New Zealand Cruises

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.