New Zealand Fjords & Vines

Your voyage begins in one of the world’s great harbour cities. Stroll beneath the sails of the Opera House, walk across the Harbour Bridge or take the coastal path from Bondi to Coogee as the afternoon light hits the cliffs. If time allows, wander the cobbled lanes of The Rocks for a pre-departure drink with harbour views – the perfect send-off before boarding Norwegian Spirit.

Tucked into the NSW Sapphire Coast, Eden is where rolling green hills meet a wild, whale-friendly shoreline. Visit the historic Killer Whale Museum for one of Australia’s most extraordinary maritime stories, walk to the Pinnacles lookout for sweeping views along the coast, or simply settle into a harbourside table with a plate of freshly shucked local oysters. It’s a gentle first port – unhurried, uncrowded and unmistakably Australian.

Tasmania’s northwest coast is Australia’s quiet overachiever – Burnie produces award-winning cheeses, single-malt whisky and fine paper, all within a short drive of wild coastline. Tour the Makers’ Workshop for a hands-on look at local craft, sample cheeses at Ashgrove or Hellyers Road whisky at the cellar door, and keep your eyes peeled for little penguins along the foreshore at dusk. From here, the ship makes for Melbourne overnight.

A full day in Australia’s cultural capital. Lose yourself in the laneway cafés and street art of Hosier Lane, browse the galleries of the NGV, or ride the heritage Puffing Billy steam train through the Dandenong Ranges. For something more relaxed, stroll the Royal Botanic Gardens or settle into a long lunch at one of Southbank’s waterfront restaurants. Melbourne rewards the curious – however you spend the day, you’ll wish you had longer.

Your first full day at sea and a chance to find your rhythm onboard Norwegian Spirit. Claim a sun lounger by the pool, book a treatment at the Mandara Spa, or settle into a quiet corner with a book. By evening, the ship’s restaurants come alive – from Italian at Onda by Scarpetta to steak at Cagney’s, your only decision is where to eat.

Another day to enjoy the pace of ocean travel as the ship crosses the Tasman Sea toward New Zealand. Wake to open ocean in every direction, catch a cooking demonstration, join a trivia session, or simply watch the water from the Spice H2O lounge. Tomorrow, you’ll wake to the Southern Alps.

The ship enters Fiordland at dawn, beginning one of the most spectacular days of scenic cruising anywhere in the world. Doubtful Sound is the deepest of New Zealand’s fiords – steep, brooding and impossibly still. Waterfalls thread down moss-covered cliffs, and the silence is broken only by birdsong and the occasional call of a bottlenose dolphin. Captain Cook named it “Doubtful” because he wasn’t sure his ship could navigate in safely. Yours will. New Zealand’s most famous fiord, Milford Sound, needs no introduction – but seeing it from the deck of a ship puts it in an entirely different perspective. Mitre Peak rises vertically from the water, waterfalls cascade from hanging valleys above, and fur seals bask on the rocks below. If the weather is kind, the reflections are extraordinary. If it rains, the hundreds of temporary waterfalls that appear make it arguably even more dramatic. The final fiord of the day, Dusky Sound, is also the wildest. Dusky Sound is vast, remote, and largely unchanged since Captain Cook anchored here in 1773. With no roads in and no settlements, this is New Zealand at its most untouched – ancient podocarp forest tumbling down to dark, mirror-still water. A fitting end to an unforgettable day.

Dunedin wears its Scottish heritage proudly – from the octagonal town centre to the ornate Edwardian railway station, it’s one of the most handsome small cities in the Southern Hemisphere. Visit Larnach Castle for panoramic views across the Otago Peninsula, take a wildlife tour to see yellow-eyed penguins and the world’s only mainland Royal Albatross colony, or stroll the university quarter’s cafés and galleries. For chocolate lovers, a stop at the Cadbury factory is hard to resist.

The port town of Lyttelton sits in the crater of an ancient volcano, just over the hills from Christchurch. Explore Christchurch’s remarkable rebuild – the city has reinvented itself since the earthquakes, with innovative architecture, a vibrant riverside precinct and the striking Cardboard Cathedral. Back in Lyttelton, the Saturday Farmers’ Market (if your visit aligns) is one of the South Island’s best, and the harbour-view cafés are worth lingering over.

A sea day between the South and North Islands. The ship rounds the eastern coast of New Zealand as you make your way toward the Bay of Plenty. It’s a good day to catch up on rest after the last few active port days, book a spa treatment, or explore the quieter corners of Norwegian Spirit

Tauranga is your gateway to Rotorua’s geothermal wonders. Step ashore and head inland to see boiling mud pools, hissing geysers and natural hot springs at places like Wai-O-Tapu and Hell’s Gate. Visit the buried village of Te Wairoa for a moving window into the 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera, or stay closer to the coast and explore the golden beaches and café culture of nearby Mount Maunganui. Either way, the Bay of Plenty lives up to its name.

Norwegian Spirit arrives in Auckland, the City of Sails. After eleven days at sea and on shore, your final port is one of the Pacific’s most vibrant waterfront cities. Settle into your included hotel and spend the afternoon exploring the Viaduct Basin, riding the ferry to Devonport for harbour views, or climbing the volcanic cone of Mt Eden for a panoramic lookout across the city. Tonight, Auckland’s restaurant scene is yours – from waterfront seafood to Ponsonby Road’s neighbourhood bistros.

Today’s included highlight: a day trip to Waiheke Island, just 40 minutes by ferry from downtown Auckland. Your hop-on hop-off explorer bus and return ferry are part of the package, giving you the freedom to wander at your own pace. Waiheke is Auckland’s wine island -boutique vineyards with tasting rooms overlooking the Hauraki Gulf, olive groves, sculpture trails, and sheltered beaches that feel a world away from the city. Stop for a long lunch at one of the vineyard restaurants, or simply hop between bays. It’s a perfect final day.

Your holiday comes to an end today – or it doesn’t have to. Auckland is the perfect base for extending your trip: add a day trip to Hobbiton and Rotorua, drive north to the Bay of Islands, or fly to Queenstown for a few days in the Southern Alps. Ask your Cruiseabout Travel Advisor about adding extra nights or touring packages before you head home.