Price: Starting from $10,990 per person double occupancy, $13,490 single occupancy
Co-sponsored with: American Horticultural Society, Cornell's Adult University, the Commonwealth Club of California, Williams Alumni Travel Study, and Yale Alumni University
Trip Overview
Experience New Zealand during one of its best seasons. Late summer to early autumn brings warm weather, clear skies, and a relaxed pace that makes exploring easy. The program begins with an overnight stay in Queenstown, where mountain landscapes and a strong outdoor culture set the tone for the days ahead.
From there, board the Kiwi owned and operated Heritage Adventurer for a nine-night voyage from Fiordland National Park to Auckland. The ship’s design and full Zodiac fleet provide access to remote shorelines, wildlife habitats, and sheltered waterways across the North, South, and Stewart Islands.
Throughout the cruise, travelers can choose from a variety of excursions that emphasize New Zealand’s defining features. Options include visiting glacial fiords, observing geothermal activity, learning about Māori heritage, and walking through native forests home to rare bird species. The program is supported by expert study leaders who offer lectures and informal discussions that add context to the landscapes and communities encountered along the way.
Optional extensions in Queenstown and in Auckland with the Bay of Islands are available for those who wish to continue exploring.
Schedule by Day
Click each drop-down below to view a detailed itinerary. For a full view, please select "print page".
Pricing
More information on the cabin categories can be found on the ship webpage here.
Cabin Category | Double Occupancy | Single Occupancy |
|---|---|---|
Category 1, Deck 3 Standard Cabin | $10,990 per person | $13,490 |
Category 2, Deck 4 Superior Cabin | $12,990 per person | $15,490 |
Category 3, Deck 5 Superior Cabin | $13,990 per person | $16,490 |
Category 4, Deck 6 Superior Cabin | $14,990 per person | Inquire |
Category 5, Deck 6 Heritage Suite | $19,990 per person | Inquire |
To reserve a space on this program, a $2,000 deposit is required per person. Final payment is due 120 days before departure (October 28, 2026). Participants will receive an invoice directly from the tour operator, Criterion Travel for all subsequent payments after the initial deposit.
Notification of cancellation must be received in writing by HAA from the participant. Cancellations received within 14 days of booking are eligible for a full refund, provided that initial deposits were made 121 days or more prior to departure. After 14 days, $1,000 per person becomes non-refundable.
The program terms and conditions can be found here and must be acknowledged upon registration.
Accommodations
- One night at the Millenium Hotel Queenstown
- Ten nights aboard the Heritage Adventurer
Optional Pre-Tour Extension: Queenstown
February 25 - 27, 2027
Fly into Queenstown two days early for the opportunity to explore the dramatic landscapes of Central Otago. Experience Queenstown’s Gardens and take in the views from atop Bob’s Peak on a guided tour of town, visit a winery for a behind-the-scenes tour and wine tasting from the world’s southernmost winemaking region, and experience a jet boat ride through a national park before the main program commences.
Overnight: Novotel Queenstown Lakeside Hotel (2 nights)
Meals: 2B, 2L, R
- Rates to be announced
Optional Post-Tour Extension: Bay of Islands
March 10 - 12, 2027
Embark on a scenic drive north from Auckland, with stops at Omaio Garden and the Hundertwasser Art Centre. Arrive in the charming coastal town of Paihia, your home for two nights. Explore the beautiful Bay of Islands on a scenic boat cruise and enjoy a private tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, a site of significant historical and cultural importance.
Overnight: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (2 nights)
Meals: 2B, 2L, D
- Rates to be announced
The opportunity to register for the extension will be provided directly from the tour operator following the participants confirmation on the program
What to Expect
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.
