So Much to See on New Zealand Cruises
New Zealand cruises allow you to see all that the other "land down under" offers.
If you're searching for a cruise with an exotic and adventurous twist, you'll probably want to research some of the many New Zealand cruises that are available in today's cruise marketplace.
At times, wonderful New Zealand is overlooked in favor of larger neighbor, Australia. But many who've visited both note that New Zealand is indeed the lovelier of the two countries.
Cruise Lines
A number of fine cruise lines offer excursions to both New Zealand and Australia, including Crystal, Holland America, Princess, Radisson, Royal Caribbean, SilverSea, and Windstar Cruises.
Many New Zealand cruises are dubbed "luxury cruises" while others are niche or specialty cruises, with an emphasis on eco-tourism.
What You'll See
New Zealand boasts many interesting ports of call. While different cruise lines make different stops, a number of ports remain popular with several lines.
Many itineraries include a short stay at the port of Lyttleton and the city of Christchurch. This very British town is a delightful place in which to stroll through the many gardens located around the city, viewing the town's stately homes along the way.
Shore excursions here might include a golf outing or a wine-tasting tour. Despite its quaint feel, however, you'll find that Christchurch is quite cosmopolitan, boasting fine restaurants and fun shopping opportunities.
Dunedin, near Port Chalmers, has a decidedly Scottish feel about it and is home to New Zealand's only castle as well as many beautiful Victorian homes and buildings. You may also want to hop aboard a train tour of the spectacular Taieri Gorge, located nearby.
Found at the southern tip of the country and a very popular stop on New Zealand cruises, Fjordland is a glacier-carved coastline with stunning scenery including crystal-clear waterfalls and soaring cliffs.
The capital city of Wellington is picturesque but quite metropolitan while Rotorua (port of Tuaranga) allows visitors time to explore the local Maori culture as well as its geo-thermal features, such as hot springs.
Small Ships
A number of local New Zealand companies run small-ship cruises that visit areas that are not navigable by large cruise ships. These trips concentrate largely on ecotourism, touting the beauty of the country's wildlife and landscapes, and allowing guests to see these natural sites up close and personal.
When to Sail
Because New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are opposite of those in North America. December through March are the warmest and driest months and the most popular time for New Zealand cruises.
Photo #2 provided by Dreamstime.
Posted by Pat on Thursday, October 20, 2005