Australia and New Zealand Cruise Planning Guide

When it comes to cruising Down Under, it’s all about adventure, sun and fun.

Cruising the vast regions of Australia and New Zealand promises to be an exciting adventure. For North American cruise travelers, plan to spend extra days on the front-end of the trip to allow for jet lag. For that matter, plan to spend extra time after the cruise to venture further.

Answers about cruising better in Australia and New Zealand. Information about planning a cruise vacation in Australia and New Zealand. What to do? When to go? What cruise line to take. Vacation planning tips and resources about planning a cruise vacation to Australia and New Zealand.

Information for cruise visitors going to Australia or New Zealand

A cruise to Australia or New Zealand is for those that have a desire for adventure. Exploring this diverse part of the world is an enchanting experience. Visit places like the Great Barrier Reef and learn about kangaroos, koalas and other indigenous animals. Stunning scenery, and a rich history will keep you enthralled. See Ayer’s Rock at sunset, talk a hike on the Sydney Harbor Bridge, take a swim in the ocean, or enjoy some local cuisine, there are plenty of things to do in the Land Down Under.

Cruise Planning Tips

This is certainly one of those cruise vacations that will need to be planned well in advance. Make a cruise budget and plan to spend extra time in the area before and or after your cruise.

Consider your options for how you will get to the embarkation port.

Research your choices because your flight options can influence the itinerary you will pick. Sydney and Auckland are large ports that are easy enough to get to, but there are other itineraries that may include calls to islands around Australia and New Zealand that will pose some challenges in terms of budget and time to access. For example cruise itineraries may begin in Bali and that cruise port is a lot harder to get to. Also, you most likely will need to embark in one port and debark in another port, which can effect the price of your airplane ticket since you will not be flying roundtrip, instead you will be buying an open-jaw ticket.

For cruises in Australia you most likely will meet the ship in Sydney and sail north toward Queensland, visiting Newcastle, Brisbane, and Cairns. Sydney offers most of the departures, but options from Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide can also be found.

Cruise Lines Sailing in the Region

Princess Cruises, Cunard, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, Silversea, Seabourn.

What is the best time of year to sail Australia/New Zealand

Since Australia and New Zealand are in the Southern Hemisphere their cruise season is the opposite of North America. Although Australia is a year-round cruise destination, the best time of year to visit is between October to April. If you are visiting Australia during the holidays in December it can get very hot, so be prepared.

Australia Cruise Ports

New Caledonia
New South Wales
- Eden
- Newcastle
- Sydney
Northern Territory
Papua New Guinea
Queensland
- Brisbane
- Cairns
- Townsville
- Whitsundays
South Australia
- Adelaide
- Kangaroo Island
- Port Lincoln
Tasmania
Victoria
- Victoria
- Geelong
- Melbourne
Port of Portland
Western Australia

Cruise Ports in New Zealand

Auckland
Bay of Islands
Bluff
Christchurch (Lyttelton)
Doubtful Sound
Gisborne
Napier
Port Nelson
Port Otago
Tauranga
Wellington

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