New Zealand Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call
32 ships from 16 cruise lines
New Zealand cruises at a glance
Waterways Cruise lists 186 upcoming sailings on 32 ships from 16 cruise lines visiting New Zealand, calling at 26 places. Cruises can start in Auckland, Dunedin and Lyttelton and end in Auckland, Dunedin and Lyttelton. Of 186 upcoming sailings, 64 start in New Zealand and 68 end there. More South Pacific & Australia cruises.
Reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard · About this page · About us
Compare New Zealand cruise lines
See every New Zealand cruise line by ocean and river and by ultra-luxury, luxury, premium and contemporary style, with fares, cruise lengths, ships and ports.
About New Zealand
New Zealand is a once-in-a-lifetime destination best approached with unhurried pacing. The country is not a river-cruise land in the European sense; its equivalent is coastal and expedition sailing through fiords, sounds, and working harbours. Small and medium ships offer the richest experience, giving you wildlife, Māori culture, wine regions, and mountain scenery without feeling herded. Choose an expedition or premium line, give yourself at least 12 sea days, and let the weather dictate the day.
Typical routes
- New Zealand Circumnavigation: Auckland, Bay of Islands, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Picton, Christchurch/Lyttelton, Dunedin, Fiordland.
- South Island & Fiordland Expedition: Picton, Christchurch, Dunedin, Fiordland, Stewart Island, with Queenstown overland options.
Ports overview
Coastal cruising around both islands is voyage-based, not river-based. New Zealand has no navigable river system, so the 'river cruise' equivalent is expedition cruising along fiords, sounds, and sheltered harbours. Small ships are the best match for the landscape.
Cruise season
October to April is the prime cruise season. Summer (Dec–Feb) offers longer daylight and warmer weather but busier ports. Shoulder seasons (Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr) are best for wildlife, wine harvest, and fewer crowds. Fiordland rain is always possible.
Find your New Zealand sailing
Upcoming sailings calling at New Zealand, earliest departure first.
17 Days One-Way from Auckland to Benoa
Starts in New Zealand. Also visits Australia, Indonesia
Seven Seas Mariner
24 Days One-Way from Auckland to Singapore
Starts in New Zealand. Also visits Australia, Indonesia, Singapore
Seven Seas Mariner
49 Days One-Way from Auckland to Seattle
Starts in New Zealand. Also visits Australia, New Caledonia, Vanuatu
ms Westerdam
Why Book With Waterways Cruise?
Four decades of expertise, one dedicated advisor, and every detail handled, from your front door to the gangway and back.
Cruise Concierge
A dedicated advisor who learns your name, your travel style and your preferences, then stays with you from the first conversation to the day you return home. Not a call center. Never a stranger.
100% Custom‑Built
No cookie-cutter packages. Flights, hotels, transfers and shore days are designed from scratch around how you actually like to travel, then refined until the trip feels like yours.
40+ Years in Travel
Founded by J. Richard, a four-decade veteran of the travel industry, and focused solely on premium river and ocean cruising. Decades of ship and itinerary knowledge go into every recommendation.
Book With Total Confidence
A travel agency that is a proud member of Signature Travel Network, CLIA, ASTA and IATA.
24 Days One-Way from Auckland to Benoa
Starts in New Zealand. Also visits New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea
Hanseatic Spirit
17 Days One-Way from Sydney to Honolulu
Visits New Zealand. Also visits Australia, Fiji, Samoa
Royal Princess
25 Days One-Way from Sydney to Los Angeles
Visits New Zealand. Also visits Australia, Fiji, Samoa
Royal Princess
30 Days One-Way from Sydney to Vancouver
Visits New Zealand. Also visits Australia, Fiji, Samoa
Royal Princess
20 Days One-Way from Auckland to Los Angeles
Starts in New Zealand. Also visits Fiji, Samoa, United States
Royal Princess
25 Days One-Way from Auckland to Vancouver
Starts in New Zealand. Also visits Fiji, Samoa, United States
Royal Princess
95 Days Brisbane, Australia Round Trip
Visits New Zealand. Also visits Australia, Fiji, Samoa
Grand Princess
58 Days One-Way from Sydney to Tokyo
Visits New Zealand. Also visits Australia, Fiji, Samoa
Grand Princess
95 Days Sydney, Australia Round Trip
Visits New Zealand. Also visits Australia, Fiji, Samoa
Grand Princess
Where New Zealand cruises start and end
Embarkation ports (3)
Auckland (174) (cruises from) · Dunedin (119) (cruises from) · Lyttelton (88) (cruises from)
Ships by type: 31 ocean 2 expedition · a ship that visits several places here is counted once; an expedition ship that also sails as an ocean ship appears under both types.
Plan your New Zealand cruise
New Zealand cruise port guide
Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.
New Zealand cruise port guide →More South Pacific & Australia cruises
Australia · French Polynesia · Society Islands French Polynesia · Fiji · Vanuatu · Cook Islands · New Caledonia · Papua New Guinea
Frequently asked questions about New Zealand cruises
How many places do cruises visit in New Zealand?
26 New Zealand places are visited by 32 ships from 16 cruise lines.
When is the best time to take a New Zealand cruise?
October to April is the prime cruise season. Summer (Dec–Feb) offers longer daylight and warmer weather but busier ports. Shoulder seasons (Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr) are best for wildlife, wine harvest, and fewer crowds. Fiordland rain is always possible.
Sources and further reading
Background on New Zealand draws on these references. Sailing, fare and port data come from cruise line itineraries and are refreshed regularly.
- 100% Pure New Zealand: Official Tourism Website
- CIA World Factbook: New Zealand
- Department of Conservation: Fiordland National Park
- Heritage New Zealand: Waitangi Treaty Grounds and Heritage
- Cruise Lines International Association Australasia: Cruising in New Zealand
Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard, Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise.
Published September 9, 2026 · Last updated October 31, 2026
Fares, availability and itineraries change often. Confirm current details with your cruise line or a Waterways Cruise agent before you book.
Cruise Disclosure
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 0 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 0 ships visiting 0 ports across 0 unique cruises, creating 0 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!