The
island nations of Australia and New Zealand are often paired in people’s minds and
on cruise itineraries – but in reality, New Zealand couldn’t be more different
from its neighbor to the west. Rugged mountains and deep valleys, thermal
features, Maori culture and pastures full of grazing sheep are all part of what
makes it unique. Plus, New Zealand is long and narrow and most of the country
is close to a coast, which makes it perfect to explore via cruise.
While
New Zealand is a featured stop on some South Pacific cruises, world cruises and
repositioning cruises, other cruises really focus on New Zealand. Some sail
roundtrip from Auckland, or from home ports on the east coast of Australia.
So,
where can you go and what can you see on a New Zealand-intensive cruise?
Auckland,
New Zealand's largest city, has a harbor full of yachts and a maritime culture.
There’s a great aquarium, museums, gardens and the Sky Tower. You can tour historic
villages and black-sand beaches on Auckland’s west coast, or venture out of the
city to see the Waitomo Caves (glowworms hang from the ceilings) and the
geothermal features at Rotorua.
In Wellington,
New Zealand’s capital city, ride the cable car to the top of Mount Victoria for
fantastic views. Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum, has excellent exhibits
about Maori and European heritage. If you love the Lord of the Rings movies,
this is the place to take a tour of the locations and studios. Or, take a
leisurely wine tour of nearby vineyards.
Go up
on deck as your ship approaches Akaroa: you’ll sail up a straight line with tall,
craggy cliffs. Enjoy the atmosphere of this former French settlement, then take
a kayak tour, swim with dolphins, or take an excursion to the city of
Christchurch, which is rebuilding after devastating earthquakes in 2010 and
2011.
Dunedin
was founded by members of the Free Church of Scotland and is known for ornate
Victorian buildings constructed when the city was the center of an 1860s gold
rush. Take a sweet tour of the local Cadbury’s Chocolate Factory, marvel at the
world’s steepest street, or tour Larnach Castle.
Longer
cruises may also call on the Bay of Islands, Napier and Picton, with some scenic
cruising of the Fiordland of southern New Zealand. To find out more about
cruises that focus on New Zealand, talk with Anita, your Cruise Holidays
personal cruise expert.
Find us and follow us on
Facebook! www.facebook.com/AtthetaTravel
