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New Zealand Cruises

Let a cruise of New Zealand introduce you to incredible scenery and rich traditions, from the fiords of the south to the beautiful beaches of the north and all the stunning headlands, bays and ports in between. Glide through turquoise waters and delve deep into Maori culture on the North Island and indulge all your senses with stunning landscapes, charming cities, and delightful culinary experiences on the South Island.

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Search 265 cruise departures around New Zealand

Popular Cruises

15 Days Sydney to Sydney

Operator: Princess

From 1,629pp

13 Days Sydney to Sydney

Operator: Celebrity Cruises

From 1,516pp
Save 1,734pp

12 Days Sydney to Auckland

Operator: Celebrity Cruises

From 4,919pp
Save 3,405pp

7 Days Blenheim to Blenheim

Operator: Heritage Expeditions

From 3,068pp
Save 805pp

Featured Cruise Lines Featured Cruise Lines

Silversea
A luxurious cruise means many things to many people but we feel that Silversea’s small ship cruises personify the true meaning of comfort. Our intimate, more ultra-luxury ships can sail up narrow waterways into the heart of a city, or tie up right at the pier while others must anchor off shore. And for those who yearn to explore the new and unknown, Silversea’s expedition ships can transport you to the furthermost boundaries of the planet.

Enjoy free-flowing premium wines and spirits, delicious gourmet cuisine, in-suite dining, full butler service for every suite and of course all gratuities. Whether you long to mingle in the Mediterranean, swim with the turtles of the Galapagos or embrace the glaciers of Alaska, there is something special about knowing that this cruising is all inclusive.
New Zealand Cruises8
Budget:Luxury
Known For:900+ Destinations
Fleet Size:12
Celebrity Cruises
Set sail on the vacation of a lifetime aboard one of Celebrity's award-winning cruise ships. The luxurious fleet merges cutting-edge technology with welcoming more interiors and revolutionary venues. Discover the unrivaled luxury of The Retreat®. Experience visionary spaces, like the Magic Carpet®, that are like nothing you’ve seen before. On Celebrity's cruise ships, you’ll travel the world while enjoying the height of style, comfort, and service throughout your journey.
New Zealand Cruises24
Budget:Premium
Known For:Ultra-Chic Ships
Fleet Size:16
Viking
A Viking ocean cruise is the discerning traveller’s dream. Whether you choose to visit Scandinavia, Asia, the Mediterranean or the Americas, our itineraries more are designed to immerse you in the history and culture of each destination. With us, you could be exploring a local food market with our head chef one day and experiencing an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of a world-famous museum the next.

Our state-of-the-art small ships take you right into the heart of each destination, and you won’t find any casinos or kids on board. Plus, our fares include just about everything you need - from meals, beverages and Wi-Fi to a culturally enriching shore excursion at every port of call. This unique combination of features has become affectionately known as ‘the Viking difference’.

Viking is the world’s leading small-ship cruise line, and we can’t wait to welcome you on board to discover the Viking difference for yourself.
New Zealand Cruises68
Budget:Premium
Known For:Thinking Persons Cruise
Fleet Size:18

Discover

Must do experiences and highlights on a New Zealand cruise
Picture Perfect Bay of Islands Picture Perfect Bay of Islands
Explore this paradise by land, water, or sky. Coach to Cape Reinga, cruise to the Hole in the Rock, or take a scenic flight over this lovely archipelago.
The Cultural Hot Spot of Rotorua The Cultural Hot Spot of Rotorua
Mt. Maunganui oversees your arrival into the Bay of Plenty, your gateway to visit the thermal wonderland and cultural stronghold of Rotorua.
Delightful Marlborough Sounds Delightful Marlborough Sounds
Watch from the deck as you wind through the beautiful bays and inlets of Marlborough Sounds, before sampling the renowned wine of the region.
Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula
Rolling green hills tumble into the sea and are crowned by the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ – Dunedin. Explore the city’s charming streets flanked by Victorian buildings, visit the botanic gardens, or simply soak in the view.
Scenic Fiordland Cruising Scenic Fiordland Cruising
Sail atop glassy waters and glide below the towering cliffs framing the Fiordland National Park. Pass through Milford, Doubtful and Dusky sounds taking in the stunning scenery that dwarfs your ship, and all your expectations.

Recent Reviews

What our clients are saying about their cruises around New Zealand
Lovely New Zealand New Zealand , NSW, Australia, Jan 2026
Cruise around NZ organized by Grace at Global.. She's knowledgeable and efficient. Our cruise was relaxing and interesting. Princess cruise. Unfortunately we didn't get to Tauranga because of weather and the port was closed , so we didn't get to the hot springs of Rotarua. Fiords were magnificent and other optional tours interesting.
Celebrity Edge to New Zealand New Zealand Cruise , NSW, Australia, Nov 2025
Thankyou for attending to our booking. The whole journey was seamless thanks to you excellent service. We always recommend you to people looking to book a journey. Your support and prompt services always goes above and beyond expectations. The Celebrity Edge is an amazing ship with friendly staff and lots of room to relax and enjoy the journey.
Lovely New Zealand Cruise New Zealand , QLD, Australia, Jan 2025
Had a great time travelling with Princess, it was our first cruise and for our Honeymoon and was overall a great experience. Luckily we also had amazing weather. Given how great this cruise was we will be booking another cruise in the very near future!
First Class Service New Zealand , NSW, Australia, Jan 2025
From booking the cruise to sailing the experience was magnificent and would love to stay longer. The vessel facilities, service, food and entertainment where first class. The staff friendliness and attention is wonderful to experience.
Global Journeys have done a fabulous job with my booking on our Princess Cruise to NZ   New Zealand , ACT, Australia, Dec 2024
The service from Grace was exemplary as was the Royal Princess cruise. Our cabin was exactly what we wanted, just the best outlook.
Marvellous cruise set up, friendly efficient Global Journeys   Australia & New Zealand , Northland , New Zealand, Oct 2024
My first cruise with Princess was such a wonderful experience on the impressive Royal Princess. An immaculate ship with amazing decor & facilities, activities, food & crew to match. A special mention to my Travel Advisor, Maisie, a credit to Global Journeys with her efficiency & enthusiasm. I wouldn't hesitate to use Global Journeys & Princess Cruises on future adventures!

Explore More

Your guide to cruising New Zealand
If you’ve been dreaming of a journey that blends luxurious comfort with the thrill of true exploration, Ponant’s latest New Zealand season could be your perfect match. This
Cruising is returning to Australia and New Zealand we are so excited! After what seems like a very long time, the Australian Government has announced that the ban on cruise

Common Questions

Common questions about cruising New Zealand
What is the best time to cruise New Zealand?

Cruise season in New Zealand generally begins in October and ends in late April with the peak season falling during the summer months of December to March. Peak season is also when the widest choice of cruises are available. October, November and April are just outside of peak season and prices may be more competitive during those months. As the weather should still be mild it offers a good time to cruise on a tighter budget.

What side of the ship is best on a New Zealand cruise?

This depends on your preference and route. If you are hoping to see the shore then pick the side facing land. For example, when sailing from the north to south along the east coast of New Zealand, the shore is on the right or starboard side of the ship. As you can't always see the shore, you may prefer to base your decision on whether you prefer a view of the sunrise or sunset from your balcony. When visiting the Fjords, stunning scenery will be on all sides so you're unlikely to miss out. Viewing decks are popular at these locations to take in the full beauty of the surrounding landscapes.

Can you cruise from Australia to New Zealand?

Yes, you can cruise from Australia to New Zealand. There are a myriad of itineraries on offer of various lengths and complexity. Some are round trips starting  and ending in Australia and cruising to and around New Zealand in between. Others start in Australia visiting various locations on the east coast before heading to explore New Zealand. Similarly, you can start in New Zealand and end in Australia. It is a wonderful way to explore the diverse and stunning scenery of both countries in one holiday.

Which cruise lines go to Australia and New Zealand?

It might be easier to list ones that don't visit Australia and New Zealand as most major cruise lines operate extensively throughout the region during the main cruise season of October to April with some operating year round in Australia. We offer cruise itineraries from 18 of the most well known cruise operators offering experiences from sailing yachts, small ships and expedition ships to well known mega cruise ships. Explore our New Zealand cruise and Australian cruise departures for more information.

Are the seas rough between Australia and New Zealand?

The Tasman Sea can be a bit choppy at times. However, the cruise season falls over the same summer months that are also considered to the best time to make the crossing. Weather patterns are more settled and as a consequence sailing conditions are fairer. As with any cruising, you can never be 100% certain of calm seas so if you are prone to sea sickness, be sure to pack your travel sickness medication.