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Cruises to NZ

Tasman Sea & New Zealand on a Cruising Holiday

A cruise holiday is a wonderful option for those who would like to relax, visit new places and not have to worry about unpacking their luggage every night.  Cruise lines like Princess and P&O offer various cruises that include New Zealand as a destination on their itinerary.  There are also various cruises from Australia to New Zealand if you prefer a shorter trip or if you would like to include some of the beautiful South Pacific Island or Tasmania along the way.

Cruises around New Zealand can even be integrated into wide-angle and long-haul itineraries that include the islands of Fiji, American Samoa and French Polynesia. There are also options of cruising New Zealand destinations that are hard to reach by overland transport and brimming with wildlife, such as Milford Sound and others in the Fiordland National Park, and Oban, the port of call in New Zealand’s southernmost inhabited island, Stewart Island. 

Cruise Lines offering New Zealand cruises

There are 4 main cruise lines offering cruises to New Zealand; let us have a look at what each of them have to offer.

Princess Cruise Lines probably offer the greatest choice of itineraries including New Zealand cruising, from late November to the end of March.  Most of the cruises are 12/13 days departing from Sydney or Melbourne and visit several ports in New Zealand, both the North and South Island.  Many include scenic cruising through the Fiordland National Park where you will be enthralled by the incredible natural beauty – this is one cruise where you really should try and splash out on a Balcony stateroom, If you fancy a longer cruise, Princess has just the thing for you – an opportunity to cruise around New Zealand and Australia, with a visit to Bali, in 35 days!

P & O Cruises have a few 2 night cruises from Sydney to Auckland, but the majority of the itineraries for cruising New Zealand are between 10 to 14 nights from Sydney, with most of the cruise centred on the cities of both North and South Island; you will start in the North at the Bay of Islands, then visit Auckland and several ports on the East coast of NZ before you sail through either Milford Sound or the Fiordland National Park on your way back to Sydney.  They also offer a New Zealand cruise from Melbourne which explores Southern Australia and Tasmania before ending in Auckland – 17 nights.

Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruises have a very similar, but smaller list of cruise ships to New Zealand for you to choose from.  Have a look at all the different ships to help you decide the best New Zealand cruises for you.

At the very top end of the scale, Seabourn Cruises offer really wonderful luxury cruises from Sydney visiting most of New Zealand, or cruises around New Zealand as part of longer cruises which could include the South Pacific or South East Asia.  This is cruising in another class altogether – all suite, all inclusive ultra luxury where your every little whim is catered for. 

Also see our Discovery, Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound Overnight Cruises.