New Zealand Cruises

Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand and is situated on the North Island of the country. The skyline is iconic due to the highest tower in the southern hemisphere, the Sky Tower, rising proudly from the City of Sails about 328 m high. The city offers plenty of ways for adventure seekers to get their fix with activities like kayaking, sailing and bungee jumping available. The beautiful surrounding areas and islands are the perfect example of stunning New Zealand and the amazing natural landscape of the country.

• Explore the stunning Hauraki Gulf Islands
• Discover Auckland's fascinating Maori and maritime history at a variety of museums
• Take a tour of one of Auckland's four growing wine regions

Tauranga is located on the North Island of New Zealand and boasts several popular beaches, beautiful, lush parklands and mountains, lakes and cascading waterfalls. As it is located on a faultine, the area is home to numerous dormant volcanoes, including "White Island". For those interested in watersports, the city is conveniently located around a large harbour with opportunities galore to pursue your passion. The Strand waterfront area is a modern hive of activity, with an array of restaurants, clubs and bars.

• Take a guided nature tour in the Bay of Plenty
• Experience Tauranga's growing art scene at the Cargo Shed creative arts market
• Take a family day out in one of Tauranga's amusement parks, or enjoy dolphin-watching out on the harbour

Wellington, nicknamed "Windy Wellington", is the capital city of New Zealand. Boasting a compact and charming downtown which is diverse in it's architectural styles and also ideal to explore on foot. From Mount Victoria, rising above the city, catch glimpses of ships sail through the harbour and see the city light up as the sun goes down. The city is well known for having a "cafe culture", being home to countless intimate restaurants and coffeehouses.

• Take a ride on the iconic Wellington cable car for a picturesque view of the city
• Discover the wildlife of Wellington in the Zealandia wildlife sanctuary
• Take a tour of the Weta Cave museum and discover the magic of films like Lord of the Rings & more

Dunedin is New Zealand's oldest city and has played an important role in New Zealand's rich history. The city features a particular combination of culture, wildlife and architecture. Dunedin Street Art Trail is a unique initiative whereby, an increasing number of blank walls are becoming the canvases of international street artists. The trail currently takes 90 minutes to complete. Dunedin is also home to the world's steepest street, Baldwin Street which is also the location of the world-famous Jaffa-Race, which involves 25,000 sweet treats being rolled down the street simultaneously.

• Cycle up the Otago Peninsula and experience panoramic views across the city
• Challenge yourself to walk along the world's steepest street
• Learn how wine is made at central Otago vineyards

Christchurch lies on the South Island of New Zealand and is a gateway to the scenic and beautiful Canterbury region. Known as the 'Garden City', Christchurch is full of natural beauty, with scenic gardens, vast green parks and the Avon River flowing gently through the city. Christchurch is an energetic and vibrant city, with a huge range of pop up restuarants, contemporary art galleries, boutique shops and open-air markets adding to the creative and lively feel of the city. The backdrop for Christchurch is the lofty and beautiful peaks of Cantebury.

• Take a trip to the Port Hills for a stunning view of the city and coastline
• Discover the history of the region at the Canterbury Museum
• See some native New Zealand wildlife at Willowbank

A stunning blend of vertical cliff faces and magnificent waterfalls, Milford Sound is one of the most breathtaking locations in New Zealand. One of the best ways to experience it is on a boat cruise, sailing in the dark waters below. Scenic flights are also available so you can witness the beauty from above and also get a sense of the sheer scale of the landscape's stunning features. For those who enjoy hiking or trekking, the Milford Track is the ideal way to experience Milford Sound, winding your way up through some of the world's most astonishing wilderness.

• Drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound along one of the highest and most scenic higways in New Zealand
• Discover fur seals, dolphins and more on a boat trip
• See the mountaintop glaciers from a small plane or helicopter

The Bay of Islands is located in northern New Zealand and is one of the most celebrated holiday destinations in the country. Consisting of 144 islands, this is a landscape of lush green meadows, azure bays and, of course, marked sheep. The Bay of Islands is a maritime playground with the option of snorkelling, kayaking and swimming, all amongst an abundance of wildlife such as penguins, dolphins, whales and more. The stunning 'Hole in the Rock' formation is a must-see when in the Bay of Islands and is sure to impress.

• Discover fascinating wildlife, pupose-sunk shipwrecks and more while diving
• Take a cruise to meet the local dolphins and also discover the beautiful islands
• Visit the historic Waitanga Treaty Grounds

Napier, on New Zealand's North Island is the primary export seaport for North-Eastern New Zealand. It is known for being an Art Deco city, as much of the city was rebuilt in this style after an earthquake in 1931. The best way to explore downtown Napier is by partaking in a guided walk of the center which takes place daily. Napier makes use of the region's fertile alluvial soils by being home to many vineyards, producing a fantastic array of fine wines. The National Aquarium of New Zealand can be found in Napier and showcases how extraordinarily diverse the sealife of the South Pacific can be.

• Walk around the city and admire the preserved Art Deco buildings
• Take a tour of the many boutique wineries in the area while sampling delicious wines
• Meander through the Napier farmers' market to discover some artisan foods

Picton is a large port town in the Marlborough region which is situated in the North East of the South Island of New Zealand. Tourism in Picton and the surrounding area is very much focused on wildlife and the local landscape. Picton is an ideal base for exploring the inlets and islands of the stunning Marlborough Sounds. There are numerous day cruises to areas such as Lochmara, where guests can expect to find bushwalks, encounter New Zealand's unique wildlife as well as experience traditional Kiwi culture. Tourists are advised to visit the Whaling Museum and the restored ship, 'Edwin Fox' which is showcased in the port area.

• Witness life underwater at the Lochmara Underwater Observatory
• Experience the magic of the Marlborough Sound
• Traverse the Queen Charlotte Track by foot or bicycle

Doubtful Sound is the second most popular tourist destination in New Zealand, after its sister, Milford Sound. The serene Doubtful Sound is the deepest fjord in Fiordland National Park at 421 metres deep and features numerous magical waterfalls, unusual flora and fauna and is famous for its eery silence. Manapouri is the base for excursions to Doubtful Sound. There are a number of ways for visitors to explore the beauty of the fiord, such as by taking a day or overnight cruise, scenic flight or by simply exploring it by kayak. Doubtful Sound provides the perfect opportunity to experience the beauty of New Zealand and the fiords.

• Look out for New Zealand Fur Seals and Fiordland Crested Penguins
• Experience the tranquility of the fjord by kayak
• Take in the sheer wildness of the fjord - No one lives here, it's just you and nature!

The Fiordland National Park is located in Southern New Zealand and covers an area of ​​over 12,500 square kilometers making it the largest national park in New Zealand. It is surrounded by the fjords of Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and Dusky Sound as well as extensive lakes. The Fiordland National Park is one of the few parks which belong to the "Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area" which was established in 1952. Depsite it being difficult to access, the park remains a grand attraction of New Zealand and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1990.

• Embark on one of the "Great Walks" or shorter hikes on diverse terrain around the park
• Enjoy a day cruise or a scenic flight over Fiordland National Park
• See glow worms in the Te Anau Caves

Dusky Sound is a remote fiord located in New Zealand's Fiordland National Park, not far from Manapouri. The fiord is flanked mainly by lush greenery and imposing rocky outcrops. Dusky Sound is steeped in history, with Captain Cook having spent five weeks here in 1773. The explorer spent two months exploring the fiord extensively, charting its many arms and inlets, and marveling at the birdlife. Visitors can expect to find mountainous terrain with picturesque valleys and forests. Activities include fishing, kayaking and just simply taking in the breath-taking views.

• Experience amazing scenery cruising along Dusky Fjord
• Catch sites of dolphins, seals, whales and birds
• Take part in outdoor activities such as kayaking and fishing

Gisborne is located on the Eastern coast of New Zealand. Unique to Gisborne is the opportunity to experience the first sunrise of the day before anywhere else in the world. Kaiti beach, the spot of the first European landing in New Zealand by Captain Cook is also located here. The wine produced in the area is highly regarded and tours are available of the many local wineries. Outdoor pursuits such as kayaking and surfing are also popular in the area. Certain Maori cultural traditions and customs can still be witnessed throughout the city.

• Be an early bird and catch the first sunrise of the day before anyone anywhere else
• Take part in a winery tour and sample the wines of the region
• Experience the great outdoors by taking part in some of the many outdoor activities

Kaikoura, a small town in Canterbury on the South Island of New Zealand, is a picture perfect cruise destination. Two of the most breathtaking sights are the Seaward Kaikoura mountains, part of the Southern Alps, and the Kaikoura peninsula which can be best seen by taking one of trails up to one of the mountains in the area. The main tourist attraction in Kaikoura is however undoubtedly whale watching (it’s one of the best place in the world to spot sperm whales) as well as swimming with dolphins.

• Jaw-dropping landscapes and panoramas
• Whale watching
• Swimming with dolphins

Lyttelton is a port town on the north shore of Lyttelton Harbour, close to Christchurch. Lyttelton has historically been regarded as the "Gateway to Canterbury" for colonial settlers. In 2009 Lyttelton was awarded Category I Historic Area status by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT) defined as "an area of special or outstanding historical or cultural heritage significance or value".

• Visit the buzzing Farmer's Market on a Saturday morning and try local delicacies
• Explore the various local art galleries
• Enjoy modern New Zealand cuisine at the Roots restaurant