49 nights · Washington · Departs Seattle (USA) · Visiting Nawiliwili, Honolulu, Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Kiritimati-Christmas Island, Papeete, Moorea Island, Raiatea Island, Rarotonga Island, Vavau Islands Tonga, Nukualofa, Bay of Islands, Auckland, Wellington, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Fiordland National Park, Dunedin, Lyttelton-Christchurch, Picton, Napier, Tauranga · Aboard Holland America on the ms Westerdam
Image courtesy of Holland America ©
| Cruise line | Holland America |
|---|---|
| Ship | ms Westerdam |
| Duration | 49 nights |
| Port calls | 24 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $6,879 per person |
| Year built | 2004 |
| Guests | 2362 |
| Cabins | 984 |
| Crew | 817 |
| Length | 285 m |
| Beam | 32 m |
| Cruising speed | 22.0 kn |
Seattle welcomes you with salt air, a working waterfront and mountain views. Downtown sights include Pike Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum and historic Pioneer Square. On clear days, the Space Needle offers views of Elliott Bay, Mount Rainier and the Cascades. Make time for fresh seafood and independent shops; Seattle’s neighborhoods reveal a city shaped by water, trade and innovation.
Nawiliwili is Kauai’s working harbor, set beside Kalapaki Beach on the island’s southeast coast. Lihue, the island’s main town, is nearby, as are the Kauai Museum and the road to Wailua Falls. Begin with a stroll along Kalapaki’s curved bay, or head inland to Kilohana, a restored plantation estate. Further afield, the road to Waimea Canyon rewards an early start with sweeping views into its immense, rust-red gorge. Allow time for Kauai’s narrow, winding roads; distances can be deceptive.
Honolulu brings the Pacific to your doorstep, with Oahu’s volcanic ridges rising behind a busy harbor. From the cruise pier, historic downtown and Iolani Palace are close; Waikiki’s beaches and Diamond Head lie farther east. Set aside time for Pearl Harbor, where the USS Arizona Memorial gives the islands’ modern history unmistakable weight. Then explore Chinatown’s markets and restaurants, or take a scenic drive along Oahu’s southeastern coast.
Hilo is the Big Island’s quieter, rain-washed gateway to waterfalls, gardens and volcanic country. Start at the lively Hilo Farmers Market, then follow Banyan Drive beneath trees planted by visiting dignitaries. Nearby, Liliʻuokalani Gardens brings Japanese bridges and koi ponds to Hilo Bay. About 45 minutes southwest, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park offers crater overlooks and lava landscapes.
Kailua-Kona brings the Big Island’s history and marine life within easy reach of its sunny western shore. Ships anchor offshore, and tenders land near Ali‘i Drive, the waterfront route past Hulihe‘e Palace and Mokuaikaua Church. A short drive inland leads to coffee farms on Hualālai’s slopes. Snorkeling trips explore clear bays; after dark, guided manta-ray tours reveal Kona’s marine life.
Kiritimati, known as Christmas Island, is the world’s largest coral atoll by land area. It is also among the first inhabited places to greet each new day. Across this remote corner of Kiribati’s Line Islands, luminous lagoons meet coconut-lined villages and seabird-rich shores. Bonefish draw anglers to its flats; clear water rewards snorkellers exploring the reef. Come for extraordinary space, wild nature and an uncommon view of life in the central Pacific.
Papeete is French Polynesia’s lively capital, set on Tahiti’s northwest coast beneath green volcanic peaks. Its waterfront, central market and shaded streets offer a vivid introduction to island life. Browse the Marché de Papeete for vanilla, pareos and tropical fruit, then pause over poisson cru, Tahiti’s lime-and-coconut-marinated fish. Beyond town, black-sand beaches and waterfalls await, while ferry links make Moorea an easy day trip. Papeete rewards a few hours on foot—and a longer look at Tahiti.
Moorea’s jagged volcanic peaks rise above a lagoon so clear that the reef appears close enough to touch. A short ferry ride from Tahiti, this Society Islands destination offers a quieter, greener counterpoint to Papeete. Follow the coast past pineapple fields and small villages. Then climb to Belvedere Lookout for broad views of Cook’s and Opunohu bays. Swim, snorkel or take a lagoon cruise; Moorea rewards unhurried exploration as much as adventure.
Raiatea is French Polynesia’s sacred island, where history still shapes the landscape. At Taputapuātea, a UNESCO World Heritage site, stone marae overlook the lagoon and speak to the island’s spiritual importance. The lagoon draws sailors and snorkellers, while inland, Mount Temehani shelters the rare tiare apetahi, found nowhere else. Raiatea offers a quieter, more grounded view of the Society Islands, best explored slowly by boat or on foot.
Rarotonga is the Cook Islands’ largest island, ringed by a turquoise lagoon. Beyond the reef, a forested volcanic interior rises to Mount Te Manga. Circle the coast by bus, browse Punanga Nui Market in Avarua, or swim and snorkel from white-sand beaches. On Sundays, church services bring remarkable singing; inland, trails lead through tropical forest. Stay for the lagoon, but make time for the island’s everyday life.
Vavaʻu is Tonga at its most navigable: a sheltered archipelago of limestone islands, deep-water passages and quiet anchorages. Neiafu, the principal town, overlooks Port of Refuge, where yachts gather and cafés face the harbor. From July to October, humpback whales arrive to breed, making guided whale-watching a defining experience. Visit Swallows Cave by boat, or explore Neiafu’s market and waterfront on foot.
Nuku'alofa, Tonga’s compact capital, brings you ashore on Tongatapu, the kingdom’s largest island. Walk the waterfront to the Royal Palace, a wooden landmark still used by Tonga’s royal family. At Talamahu Market, growers sell taro, yams, coconuts and seasonal fruit beneath a lively roof. Beyond town, Tongatapu’s low coastline reveals blowholes, ancient stone monuments and villages shaped by a living Polynesian culture.
Northland’s Bay of Islands rewards a day ashore with sheltered water, Māori history and access to New Zealand’s oldest settlements. Its 144 islands scatter across a blue gulf, where ferries link Paihia with historic Russell. At Waitangi, the Treaty Grounds mark the signing of New Zealand’s founding document in 1840. Take a boat for coastal views, or stay ashore for cafés, galleries and a waterfront walk.
Few cities bring water so close to daily life as Auckland. Set between the Waitematā and Manukau harbours, New Zealand’s largest city is shaped by the sea. From the waterfront, ferries reach Waiheke Island, with vineyards, beaches and coastal walks. Climb volcanic Maungawhau, or Mount Eden, for sweeping views across the city and its harbours. Back downtown, Viaduct Harbour offers galleries, restaurants and a vivid sense of Auckland’s maritime life.
Wellington lies between a natural harbour and steep green hills, facing the Cook Strait. Explore its compact centre on foot, from the waterfront to cafés and independent shops on Cuba Street. At Te Papa, the national museum, Māori history and New Zealand’s landscapes come into view. Ride the historic cable car uphill for harbour views, then stroll through the Botanic Garden. Its famously changeable weather comes with a lively food scene and strong creative culture.
From the water, Sydney’s harbour frames the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and ferries crossing between historic quays. Beyond the waterfront, central Sydney pairs nineteenth-century buildings with contemporary architecture and leafy streets. Walk the Royal Botanic Garden for harbour views, or take a ferry to Manly for a coastal perspective. Allow time to explore The Rocks, where the city’s colonial beginnings meet galleries, cafés and a lively weekend market.
Melbourne is a city best explored with curiosity, a good appetite and comfortable walking shoes. From Station Pier, the centre is roughly six kilometres away, with tram and taxi connections into town. Explore its arcades and laneways, lined with shops, espresso bars and street art, then visit the National Gallery of Victoria. At Queen Victoria Market, browse local produce and Australian specialties; along the Yarra, find restaurants and skyline views.
Hobart gives you a rare pairing: a handsome harbour, a lively food scene and wilderness within easy reach. Founded in 1804, Tasmania’s capital sits beneath kunanyi / Mount Wellington, whose changing weather shapes the city’s skyline. Browse Salamanca Place’s sandstone warehouses, then sample local oysters, cheese and cool-climate wine along the waterfront. Beyond town, MONA offers a provocative art collection, while Bruny Island and the Tasman Peninsula reward a longer excursion.
Fiordland is not a town but a vast wilderness on New Zealand’s southwest coast, best approached by sea. Steep-sided peaks rise above deep, glacier-carved sounds, where waterfalls spill through rainforest after rain. Milford Sound is the best-known landmark, while Doubtful Sound offers a quieter passage into the park. Watch for dolphins and seals, and, in season, Fiordland crested penguins. Short walks ashore reveal the scale of this remarkable landscape.
Your ship docks at Port Chalmers, a compact harbour town about 13 kilometres from Dunedin. Dunedin reflects Scottish roots and gold-rush prosperity. Granite and sandstone buildings frame the centre; its ornate railway station is a standout. The Otago Peninsula offers chances to see royal albatross, penguins and fur seals. Visit a wildlife centre, or follow the peninsula road to Larnach Castle and harbour viewpoints. It is a rewarding port for architecture, wildlife and coastal views.
Lyttelton is Christchurch’s historic harbour, tucked beneath the volcanic hills of Banks Peninsula. Explore its compact centre, where seafaring heritage meets hillside streets and a lively arts scene. A short drive through the Lyttelton Road Tunnel connects the port with Christchurch. Choose the city’s gardens and museums, or venture farther across Banks Peninsula for coastal bays, wildlife and walking tracks.
Picton is the gateway to the Marlborough Sounds, where forested hills descend into sheltered waterways. From the harbour, ferries cross Cook Strait, while boat tours reach coves inaccessible by road. Ashore, stroll the waterfront promenade or visit the Edwin Fox Maritime Museum. Its namesake vessel is one of the world’s oldest surviving merchant ships. Marlborough’s celebrated vineyards lie inland, offering an easy excursion for a tasting in New Zealand’s largest wine region.
Wellington lies between a natural harbour and steep green hills, facing the Cook Strait. Explore its compact centre on foot, from the waterfront to cafés and independent shops on Cuba Street. At Te Papa, the national museum, Māori history and New Zealand’s landscapes come into view. Ride the historic cable car uphill for harbour views, then stroll through the Botanic Garden. Its famously changeable weather comes with a lively food scene and strong creative culture.
Napier rewards a closer look: a compact coastal city with one of the world’s finest concentrations of Art Deco architecture. Rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake, its streets preserve the optimism and clean lines of the 1930s. Walk Marine Parade for sea views, gardens and the National Aquarium, then head inland to Hawke’s Bay’s celebrated vineyards. For a dramatic change of scene, Cape Kidnappers’ gannet colony lies beyond the city, reached by guided tour.
Tauranga opens onto the Bay of Plenty, where a working harbour meets long beaches and a distinctly easy pace. At Mount Maunganui, climb Mauao’s well-marked paths for sweeping views across the coast and harbour. In Tauranga, discover Māori and maritime stories, or browse cafés along the waterfront. Rotorua’s geysers, hot pools and Māori cultural experiences make a rewarding inland excursion, about an hour away by road.
Few cities bring water so close to daily life as Auckland. Set between the Waitematā and Manukau harbours, New Zealand’s largest city is shaped by the sea. From the waterfront, ferries reach Waiheke Island, with vineyards, beaches and coastal walks. Climb volcanic Maungawhau, or Mount Eden, for sweeping views across the city and its harbours. Back downtown, Viaduct Harbour offers galleries, restaurants and a vivid sense of Auckland’s maritime life.
Published August 14, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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 41 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 585 ships visiting 1,731 ports across 7,194 unique cruises, creating 13,822 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!
