbourne also appears as a disembarkation option. One sailing heads further into South East Asia, finishing in Benoa, Bali — an itinerary that suits anyone who wants to extend their trip through Indonesia after the cruise ends.

The long haul — transpacific and Mediterranean

For travellers after something on a grander scale, a small number of Auckland departures set out across the Pacific on voyages that run well beyond a fortnight. Transpacific itineraries from Auckland can reach Los Angeles or Seattle — a genuinely long ocean passage that suits anyone who has always wanted to cross the Pacific by ship. At the far end, Vancouver also features as a finishing port for some transpacific voyages.

There is also one sailing that eventually reaches the Mediterranean, calling at Rome among other ports. At the longer end of the duration range — voyages like these can stretch to 96 nights — these are trips you plan well in advance. Our team can put together the full picture: flights at both ends, hotels before you board or after you disembark, and any transfers in between, all on one booking.

Which cruise lines sail from Auckland in 2028?

Six cruise lines operate Auckland departures in 2028, ranging from contemporary ocean cruising to some of the most acclaimed luxury and expedition brands afloat. Viking Ocean Cruises leads the 2028 departures by volume. Princess Cruises brings strong New Zealand coverage with multiple sailings. Azamara and Regent Seven Seas Cruises each offer 3 departures for travellers after a more intimate, luxury experience. Holland America Line and Norwegian Cruise Line each contribute a pair of sailings. Fares start from A$2,629 pp*.

Around a third of sailings are all-inclusive, covering meals, drinks and gratuities in the base fare. If that matters to your travel budget, our cruise experts can filter to all-inclusive options and explain what each line actually covers — it varies more than the marketing suggests.

The ships sailing from Auckland in 2028

Royal Princess — Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises brings Royal Princess to Auckland for multiple 2028 departures. The ship is known for its glass-bottomed SeaWalk — a walkway that extends 40 metres above the ocean, with nothing but water below your feet. When you’re done with the view from there, The Sanctuary provides a quieter contrast: an adults-only deck retreat with attentive stewards, shaded loungers and sea views. Evenings bring Movies Under the Stars on the open deck, duelling pianos at Crooners, and a dancing fountain light show. Most sailings are one-way, finishing in Sydney.

Cabin grades on Royal Princess run from inside to suite — see the Royal Princess cabins and deck plans for the full layout. The main options are:

• Inside cabin IA — 15.4 m², sleeps up to 4. The most affordable entry point, with minibar, safe and desk included.
• Sea-view cabin O6 — 20.0 m², sleeps up to 4. A large panoramic window with a forward-facing view and natural daylight — the key step up from an inside cabin.
• Deluxe Balcony cabin DA — 23.4 m², sleeps up to 4. A private balcony for breakfast at sea or sundowners as the coast passes by.
• Penthouse Suite S3 with aft balcony — from 54.5 m², sleeps up to 4. The largest accommodation on board, offering significantly more living space than any other grade.

Seven Seas Mariner — Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises positions Seven Seas Mariner as one of the most spacious ships afloat — the line describes it as offering unrivalled space at sea, and the cabin sizes back that up. The Signature Suite SG measures 111.9 m² with a verandah of over 74 m², which is roughly 3 times the size of a standard balcony on most ships. Regent includes fares that cover a wide range of onboard amenities, and the ship’s focus on immersive port exploration makes it a strong match for itineraries that spend genuine time ashore. Check the Seven Seas Mariner cabins and deck plans before you decide on a grade.

Viking Orion and Viking Venus — Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking Ocean Cruises operates the most Auckland departures of any line in 2028, with both Viking Orion and Viking Venus sailing from the city. Both ships are all-balcony — every cabin has its own private outdoor space — which matters on a New Zealand itinerary where the scenery is the point.

Viking Orion is an all-suite, all-balcony ship with a spa and sauna, and the Wintergarden — an airy, light-filled lounge area around the main pool that works as a daytime retreat or a late-afternoon reading spot. Its Owner’s Suite OS runs to 120.5 m² and includes a separate bedroom, living room, dining area for 6, a private library, an ocean-view dry sauna, and a vapour-light fireplace. The Penthouse Veranda Stateroom PV1 at 31.4 m² arrives with a complimentary bottle of champagne. See the full Viking Orion cabins and deck plans for everything in between.

Viking Venus matches the same all-balcony philosophy, with every cabin offering private outdoor access. Private dining is available alongside numerous restaurants and cafes, and the onboard spa offers a range of treatments. See the Viking Venus cabins and deck plans for the full cabin range.

Azamara Pursuit — Azamara Cruises

Azamara does something most cruise lines don’t: the ships stay longer. Azamara Pursuit is built around overnight and late-night port stays, which means you actually have time to explore a place rather than just see it from the tender. The ship carries just 777 guests, so ports feel manageable and the crew knows your name within a day or two. Included in the fare is a private cultural evening ashore — think symphony concerts or vineyard dinners exclusive to Azamara guests. See the Azamara Pursuit cabins and deck plans for grades and layout.

Norwegian Spirit — Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line brings Norwegian Spirit to Auckland with a relaxed, no-fixed-dining approach. Dine whenever suits you — Cagney’s Steakhouse and Le Bistro are among the specialty restaurant options — and catch live shows in the Stardust Theatre at your own pace. On deck, the adults-only Spice H2O beach club is an open-air space with cocktails and sea breezes. Mid-sized and easy to navigate, Norwegian Spirit is a practical choice for New Zealand and South Pacific itineraries. See the Norwegian Spirit cabins and deck plans for cabin options.

What do the fares include?

Princess Cruises fare tiers

Princess Cruises offers 2 main fare structures on its Auckland sailings. Princess Standard is the base cruise fare — it covers the sailing itself, with add-ons available. Princess Plus builds a package into the fare: 4 casual dining meals per voyage, beverages up to A$15 each (with a daily limit of 15 drinks), MedallionNet® Max Wi-Fi, pre-paid crew appreciation, unlimited digital photographs plus 3 prints, and reserved theatre seating. If you tend to drink, use Wi-Fi and eat at speciality venues regularly, Princess Plus typically represents better value than booking those items separately. Fare types such as tactical and last-minute offers also appear — our cruise experts can advise on what’s available. See the full Princess 2027–2028 season for broader context.

Norwegian Cruise Line fare tiers

Norwegian Cruise Line operates 3 fare tiers on its Auckland sailings. The base fare covers the cruise only. The mid-tier adds a beverage package, a specialty dining package, a Wi-Fi package and shore excursion credits. The top tier extends the dining package to all guests on the reservation, with the number of specialty meals scaling with voyage length. If dining variety and flexibility matter to you — Norwegian Spirit has a strong range of speciality venues — the higher tiers are worth comparing against buying add-ons individually.

Are there discounts on Auckland 2028 sailings?

Some Auckland 2028 departures are currently sailing at a reduced price. Reductions are measured from the price previously listed for that cabin grade on that sailing. The maximum reduction on any single departure is 29%, though that applies to 1 sailing; for most discounted departures the reduction runs at around 16%. If timing flexibility is part of your planning, our cruise experts can identify which sailings currently carry the largest reductions. There are also all-inclusive sailings in 2028 worth exploring if you’d like drinks and gratuities wrapped into the fare.

*Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing, and are subject to change. This price is not kept up to date and therefore does not reflect live pricing and availability. Prices and any discounts shown were checked on 14 October 2026.

Where a discount is shown, it is a reduction from the price previously listed for that cabin grade on that sailing, not a comparison between cabin grades or against a brochure rate. Discounts and prices shown are not kept up to date: the reduction available now may be smaller, or may have ended, and prices may have changed.