New Zealand Cruise from Auckland to Singapore

Cruise line	Oceania Cruises
Ship	Oceania Riviera
Duration	42 nights
Port calls	24
Departures	1 sailings
Year built	2012
Guests	1447
Cabins	629
Crew	800
Length	251 m
Beam	32 m
Cruising speed	20.0 kn

Day 1

Auckland

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.

Day 2

Tauranga

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.

Day 3

Gisborne

On New Zealand’s east coast, Gisborne rewards visitors who look beyond the shoreline. Māori heritage runs deep here, and Tūranganui-a-Kiwa is where Captain James Cook first came ashore in 1769. The city is known for Chardonnay, surf beaches and its place among the world’s first to greet the sun. Visit Tairāwhiti Museum for local stories, then follow the coast or settle in for a vineyard lunch. Gisborne feels relaxed, yet rich in character.

Day 4

Napier

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.

Day 5

Wellington

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.

Day 6

Timaru

Timaru rewards travelers who look beyond the quayside. On South Canterbury’s coast, the town pairs Caroline Bay’s wide curve with handsome streetscapes built from local volcanic bluestone. Visit the South Canterbury Museum or Aigantighe Art Gallery, then enjoy the relaxed waterfront. Beyond town, farmland and historic settlements open toward the Southern Alps and the South Island’s quieter interior.

Day 7

Dunedin

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.

Day 11

Melbourne, Australia

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.

Day 15

Sydney, Australia

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.

Day 19

Airlie Beach, Australia

Airlie Beach is the mainland gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef, on Queensland’s Coral Sea coast. Boats leave its marina for island beaches, reef snorkelling and sailing, on day trips or overnight cruises. The foreshore lagoon offers a saltwater swim and bay views; cafés and shops line the town centre. Conway National Park’s rainforest trails provide a quieter inland counterpoint.

Day 20

Cairns, Australia

Cairns puts two World Heritage landscapes within reach: the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforest. Boats leave the marina for coral reefs and islands. Inland, the scenic railway and Skyrail connect Cairns with Kuranda, a mountain village above the rainforest. The Esplanade’s waterfront lagoon offers a refreshing pause in the tropical city. Allow time for Cairns itself: its markets, cafés and relaxed waterfront reward a slower pace between excursions.

Day 21

Cooktown QLD, Australia

Cooktown sits where the Endeavour River meets the Coral Sea, beneath the hills of Cape York Peninsula. In 1770, James Cook repaired the Endeavour here after it struck the Great Barrier Reef. Climb Grassy Hill for broad river and coastline views, then visit the James Cook Museum in a former convent. Cooktown’s gold-rush past and living Guugu Yimithirr culture give this remote Queensland town its distinct character.

Day 24

Darwin, Australia

Darwin is Australia’s northern gateway, where the Timor Sea meets a city shaped by tropical heat and Asian influence. Its compact waterfront puts the harbour within easy reach. The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory offers insight into Indigenous cultures and the region’s wartime past. Beyond town, Kakadu’s wetlands and Litchfield’s waterfalls reward a longer stay. Visit in the dry season for easier travel and clear, warm days.

Day 26

Komodo Island Indonesia, Indonesia

Komodo is a rare landfall where the world’s largest lizard still lives in the wild. The island lies within Komodo National Park, a UNESCO-listed landscape of dry hills, clear bays and coral-rich waters. Ranger-guided walks offer a chance to see the dragons, while boat trips reach quiet coves and rewarding snorkeling. Expect heat and uneven trails; the island rewards those who explore at an unhurried pace.

Day 27

Benoa, Indonesia

Benoa is Bali’s principal cruise gateway, set on the island’s sheltered southeast coast. From the pier, Bali’s contrasts are close at hand: Nusa Dua’s resorts and Sanur’s seafront. Denpasar offers markets, museums, and a glimpse of daily life beyond the resort belt. Allow time for traffic; journeys inland can take longer than the map suggests. For a deeper excursion, Ubud pairs galleries and rice terraces with a lively arts scene.

Day 29

Celukan Bawang, Indonesia

Celukan Bawang opens onto Bali’s quieter north coast, far from the island’s crowded southern resorts. From this working harbour, journeys lead east to Singaraja, Bali’s former colonial capital, and the Lovina coast. The route reveals rice fields, volcanic foothills and villages where daily life still sets the pace. Visit the island’s largest Buddhist monastery at Banjar, or pause at nearby hot springs beneath tropical greenery.

Day 30

Surabaya, Indonesia

Surabaya, East Java’s provincial capital and Indonesia’s second-largest city, is a working port with a layered past. From Tanjung Perak, explore the old quarter, lively markets and broad boulevards that reveal its trading-city character. The House of Sampoerna, set in a restored Dutch-era complex, tells the story of the city’s clove-cigarette industry. For a dramatic change of scene, Mount Bromo’s volcanic landscapes make a lengthy day trip from the city.

Day 31

Semarang, Indonesia

Semarang rewards travelers who look beyond the harbor. Kota Lama’s Dutch-era warehouses and civic buildings recall the city’s trading past. The domed Gereja Blenduk anchors its historic square. Sam Poo Kong, a Chinese temple complex associated with 15th-century admiral Zheng He, reflects Java’s layered heritage. For a longer excursion, Borobudur, the celebrated Buddhist temple complex, lies about 100 kilometers inland. Make time for lumpia, Semarang’s famed spring roll.

Day 34

Saigon, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City rewards curious travellers with a vivid collision of old Saigon and modern Vietnam. French-colonial landmarks, busy markets and motorbike-filled streets make the centre a study in contrasts. The War Remnants Museum offers a sobering account of the conflict, while local cafés invite a slower pause. For a deeper look at Vietnam’s wartime history, the Cu Chi tunnels make a memorable excursion beyond the city.

Day 36

Nha Trang, Vietnam

Nha Trang is Vietnam’s celebrated seaside city, set around a sweeping bay of turquoise water and pale sand. Beyond the beach, visit the centuries-old Po Nagar Cham Towers. At Long Son Pagoda, a climb brings broad views across the city. Fresh seafood, lively markets and boat trips to nearby islands make an easy day here. Choose a swim, a bowl of noodle soup, or a quiet hour watching fishing boats cross the bay.

Day 38

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Sihanoukville is Cambodia’s principal seaport, set on the Gulf of Thailand beside a fast-changing coastal city. Its beaches, including Otres and Independence, offer a break from the busy port district. Nearby Ream National Park protects mangroves, river estuaries and coastal forest. Take a boat to offshore islands, or travel inland to Kampot for riverside scenery and colonial-era architecture.

Day 39

Laem Chabang, Thailand

Bangkok makes its first impression in motion: river boats, temple roofs and traffic threading between modern towers. At the Grand Palace, the Emerald Buddha and ceremonial halls reveal the city’s royal heritage. Nearby, Wat Pho holds the famous Reclining Buddha; a Chao Phraya boat ride offers a quieter view of old neighborhoods. Come hungry: markets and street kitchens serve fragrant curries, grilled seafood and mango with sticky rice. Allow time for heat and distance; Bangkok rewards an unhurried visit.

Day 41

Koh Samui Island Thailand, Thailand

Ko Samui rewards those who look beyond its beach resorts. Thailand’s Gulf island pairs coconut groves and fishing villages with polished dining and quiet coves. From Nathon, explore the island’s temples, including the gold-toned Big Buddha, or follow the coast to Chaweng and Lamai. Boat trips reach Ang Thong Marine Park, where limestone islands rise above clear water. Choose a driver for the day; distances and heat make leisurely exploration easier.

Day 43

Singapore, Singapore

Singapore rewards the curious with a rare mix of order, energy and invention. Within a short ride of the waterfront, explore Chinatown’s shophouses, Little India’s temples and Kampong Glam’s Malay heritage. Follow pepper crab and satay aromas into a hawker centre, where local cooks make a persuasive case for lunch. For a quieter hour, Gardens by the Bay pairs dramatic Supertrees with cool conservatories and views across Marina Bay.

New Zealand Cruise from Auckland to Singapore — 43 Days