• Day 1 – Arrive Cairns

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to the hotel for check-in. After check-in, you’ll have time to get settled in and relax before joining your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner. (D)

Note: if you wish to spend more time in Cairns, ask your Personal Vacation Manager about the optional hotel extension – which will add one night to your Cairns hotel stay.

• Day 2 – Cairns

Kuranda Sky Rail

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel before meeting your guide in the lobby to begin an action-packed exciting day in Kuranda. You will be transferred to Freshwater Station where you travel in style on the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Once aboard, experience your scenic journey in the splendor of KSR Gold Class. Take pleasure in the luxury and heritage of hand-crafted Victorian-inspired décor and club class lounge seating. The train will make its way up the mountain gently meandering past breathtaking scenery. A spectacular journey comprising unsurpassed views of dense rainforest, steep ravines and picturesque waterfalls awaits within the world heritage listed Barron Gorge National Park. Once in Kuranda, you will have the chance to explore the area. Afterward, take a guided tour of Koala Gardens before sitting down to a group lunch.
After lunch, you will travel on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. This unique rainforest experience takes you on an unforgettable journey over and through Australia’s World Heritage-listed rainforest. Spanning 4.6 miles in the Barron Gorge National Park, Skyrail glides just meters over the canopy. You will be placed in comfortable six-person gondola cabins providing spectacular views of the rainforest, tropical Cairns, the Coral Sea and lush Cairns Highlands. Your adventure includes time at two-mid stations where you can learn about this fascinating environment from the forest floor. At the end of the Skyrail, you will be transferred to the hotel and enjoy your evening at your leisure. (B, L)

• Day 3 – Cairns

Sea Turtle in Great Barrier Reef

Today you will have an experience of a lifetime – exploring the Great Barrier Reef! A friendly and knowledgeable crew will transfer you by boat to two dedicated mooring locations with some of the best snorkeling reefs around. Your exclusive Great Barrier Reef vessel is smaller and allows for a more personal experience. All activities are based on the back of the vessel on purpose-built platforms that provide direct access to the beautiful Pacific blue waters. This is where you can experience firsthand the magic that is the Great Barrier Reef. Included in this experience is the opportunity to snorkel (all equipment is included) as well as ride in a glass-bottom boat where you can see the underwater world come to life. For an additional cost, you can choose to scuba dive. Whichever way you chose to experience the Great Barrier Reef, you’ll bring home a lifetime of memories from this living natural wonder. Take some time to relax and refresh following your return to the hotel. (B, L)

• Day 4 – Cairns to Ayers Rock

Kata Tjuta

Check out of the hotel and proceed to the airport for your flight to Ayers Rock. Ayers Rock, or Uluru, is one of Australia’s most identifiable icons. The large sandstone rock formation lies in the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park approximately 279 miles southwest of Alice Springs. The Ayers Rock site is considered sacred to the local Aborigines. The rock’s color changes spectacularly with the sunrise and sunset, gradually turning to various shades of red as it fades into or out of the night. Upon arrival, you will take a tour of Kata Tjuta. These rock formations are to the west of Ayers Rock and stand more than 1600 feet above the plain. The gigantic domes of Kata Tjuta/Mt. Olga, the traditional name meaning “many heads,” is indeed just that and in fact, includes thirty-six domes! You will be able to walk along the path of the natural creek bed between the red walls of Walpa Gorge.
After, you will travel to the western section of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park where the guide will provide information about the unique and interesting history of the area. Learn of the flora and fauna of the region – some of the plants you will see are so rare that they are only found in and around these rocky formations. Here, you will have a photo stop that will take in the complete vista. Travel to your hotel for lunch and check-in. You will have the afternoon free to enjoy the hotel facilities or enjoy the pool. (B, L)

• Day 5 – Ayers Rock

Ayers Rock

Rise early to catch the stunning Uluru sunrise and watch the day’s first light illuminate Uluru in a fantastic array of ever-changing colors. Then it’s back to the hotel for breakfast before departing on the Walking Tour around the base of Uluru. On the tour around the base of the rock, see ancient rock paintings, water holes and hear stories of Aboriginal legends. Travel to the Cultural Center and MarukuArts and Craft Coop to learn more about this ancient culture. Return to the hotel to participate in some of the free activities or just have a nap to catch up from the early start. Tonight, an evening of beauty awaits you at the Uluru sunset viewing area. Enjoy the scenic landscape as the sun sinks over the western horizon and the evening sky brings out the many shades of color for which Uluru is famous. Following the Uluru sunset viewing experience, you will return to your hotel for a group dinner. (B, D)

• Day 6 – Ayers Rock to Sydney

Sydney Opera House

After a leisurely morning at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight to Sydney. A takeaway lunch will be provided as the airport is quite small. Upon arrival in Sydney, you’ll be transferred to your hotel for check-in and some free time to freshen up. Next on the itinerary is one of those bucket list items – a visit to the iconic Sydney Opera House! Go behind the scenes during an exclusive tour of this amazing venue and soak in every curve of its ornate architecture. Enjoy your evening at leisure to stroll along the harbour and enjoy dinner at one of the many local restaurants. (B, L)

• Day 7 – Sydney

Bondi Beach

Today we will explore the beauty of Sydney. Our first visit will be to The Gap and Bondi Beach. Located in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, the cliff formations of The Gap and golden sands of Bondi Beach attract visitors year-round from all corners of the world. At Bondi, you will have time to stretch your legs, stroll along the esplanade and grab lunch, all the while enjoying the spectacular views. Following your visit to Bondi, we will continue to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, located adjacent to the Botanical Gardens. Here, you will stop for the quintessential photo of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Return to the hotel to freshen up before a special Farewell Dinner at a restaurant with breathtaking views of the city. (B, D)

• Day 8 – Sydney Embarkation

Feeding Kangaroos

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and depart to Featherdale Wildlife Park where your tour manager will introduce you to some of the park’s residents including a native dingo, crocodile and wombat. Ample free time is provided for you to explore this delightful attraction and view the animals and native fauna at your own pace. For a truly great interactive experience with the kangaroos, you may wish to purchase some feed and engage in the fun of hand feeding them. After spending a couple of hours at the park, transfer to the port, where you will board the Celebrity Edge for a 12-night cruise to New Zealand. (B)

• Day 9–15 – Cruising onboard the Celebrity Edge (see below for cruise highlights):

• Day 16 – Dunedin Shore Excursion

Dunedin, New Zealand

After breakfast on board, disembark and set off with your local guide on an exclusive shore excursion for Enrichment Journeys guests only. Start your day with a panoramic coach tour of Dunedin, one of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere. You will visit the Dunedin Railway Station, with its distinctive architecture and embellishments, pass some of the historic buildings that give Dunedin its unique character, as well as Speights Brewery, home of the South Island’s favorite beer. Our next stop is Larnach Castle, one of Dunedin’s “must-see” historic mansions. Here you will learn about the castle’s secrets and scandals on an exclusive guided tour. Then, enjoy a special treat for our Enrichment Journeys group – a delicious lunch served in the castle’s ornately-furnished ballroom! After lunch, we will travel to Signal Hill for a spectacular view of the city and Otago Harbour. Before heading back to the port, we will make our way to Baldwin Street, the steepest residential street in the world. (L)

• Day 17–19 – Cruising onboard the Celebrity Edge (see below for cruise highlights):

• Day 20 – Sydney Disembarkation

Sydney Harbour Views

Enjoy breakfast onboard, then disembark the Celebrity Edge and transfer to your hotel. The hotel will secure your luggage until check-in time. Today you will enjoy free time to stroll through the parks, gardens and avenues of sunny Sydney at your leisure, savoring the last of the “land down under” before tomorrow’s departure. (No meals included on this day.)

• Day 21 – Sydney

Check out of the hotel and say farewell to the land down under. Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)

For meals not included in your land programs, all hotels chosen include a restaurant on property where you may relax and enjoy a meal. In addition, your guide is available to make suggestions on nearby dining, shopping or sightseeing.

• Bay of Islands, New Zealand:

Bay of Islands, New Zealand

New Zealand is much more than just the North Island and the South Island. Some of the most beloved of the smaller islands are in the Bay of Islands, an idyllically scenic collection of 144 islands located on the north-eastern coast of the North Island. The Bay of Islands is known for its water recreation, particularly fishing, sailing, and scuba diving. American author Zane Grey first wrote about big-game fishing in the Bay of Islands in 1930, and it has been a tourist destination for fishing ever since.

• Dusky, Doubtful and Milford Sounds, New Zealand:

Doubtful Sound, New Zealand

Steep cliffs that have been carved over centuries by dozens of waterfalls surround the largest and most complex of the many fjords along the New Zealand coast, Dusky Sound. It’s also a wildlife paradise, with seals and dolphins patrolling the water, and birds like broad-billed prions, mottled petrels and sooty shearwaters floating on the overhead thermals.

Milford Sound, New Zealand

Dramatic views and incredible natural beauty await you in New Zealand’s second-longest fjord, Doubtful Sound. On your New Zealand cruise, the narrow inlet into Doubtful Sound takes you back to eras where entire continents went undiscovered. Enjoy rare moments in remote nature surrounded by stunning mountains and glacier-fed waters. They call Doubtful Sound a “place of silence,” and they’re not wrong. Soak up every moment of clear-headed quiet and refreshing mountain air. An incredible blend of saltwater from the ocean and freshwater from mountain runoff creates a unique ecosystem here. The area is known for its wildlife, particularly the blue penguin, the Fiordland crested penguin, and fur seals. Experience pure New Zealand on a Doubtful Sound cruise and marvel at the night sky full of stars.

As you sail into the narrow fjords of the Milford Sound, even your massive ship seems to shrink in comparison to the towering cliffs topped by lush mountain terrain. Situated within Fiordland National Park, this natural wonder is part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site and is protected by its natural geography, which makes it a haven for all types of wildlife.

• Dunedin, New Zealand – Exclusive Shore Excursion:

Dunedin, New Zealand

Your Enrichment Journey package includes an exclusive shore excursion in Dunedin. For a full description, see the “Land Program Details” section above.

• Christchurch, New Zealand:

Christchurch, New Zealand

Located on the east coast of the South Island, Christchurch—just like the rest of New Zealand—is a city of contrasts. It is a place where its residents continue to enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle amidst a natural environment world-renowned for its beauty. Internationally famed “The Garden City,” Christchurch’s well-established expansive parks and public gardens owe much to the planning and foresight of the city’s founding fathers. There is something different to see and do within one or two hours’ drive of Christchurch, in any direction. To the east lie the open ocean and Banks Peninsula, featuring sheltered bays, sandy beaches, bush-clad valleys, rocky coastline and high, wild places.

• Napier, New Zealand:

Napier, New Zealand

A Napier cruise stop is famous for a couple of things, including the 1931 earthquake that essentially razed the city to the ground. From the disaster, locals rebuilt the city in the style of the day: colorful, bold art deco. As a result, Napier has a completely different vibe to other cities you’ll pass through on your New Zealand cruise. Don’t miss the Napier Seawalls, a district of local street art highlighting the talents of local artists. Beyond the center of town, Napier is a gateway to winery tours and elegant tastings at local vineyards in Hawke’s Bay, making it an ideal stop for wine enthusiasts and would-be sommeliers. Napier manages to be just the right amount of outdoorsy, offering adventures like a trip to the Bluff Hill lookout, or to majestic Cape Kidnappers, which is home to the world’s largest colony of the quirky gannet bird.

• Tauranga, New Zealand:

Tauranga, New Zealand

In Tauranga, a mix of quirky sites and extraordinary natural attractions make it easy to spend the day here and get a sense of the town’s completely unique personality. The harbor and port town make for a popular beach resort by the name of Mount Maunganui. Waterfront restaurants and cafés give Tauranga a sense of glamour. Aside from that, it’s hard not to feel swept up in the flurry of activities travelers can do here, like taking a dip in a hot mud bath. Tauranga’s food scene offers cuisines of every variety. Of course, Tauranga doesn’t forget its Maori history, and you can tour traditional villages to learn about their ancient and contemporary Polynesian culture.

• Auckland, New Zealand:

Auckland, New Zealand

Experience New Zealand’s most cosmopolitan city—a melting pot of British, Asian, Pacific, and Māori cultures. Your cruise from Auckland allows you to sample their diverse arts, entertainment, and traditions. The Auckland Art Gallery has collected more than 15,000 paintings, sculptures, and prints, dating from 1376. Other attractions to visit include the Auckland War Memorial Museum, New Zealand Maritime Museum, National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy, and Museum of Transport and Technology.

• Day 1 – Arrive Cairns

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to the hotel for check-in. After check-in, you’ll have time to get settled in and relax before joining your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner. (D)

Note: if you wish to spend more time in Cairns, ask your Personal Vacation Manager about the optional hotel extension – which will add one night to your Cairns hotel stay.

• Day 2 – Cairns

Kuranda Sky Rail

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel before meeting your guide in the lobby to begin an action-packed exciting day in Kuranda. You will be transferred to Freshwater Station where you travel in style on the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Once aboard, experience your scenic journey in the splendor of KSR Gold Class. Take pleasure in the luxury and heritage of hand-crafted Victorian-inspired décor and club class lounge seating. The train will make its way up the mountain gently meandering past breathtaking scenery. A spectacular journey comprising unsurpassed views of dense rainforest, steep ravines and picturesque waterfalls awaits within the world heritage listed Barron Gorge National Park. Once in Kuranda, you will have the chance to explore the area. Afterward, take a guided tour of Koala Gardens before sitting down to a group lunch.
After lunch, you will travel on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. This unique rainforest experience takes you on an unforgettable journey over and through Australia’s World Heritage-listed rainforest. Spanning 4.6 miles in the Barron Gorge National Park, Skyrail glides just meters over the canopy. You will be placed in comfortable six-person gondola cabins providing spectacular views of the rainforest, tropical Cairns, the Coral Sea and lush Cairns Highlands. Your adventure includes time at two-mid stations where you can learn about this fascinating environment from the forest floor. At the end of the Skyrail, you will be transferred to the hotel and enjoy your evening at your leisure. (B, L)

• Day 3 – Cairns

Sea Turtle in Great Barrier Reef

Today you will have an experience of a lifetime – exploring the Great Barrier Reef! A friendly and knowledgeable crew will transfer you by boat to two dedicated mooring locations with some of the best snorkeling reefs around. Your exclusive Great Barrier Reef vessel is smaller and allows for a more personal experience. All activities are based on the back of the vessel on purpose-built platforms that provide direct access to the beautiful Pacific blue waters. This is where you can experience firsthand the magic that is the Great Barrier Reef. Included in this experience is the opportunity to snorkel (all equipment is included) as well as ride in a glass-bottom boat where you can see the underwater world come to life. For an additional cost, you can choose to scuba dive. Whichever way you chose to experience the Great Barrier Reef, you’ll bring home a lifetime of memories from this living natural wonder. Take some time to relax and refresh following your return to the hotel. (B, L)

• Day 4 – Cairns to Ayers Rock

Kata Tjuta

Check out of the hotel and proceed to the airport for your flight to Ayers Rock. Ayers Rock, or Uluru, is one of Australia’s most identifiable icons. The large sandstone rock formation lies in the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park approximately 279 miles southwest of Alice Springs. The Ayers Rock site is considered sacred to the local Aborigines. The rock’s color changes spectacularly with the sunrise and sunset, gradually turning to various shades of red as it fades into or out of the night. Upon arrival, you will take a tour of Kata Tjuta. These rock formations are to the west of Ayers Rock and stand more than 1600 feet above the plain. The gigantic domes of Kata Tjuta/Mt. Olga, the traditional name meaning “many heads,” is indeed just that and in fact, includes thirty-six domes! You will be able to walk along the path of the natural creek bed between the red walls of Walpa Gorge.
After, you will travel to the western section of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park where the guide will provide information about the unique and interesting history of the area. Learn of the flora and fauna of the region – some of the plants you will see are so rare that they are only found in and around these rocky formations. Here, you will have a photo stop that will take in the complete vista. Travel to your hotel for lunch and check-in. You will have the afternoon free to enjoy the hotel facilities or enjoy the pool. (B, L)

• Day 5 – Ayers Rock

Ayers Rock

Rise early to catch the stunning Uluru sunrise and watch the day’s first light illuminate Uluru in a fantastic array of ever-changing colors. Then it’s back to the hotel for breakfast before departing on the Walking Tour around the base of Uluru. On the tour around the base of the rock, see ancient rock paintings, water holes and hear stories of Aboriginal legends. Travel to the Cultural Center and MarukuArts and Craft Coop to learn more about this ancient culture. Return to the hotel to participate in some of the free activities or just have a nap to catch up from the early start. Tonight, an evening of beauty awaits you at the Uluru sunset viewing area. Enjoy the scenic landscape as the sun sinks over the western horizon and the evening sky brings out the many shades of color for which Uluru is famous. Following the Uluru sunset viewing experience, you will return to your hotel for a group dinner. (B, D)

• Day 6 – Ayers Rock to Sydney

Sydney Opera House

After a leisurely morning at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight to Sydney. A takeaway lunch will be provided as the airport is quite small. Upon arrival in Sydney, you’ll be transferred to your hotel for check-in and some free time to freshen up. Next on the itinerary is one of those bucket list items – a visit to the iconic Sydney Opera House! Go behind the scenes during an exclusive tour of this amazing venue and soak in every curve of its ornate architecture. Enjoy your evening at leisure to stroll along the harbour and enjoy dinner at one of the many local restaurants. (B, L)

• Day 7 – Sydney

Bondi Beach

Today we will explore the beauty of Sydney. Our first visit will be to The Gap and Bondi Beach. Located in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, the cliff formations of The Gap and golden sands of Bondi Beach attract visitors year-round from all corners of the world. At Bondi, you will have time to stretch your legs, stroll along the esplanade and grab lunch, all the while enjoying the spectacular views. Following your visit to Bondi, we will continue to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, located adjacent to the Botanical Gardens. Here, you will stop for the quintessential photo of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Return to the hotel to freshen up before a special Farewell Dinner at a restaurant with breathtaking views of the city. (B, D)

• Day 8 – Sydney Embarkation

Feeding Kangaroos

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and depart to Featherdale Wildlife Park where your tour manager will introduce you to some of the park’s residents including a native dingo, crocodile and wombat. Ample free time is provided for you to explore this delightful attraction and view the animals and native fauna at your own pace. For a truly great interactive experience with the kangaroos, you may wish to purchase some feed and engage in the fun of hand feeding them. After spending a couple of hours at the park, transfer to the port, where you will board the Celebrity Edge for a 12-night cruise to New Zealand. (B)

• Day 9–15 – Cruising onboard the Celebrity Edge (see below for cruise highlights):

• Day 16 – Dunedin Shore Excursion

Dunedin, New Zealand

After breakfast on board, disembark and set off with your local guide on an exclusive shore excursion for Enrichment Journeys guests only. Start your day with a panoramic coach tour of Dunedin, one of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere. You will visit the Dunedin Railway Station, with its distinctive architecture and embellishments, pass some of the historic buildings that give Dunedin its unique character, as well as Speights Brewery, home of the South Island’s favorite beer. Our next stop is Larnach Castle, one of Dunedin’s “must-see” historic mansions. Here you will learn about the castle’s secrets and scandals on an exclusive guided tour. Then, enjoy a special treat for our Enrichment Journeys group – a delicious lunch served in the castle’s ornately-furnished ballroom! After lunch, we will travel to Signal Hill for a spectacular view of the city and Otago Harbour. Before heading back to the port, we will make our way to Baldwin Street, the steepest residential street in the world. (L)

• Day 17–28 – Cruising onboard the Celebrity Edge (see below for cruise highlights):

• Day 29 – Sydney Disembarkation

Sydney Harbour Views

Enjoy breakfast onboard, then disembark the Celebrity Edge and transfer to your hotel. The hotel will secure your luggage until check-in time. Today you will enjoy free time to stroll through the parks, gardens and avenues of sunny Sydney at your leisure, savoring the last of the “land down under” before tomorrow’s departure. (No meals included on this day.)

• Day 30 – Sydney

Check out of the hotel and say farewell to the land down under. Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)

For meals not included in your land programs, all hotels chosen include a restaurant on property where you may relax and enjoy a meal. In addition, your guide is available to make suggestions on nearby dining, shopping or sightseeing.

• Bay of Islands, New Zealand:

Bay of Islands, New Zealand

New Zealand is much more than just the North Island and the South Island. Some of the most beloved of the smaller islands are in the Bay of Islands, an idyllically scenic collection of 144 islands located on the north-eastern coast of the North Island. The Bay of Islands is known for its water recreation, particularly fishing, sailing, and scuba diving. American author Zane Grey first wrote about big-game fishing in the Bay of Islands in 1930, and it has been a tourist destination for fishing ever since.

• Dusky, Doubtful and Milford Sounds, New Zealand:

Doubtful Sound, New Zealand

Steep cliffs that have been carved over centuries by dozens of waterfalls surround the largest and most complex of the many fjords along the New Zealand coast, Dusky Sound. It’s also a wildlife paradise, with seals and dolphins patrolling the water, and birds like broad-billed prions, mottled petrels and sooty shearwaters floating on the overhead thermals.

Milford Sound, New Zealand

Dramatic views and incredible natural beauty await you in New Zealand’s second-longest fjord, Doubtful Sound. On your New Zealand cruise, the narrow inlet into Doubtful Sound takes you back to eras where entire continents went undiscovered. Enjoy rare moments in remote nature surrounded by stunning mountains and glacier-fed waters. They call Doubtful Sound a “place of silence,” and they’re not wrong. Soak up every moment of clear-headed quiet and refreshing mountain air. An incredible blend of saltwater from the ocean and freshwater from mountain runoff creates a unique ecosystem here. The area is known for its wildlife, particularly the blue penguin, the Fiordland crested penguin, and fur seals. Experience pure New Zealand on a Doubtful Sound cruise and marvel at the night sky full of stars.

As you sail into the narrow fjords of the Milford Sound, even your massive ship seems to shrink in comparison to the towering cliffs topped by lush mountain terrain. Situated within Fiordland National Park, this natural wonder is part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site and is protected by its natural geography, which makes it a haven for all types of wildlife.

• Dunedin, New Zealand – Exclusive Shore Excursion:

Dunedin, New Zealand

Your Enrichment Journey package includes an exclusive shore excursion in Dunedin. For a full description, see the “Land Program Details” section above.

• Christchurch, New Zealand:

Christchurch, New Zealand

Located on the east coast of the South Island, Christchurch—just like the rest of New Zealand—is a city of contrasts. It is a place where its residents continue to enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle amidst a natural environment world-renowned for its beauty. Internationally famed “The Garden City,” Christchurch’s well-established expansive parks and public gardens owe much to the planning and foresight of the city’s founding fathers. There is something different to see and do within one or two hours’ drive of Christchurch, in any direction. To the east lie the open ocean and Banks Peninsula, featuring sheltered bays, sandy beaches, bush-clad valleys, rocky coastline and high, wild places.

• Napier, New Zealand:

Napier, New Zealand

A Napier cruise stop is famous for a couple of things, including the 1931 earthquake that essentially razed the city to the ground. From the disaster, locals rebuilt the city in the style of the day: colorful, bold art deco. As a result, Napier has a completely different vibe to other cities you’ll pass through on your New Zealand cruise. Don’t miss the Napier Seawalls, a district of local street art highlighting the talents of local artists. Beyond the center of town, Napier is a gateway to winery tours and elegant tastings at local vineyards in Hawke’s Bay, making it an ideal stop for wine enthusiasts and would-be sommeliers. Napier manages to be just the right amount of outdoorsy, offering adventures like a trip to the Bluff Hill lookout, or to majestic Cape Kidnappers, which is home to the world’s largest colony of the quirky gannet bird.

• Tauranga, New Zealand:

Tauranga, New Zealand

In Tauranga, a mix of quirky sites and extraordinary natural attractions make it easy to spend the day here and get a sense of the town’s completely unique personality. The harbor and port town make for a popular beach resort by the name of Mount Maunganui. Waterfront restaurants and cafés give Tauranga a sense of glamour. Aside from that, it’s hard not to feel swept up in the flurry of activities travelers can do here, like taking a dip in a hot mud bath. Tauranga’s food scene offers cuisines of every variety. Of course, Tauranga doesn’t forget its Maori history, and you can tour traditional villages to learn about their ancient and contemporary Polynesian culture.

• Auckland, New Zealand:

Auckland, New Zealand

Experience New Zealand’s most cosmopolitan city—a melting pot of British, Asian, Pacific, and Māori cultures. Your cruise from Auckland allows you to sample their diverse arts, entertainment, and traditions. The Auckland Art Gallery has collected more than 15,000 paintings, sculptures, and prints, dating from 1376. Other attractions to visit include the Auckland War Memorial Museum, New Zealand Maritime Museum, National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy, and Museum of Transport and Technology.