Best New Zealand Cruises

Cruising in New Zealand is as easy as falling off a log. With blockbuster scenery, great food and wine and some of the friendliest people in the world, it’s as if the two-island nation was crafted by mother nature for the very purpose of cruising.

When researching a cruise in New Zealand, consider the choices. It’s possible to leave from and return to Australia, fly to New Zealand and maximise your time visiting the islands or choose a cruise that sails to New Zealand as part of a longer voyage. Then, of course, you can take any of these cruises on a big, mid-size or small ship.

Here are some hand-picked ideas to whet your appetite for cruising in New Zealand.

Princess Cruises are one of the most popular cruise lines regularly visiting News Zealand with round trip options from Australia. For example, you can sail from Sydney aboard the luxurious Diamond Princess and visit the fabulous scenery of the Fiordland National Park as well as port visits to Auckland, Tauranga (for excursions to Rotorua), Wellington, Akaroa and Dunedin over 12 nights. Plus there are similar itineraries aboard this 2700-passenger superliner from Melbourne and Brisbane. On sea days, there’s plenty to enjoy aboard Diamond Princess like live theatre and dance clubs to specialty dining and activities for kids under 18.

Cunard in New Zealand

Serious cruisers with a taste for traditional luxury can select a trans-Pacific voyage like those offered by Cunard aboard the exquisite QM2, the world’s only true ocean liner. For example, you can sail from Santiago in Chile all the way to Sydney and stopover in New Zealand for four nights en route, visiting the major ports like Auckland and Wellington while still finding time to enjoy the scenic pleasures of the Bay of Islands. Plus you’ll have bonus stops at places like Tahiti and Easter Island. You’ll need to book ahead because the 2600-passenger Queen Mary 2 is one of the most popular ships in the world with exceptional dining, amenities and passenger accommodations.

Smaller ships are becoming increasingly popular for destinations like New Zealand because they can explore in much more detail and offer more enriching itineraries. Azamara Club Cruises are a brand new to our region and are famous for longer port visits with more options and comprehensive interpretation. Azamara Journey has less than one third the number of passengers than the big ships like Diamond Princess, making it much easier to get on and off and join your excursion at smaller ports like Waitangi, Picton and Kaikoura.

Of course, these are just a few of the many options available to anyone wanting to explore the beautiful ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’. If you’ve tried these ships before, why not look for similar itineraries offered by Royal Caribbean, Holland America and Celebrity. Each of these lines has its own character and style, so you are assured of always finding the right cruise at the right time and at the right price.