Tour Type: Luxury Cruise
Duration: 13 Day
Tour Starts In: Auckland
Tour Finishes In: Queenstown
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from NZ $10712 pp
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13 Day New Zealand Aotearoa (Southbound) Touring Route:
Cruise Inclusions:
- Accommodation charges on board
- All meals
- Captain's welcome and farewell cocktails
- Services of expedition staff including lectures, briefings, slide/film presentations, and other group activities
- Group transfers during the cruise
- 24 hour tea/coffee station
- Port & landing fees
- Coach transfer on day of arrival/departure between Milford Sound and Queenstown
- Selected shore excursions in Kaikoura, Gisborne (Whangara) and White Island
Cruise Highlights:
- Deep Fiordland waterways of Dusky Sound, Doubtful & Milford Sound
- Stewart Island
- Discover Dunedin's Scottish heritage
- Opportunity to swim with one of the smallest and rarest dolphins
- Ultimate marine experience of whale watching joined by dusky dolphins, seabirds & fur seals
- Spend two days exploring an array of spectacular waterways of the Abel Tasman National Park
- Guided visits to Moturoa Island
- Whangara Beach exclusive Maori cultural experience including a traditional welcome, Kapa Haka cultural show and tour of the Marae
- Excursion to explore White Island's active volcano
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Day
1 |
Auckland & Hauraki Gulf
Boarding Oceanic Discoverer at 4:00pm, we depart the ‘City of Sails’ at 5:00pm and enjoy views of Auckland as we commence our 12 night New Zealand discovery cruise. Savour the late afternoon cruising through the beautiful Hauraki Gulf and amongst its many islands before joining the Captain and his crew at the Captain’s Welcome Drinks and dinner. (D) |
Day
2 |
White Island
Following breakfast we embark on out first excursion to explore the active White Island volcano, which is identifiable by the plume of steam continually spouting from its crater. Travelling ashore aboard Xplorer and our fleet of Zodiacs, the Expedition Staff will lead a guided walk to the crater, which resembles a moonscape. Enjoy the rare opportunity to view the heart of an active volcano and see a build up of gas and steam escaping from the earth. (B/L/D) |
Day
3 |
Gisborne & Maori Culture
This morning we arrive in historic Gisborne, the first European landing place in New Zealand. Captain Cook first arrived here in 1769 and a European settlement was established in 1831. Our exploration begins with a visit to a small Marae for an exclusive Maori cultural experience including a traditional welcome, guided tour and Kapa Haka cultural show. This afternoon you have time to explore Gisborne at your own pace, with the opportunity to discover the historic city at your leisure or join an optional guided tour exploring the city’s beautiful gardens and renowned vineyards. (B/L/D) |
Day
4 |
Art Deco Napier
In 1931 Napier was all but destroyed by an earthquake measuring some 7.9 on the Richter Scale. The city’s rebuild followed the flourishing art deco trend in America and Europe of that time, and as such, Napier features a wonderful heritage of art deco architecture. Enjoy the morning exploring the sights of the city. Perhaps stroll Marine Parade, the city’s delightful seaside boulevard which retains its air of an old-fashioned English seaside resort, complete with a pebble beach. (B/L/D) |
Day
5
&
6 |
Marlborough Sounds
We spend two days exploring an array of spectacular waterways of the Abel Tasman National Park, including the fiord-like Queen Charlotte Sound. Retracing the history of Captain Cook we visit Ships Cove a regular stop for Captain Cook on his voyage of discovery and the place where he careened his vessel the Endeavour. The days offer a multitude of explorations aboard the Xplorer and inflatable Zodiacs under the guidance of our Expedition Leader and with interpretation from our experienced Guest Lecturers. Subject to timing you have the option to spend time ashore in Picton. We offer guided visits to Moturoa Island where we enjoy an abundance of birdlife. We farewell the dark green hills and blue-green waters of the Sounds with an evening cruise through the scenic Tory Channel as continue our journey southwards. (B/L/D) |
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Day
7 |
Kaikoura Whalewatching
The scenic coastal town of Kaikoura is renowned as possibly the world’s best destination for whale watching and one of the few places in the world where it is possible to view the giant Sperm Whale in its natural environment. We join a special cruise to discover these majestic mammals along with Fur Seals, dolphins and other migratory whales, an experience never to be forgotten. Enjoy time for a stroll around the pretty coastal town before reboarding Oceanic Discoverer. (B/L/D) |
Day
8 |
Gallic Akaroa
This morning we cruise in to the secluded Akaroa Harbour, a very scenic village nestled in the heart of an active volcano. Stroll through the village, discovering its French history, cosy cafes and excellent craft stores. Enjoy optional shore excursions, perhaps swim with one of the smallest and rarest dolphins – the Hector’s or New Zealand Dolphin. (B/L/D) |
Day
9 |
Dunedin
The Otago Harbour welcomes us as we cruise past the world’s largest mainland albatross colony at Tairoa Heads, also home to the world’s rarest penguin, the Yellowed Eyed Penguin. Of Scottish heritage, Dunedin offers a great diversity of experiences from abundant wildlife to the historic Edwardian and Victorian architecture, the Otakou Maori Marae, the famous Speights Brewery, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Settlers Museum and New Zealand’s oldest botanical gardens. Enjoy a full day ashore to explore at your own pace. (B/L/D) |
Day
10 |
Stewart Island
Discover the natural delights and scenic beauty of Stewart Island, a large island that is almost totally wilderness and home to a vast number of seals, birds and other wildlife. Landing ashore at Paterson Inlet, join a guided walk to encounter native birds such as the Weka, Tui, Bellbird, Kaka and New Zealand’s iconic national bird, the kiwi. Unlike other species of kiwis, the Stewart Island Kiwi is active both during the day and night and is often seen foraging on the beach for sandhoppers and other insects. (B/L/D) |
Day
11 |
Dusky Sound
Our first experience of the deep Fiordland National Park waterways begins as we enter Dusky Sound. We spend the day in awe of the spectacular and dramatic natural wilderness as we cruise amongst the sheer cliffs and tumbling waterfalls of this beautiful landscape. Enjoy the view from Oceanic Discoverer or choose to explore the inlets from Xplorer or Zodiacs. Continuing northward, we anchor for the evening at the entrance to spectacular Doubtful Sound. (B/L/D) |
Day
12 |
Doubtful Sound
Awaken this morning to the magnificent scenery of Doubtful Sound. The deepest of the sounds, Doubtful was named by Captain Cook in 1770 and is often described as Fiordland’s most spectacular waterway. Join the Guest Lecturers aboard Xplorer as we cruise amongst the towering peaks and explore a maze of hidden waterways home to a myriad of marine and bird life. This evening, enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Cocktails as we make our way to world-famous Milford Sound, our final stop on this memorable journey. (B/L/D) |
Day
13 |
Milford Sound - Queenstown
Savour breakfast as we cruise the dramatic 22 kilometre length of Milford Sound. The calm waters of the sound mirror the sheer peaks that rise all around, including the instantly recognisable Mitre Peak, towering some 1,600 metres above the waterway. At 8:00am we disembark in Milford Sound and farewell the Captain and his crew. A complimentary coach transfer to Queenstown is available, departing Milford Sound at approximately 8:30am and arriving in Queenstown at approximately 1:30pm. |
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In key locations there are opportunities for guests with special interests to enhance the cruise experience through the purchase of additional shore excursions. This itinerary is an indication of the destinations we visit and activities on offer. Whilst every effort will be made to follow this itinerary we do reserve the right to vary this itinerary to make allowances for weather, tidal conditions and any other event that may effect the operation of the vessel. |
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from NZ $10,712
13 Day New Zealand Aotearoa (Southbound)
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13 Day New Zealand Aotearoa (Southbound) Reviews
Tour reviews from past clients of Relaxing Journeys for the 13 Day New Zealand Aotearoa (Southbound). |
We really enjoyed our cruise on Oceanic Discoverer and, being our first visit to New Zealand, felt it gave us a good impression of the country in the space of 12 days. The ship is excellent and surprisingly spacious given its quite small size. Our cabin on C deck was not at all cramped - indeed, the cabins on this deck are probably the best choice since although they are the least expensive they are bigger than those on the higher decks. The entire crew were incredibly efficient and very friendly, and the food was always of a good standard. We particularly liked the days spent in the solitude of the Marlborough Sounds and Southern Fiords - we think this is possibly the only international cruise ship allowed to venture into and overnight in Dusky and Doubtful Sounds. We felt very privileged.
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Value For Money
Accommodaton
Tour Pace
Our Service
John Beddoe & Ann Pitcher (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 18/12/2011 |
Cruise Prices
Tour prices below are per person for 2011/12. |
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| Oceanic Discoverer Deck Plans |
Twin Share |
Single |
| Main Deck (Cat B) |
NZ $10712 |
NZ $16068 |
| Main Deck (Cat A) |
NZ $11426 |
NZ $17139 |
| Promenade Deck (Cat B) |
NZ $12662 |
NZ $18993 |
| Promenade Deck (Cat A) |
NZ $13376 |
NZ $20064 |
| Bridge Deck |
NZ $14156 |
NZ $21234 |
EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER
2012 Season Sale! Save 5% off the retail prices shown! Book this month to qualify!
Valid for bookings made with Relaxing Journeys between 1 February 2012 and 29 February 2012
. Subject to availability at time of booking. |
*Terms & Conditions apply to any discounts and/or specials above. Your designated tour consultant will apply the appropriate discounts automatically to your quote and detail any currently applicable 'Exclusive Specials'. |
Cruise Departure Dates
Departures for the southbound cruise. |
| 2012 |
18 December 2012 |
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Cruise Notes:
Important information about the cruise. |
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The Oceanic Discoverer
Oceanic Discoverer (formerly Oceanic Princess) is a luxury expedition cruise vessel designed by Coral Princess Cruises to provide maximum stability and guest comfort. Launched in Cairns in January 2005, Oceanic Discoverer carries a maximum of 72 guests and offers the relaxed atmosphere of a private yacht. In addition to our Zodiacs, we will have on board a specially designed aluminium excursion vessel, the "Xplorer". This vessel has high horsepower engines and will accommodate all passengers at one time. The "Xplorer" will be used for landings and for extensive exploration of rivers, tributaries and islands. For your added convenience and comfort, the "Xplorer" is equipped with an awning and toilet. More>
General Information
We have put together some information below on this remarkable cruise of New Zealand.
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