12 NIGHT BEST OF NEW ZEALAND CRUISE

Sydney is a definite stop on every cruise that travels Down Under and often serves as a starting or ending point for ships that also travel to New Zealand. Australia's largest city, Sydney is one of the world's most intriguing ports of call, with its appeal extending from a sophisticated and vibrant urban metropolis to stunning natural wonders. Although it is a modern city strongly influenced by British roots and current American popular culture, Sydney's real character is derived from its exotic location and brash beauty. Walking through the glass and concrete downtown, known as the Central Business District (CBD), you could be in any other Western-culture metropolis -- until a fluorescent red and green lorikeet parrot swoops overhead or an unexpected flash of the brilliant blue harbour appears between the skyscrapers. Any proper visit to Sydney must begin in the harbour, which is both the birthplace of the city and its current iconic centrepiece. The area is called Circular Quay (pronounced "key" by locals). It is hard to imagine a more picturesque setting for a city's heart than this, with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge displayed against the inlet's bright water. Sydney spreads across a massive geographic area, but the majority of its most interesting areas can be found near the ocean coast in the area known as the Eastern suburbs, as well as in its delightful inner-city neighbourhoods, which each possess a distinct vibe. Oxford Street, the main thoroughfare running east from downtown to the ocean beaches, hosts Sydney's famous gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade each February and is popular year-round because of its bars and cafes. Sydney is a well-balanced blend of a big city lifestyle and the laid-back Australian mentality. Although Aussies who hail from other towns often disparage Sydney for its flashiness and hectic pace, urban inconveniences seem minor here compared to places like New York and London (although the peak-hour traffic and public transport system are actually quite bad). Tourism is a huge industry around Sydney, and locals are accustomed to providing visitors with service, helpful directions and a rousing welcome to the stunning city that they call home.

Relax and enjoy the facilities and entertainment onboard your ship. If the weather is good take some sun and sunbathe on the pool deck. Otherwise explore below deck the wide range of activities that will be available during the day. Perhaps you prefer to find a quiet spot and catch up on your reading.

Relax and enjoy the facilities and entertainment onboard your ship. If the weather is good take some sun and sunbathe on the pool deck. Otherwise explore below deck the wide range of activities that will be available during the day. Perhaps you prefer to find a quiet spot and catch up on your reading.

Milford Sound is the undisputed jewel of Fiordland National Park on the southwestern coast of New Zealand's South Island. Thousands of years ago, relentless glacial ice forged its rugged grandeur. Sheer faced granite walls soar 1200m skyward, white-plumed waterfalls tumble from lush hanging valleys into glassy waters and Mitre Peak rears over 5,000 feet into the mist.

Cruising Doubtful Sound offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of Fiordland National Park. With dramatic mountains, cascading waterfalls, and lush rainforests, it's a breathtaking experience, often accompanied by sightings of dolphins, seals, and penguins.

Follow the route once traveled by explorer Captain Cook, who discovered Dusky Sound in 1773 on his famous first voyage to New Zealand. A scenic sailing through the sound, which is located in Fiordland National Park, yields dramatic and unforgettable landscapes of deep blue waters and emerald islands. There are hundreds of islands dotting the shimmering waters of this spectacular glacier-carved fjord, which is the longest in Fiordland National Park. You'll likely spot bottlenose dolphins frolicking in the waters, as well as seals and a variety of seabirds.

Dunedin is an unexpected gem located on the southeast coast of New Zealand's South Island at the southern end of Otago Harbour. With a population of close to 130,000 (including thousands of university students), the city exudes a hip vibe and boasts a varied selection of shops, restaurants, cafes and craft breweries. In addition, Dunedin offers a combination of Scottish heritage, turn-of-the-century architecture and access to untamed wildlife areas. In fact, European settlers were first attracted to Otago Harbour for its wildlife, more specifically, hunting seals, resulting in Port Chalmers being a deep-water whaling port that provided services and trade for ships to the area. The seals are no longer hunted there; instead, passengers can take a tour to the end of Otago Peninsula, known as Taiaroa Head, for panoramic views, and enjoy close encounters with fur seals and other wildlife in their own habitat. A highlight of our tour at Natures Wonders was watching the seals and their pups. We were far enough away to not bother them, yet close enough that we could watch, listen, and say, 'aaaaaww'. Some seals basked in the sun while hungry pups looked for their mothers, crying out until an adult seal called back and they were reunited on the same rock. In contrast to the Otago Peninsula's wildlife and dramatic landscape, our tour provided a history lesson of Dunedin including stops and detours past historic buildings that offered a glimpse into the city's early prosperity. Established as a Scottish settlement in 1848, it was the discovery of gold in 1861 that led to an influx in the city's population, making Dunedin New Zealand's largest and wealthiest city by the late 1800s. Subsequently, the city's prosperous economy left behind great examples of Edwardian and Victorian architectural heritage, including the Dunedin Railway Station, the University of Otago, Larnach Castle, New Zealand's first botanic garden, and a number of impressive churches. Originally, Dunedin was planned and designed to mimic the characteristics of Edinburgh, as evidenced by the city's street names and even the name of the city itself is Scottish Gaelic for Edinburgh. At the heart of the city is The Octagon, an eight-sided plaza that is bisected by main streets, George Street and Princes Street. Most ships' shore excursions include a stop at The Octagon and the cruise ship shuttles tend to drop off and pick up near this hub. The Octagon's central location to historic sights, restaurants, shops, and public transportation, make it a convenient jumping-off point from which to explore Dunedin. Although cruise traffic only arrives in Dunedin from October to April -- in New Zealand's summer -- the southerly latitude of New Zealand's South Island means the weather can be unpredictable so be prepared with both a rain jacket and hat. If you have time before or after your day in Dunedin, check out Port Chalmers. Although there's not a whole lot to see and do here, the historic buildings and the free Wi-Fi on George Street make it worth a stroll. Once back onboard your cruise ship, make sure to watch the ship's departure as she passes the Taiaroa Head Lighthouse on her starboard side; the lighthouse has been marking the entrance to Otago Harbour since 1864.

Editor's Note: Cruise ships have not called at Christchurch since the 2011 earthquake that destroyed its pier. Ships now dock at Akaroa, more than an hour's drive away. A new cruise berth at Lyttelton Port is expected to be rebuilt in time for the 2019-2020 summer season. Christchurch could qualify as a template for the perfect small city. With a population of around 350,000, it's the largest of New Zealand's South Island cities -- it's also the most English looking in appearance. Unsurprising, when you realise that Christchurch was envisioned as a planned community for the Church of England in the 1850s. Nearby, the stunning gold and green Canterbury Plains, back-dropped by mountains and with a web of indigo streams, are so familiar that many "The Lord of the Rings" fans now recognise them as Middle Earth. Visitors to Christchurch don't need to consciously avoid the subject of devastating earthquakes that hit the city between 2010 and 2012. Many reminders remain, but residents are stoically independent, and Kiwis (the people, not the bird) tend to be a positive lot. Rebuilding began almost immediately but progress was slow. Extensive plans for the next decade or more aim to create an accessible and liveable city. Shops, cafes and bars have returned in force, as have visitors. Remaining intact, of course, is the languidly winding Avon River, its banks flanked by parks and gardens. Punts still drift along it -- along with their punters in waistcoats and straw boater hats. As always, the seasons come and go, with spring and autumn each a delight in this leafy city, which is often accurately referred to as the Garden City. Much still remains from the past, and the many new additions to the city are fascinating and well worth seeing.

Relax and enjoy the facilities and entertainment onboard your ship. If the weather is good take some sun and sunbathe on the pool deck. Otherwise explore below deck the wide range of activities that will be available during the day. Perhaps you prefer to find a quiet spot and catch up on your reading.

A cruise ship visit to Tauranga (pronounced "Tao-ronger") is like getting three port calls for the price of one: Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and Rotorua. Situated in the Bay of Plenty, Tauranga deserves a half-day or more of exploration. The busy city has several historical highlights (like the Elms Mission Station, said to be the oldest building in the Bay of Plenty), interesting architecture (check out the Brain Watkins House, built with local kauri wood) and tasty seafood-focused dining at the restaurants and pubs along the revitalized waterfront.

Cruise ships actually dock in the nearby town of Mount Maunganui, which is also worth visiting. There, visitors can embrace nature and the outdoors at the surfing hotspot of Mount Beach, with easy to strenuous hiking at Mount Maunganui, and in soothingly hot or warm saltwater pools at the mountain's base. Urbanites can also find lots of shopping and restaurants on busy Maunganui Road.

Finally, there's a third option that's also quite popular as a shore excursion: the town and region of Rotorua, about 75 minutes from the port. The area is a center for geothermal activity (including historic thermal baths) and Maori culture. Shore excursions to Rotorua will typically visit a geothermal park like Te Whakarewarea, Hells Gate or Waiotapu, which features the Lady Knox geyser, a natural phenomenon that erupts every day at 10:15 a.m. Other highlights may include bubbling mud pools, steaming springs, more geysers, spas, waterfalls, visits to one of the region's dozen pretty lakes, and the city of Rotorua proper. The trip is not for the nasally sensitive, as the hot springs and geysers are often accompanied by an ever-present sulphurous "rotten egg" smell.

Sadly, cruise travelers usually do not have enough time to visit all three destinations in one port call. Most choose to either stay in the neighboring Tauranga and Mount Maunganui or take the long shore excursion to the Rotorua area. Whichever way you go, you will not be disappointed.

Auckland greets cruise guests with that irresistible blend of urban buzz and natural beauty that New Zealand does so well. Step ashore and you’re moments from the sparkling Viaduct Harbour, where waterside bars and restaurants set the tone for a relaxed day in the City of Sails. Venture up the Sky Tower for sweeping views across the twin harbours, or take a short ferry ride to Waiheke Island for boutique vineyards and golden beaches. Culture lovers can dive into Māori heritage at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, while adventurers might head to the rugged black‑sand shores of the west coast. Whether you’re after world‑class dining, island‑hopping, or a taste of Kiwi outdoor life, Auckland serves it all with easy-going charm.

Blame 18th century explorer Captain James Cook for the understated name: Bay of Islands. He stumbled into this little piece of heaven in 1769, but perhaps his choice wasn't such a no-brainer, after all. The bay has 144 islands that pop up as you pass through the channel to reach the tendering spot off Waitangi. These bays and inlets are actually 'drowned' valleys, and the islands are peaks of what were the highest 'hills'. If you aren't keen on exploring the area by boat, there are many interesting sights to visit on land, including the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

Relax and enjoy the facilities and entertainment onboard your ship. If the weather is good take some sun and sunbathe on the pool deck. Otherwise explore below deck the wide range of activities that will be available during the day. Perhaps you prefer to find a quiet spot and catch up on your reading.

Relax and enjoy the facilities and entertainment onboard your ship. If the weather is good take some sun and sunbathe on the pool deck. Otherwise explore below deck the wide range of activities that will be available during the day. Perhaps you prefer to find a quiet spot and catch up on your reading.

Sydney is a definite stop on every cruise that travels Down Under and often serves as a starting or ending point for ships that also travel to New Zealand. Australia's largest city, Sydney is one of the world's most intriguing ports of call, with its appeal extending from a sophisticated and vibrant urban metropolis to stunning natural wonders. Although it is a modern city strongly influenced by British roots and current American popular culture, Sydney's real character is derived from its exotic location and brash beauty. Walking through the glass and concrete downtown, known as the Central Business District (CBD), you could be in any other Western-culture metropolis -- until a fluorescent red and green lorikeet parrot swoops overhead or an unexpected flash of the brilliant blue harbour appears between the skyscrapers. Any proper visit to Sydney must begin in the harbour, which is both the birthplace of the city and its current iconic centrepiece. The area is called Circular Quay (pronounced "key" by locals). It is hard to imagine a more picturesque setting for a city's heart than this, with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge displayed against the inlet's bright water. Sydney spreads across a massive geographic area, but the majority of its most interesting areas can be found near the ocean coast in the area known as the Eastern suburbs, as well as in its delightful inner-city neighbourhoods, which each possess a distinct vibe. Oxford Street, the main thoroughfare running east from downtown to the ocean beaches, hosts Sydney's famous gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade each February and is popular year-round because of its bars and cafes. Sydney is a well-balanced blend of a big city lifestyle and the laid-back Australian mentality. Although Aussies who hail from other towns often disparage Sydney for its flashiness and hectic pace, urban inconveniences seem minor here compared to places like New York and London (although the peak-hour traffic and public transport system are actually quite bad). Tourism is a huge industry around Sydney, and locals are accustomed to providing visitors with service, helpful directions and a rousing welcome to the stunning city that they call home.