Overview
11 Days
Melbourne
Auckland
2,770
1,150
2022
10NMTO
Itinerary
Melbourne’s vibrant character shines through its eclectic mix of architecture, culture, and green spaces. Stroll through Federation Square, where contemporary art and historic buildings collide, or explore the street art in hidden laneways like Hosier Lane. For a taste of local flavors, the Queen Victoria Market offers fresh produce and handmade goods. Don’t miss the Royal Botanic Gardens, a peaceful escape near the city’s core.
On our voyages, the biggest choice you’ll have to make is: which activity do I choose tonight? From our adult-oriented performances in the Red Room to live music every single night, bookable karaoke rooms, and special activations popping up all around the ship like pub crawls and pajama parties, there’s no shortage of things to do on a cruise with Virgin Voyages.
While exploring the city take the opportunity to stroll through the Royal Botanic Garden, offering breathtaking views of the harbor and a diverse collection of plants. Alternatively, The Rocks, Sydney's oldest neighborhood, is brimming with cobblestone streets, heritage buildings, and vibrant markets. For lunch, savor fresh seafood at one of Darling Harbour's waterfront restaurants & don't miss the chance to dip your toes in at Bondi Beach!
Relax and rejuvenate. Take a deep breath, and give yourself the gift of a little pampering. Relaxing onboard is already easy – but we’re making it even easier. Whether you’re in desperate need of a break from the kids, looking for intimate couples time, or just need some solo r&r, wellness is a cornerstone of our philosophy, and our cruise experience. Get a couples massage in our Redemption Spa, take a free sunrise yoga class, or jog around our outdoor track with stunning panoramic ocean views.
With 1500km of New Zealand's coastline, Marlborough Sounds is a collection of ancient sunken river valleys filled with the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Forested hills rise steeply from the sea around an intricate coastline of sheltered inlets and sandy bays. The area is made up of four distinctly different Sounds: Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru, Pelorus, and Mahau.
Keep an ear out for native birdsong from the bush-clad hills surrounding beautiful bays. Spot dive-bombing gannets and rare New Zealand king cormorants, look out for dolphins, see sunbathing seals and even cruising orca.
Docking at Picton, your ship will arrive at the Waitohi Wharf, just 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) from the town center, a quick 5-minute drive. This quaint town is the gateway to the stunning Marlborough Sounds and the world-renowned wine region of Marlborough.
For transportation, taxis and shuttle buses are readily available at the port. Alternatively, a scenic 15-minute walk along the waterfront will take you into Picton's heart. Don't miss the Edwin Fox Maritime Museum or a boat tour to explore the breathtaking bays and inlets of the Marlborough Sounds. Wine enthusiasts should consider a short trip to nearby Blenheim to sample some of New Zealand’s finest wines.
Step back in time on your visit to Napier, known as the Art Deco capital of the world. This seaside city was rebuilt in the 1930s and has one of the best concentrations of original art deco, Spanish mission and stripped classical architecture in the world. Your cruise ship will berth at the Napier Port.
Top Things to Do in Napier:
- Hawkes Bay vineyard tours and tastings
- a scenic off-road adventure to a gannet colony, home to 15,000 gannets
- Art Deco vintage car and guided walking city tours
Tauranga is renowned for its stunning beaches, particularly Mount Maunganui, where you can enjoy a leisurely stroll or take in panoramic views from the summit. The city's waterfront area is lively, with a range of cafes, restaurants, and shops, perfect for a relaxed morning exploring. Tauranga is also a gateway to the nearby geothermal wonders of Rotorua and the enchanting Hobbiton Movie Set.
Rotorua, famous for its geysers, hot springs, and Maori culture, is a must-visit for its unique geothermal landscapes and cultural performances. An hour away, Hobbiton offers an immersive experience in the world of "The Lord of the Rings," with guided tours of the iconic film set.
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.
Life On Board
Built like a super yacht and styled like a chic hotel for adult only guests, welcome aboard Resilient Lady. Read more
With wellbeing at the centre of your onboard experience, you can be totally active, completely relaxed or somewhere in-between. Read more
Cutting edge, boundary pushing productions, the epic Scarlet night and pop up performances make for lively onboard entertainment. Read more
Forget formal dining rooms and enjoy all inclusive, made to order dining at more than 20 city style eateries and restaurants. Read more
We’ve partnered with some of the industry's most esteemed mixologists to offer quality drinks without the premium price tag. Read more
We've taken care of all the details — so all you have to do is kick back and have the relaxing vacation you deserve. Read more
Ship Reviews (5)
Special mention goes to the fully stocked bar with top shelf spirits, bottles of Moet, white wine and beer that you're welcome to polish off as they were all included in the fare. Megarock Star Suites get their bar replenished for free, but it would take a serious drinker to get through all that was on offer. A second special mention goes to the shower. I’ll give a budget hotel 5 stars if it provides me with decent shower pressure and I don’t have to bend down to get under the shower head. Virgin has come up trumps with their rain shower and handheld attachment. There was plenty of room and the water pressure was fantastic! A final special mention relates to my particular suite – the “Cheeky Corner Suite”. While the suite wasn’t that large, the balcony was. As least as large as the cabin, with two loungers, Virgin’s trademark hammock, an outdoor couch, table and two chairs. Plenty of room to invite a few friends over for a tipple or three.
It’s not all praise however…on the first night of the cruise the Captain had the Resilient Lady powering down the east coast and my suite was shaking the whole night. I was on level 10 (and there are another 5 levels above me) so I’m unsure if they felt it too. On the second day and night the ship slowed down and it was fine. I’m assuming this was a result of being right at the back of the ship and I’m guessing on top of the engine room? It wasn’t comfortable.
As for the rest of Resilient Lady. Well, she’s brand new, so everything is spotless and clean and fresh. She’s huge, and if like me you get lost easily, you might want to bring your pedometer onboard with you – on your return you’ll be able to impress everyone with the amount of steps you made – to make up for all the food you inhaled. That’s a nice segue onto the meals onboard. We only scraped the surface with all the options available, suffice to say I think there’s something for everyone. From our freshly cooked pizza when we first got onboard, to Japanese Bento boxes of fresh fruit, hamburgers & chips, sweet treats, dinner over a Korean hot plate and the fancy Wake Restaurant in the aft. There are supposed to be 20 restaurants on board but I didn’t even get to see some of them. I also frequented two cafes to get my 4 daily double shot Flat Whites. Virgin’s cup sizes are wrong for Downunder (way to big) but with a few instructions I managed to get my barista to make them to my satisfaction. I’m pretty picky about my coffee, so most people will be more than happy. Espresso coffees are extra and come off your bar tab.
On such a short trip I didn’t get to visit the spa or gym, but they looked impressive. On the first night we went to a show – “The Rose” – which is the only show you have to pay for onboard - as it includes drinks and dinner. I’m not sure it’s for everyone, but I loved it. A visual feast for the eyes – I think it was a modern take on Romeo and Juliet, not that that mattered – but the meals and drinks are all interwoven into the show and done very cleverly. With Virgin being an adults only ship, the shows and entertainment are certainly more risqué than on a traditional cruise.
So would I recommend it – definitely yes – great value, great ship with lots to keep you entertained (I even had a go at Dodgeball!) and different to the other cruise lines out in the market. Who would I recommend it too? Virgin are at pains to point out their cruises are for everyone, you just need to be open minded and want to enjoy yourself. So yes, you’ll find 20 somethings onboard as well as 70 somethings and if you want to embrace the flamboyance of the brand you can, but equally there are lots of bars and quiet nooks where you can lose yourself in a book and escape other humans.
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Virgin Voyages Worldwide (2024-26)
Prices & Dates
There are currently no departures available on this cruise. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and is not operating this season. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view general release dates for all destinations.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Virgin Voyages. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
