Monday, April 1, 2024

New Zealand Cruises: Follow in Frodo's Footsteps

new zealand cruise

Timaru's own name comes from the Maori Te Maru, which means "place of shelter." Chief among its charms are its parks and gardens. As if the backdrop of the Southern Alps wasn't enough, a rose garden, boardwalk and beach enliven the waterfront. The stellar Aigantighe Art Gallery and South Canterbury Museum showcase New Zealand and Maori art. Sail into a world of surreal beauty in Fiordland National Park / Piopiotahi, where the verdant flanks of snowcapped peaks plunge into the crystalline waters of ice-carved fiords.

Auckland, New Zealand

The average New Zealand temperature decreases as you travel south, with January and February the warmest months. In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20 to 30 Celsius (70 to 90 Fahrenheit), depending on where you are. Always pack layers and rain gear, and remember that, like Australia, summer is also a standard holiday period for families, so expect more crowds around major attractions and tourist spots, including beach resorts. Norwegian Jewel offers 10 free and for-a-fee eateries, almost a dozen bars and lounges and a range of accommodation options -- from inside cabins to suites in The Haven, the line's signature 'gated community'. If you love singing, this 2,376-passenger ship does not disappoint with a karaoke lounge featuring mood lighting and three private karaoke rooms. The lively dance floor in the Spinnaker Lounge features everything from ballroom and line dancing to pulse-pounding dance music.

New Zealand / Aotearoa Cruises

The North Island is more heavily populated, featuring bigger cities that include Auckland and the nation's capital, Wellington. The South Island is the true star of the show, with its wide-open spaces, spectacular mountains, lakes and glaciers. As an intimate, all-suite, all-inclusive luxury vessel, it has one of the most generous space-to-passenger ratios in the industry.

Australia cruisetours

Free dining options abound but specialty restaurant Salt Grill by Luke Mangan is worth the splurge. Pacific Dawn is a hit with cruisers of all ages who appreciate this ship's smaller size and low-key, casual vibe combined with modern Australian style. While the ship's passenger-to-space ratio is standard for the industry, the ship never feels crowded. Celebrity is known for its fabulous dining and bars, but perhaps the most unique feature is the Lawn Club with a half-acre of real grass on the top deck offering some of the best views onboard in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. The space includes games such as bocce and mini-golf, and is perfect for soaking up the sun when the weather permits.

Things to Do in Brisbane Cruise Port for Couples, Singles & Families

It's also one of the safest countries in which to travel, with efficient airline networks, generally good roads, and excellent healthcare, and emergency and hospital facilities. Although many people think that Australia and New Zealand are the same, the island nations coexist in the South Pacific as close neighbors with completely different personalities. Aussies and Kiwis enjoy a healthy sibling rivalry on the sporting field, but New Zealand has its own distinct offerings that cannot be compared to Australia's. Strolling along Timaru's hilly streets and past its historic buildings, you might not guess that the city was built on the lava flows of a now-extinct volcano with the evocative name Mount Horrible.

Cruising in New Zealand with Cunard is a royal affair on the 2,081 passenger Queen Elizabeth, with New Zealand voyages of up to 14 days available during the ship’s season Down Under. Traditions such as different restaurants for different classes of passengers, set dining times and high tea served by white-gloved waiters hark back to the Golden Age of cruising. Expedition cruises mix visits to large ports with scenic visits to less-frequented locations that many large cruise liners do not visit. Some expedition cruises visit New Zealand’s South Island on the way to sub-Antarctic islands, while others visit smaller New Zealand locations, such as Stewart Island or Kaikoura. Some expedition cruises visit New Zealand's South Island on the way to sub-Antarctic islands, while others visit smaller Kiwi locations, such as White Island, Stewart Island or Kaikoura.

Related Ports

new zealand cruise

Cruise destinations around the South Island can include the stunning Marlborough Sounds, the charming French-style settlement of Akaroa and the revitalised city of Christchurch. The historic Scottish-influenced Dunedin, and the ruggedly beautiful Fiordland in the south west are not to be missed. Cruising in New Zealand is the perfect way to explore over 15,000 kilometres of coastline and the spectacular landscapes this diverse country has to offer. These 10 Melbourne travel tips from Princess Cruises will help you experience the best of this iconic Australian city as only a local would. Read about exotic isles, legendary destinations, and prepare to explore a region unlike any other on your Australia and New Zealand cruise.

THE 25 BEST 7 Day Cruises to Australia & New Zealand (Prices & Itineraries) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic

THE 25 BEST 7 Day Cruises to Australia & New Zealand (Prices & Itineraries) on Cruise Critic.

Posted: Sat, 20 Apr 2024 02:09:19 GMT [source]

Most depart from Auckland in New Zealand, or Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane in Australia. Typically they visit New Zealand destinations including the Bay of Islands, Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Fiordland. Most New Zealand voyages through the summer depart from either Sydney or Auckland.

SAMPLE AUSTRALIA

Azamara, another Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited line, also visits New Zealand with in-depth itineraries of 14 nights or more. Seabourn Encore offers an all-inclusive, luxury cruise experience and itineraries packed with scenic cruise areas and lesser-known ports. Even better, you don't have to worry about missing any of the views, as all the ship's cabins face the outside. Restaurants and public spaces are opulently designed, but the 600-passenger ship maintains a comfortable, country club vibe.

Oceania prides itself on fine dining and an upscale yet comfortable ambiance -- and Regatta is no exception. The 684-passenger ship features the creations of celebrity chef Jacques Pepin in the main dining room and two surcharge-free specialty restaurants. No formal nights mean the pressure to dress up for dinner is dictated by fellow passengers, not the cruise line. Regatta offers an experience that's close to luxury without being all-inclusive or priced sky-high.

Cruise to New Zealand to kayak past unique cliff structures at popular Cathedral Cove, where the Chronicles of Narnia were filmed. The Land of the Long White Cloud, New Zealand is known for Maori culture, lush-valley-and-gentle-hill-filled landscapes made famous by the "Lord of the Rings" films and dramatic glacial mountain peaks. Cruise to New Zealand and head to the World Heritage-listed Fiordland National Park, home to the mighty fjords of Milford Sound. Check out Franz Josef and Foz Glaciers on the South Island, two of the world's most accessible glaciers. Adrenaline junkies will want to make a beeline for Queenstown on Lake Wakatipu's shores, where you have access to ski resorts, bungee jumping and jet boating.

Although summer is the best time to visit New Zealand in terms of warm weather, it's also the busiest season for domestic and international visitors. The shoulder season of autumn is a better option, as you have the bonus of falling leaves, while spring is known for its unstable and windy conditions. If hiking is on the agenda, remember to pack quality hiking boots and layers, as some of the Great Walks have notoriously temperamental weather. A waterproof and windproof jacket will save you while cruising around New Zealand, particularly in the cooler months. On a New Zealand cruise, you can experience two spectacular islands that form one unique country. Because of its remote location and millennia of isolation, New Zealand boasts an incredible biodiversity of flora and fauna, many that are found nowhere else on Earth.

new zealand cruise

Cruise to New Zealand aboard one of the many ships that sail to and around New Zealand, each offering a unique experience. On a cruise to and from Auckland, delight at the sight of glittering glowworms inside Auckland’s / Tāmaki Makaurau Waitomo Grotto, and enjoy an exclusive kiij at Māori and Polynesian exhibits in Auckland. Travel along Akaroa’s Southern Alps, and see white-flippered blue penguins and New Zealand / Aotearoa fur seals on a cruise through Akaroa Harbour. On itineraries with More Ashore Late Night calls, we stay until at least 9 p.m. From the Bay of Islands at the top of the North Island to dramatic Fiordland in the far south, cruising New Zealand opens up a world of natural wonders and reveals a vibrant culture.

The majority of cruise lines visit New Zealand during the October – April summer cruise season. Most of the world's major cruise companies offer cruise services to New Zealand. Cruises between Australia and New Zealand offer the opportunity to travel the length of both North and South Islands.

Visit Hobbiton, the Hobbit village where key scenes of “Lord of the Rings” were filmed and more when you cruise to New Zealand. With a maximum of 1,546 passengers, this ship offers a more intimate mainstream New Zealand cruise experience than most other lines. Plenty of fun can be found at the P&O Edge Adventure Park and at the ship's lively bars, especially after the sun goes down.

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