New Zealand Cruises

One of the most remote regions of the world, New Zealand lies 1000 miles off the south eastern coast of Australia and is situated in the south western Pacific Ocean. The archipelago nation consists of two main islands:

• The largely geothermal North Island (Te Ika a Maui)
• The mountainous South Island (Pounamu)

Look no further than a cruise to New Zealand for:

• Exciting tours
• Breathtaking scenery
• Adrenaline-packed itineraries
• Luxurious breaks

New Zealand has an abundance of wildlife and a vast scenery of forests, mountains, lakes, beaches and fiords, all of which will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime. A multitude of amazing things await:

• Exciting cities
• Culture
• Delicious cuisine
• Sights of sublime beauty

Everyday Kiwi life is filled with things you will find fascinating like:

• The blood-chilling haka (Maori war dance)
• The beautiful art of ta moko (Maori tattooing)

New Zealand's biggest and most spectacular national park should be on everyone's bucket list - the Fiordland National Park is one of the country's most iconic destinations so most New Zealand cruises will no doubt take you there.

Popular Destinations

North Island

The scenic Bay of Islands is one of the most popular tourist destinations for fishing and sailing, with a natural harbour and plentiful peninsulas and inlets. Many Fly Cruise options go from the largest city in New Zealand, Auckland. The city is famous for its sailing opportunities and a shiny new harbour. Venture to Cape Reinga, the northernmost tip of the country, where the waters of the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea collide. Enter the Bay of Plenty and have your cruise ship stop in Tauranga, a popular gateway to Rotorua - the place to explore steaming geysers and enjoy a traditional Maori hangi (steam-cooked banquet). Travel on to Matamata for a grand tour around the 'Hobbition' movie set. Visit our personal favourite, Mt Maunganui. The Mount - the beautiful sandy beach town with thermal hot pools and lively cafes. The town is famous for its volcanic cone that is Mauao (local name for Mt Maunganui) at its tip. The mountain has various routes to its summit, climbing it is well worth the effort to enjoy the majestic views. New Zealand’s capital Wellington is a city of wonders, renowned for its eclectic mix of:

• Culture
• Arts
• Heritage

Discover the inner-city beach of Oriental Bay, or delve into some of the many art galleries and museums. Pleasure seekers and adventure lovers can sample adventure activities such as:

• Sea-water diving
• Mountain biking
• Kayaking

South Island

Climb the highest peak of New Zealand - Aoraki Mount Cook or go hiking in the picturesque Arthur’s Pass National Park. Feel the cultural pulse of Dunedin, a region of Edwardian and Victorian architecture, where remnants of its Scottish heritage proudly remain to this day. Escape to the beautifully rugged landscape of the Taiaroa Head  - a unique and beautiful headland known for its wildlife experience. It is the only place in the world you can see a mainland breeding colony of Royal Albatross in its natural habitat. New Zealand’s diverse scenery and untouched landscapes provide a lot of opportunities for various kinds of activities:

• Go hiking
• Enjoy some stunning views
• Take a ride along the extensive network of biking trails
• Spend a night at one of New Zealand's iconic back country huts

The country’s virtually undiscovered beaches and charming private hideouts offer the chance to relax and soak up the wonders of this diverse nation. Peace and beauty are your main companions on a cruise around New Zealand. If you want to see some of the world’s most beautiful fiords, look no further than the world famous Fiordland National Park. Most cruise ships that cruise to New Zealand will enter Milford Sound and anchor overnight. Even the biggest cruise ship will feel small with the sharp Mitre Peak summit towering over it.

Cruise Lines sailing to New Zealand

There is a great variety of cruise lines that offer cruises to New Zealand. Starting with the biggest and most popular ones, like:

• Celebrity Cruises
• Princess Cruises
• Cunard
• P&O Australia

And ending with smaller, luxury expedition-oriented lines:

• Azamara
• Regent Seven Seas
• Silversea
• Oceania
• Viking Ocean Cruises

The latter will stop at some of the hidden gem ports in New Zealand and have more detailed shore excursions. Whereas the big league cruise lines will suit the first timers, who want to get the general idea of what New Zealand is all about.

Most of them will have itineraries departing from a port near you but please note, that the smaller cruise lines may have more cruises setting sail from Sydney.

The Best Time to Visit

The summer months of December to February are considered the best for visiting New Zealand:

• The days will be long and sunny
• The temperatures are very comfortable, averaging between 16°C and 24°C
• Perfect weather for the beach

However, if you are looking to avoid the crowds, try to plan your New Zealand cruise for the autumn months of March to May. You will benefit from:

• The prices being lower
• Comfortable weather for spending most of your time outside