Day 1 (JAN 4, 2026): Auckland, New Zealand

Departs at 7:00pm

Auckland is one of the few cities in the world to have harbors on two separate bodies of water. The central part of urban Auckland covers a narrow isthmus between the Manukau Harbor on the Tasman Sea, and the Waitemata Harbor on the Pacific Ocean. In addition, Auckland's diverse geography and warm, humid climate has inspired a lifestyle regularly ranked in the world's top ten. A half hour drive from the city there is an abundance of activities: sailing to a secluded island, trekking through the rainforest, picnicking on a volcano, sampling wines at a vineyard or exploring a black sand beach

Day 2 (JAN 5, 2026): At Sea

Day 3 (JAN 6, 2026): Napier, New Zealand

Napier sits midpoint along the eastern coast of New Zealand’s North Island within the famous Hawke’s Bay wine region. An earthquake leveled the city in 1931, and the immediate reconstruction created one of the finest collections of Art Deco buildings in the world. Visit the Art Deco Trust (7 Tennyson Street) for a guided walk or vintage car tour; or stretch your legs along the iconic Marine Parade, a nearly two-mile-long seafront promenade lined with stately Norfolk pines and family friendly attractions. One of these, the National Aquarium of New Zealand, houses more than 100 aquatic species that you can watch swim and feed via an underwater viewing tunnel. Rent a bicycle and pedal past the dozens of murals that adorn the city’s Sea Walls, or cycle to some of Hawke’s Bay’s historic wineries to taste the region’s excellent pinot gris and syrah. Just outside of Napier lies Ōtātara Pā Historic Reserve, one of the country’s most important Maori pā (defensive settlement) sites; or follow the coast south to Cape Kidnappers, the largest gannet colony on the planet.

Day 4 (JAN 7, 2026): Wellington, New Zealand

Visually stunning, Wellington is nestled between a magnificent harbor and a natural amphitheatre of forest-clad hills. Its compact size, combined with cultural sophistication, makes it New Zealand's most inspiring urban destination. Wellington's cultural crowning jewel is Te Papa, a donation-only museum that celebrates Australasian natural history, science and culture. Exhibits include Maori artifacts, an extensive Pacific Cultures collection and interactive science exhibits. The city's art scene is flourishing, with numerous galleries and craft markets displaying the work of the country's top artists and craftspeople.

Day 5 (JAN 8, 2026): Kaikoura, New Zealand

Kaikoura draws visitors from all over the world for the prolific marine life in the surrounding waters. Whale (including sperm whales), dolphin and seal watching tours operate year-round. There is a scenic walkway from the town center out to Point Kean, and there are colonies of fur seals on the rocky shores. The Fyffe House is a 19th century home built on a foundation of whale bones, with a museum of whaling history. It’s also famous for fresh seafood including crayfish (known elsewhere as spiny lobsters) and the delicious Paua (also known as abalone.)

Day 6 (JAN 9, 2026): Lyttleton (Christchurch), New Zealand

Known as the 'Garden City' because of its beautiful parks and world-renowned gardens, Christchurch is also a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with exciting festivals, theatre, modern art galleries, great shopping and award-winning attractions. Named after the college at the University of Oxford in London, Christchurch is often described as the most English of New Zealand's cities. Located in the city center is Christchurch Cathedral, an outstanding example of Gothic Revival architecture. Other grey-stone nineteenth century buildings, tree-lined avenues and extensive leafy parks give the city its elegant, English atmosphere.

Day 7 (JAN 10, 2026): Timaru, New Zealand

South of the Canterbury Plain on the South Island, Timaru is built on the rolling volcanic hills surrounding Mt. Horrible. Originally a whaling station, it grew to serve the sheep stations in the surrounding countryside. Visit the South Canterbury Museum, filled with artifacts and information about the history of the region from the Maori arrival to the present day, and the Aigantighe Art Gallery, housed in a homestead dating from 1908

Day 8 (JAN 11, 2026): Port Chalmers (Dunedin), New Zealand

Port Chalmers is the main port for the city of Dunedin. Situated in a natural amphitheater at the head of a long fjord-like inlet, Dunedin was the first permanent European settlement in New Zealand, founded in 1848. Not long afterwards, gold was discovered in the region, and the province quickly became the richest and most influential in the colony. While Christchurch is New Zealand's most English town, Dunedin is its most Scottish; the name Dunedin is the old Gaelic name for Edinburgh. Numerous distinctive and historic buildings remain from the time of its predominantly Scottish settlers, preserving its architectural heritage.

Day 9 (JAN 12, 2026): Cruising Fiordland National Park

New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park is the largest of the country’s 14 national parks, at 4,868 sq. mi./12,607 sq. km. Located on the southwest corner of the South Island, it was founded in 1904, to protect the natural environment for nature lovers and trekkers. It comprises a large portion of the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Site. The key features of the park are the mountain ranges of the Southern Alps, which rise to heights from 1,500 m/4,900 ft to over 2,500 m/8,200 ft., as well as the spectacular U-shaped glaciated fjord valleys that cut into the mountains as deeply as 25 miles from the sea. There are three major fjords that are navigable by your ships, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and Dusky Sound. Your exact itinerary will be determined by your captain depending on the weather and other conditions on the day. But whatever course you sail, you will be treated to spectacular waterways curving between sheer cliffs towering thousands of feet above the mirrored surface of the fjord. Depending on recent rainfall, waterfalls tumble down the rock faces from above. Many of the peaks have nicknames based on their resemblance to animals or other objects of previous observers’ imaginations. You are also likely to see seals, birds including fiordland penguins, bottlenose dolphins and possibly such other fauna as red deer or whales.

Day 10-12 (JAN 13-15, 2026): At Sea

Day 13 (JAN 16, 2026): Melbourne, Australia

Nestled in the heart of Victoria, Australia, Melbourne Cruise Port offers an exceptional experience for discerning travelers in search of pure luxury. Hailed as Australia's cultural capital, Melbourne emanates a unique charm with its eclectic mix of art, fashion, and gastronomy. The city’s vibrant center is always alive with events, top-tier dining, and exclusive shopping experiences. It's a melting pot of cultures and a haven for gourmands, offering excellent food everywhere—from modern Australian cuisine to delightful Asian fusion fare and cozy cafes serving the finest coffee you've ever tasted. Whether you’re lingering in the city’s labyrinth of laneways covered in awe-inspiring street art, or sampling gourmet local cuisine along the Yarra River, every moment in Melbourne is a moment of delight.

Day 14 (JAN 17, 2026): At Sea

Day 15 (JAN 18, 2026): Eden, New South Wales, Australia

This picturesque town near the border of New South Wales and Victoria was the site of a thriving shore-based whaling industry that depended on the cooperation of orcas, which herded baleen whales into Twofold Bay. Learn about it at the small but informative Killer Whale Museum. The Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre concentrates on smaller sea-life. Ben Boyd’s Tower looms over Disaster Bay in the scenic national park named after the eccentric 19th-century magnate. The town’s name is unrelated to the biblical garden. It was named for George Eden, first Earl of Auckland.

Day 16 (JAN 19, 2026): Sydney, Australia

Arrives at 7:00am

Sydney’s status as a vibrant metropolis equal to the world’s greatest cities, is justifiably earned. With iconic architecture such as the famous Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, shimmering beaches such as Bondi Beach, and a laid-back and roughly charming and friendly attitude, this city is a pleasure to visit. Sydney is Australia’s oldest city, and the area’s Aboriginal cultural heritage followed by its convict history can be explored in a variety of museums and galleries. Opportunities to discover and experience new things include visiting the botanical gardens, swimming on the beach, eating a delicious meal in Chinatown, watching unique Australian animals in the Sydney Wild Life Zoo or Sea Life Aquarium, taking in the Maritime museum, exploring the fish market, walking through Hyde Park, and learning about WWI Anzac history at the Anzac memorial. Of course, the opera house, completed in 1973 with its competition winning design offers concerts, theater and dance, as well as a one-hour guided tour. This symbol of the city, along with the Harbour Bridge, the largest and heaviest steel arch bridge in the world, together give Sydney Harbour an exciting and fascinating vibe with which to enjoy the surrounding metropolis.​