Sydney to Auckland

There are two dedicated cruise passenger terminals - the White Bay Cruise Terminal at Rozelle and the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay in the city centre. This is your opportunity to marvel at Australia’s famous icons, the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge as you glide past The Heads - the dramatic sandstone cliffs at the entrance of the harbour.

A day at sea with Crystal can be as relaxed or as engaging as you wish. Begin with breakfast on your veranda, take a walk along the Promenade Deck or spend the morning by the Seahorse Pool before retreating to the Aurōra Spa & Salon for a restorative treatment. Enrichment is always close at hand, with lectures, bridge, creative workshops, dance classes, wellness sessions and opportunities to fine tune skills from photography to golf.

Dining is a highlight throughout the day, from relaxed bites by the pool to elegant dinners at venues such as Umi Uma by Nobu, Beefbar or Waterside. As evening arrives, enjoy live music, theatre entertainment, comedy, social gatherings, cocktails in the lounges or a quiet night in with 24-hour in-suite dining.

Arrive in Wellington and its ambitious spirit is clear to see in the skyline of shiny towers. Yet New Zealand’s capital is a friendly place with an independent air, where just wandering around the streets is a pleasure, stopping for a great coffee or a glass of locally brewed craft beer. You can delve a little deeper into New Zealand’s culture and history at the national museum, Te Papa Tongeriwa, on the waterfront, with stories and objects from pre-colonial days. In fact, at Zealandia, you can travel even further back in time – this urban eco-sanctuary is attempting to restore nature to its pre-human state. Movie fans won’t want to miss a tour of the Weta Workshop, the film effects company that worked on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit among other blockbusters. But find time, too, for a ride on the cable car to the Kelburn Lookout for a spectacular overview.

Perched on the East Coast of the North Island, Gisborne is a place of rich history, beautiful uncrowded beaches, and legendary wines. Ships will anchor offshore and tenders will be provided to the port.

Top Things to Do in Gisborne:

• embark on a reef tour at low tide and feed stingrays
• visit a winery and discover why Gisborne is recognised as the 'Chardonnay Capital of New Zealand'
• take the steam train to Muriwai
• visit the Eastwoodhill Arboretum

Delve into Tauranga, New Zealand's picturesque coastal gem, where golden sand beaches, rolling green hills, and a blend of Maori and contemporary cultures create a captivating town. The spectacular Bay of Plenty on New Zealand’s North Island is home to the resort town of Tauranga. Known for its fine restaurants, boutiques and galleries, the city is also a hot spot for water sports and a gateway to nearby attractions, such as the geothermal wonders of Rotorua. At the southern end of Tauranga’s harbor lies the relaxed beach town of Mount Maunganui, named after its distinctive peak, Mauao, which towers 750 feet above the town’s white-sand surf.

Set on New Zealand’s North Island astride a narrow isthmus between the shimmering waters of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Auckland – or Tamaki Makaurau in Maori – is an urban oasis ringed by natural beauty. The CBD (Central Business District) is brimming with artisanal coffee shops, fine-dining restaurants, and cultural institutions like the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, but venture just beyond the skyscrapers to discover ancient mountain ranges, sculpted fjords, black-sand beaches, and lush rainforests.

Known as the city of sails, Auckland is built on a narrow strip of land surrounded by two harbours, dotted with 50 picturesque islands. In the centre, the iconic Sky Tower has views of Viaduct Harbour, which is full of superyachts and lined with bars and cafes. Volcanic cones, forest parks and stunning beaches are all within easy reach.

In downtown Auckland you can enjoy world-class dining, shopping, and sights. If you've a mind to explore, visit the island volcano of Rangitoto, or head to Waiheke, known as 'the island of wine' each are within a 40 minute ferry ride of your port.