Trip Overview
Discover the best of Aotearoa/New Zealand exploring its three main islands (the North Island, South Island, and Stewart Island) on this unforgettable 14-day New Zealand cruise. Trade the fall in the U.S. for springtime in New Zealand—with plenty of time to return to home for Thanksgiving. Begin with one night in Queenstown, the country’s adventure capital, followed by 10 nights cruising from Fiordland National Park to Auckland, a diverse menu of excursion options offers travelers generous access to the island nation’s dramatic glacial fiords, geothermal wonders, cultural richness, and untamed wilderness.
Schedule by Day
Overnight flight to Auckland, NZ (lose one day enroute crossing int’l date line; recover on return)
Arrive Queenstown and transfer to Novotel Queenstown Lakeside Hotel ideally situated in the heart of Queenstown; optional afternoon orientation tour of Queenstown including a gondola ride to the top of Bob’s Peak for views over the town. Gather for evening welcome orientation & casual reception to meet fellow travelers.
Overnight: Novotel Queenstown Lakeside Hotel
Meals: R
Free morning in Queenstown for individual pursuits with lunch on own. Mid-day depart by motorcoach for the 3.5-hour drive to Bluff to embark Heritage Adventurer.
Overnight: Heritage Adventurer
Meals: B, D
Morning at sea with time for lectures; afternoon in Milford Sound, cruising the iconic fiord in the shadow of Mitre Peak. Captain’s welcome reception and dinner.
Overnight: Heritage Adventurer
Meals: B, L, D
Full day exploring by Zodiac and on foot, New Zealand’s wildest, most remote region: Fiordland National Park.
Overnight: Heritage Adventurer
Meals: B, L, D
Zodiac ashore to seldom-visited Stewart/Ulva Islands, an ornithologists’ delight. Bush walks are led by local naturalist guides. Optional ocean fishing excursion available at extra cost.
Overnight: Heritage Adventurer
Meals: B, L, D
Choose to view Royal Albatrosses in their natural habitats at Taiaroa Head OR a ride the rails through spectacular Taieri River Gorge on a vintage train from Dunedin’s grand Edwardian Railway Station.
Overnight: Heritage Adventurer
Meals: B, L, D
Anchor in Akaroa and choose between two tours: 1) Guided walking tour of seaside village of Akaroa and visit to Banks Peninsula with private nature tour of Pohatu, the largest Australasian Little Penguin colony on mainland New Zealand; or 2) Travel to Christchurch for an overview of the city’s revived central district, tour of Cardboard Cathedral, and visit to nearby Canterbury Museum and Art Gallery.
Overnight: Heritage Adventurer
Meals: B, L, D
Zodiac deployment to visit Ship Cove and choose from different hike options on New Zealand’s famed Queen Charlotte Track, scouting for rare native birds. Arrive Wellington early evening. Optional post-dinner evening Twilight Tour at Zealandia in search of nocturnal species (added cost) or check out the nightlife in New Zealand’s capital city.
Overnight: Heritage Adventurer
Meals: B, L, D
Guided walking tours of Wellington of varying length and focus with possible stops including the botanic gardens, St. Paul’s Church, and the renowned Te Papa Tongarewa National Museum. Free time this afternoon in town for individual pursuits.
Overnight: Heritage Adventurer
Meals: B, L, D
Relax on board, continue the educational program, and take advantage of the ship’s many amenities.
Overnight: Heritage Adventurer
Meals: B, L, D
Disembark in Tauranga and drive to Rotorua, rich heartland of Maori culture. Meet tribal leaders, see the bubbling mud pools, and enjoy a traditional hangi lunch. Captain’s Farewell reception and dinner on board this evening.
Overnight: Heritage Adventurer
Meals: B, L, D
Disembark in Auckland and transfer to the airport for flights home or extend your stay in Auckland.
Meals: B
Pricing
| Category | Double Occupancy (Per Person) | Single Occupancy |
| Category A, Standard Cabin Deck 3 | $9,990 | $12,490 |
| Category B, Superior Cabin Deck 4 | $11,990 | $14,490 |
| Category C, Superior Cabin Deck 5 | $12,990 | $15,490 |
| Category D, Superior Cabin Deck 6 | $13,990 | N/A |
| Category E, Heritage Suite Deck 6 | $18,990 | N/A |
Accommodations
- One night at the Novotel Queenstown Lakeside Hotel
- Ten nights aboard the Heritage Adventurer
Extensions
Optional pre-trip extension to Queenstown, November 9 - 13, 2024
$1,590 per person double occupancy / $2,230 single occupancy
Fly into Queenstown two days early for the opportunity to journey through the dramatic Lord of the Rings landscapes of Central Otago. Visit a winery for a behind-the-scenes tour and tasting from the world's southernmost winemaking region, take a jet boat ride through a national park, and enjoy free time to explore in Queenstown.
Optional post-trip extension to the Bay of Islands, November 24 - 26, 2024
$1,590 per person double occupancy / $2,090 single occupancy
Embark on a scenic drive north from Auckland, with a stop at the Hundertwasser Art Centre, before arriving in the charming coastal town of Paihia, your base for two nights. Explore the enchanting Bay of Islands on a picturesque boat cruise and enjoy a private tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, a place of great historical and cultural significance.
Shore excursions range from a half-day to all day, with the balance of the time spent onboard cruising to the next destination. Many days will begin with a lecture from one of our study leaders, or we may hold a lecture at the end of an afternoon of touring, prior to dinner. Travel on land will be by air-conditioned motorcoaches, with most drives no more than an hour each way. There is one longer bus ride of about three and a half hours when traveling from Queenstown to Bluff to embark the ship, with a stop en route. During the cruise there will be excursions by Zodiacs, which require the ability to step from the ship to the Zodiac and back again in open water (the ship’s crew will be there to assist you). Walking tours can be as long as two hours, covering one to two miles, and will range from walks in town to a few nature walks over uneven, sometimes muddy trails with inclines and declines. In many locations, you will be able to choose between a shorter or a longer, more strenuous option.
This promises to be a memorable journey, but as with all travel, a flexible attitude, a spirit of adventure, and a willingness to explore new areas will enhance your enjoyment of this program. You do not have to participate in all scheduled activities, except when traveling to the next destination. We are sure you will be pleased with the exciting educational program provided, but we want you to be aware of the pace and activity level.
