Cruises from Sydney to New Zealand 2027

Where do Sydney–New Zealand cruises go in 2027?

Sailings from Sydney to New Zealand in 2027 spread across a handful of distinct routes, from the classic trans-Tasman run to much longer transpacific crossings. The majority focus on New Zealand itself, with a good number of sailings also venturing into the broader Pacific and beyond. Here is how the routes break down.

Close to home — New Zealand, the Pacific and French Polynesia

New Zealand is by far the most popular destination from Sydney in 2027, and it is easy to see why. Sailings cross the Tasman and call at a collection of North and South Island ports, with Auckland the most common finishing point for one-way itineraries. The median length runs to around 14 nights, giving you a proper look at the country rather than a fleeting visit. Round-trip sailings return to Sydney, while one-way voyages ending in Auckland simply need a short domestic flight to reconnect you — we can book that alongside your cruise.

A smaller share of sailings reaches into the broader South Pacific. New Zealand voyages sometimes combine with French Polynesia, adding island port calls on longer itineraries. If you want more South Pacific sunshine alongside your New Zealand ports, these are the sailings to look at. Shorter departures of as few as 4 nights are also available for those who want a taster rather than a full-length voyage.

The long haul — transpacific crossings and Hawaii

A number of 2027 departures use the Sydney–New Zealand route as the opening leg of a much longer transpacific journey. These sailings continue well beyond New Zealand, finishing in ports including Honolulu, Los Angeles or Vancouver — with the longest voyages stretching to 79 nights. One sailing also ends in Singapore. These are serious expeditions, and if you are planning one, we can wrap flights, hotels and transfers at either end into a single package.

Which cruise lines sail from Sydney to New Zealand in 2027?

Princess Cruises is the most active line on this route in 2027, with the biggest share of departures. Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean both sail regularly, followed by Norwegian Cruise Line and Holland America Line. CruiseAway’s own DreamAway Packages bundle the cruise with flights, hotels and transfers for a fully managed holiday. Each line suits a different style of travel, and our cruise experts can help you match the right one to the way you like to cruise.

Which ships are sailing this route?

Six ships cover the bulk of 2027 departures. Here is what each one offers on board.

Royal Princess — Princess Cruises

Royal Princess carries the most departures on this route. Step out onto the glass-bottomed SeaWalk — 40 metres above the sea with open water below your feet — for a perspective on the ocean that is hard to match. The adults-only Sanctuary retreat gives you a quieter corner of the ship with attentive service, while Movies Under the Stars, duelling pianos at Crooners and a dancing fountain light show keep evenings lively. See the Royal Princess cabin and deck plans before you choose your grade.

Celebrity Edge — Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Edge brings a genuinely distinctive design to this route. The Magic Carpet — a cantilevered platform suspended 16 storeys above the ocean — serves as a bar, a dining venue and an event space depending on the time of day. Infinite Veranda staterooms let you open the cabin wall entirely so the outside air fills the room, and Eden, a three-level living garden space, hosts performers who appear from unexpected places throughout the voyage. Browse the Celebrity Edge cabin and deck plans to pick the right stateroom.

Grand Princess — Princess Cruises

Grand Princess is a well-established ship with a loyal following. Order drinks, food or almost anything else through the Princess app and it comes to wherever you are on board — poolside, on deck, or in your cabin. The Sanctuary retreat offers a peaceful adults-only space at the top of the ship, and Movies Under the Stars plays on deck on warm evenings. Check the Grand Princess cabin and deck plans to compare grades.

Anthem of the Seas — Royal Caribbean

Anthem of the Seas suits families and active travellers well. The North Star glass pod rises above the ship for sweeping ocean views, the SeaPlex has a FlowRider surf simulator and an ice-skating rink, and circus classes are available for anyone who wants to try something different. After a day of activity, the glass-domed Solarium pool gives adults a quieter place to unwind. Review the Anthem of the Seas cabin and deck plans when you are ready to choose.

Norwegian Spirit — Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Spirit is a mid-sized ship with a relaxed feel. Norwegian’s freestyle approach means no fixed dining times — eat at Cagney’s Steakhouse or Le Bistro whenever suits you, then catch a live show in the Stardust Theatre. The adults-only Spice H2O open-air beach club is the place to be on a sunny afternoon between port days. See the Norwegian Spirit cabin and deck plans for the full picture.

Westerdam — Holland America Line

Westerdam carries around 1,916 guests, which keeps the atmosphere relaxed and the service personal. Guests consistently rate the crew at 4.5 out of 5 stars. Billboard Onboard brings live music to the evenings, and the Crow’s Nest panorama lounge is an excellent spot for a sunset cocktail as New Zealand coastline slides past. See the Westerdam cabin and deck plans for stateroom options.

What cabin grades are available?

Across the ships on this route, the main cabin types run from compact interiors to full suites. Below are the grades available on the 3 ships for which we hold detailed cabin data.

Royal Princess cabins

• Inside cabin IA — 15.4 m², sleeps up to 4. The most affordable way onto Royal Princess, with minibar, safe and desk included.
• Sea-view cabin O6 — 20.0 m², sleeps up to 4. A large panoramic window brings natural daylight and open-ocean sightlines that inside cabins cannot offer.
• Deluxe Balcony cabin DA — 23.4 m², sleeps up to 4. A private balcony for breakfast or sundowners, with the outside air whenever you want it.
• Penthouse Suite S3 with aft balcony — 54.5 m², sleeps up to 4. The largest cabin on board, with considerably more living space than any mini suite or standard cabin.

Celebrity Edge cabins

• Deluxe Inside cabin DI — 18.8 m², sleeps up to 4. Around 2 m² more spacious than the standard inside cabin, with a larger bathroom and more storage.
• Deluxe Ocean-view cabin DO — 22.1 m², sleeps up to 4. The most spacious ocean-view grade, offering 3–4 m² more living space than the standard sea-view option.
• Sunset Veranda Stateroom SV — 21.2 m², sleeps up to 4. The largest balcony of all standard veranda categories, at roughly 8.3 m² compared with around 3.7 m² elsewhere.
• Iconic Suite IC with private hot tub — 239.8 m², sleeps up to 6. The largest suite in the Celebrity fleet, with 270° panoramic views from the highest position above the bridge.

Grand Princess cabins

• Inside cabin IA — 14.9 m², sleeps up to 4. Positioned on middle decks for minimal motion and easy access to lifts and facilities.
• Premium sea view O3 — 19.1 m², sleeps up to 4. Floor-to-ceiling panoramic window with an unobstructed sea view and natural light throughout the day.
• Premium Balcony cabin B2 — 25.5 m², sleeps up to 4. Floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors give an open-plan feel and more natural light than a standard balcony cabin.
• Grand Suite S1 with private hot tub — 67.8 m², sleeps up to 4. The largest suite on board, offering considerably more space than all other suite categories.

What do the fares include?

Fare inclusions vary by cruise line and by the tier you book. Here is a straightforward summary of the main tiers across the 3 lines for which we hold fare detail.

Princess Cruises fare tiers

Princess Standard is the base cruise fare, covering the sailing itself. The Princess Plus package adds four casual dining meals per voyage, beverages up to A$15 each (up to 15 drinks per day), MedallionNet® Max Wi-Fi, pre-paid crew appreciation, unlimited digital photographs with 3 prints, and reserved theatre seating. That combination suits most travellers who plan to eat out and drink on board regularly. If you want only the fare to start with and prefer to add extras later, Standard is the more flexible entry point. Our cruise experts can walk you through which tier saves you money based on how you cruise.

Celebrity Cruises fare tiers

Celebrity offers a cruise-only rate for those who prefer to build their own package, a best-value tier that includes a classic drinks package and basic Wi-Fi, and The Retreat — an all-in tier for suite guests that adds a premium drinks package, premium Wi-Fi, exclusive lounge and sundeck access, private dining and dedicated personal service. If you are considering a suite on Celebrity Edge, The Retreat tier is worth comparing against booking extras individually.

Royal Caribbean fare tiers

Royal Caribbean offers a standard cruise fare as the base, with fare types such as last-minute offers and early-booking bonuses available depending on when you book and which sailing you choose. A solo traveller fare is also available for single-occupancy bookings. Our cruise experts can advise on which fare type applies to the sailing you are considering.

Are there deals on Sydney–New Zealand cruises in 2027?

A good proportion of 2027 departures are currently reduced from their previously listed price for that cabin grade. Discounts reach up to 43% on one departure, though that is the standout figure — most reduced sailings are discounted by around 7%. Fares start from A$1,152 pp* across all cabin grades and sailing lengths. If you are flexible on timing or cabin type, our cruise experts can point you to the sailings where the reduction is most significant.

Getting to Sydney for your cruise

All departures leave from Sydney, with some sailings also picking up passengers in Brisbane, Melbourne, Cairns and Perth (Fremantle) before heading to New Zealand. If you live in Sydney, you can drive or take the train directly to the terminal with no flight involved. If you are travelling from another state, a short domestic hop gets you there — far less effort than reaching an overseas embarkation port. For one-way sailings that finish in Auckland or further afield, a domestic flight home connects the two ends of the trip, and we can book that alongside your cruise so nothing is left for you to arrange separately.

CruiseAway can build the whole journey — cruise, flights, pre-cruise hotel, transfers and tours — as a single booking. That is what our DreamAway Packages are designed for, and it is available on most departures on this route.

Why book with CruiseAway?

We are cruise specialists — every booking we make is a cruise or a cruise-inclusive package, not a sideline to hotel or flight sales. Our Best Price Guarantee means that if you find the same sailing cheaper elsewhere, we will match it. Our cruise experts know these ships in detail and can tell you which cabin grade suits your budget, which fare tier saves you money, and which sailing length fits the time you have. We are also an ATAS-accredited travel agency, so you book with the confidence of knowing we are professionally accountable. Browse all cruises or speak to the team directly — either way, we handle the details.

Also worth exploring: cruises around Australia in 2027 depart from multiple home ports, and Princess Cruises’ 2026–2027 Australia season has a full overview of their local programme. If you are open to sailing from another Queensland port, Princess Cruises from Brisbane in 2027 is worth a look alongside the Sydney options. For a shorter New Zealand alternative, cruises from Sydney to Tasmania in 2027 offer a different slice of the region. And if your travel plans extend further, cruises from Auckland in 2027 pick up where many of these one-way sailings leave off.

What else can I sail from Sydney in 2027?

New Zealand is the most popular choice from Sydney, but it is not the only one. Cruises from Sydney to Fiji offer a shorter Pacific option for those who want warm-water island stops rather than the New Zealand coast. Cruises from Sydney in January 2027 have their own page if you want to narrow by month, and Christmas cruises from Sydney in 2027 cover the festive-season departures specifically. For a broader view of what is sailing across the region, all 2027 cruises gives you the full picture.

*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.