28 nights · Tahiti Island French Polynesia · Departs Papeete · Visiting Moorea Island, Bora Bora Island, Aitutaki Island, Nukualofa, Whangarei, Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Picton, Kaikoura, Akaroa, Timaru, Dunedin, Oban NZ, Fiordland National Park, Sydney · Aboard Seabourn Cruises on the Seabourn Quest
Image courtesy of Seabourn Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Seabourn Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Seabourn Quest |
| Duration | 28 nights |
| Port calls | 18 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $14,024 per person |
| Year built | 2011 |
| Guests | 540 |
| Cabins | 225 |
| Crew | 330 |
| Length | 198 m |
| Beam | 25 m |
| Cruising speed | 19.0 kn |
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.
Bora Bora’s volcanic silhouette rises from one of French Polynesia’s most celebrated lagoons. Mount Otemanu anchors the view, while a coral reef shelters clear water, small motu and abundant marine life. Explore by boat, snorkel among rays and reef fish, or linger on Matira Beach, the island’s best-known public beach. Beyond the resorts, Vaitape offers a glimpse of everyday island life.
Aitutaki’s vast lagoon defines the island: shallow turquoise water, coral reefs and palm-fringed motu. Arutanga’s village roads reveal a quiet, low-lying island of churches, small shops and everyday Cook Islands life. Boat trips reach motu beaches and snorkeling grounds, with One Foot Island a popular stop. Allow time to swim or kayak; the lagoon’s changing blues reward a slower pace.
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.
Whangārei, Northland’s largest city, rewards visitors with a compact centre, a lively marina and easy access to nature. Cruise ships berth at Marsden Point, about 30 kilometres away, so check transfer arrangements before setting out. At Town Basin, the Hundertwasser Art Centre brings the artist’s vivid architecture together with the Wairau Māori Art Gallery. Nearby, Whangārei Falls plunges 26.6 metres into a fern-lined gorge.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Kaikōura lies between the Pacific and the Seaward Kaikōura Range, whose peaks rise close behind town. Its offshore canyon draws sperm whales within reach of boat and air tours throughout the year. Fur seals rest along the shore, while dusky dolphins move through nearby waters. Kaikōura’s Māori name refers to eating crayfish; try the local specialty by the water, then walk the coastal path.
Akaroa sits on Banks Peninsula, where an old volcanic crater opens into a deep, sheltered harbour. French settlers arrived in 1840, and their legacy remains in street names, architecture and a distinctly European air. Take a boat trip to seek Hector’s dolphins, among the smallest marine dolphins on earth. On shore, browse galleries and cafés, then climb to a viewpoint for broad harbour and peninsula views.
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.
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.
Oban is the small harbour town on Stewart Island, New Zealand’s southernmost inhabited island. Here, the pace slows; forested hills, sheltered bays and a rugged coastline take centre stage. Rakiura National Park protects much of the island, with walking tracks leading through native bush to beaches and birdlife. The island is renowned for its kiwi, though sightings are never guaranteed. Arrive by ferry from Bluff or by flight from Invercargill, then explore on foot or by water.
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.
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.
Published September 14, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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