New Year’s in New Zealand Cruise

Day 1 - Sydney

Arrive: Sat 28 December 2024 / Depart: Sat 28 December 2024 at 17:00

Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia's largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby. Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.

Day 2 - Cruising

Day 3 - Cruising

Day 4 - Picton, NZ

Arrive: Tue 31 December 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Tue 31 December 2024 at 18:00

Picton, on the northeast corner of New Zealand's South Island, provides access to the beautiful Marlborough Sounds and to New Zealand's most famous wine region, Marlborough, home to the world's best Sauvignon Blanc. Known as the sunniest place in the country, this small town of about 3,000 is named for Sir Thomas Picton, who fought at the Battle of Waterloo. The pretty harbour town has several cafes and shops, plus a market when cruise ships are in port. The area is home to five different types of dolphins, orca and rare birds.

Day 5 - Cruising

Day 6 - Tauranga

Arrive: Thu 02 January 2025 at 06:15 / Depart: Thu 02 January 2025 at 20:00

It's hobbit enthusiast's dream come true in Tauranga. This town on the Bay of Plenty, perched on New Zealand's North Island, is just a short trek from the rolling hills of Waikato — this is where you'll find Hobbiton, the location that served as the Shire in the uber-popular "Lord of the Rings" movies. But the fantastic findings of Tauranga don't end there. Cruise to Tauranga and hike to the summit of nearby Mount Maunganui, an extinct volcano that offers panoramic views of the city and the Pacific Ocean below. Or take the one-hour drive to Rotorua, a geothermal fairyland where you can soak in the rejuvenating waters of the natural hot springs.

Day 7 - Auckland

Arrive: Fri 03 January 2025 at 07:00 / Depart: Fri 03 January 2025 at 19:00

The New Zealand greeting "Kia Ora!" sets the tone for an Auckland adventure. This Maori phrase, used by Kiwis of all ethnic backgrounds to say "hello," roughly translates to "be well" — and after you've enjoyed the outdoor excitement Auckland has to offer, that's exactly how you'll feel. With three harbors and 18,000 miles of coastline, New Zealand's largest city offers all the exploration by land or by sea you could ask for. Climb the Sky Tower for panoramic views of the city and the Twin Harbors. Jump on a New Zealand cruise and head to the Viaduct Basin in Wynward Quarter to sail the harbor or relax with at a seaside brewery. Or kayak out to volcanic Rangitoto Island, where you can hike up ancient lava flows and admire the city from above.

Day 8 - Bay of Islands

Arrive: Sat 04 January 2025 at 07:00 / Depart: Sat 04 January 2025 at 17:00

Look up — the Bay of Islands is said to have the world's second bluest sky after Rio de Janeiro. Located on the northwestern coast of New Zealand's North Island, the sea here is also a beautiful shade of turquoise, dotted with 144 subtropical islands of the area. Cruise to Bay of Islands and check out Urupukapuka Island, where you can hike through Maori village sites or relax on the white-sand beach. Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds — this is the site where the treaty that made New Zealand into its own nation was signed. Or head out on a dolphin spotting cruise to see the population of bottlenose dolphins that call these waters home.

Day 9 - Cruising

Day 10 - Cruising

Day 11 - Sydney

Arrive: Tue 07 January 2025 at 06:30 / Depart: Tue 07 January 2025

Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia's largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby. Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.