New Zealand Cruises

The wealth of beauty, adventure and wonder encapsulated in the relatively small space of this country will leave even those with the highest expectations of New Zealand cruises not disappointed.

An established destination for cruising, New Zealand offers spectacular, photo-perfect scenery that can be enjoyed with ease, with travel between most destinations within one day or night’s sailing of each other. The diverse, spectacular landscapes, consisting of mysterious mountains, expansive lakes and glaciers and shimmering underground caves are home to fascinating, endangered species, many of which are unique to the country and make a New Zealand cruise a once in a lifetime experience.

Discover the indigenous Māori culture, whose principles of hospitality, kindness and generosity, as well as huge respect for the natural environment, resonate throughout the rest of the population of New Zealand and contribute to making the country one of the safest to travel in the world.

A cruise to New Zealand will offer so many wonderous, memorable experiences that you cannot fail to be captivated by its majesty.

Interesting fact:

New Zealand has a very similar land mass to the U.K., however there are 14 times more people living in the U.K.; 63 million compared to New Zealand’s 4.5 million.

Top New Zealand harbours

Auckland

The pristine beauty of Auckland’s harbour cannot be missed on your New Zealand cruise. Named the ‘City of Sails’, Auckland is the main hub for cruise ships and also the largest city in New Zealand, but still has plenty to offer those seeking natural beauty, alongside this modern metropolis.

Abundant with bars, restaurants and shops, a walk along the beautiful harbour is a perfect way to relax and enjoy your surroundings. For a spectacular view of the city, take a trip up the glass-fronted lifts in the 328-metre-high Sky Tower. And for thrill-seekers, there is a Sky walk or jump just waiting for you at the top!

Did you know…?

Auckland is home to over 50 volcanoes, each one originating from a magma source 100 km below the city. But don’t worry, the volcanoes are classified as dormant or extinct, so any eruptions are extremely unlikely during your trip!

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Wellington

The pretty, circular harbour of Wellington hugs around the ocean and is host to a combination of natural beauty and chic city living. Ranked as one of the world’s finest harbours, Wellington, also known as Port Nicholson, is set below scenic, green rolling hills, which drop down to a beautiful coastline, offering the perfect opportunity for a day’s hike or leisurely ramble.

Despite its compact-size, Wellington is packed with culture. Museums, art galleries and theatres sit alongside the fashionable bars and restaurants of this modern city. A trip to Te Papa is highly recommended. A favourite of locals and tourists, this museum presents the rich cultural heritage of New Zealand and its inhabitants.

Top Tip

Wellington is known as the ‘Windy Wellington’. No matter what time of year you visit, it can get pretty blustery, so always have a warm sweater to hand.

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Dunedin

For incredible wildlife, dramatic scenery and a rich cultural heritage, Dunedin and its harbour, Port Otago, ticks every box.

Famous for being home to the only mainland breeding colony of northern royal albatross, the spectacular, rugged Otago Peninsula continues to delight visitors with various other unique wildlife species.

For breath-taking views, a ride on the Taieri Gorge Railway, which traverses across the Taieri Plains and deep into the gorge, is one of Dunedin’s top attractions.

Larnach Castle is a real highlight for history-seekers. Wander around the beautiful gardens and castle rooms that have been carefully restored to their Victorian magnificence, or take in the far-reaching views of the peninsula from the top of the tower.

Did you know…?

Dunedin has the steepest residential street in the world. Baldwin Street has a gradient of 1 in 2.86! Every year, the locals hold a ‘Jaffa Race’ where people roll a Jaffa Lolly down the street!

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When is the best time for a New Zealand cruise?

New Zealanders enjoy their summer months from December to February, so if you are seeking long, warm days and outdoor activities, this is the time to visit. March and April offer crisp, sunny days that make the gorgeous autumnal colours in New Zealand quite stunning, but rain does become more frequent with an average of 11 days of rainfall during these months. New Zealand also enjoys a winter sports scene from June to August. During this time, the temperature differences between the two islands become more prominent (13 degrees in the North and 7 degrees in the South).

Top Tip

School holidays fall in January, making this time of year peak tourist season and meaning it can get busy. Wait till February and you’ll get summer warmth alongside a more relaxed pace of life.

Top sights

New Zealand has such a wide range of amazing sights and experiences, choosing what to see can be tricky. These are our favourites:

Milford Sound Fjord

Visit Milford Sound fjord and be in awe at towering mountain peaks, dramatic waterfalls and lush green rainforests. Also, home to fur seal colonies, penguins and dolphins, Milford Sound is an unmissable destination to have on your list.

Maori Culture

Taking time to learn about the fascinating Maori culture in New Zealand is definitely a worthwhile experience. Tamaki Maori Village in Rotorua is the ideal place to visit if you get the chance. Here you can immerse yourself in the Maori way of life, their tribal customs, local cuisine and intriguing myths. Whilst here, don’t miss a trip to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland and experience nature at its most amazing.

Lord of the Rings

Discover the extraordinary vista of the infamous Lord of the Rings and experience Middle-Earth first hand. Over 150 locations exclusively within New Zealand were used to captivate audiences around the world. From the Hobbits’ home of the Shire to the dark mountains of Mordor, there are many opportunities for guided and self-guided tours to recreate the magic.

Fun fact:

In 2012, New Zealand broadcasted the first weather report in Elvish language!

Regional dishes

New Zealand has a very current food culture, with all the main cities offering fine dining and modern, international cuisine. However, with its extraordinary natural resources, New Zealand has many local dishes that are renowned for being fresh and very tasty.

The local shellfish, known as Tuatua, which has a milder softer texture than other seafood, was originally a Maori tradition, but is now enjoyed throughout New Zealand.

For a delicious sweet-treat, try Hokey Pokey; a Kiwi kids’ favourite of vanilla ice cream mixed with caramelised sugar. The fact that over 5 million litres of Hokey Pokey is consumed every year in New Zealand is proof of its widespread popularity.

Did you know…

New Zealand is home to Manuka honey, which has recently become more well-known in the U.K. due to its believed healing properties for ailments, such as sore throats, digestive illnesses and gingivitis.

Fascinating Facts About New Zealand

• Wherever you travel in New Zealand, you will never be more than 128km from the sea.
• Only 5% of New Zeland’s population is human! The rest are animals, giving the country the highest animal to human ratio in the world.
• New Zealand has the clearest lake in the world, Nelson’s Blue Lake, which has visibility of up to 80 metres deep.
• You may be aware of New Zealand’s links to Scotland, but did you know that it has more Scottish piping bands per capita than in Scotland itself?
• New Zealand has 400 golf courses, making it the most per capita in the world.

Top Travelling Tip

Layers, layers, layers - Temperatures and weather in New Zealand can vary greatly, not only between the north and south islands, but also day to day where you are visiting. To be prepared, wear layers and bring a rain jacket, as depending on the time of year, showers can be frequent.