My husband and I recently sailed on a 12-night New Zealand cruise aboard the beautiful Celebrity Edge. The sailing was a round-trip itinerary from Sydney, Australia, and it ended up being one of the most memorable trips we’ve ever taken!
Our itinerary covered both the North and South Islands, with stops in Tauranga, Bay of Islands, Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin. At the beginning of our itinerary, we also had a full day of scenic cruising through Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, and Dusky Sound.
We booked excursions in every port and were genuinely impressed with how much we were able to see in less than two weeks. Our excursions included a combination of Celebrity Cruise tours and independent excursions with Shore Excursion Group.
New Zealand completely exceeded our expectations. The country is incredibly clean, unbelievably scenic, and filled with some of the kindest people we’ve met while traveling. My husband and I left our cruise and already started talking about when we could go back!
However, this wasn’t a cruise I had months and months to plan. We pivoted from a completely different itinerary about five months before departure, which meant I had to figure things out a bit more quickly than usual. Because of that, I picked up a few lessons along the way that I wish I had known ahead of time.
Here are my biggest tips if you’re planning a cruise to New Zealand, including some of my lessons learned as a first-time visitor.
Give yourself more time than you think to get to Australia or New Zealand
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is underestimating just how long it takes to get to Oceania. If you’re traveling from the United States or Europe, I highly recommend adding buffer days to recoup from the long travel days.
We traveled from South Dakota to Los Angeles and then on to Sydney, Australia. It was an incredibly long travel day. We were able to sleep a little on the plane, but by the time we arrived, we were completely exhausted.
The 15-hour flight from L.A. to Sydney is grueling, and the time change is no joke. We were so thankful we planned two full nights in Sydney before embarkation to adjust and recover.
I would not recommend flying in the day before your cruise. If anything goes wrong or you’re too jet-lagged to function, it’s definitely not worth the risk. I would recommend at least two nights before your embarkation.
Choose an itinerary that includes the Sounds
Sailing through Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, and Dusky Sound was easily one of the highlights of the entire trip.
These fjords are part of Fiordland, located in the southwestern corner of New Zealand’s South Island. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the country’s largest national park, known for its dramatic landscapes, towering cliffs, and untouched wilderness.
We lucked out with rare sunshine, and it honestly felt surreal! The scenery didn’t even look real, with towering cliffs, waterfalls, and glassy water stretching in every direction.
Watching the sunrise over the mountains was one of those moments you don’t forget. As we sailed through Milford Sound, I told my husband, “I can’t believe I’m seeing this with my own eyes.”
We spent most of the day outside, and I was really happy we packed warm layers. Even in summer, it gets cold and windy when the ship is moving through the fjords. It’s not uncommon for the sounds to be rainy, dreary, and windy, so pack accordingly.
If you’re comparing itineraries, make sure scenic cruising through the Sounds is included. It’s absolutely worth prioritizing.
Book a variety of excursions
New Zealand is incredibly diverse, and no two ports feel the same. You’ll see everything from farmland and vineyards to rugged coastlines, wildlife, and volcanic landscapes.
We made a point to choose a variety of excursions, and I think that made a huge difference. We visited a sheep farm, did a winery tasting in Tauranga, took a scenic harbor cruise to see seals, kayaked in the Bay of Islands, and toured Hobbiton Movie Set from Auckland.
Our excursions gave us a comprehensive look at the country. Each experience was different, making every port day feel different than the last. Even with all that we did, it still felt like we only scratched the surface.
For instance, next time, I’d love to visit Waiheke Island for wineries while visiting Auckland. Because my husband was a big Lord of the Rings fan, Hobbiton was a must-do for him. In Bay of Islands, I would skip kayaking and consider heading into the town instead.
Don’t forget your visas
This is one of those details that’s easy to overlook, but it’s very important. As Americans, we needed electronic visas for both Australia and New Zealand. I applied for these ahead of time, within 1 month of the cruise departure day. I wanted to allow plenty of time if we had any issues, and luckily, we didn’t.
They’re relatively easy and affordable to obtain, but you don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute. Cruise terminals do check your documentation, so make sure everything is approved ahead of time.
Pack for multiple seasons
Even though we were sailing during the Southern Hemisphere’s summer, the weather varied more than I expected.
For instance, Bay of Islands, Auckland, and Sydney were warm and sunny, while the South Island was much cooler. Scenic cruising days in the Sounds were especially cold and windy, so we wore jackets and hats during these days. By the time we were touring Hobbiton, we were sweating non-stop!
Packing layers will be crucial for this itinerary. You’ll want everything from lightweight clothing for warmer ports to a jacket, hat, and even gloves for early mornings outside. I definitely packed more than I wore, but I wanted to be prepared.
A balcony cabin is worth the splurge
We decided to book a balcony cabin for this cruise, and I would absolutely do it again.
There’s so much scenery throughout the itinerary that having your own private space to take it all in made a big difference. Whether we were sailing into port or cruising through the Sounds, it was nice to step outside (or, in our case, open the Infinite Veranda) and enjoy the views.
For a destination like New Zealand, I definitely think it’s worth the extra cost!
Is a cruise a good way to see New Zealand?
Yes, cruising is a fantastic way to see New Zealand, especially if it’s your first time visiting.
Cruising made it really easy for us to see a lot of the country without dealing with flights, long drives, or constantly packing and unpacking. In less than two weeks, we visited both the North and South Islands, explored several cities, and experienced highlights like the Sounds, all while staying in the same cabin the entire time.
It’s also a really efficient way to cover this much ground. New Zealand might look small on a map, but getting around can take time. The country is also quite expensive, so you should factor that into your consideration. On a cruise, you wake up somewhere new almost every day, which makes the whole trip feel seamless.
Of course, one of the downsides is that you’re only getting a glimpse of each place. Some destinations definitely deserve more time than a single port day, and there’s a lot you won’t see unless you come back for a land-based trip. I would have enjoyed seeing Auckland and exploring the city, but we opted to visit Hobbiton instead, so that took up most of our day.
For us, cruising was the perfect way to experience New Zealand for the first time. And honestly, it just made us want to go back and see even more!
