Going on a cruise from Auckland is an excellent way to enjoy your much-awaited holiday. Whether you’re looking for a short cruise or a longer expedition type cruise, you will never run out of options. You can book a 3 night cruise around New Zealand, a 10 to 14-day island hopping cruise to the Polynesian Islands, or even a 3 month long world cruise. It’s up to you. Whatever you have in mind for this year or next year, there is certainly a cruise that is meant for you.
To help you out with your selection, we have compiled our top 10 best cruises from Auckland in 2019 / 2020 to help you make that adventure come to fruition.
1. Comedy Cruises
There’s no better way to spend your holiday's than cruising New Zealand and being entertained at the same time. Join P&O for a laugh on their iconic Comedy Cruises. They have 3 and 4 night itineraries available onboard their newly renovated, Pacific Aria. Along with musical stage shows and good entertainment, they also have special guest comedians that will make your trip one-of-a-kind. And yes, you can get up close and personal and have a chit-chat with the best comedians around and take home some comedic inspirations. If you think comedy is for you, you can also join a Comedy Workshop where you'll get tips from the pros and feedback on your performance.
So whether you’re looking to improve your comedic skills or you simply want a good laugh, you'll need to book now. P&O have two schedules in 2019 for June and August, and three in 2020 for May, June, and October.
2. Food and Wine Cruises
How nice would it be to fill your holiday with the best food and wine whilst cruising through Auckland’s beautiful waters … with a view of the famous Sky Tower in the distance? And it doesn’t end there. In addition you'll get an insight into the finer details about gourmet food and wine with industry professionals giving talks and demonstrations.
With schedules in May and August 2019 P&O Cruises runs 3 night itineraries onboard Pacific Aria.
3. Australia and New Zealand Cruises
Australia is a popular destination for New Zealand cruisers. If you’re the type who would love to cruise into Sydney Harbour but still appreciate the rugged coasts of Dunedin, then there’s no better way than to book a cruise from Auckland to Australia. You'll find good deals at great prices with Norwegian Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Cunard.
Choose from New Zealand cruises only or an Australia and New Zealand cruise. Cruise length ranges from 4 to 14 days. Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Celebrity Cruises offer longer cruises (10-14 days). If you choose a New Zealand cruise, you will be cruising through Tauranga, Picton, Dunedin, Doubtful Sound, Milford Sound, and Eden. An Australian Cruise will take you to Port Arthur, Hobart, and Sydney. The cruises will embark as early as March 2019, but you can still find a lot of New Zealand and Australia cruises until 2020.
4. Fiji & South Pacific Cruises
P&O Cruises offers a number of cruises going to Fiji and the South Pacific, which are popular destinations for New Zealanders. If you're looking for the perfect getaway, these sun drenched destinations may be right up your alley. Enjoy a minimum of eight nights of fun onboard Pacific Aria and bask in the beauty of the South Pacific all from the comfort of your very own cabin.
Fiji and South Pacific Cruises start as early as May 2019, but if you don’t have plans this year, you can still wait for next year with schedules until September 2020.
5. Auckland to Japan Cruises
Have you ever experienced an Asian cruise? If you’re up for a longer cruise and the chance to explore unfamiliar waters, booking a cruise from Auckland to Japan might be an appealing idea. Princess Cruises has an Auckland to Japan Cruise scheduled for June 2020, sailing on Sun Princess. Passengers will be cruising the Pacific for 26 nights, passing through Sydney, Brisbane, Alotau, Manila, Hongkong, Shanghai, Busan, Kyoto, and finally arrive in Tokyo.
Sun Princess is a much loved ship with many cruisers praising the ship for the superb food, excellent rooms, and polite and attentive crews. What more can you ask for? Book early to avoid disappointment.
6. Discovery Cruises
In addition to comedy cruises and food and wine cruises, P&O offers a number of discovery cruises onboard Pacific Aria where passengers can explore islands in the Pacific. Sail the beautiful islands of Tonga and Vanuatu or go on a Bounty Discovery Cruise where you'll sail through Norfolk Island, Loyalty Island, and Mystery Island.
P&O’s discovery cruises are offered on 10 to 11 nights depending on the package. Cruise are available in April 2019, May 2019, and then on to June and September 2020.
7. New Years’ Getaway Cruise
Have you ever wondered how it feels to spend the new year on the high seas? Princess Cruises has the perfect itinerary for this rare opportunity. Book your 4 night New Year’s getaway cruise onboard Golden Princess to welcome Year 2020. On New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, you'll be sailing at sea celebrating, whilst being entertained by musical stage shows and special guest entertainers onboard. How’s that for an experience?
Princess' New Year cruise will depart from Auckland on December 29 and arrive in Melbourne on January 2.
8. Hawaii, Tahiti and South Pacific Cruises
Is Island hopping more your thing? Sailing the beautiful South Pacific Islands and Honolulu Princess Cruises's Sea Princess, Sun Princess, and Ruby Princess can take you there. Praised for their excellent food, entertainment, and outstanding crew these cruises depart in April 2020. Cruise length ranges from 20 days to 35 days depending on the itinerary.
Royal Caribbean also has a fly cruise package going to Tahiti and Hawaii on April 2019. You'll spend two nights in a hotel in Honolulu and 16 nights onboard Ovation of the Seas. Oh, and FYI, Ovation of the Seas is a very highly rated ship, offering good entertainment along with friendly staff.
9. In-Depth Polynesian Crossing Cruise
How would you like to discover the stunning Polynesian Islands whilst immersing yourself in cultural and picturesque delights? Holland America Line offers a 22-night cruise from Auckland passing through the beautiful Polynesian Islands including Rarotonga, Bora Bora, and Papeete, before arriving in San Francisco.
This cruise is one of Holland America Line’s In-Depth Voyages which are designed to put an added emphasis on the destination and onboard learning. So if you're striving to know more about Polynesian history and culture, this is a perfect cruise for you.
One thing you will truly enjoy about this cruise is the food which is prepared by local chefs and the ingredients locally sourced. This will allow you to have a first-hand knowledge and experience on Polynesia’s local cuisine.
The Polynesian Islands cruise departs in April 2019. Book now whilst availability lasts.
10. World Cruise
Hands up if you're up for cruising the world over 106 nights? Thanks to Princess Cruises, you can now enjoy cruising around the world in around 3-and-a-half months onboard Sea Princess. Princess' World Cruises sail from Auckland in May 2019 and 2020.
Princess Cruises will ensure your time spent with them is a memorable one. Aside from spacious cabins, great food, and excellent crew, you'll be entertained with musical stage shows, guest entertainers, and the latest movies, both in your cabin and on the big screen. Children are welcome with sufficient entertainment for all ages.
Why Go on a Cruise from Auckland?
There are different means to travel the Pacific or the world. You can fly, take a train or bus, or whatever means available. But going on a cruise is different. It is more laidback and relaxed. It allows you to have time to appreciate the beauty in front of you without thinking about missing flights. It gives you an opportunity to meet new people, taste different cuisines, and experience a good life without worrying about what happens the next day. But most of all, it allows you to discover things about yourself that hopefully makes you a better person. So if you have never experienced being on a cruise from Auckland before, now is the time to do it.