New Zealand is blessed with stunning natural beauty – rolling pasture land, pristine trout-filled lakes, raging rivers, active volcanic zones and exotic beaches. Whether you are looking for scenic beauty, learning about Maori culture or interacting with endangered wildlife, cruises in New Zealand offers varied experiences. Cruising in New Zealand is the ultimate way to explore the spectacular beauty of the place that this astonishing country has to offer.
7 Best Cruises In New Zealand
We have compiled a list of 5 well-known cruises in New Zealand including handy information regarding their starting price, route and time duration.
1. Milford Sound Flight and Cruise
The half-day Milford sound flight and cruise will take you from Queenstown to the soaring cliffs, glacial waters and the thundering waterfalls of Milford Sound. Enjoy the thrilling aerial views of the Fiordland National Park. You will be filled with astonishment on a scenic Milford sound cruise which happens to be the best cruises in New Zealand. The view of Mitre Peak, Mount Pembroke and Bowen Falls will steal your heart away. Get ready to set sail on a cruise around the UNESCO-listed Milford Sound.
Route: Starts from Queenstown to Milford Sound and back to Queenstown.
Time Duration: 4 hours
Timings: Daily (Choice of morning or afternoon departure)
Price: Starting from INR 26,850
Must Read: New Zealand In December Is Too Much Fun. Pick Your Reasons And Plan A Trip Now!
New Zealand Honeymoon Packages On TravelTriangle
Get the best of luxury and beauty on your honeymoon. Witness the magnificent New Zealand landscapes with your beloved or engage in thrilling adventure sports – rafting, bungee jumping, jet boating, and sky diving. Book memorable honeymoon packages offered by TravelTriangle.
2. Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
Doubtful Sound is one of the best cruises in New Zealand for an unmatched and unforgettable experience. Get ready to create some memories for a lifetime as you sail across the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand in the ‘Fiordland Navigator,’ which is a three-mast motorized boat designed on a traditional scow. It will be one of a kind experience where you will spend a night in a comfortable cabin enjoying the fresh buffet. You will also be provided with an on-board guide ensuring you don’t miss on any important information.
Route: Starts from Manapouri and sails across Lake Manapouri, Wilmot Pass, Deep Cover, sheltered cove (adventure activity) and back to Manapouri. (You can also choose Queenstown or Te Anau as your departure point)
Time Duration: 2 days (approx)
Price: Starting from INR 23,100
Suggested Read: New Zealand In October: Fall In Love With The Colours Of Spring
3. Milford Sound Sightseeing Cruise
Milford Sound Sightseeing Cruise is a spectacular cruise operating in the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park area. It is the best way to experience the beauty of this pristine scenic destination. You will get to see the dolphins and seals in their natural environment and also will be able to spot bottlenose dolphins and penguins. This short cruise will definitely be on of the memorable experience on your trip to New Zealand.
Route: Starts from Milford Wharf and sails past snow-capped Mitre Peak and waterfalls and back to the starting point.
Time Duration: 2 hours
Timings: Daily
Price: Starting from INR 2,250
Suggested Read: New Zealand Visa For Indians: Documents Required And More Information
4. Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise
Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise is one of the amazing boat cruises in New Zealand which will take you to the past waterfronts highlights including the Ferry Building, Auckland Harbour Bridge and the iconic Sky Tower — New Zealand’s tallest building. After a wonderful sightseeing tour, take a seat and be ready for a three-course dinner served below deck and immerse yourself in the spectacular scenery as the sun sets in.
Route: Starts from Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour and sail across the waters of Waitemata Harbour, boat sets anchor in Westhaven Marina for dinner and back to Viaduct Harbour.
Time Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Timings: Daily
Price: Starting from INR 6,900
Suggested Read: 14 Scrumptious New Zealand Cuisine One Must Devour On Their Trip
5. Bay Of Islands Cruise
Bay of Island cruises originating from New Zealand, takes you to the popular ‘Hole in the Rock’ in New Zealand’s Northland by high-speed catamaran. You will get to see dolphins as well as other marine and birdlife as you pass through an array of islands. Learn about the history of the islands, especially the early European settlers as you cruise through the inner Islands of the Bay by an experienced guide.
Route: Starts from Bay of Islands, Russell and sails through Motu Kokako, also known as Piercy Island and an array of islands and back to the starting point.
Time Duration: 3 hours
Timings: Daily
Price: Starting from INR 5,700
Suggested Read: 8 Places Near Christchurch For An Extravagant Holiday In New Zealand
6. Lake Wakatipu Evening Cruise
Board the well-known TSS “Earnslaw, for an evening cruise on Queenstown’s beautiful lake Wakatipu. The vintage steamship lake cruise will arrive at Walter Peak High Country Farm. You will get to enjoy Barbecue dinner along with mouth-watering homemade desserts, and a New Zealand cheeseboard. After dinner, relax with a drink available for purchase at the bar before heading back to Queenstown.
Route: Starts from Queenstown to Walter Peak High Country Farm and back to Queenstown.
Time Duration: 4 hours
Timings: Daily (Apart from few national holidays)
Price: Starting from INR 6,900
Suggested Read: Food Festivals In New Zealand: To Indulge In The Country’s Most Exclusive Delicacies
7. Maori Rock Carving Cruise
Maori Rock Carving Cruise is among the cheap cruises in New Zealand. You will get to cruise around the scenic bays of Lake Taupo. On this boat tour, you will be provided informative commentary about the volcanology, ecology and cultural history of the area. See the beautiful Maori rock carvings portraying the local tribe’s legends and create awesome memories on this amazing cruise which takes you to some of the gorgeous places.
Route: Starts from Lake Taupo Boat Harbor and sails across snowy mountain tops, Maori rock cravings, picturesque shores and back to Taupo boat harbor
Time Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Timings: Daily (Choice of morning or afternoon departure)
Price: Starting from INR 2,200
Further Read: Snorkeling In New Zealand: 6 Best Places To Swim Through Ultimate Joy!
Try something unique this time and explore and have the best experience trying out the above-mentioned cruises in New Zealand. Include them in your customized trip right away so that you don’t miss out. Have a blast on your New Zealand Vacations with your family and friends and create beautiful memories.
Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.
Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cruises In New Zealand
Which cruise liners go to New Zealand?
Seabourn, P&O, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Silversea, and many cruise liners go to New Zealand. You can choose from packages that have large as well as short expeditions.
What are the best seasons to cruise in New Zealand?
You can cruise in December, January, February, April, and October. You can take shore excursions in these months and visit scenic and adventure places for sightseeing. Cruises in New Zealand also can be enjoyed at affordable prices during this time.
What is the best overnight cruise to take in New Zealand?
Doubtful Sound is one of the best overnight cruises you can take in New Zealand. It sails through the most beautiful landscapes and offers many facilities providing a comfortable cruise for all.
What are some New Zealand cruise trips to follow?
You can choose many options for exploring places within the cruising destinations when you land. You can rent a car or choose self-driving options. Cruise liners arrange for tour groups sightseeing packages that you can opt from.
What is special about the Bay Of Island cruise in New Zealand?
Bay Of Island Cruise is one of the most scenic and high speed Catamaran Cruise you can take in New Zealand and get a view of the Dolphins, birds, and marine life as you cruise.
What is the best scenic cruise you can take in New Zealand?
Milford Sound is a popular scenic cruise you can take in New Zealand. New Zealand is known for its scenic cruises around the world.
What are the best cruise deals you can take in South Island New Zealand?
The best deals you can take for a South Island cruise is a 10 days cruise. They cover the most scenic places that have panoramic views, nature and wildlife parks, adventure places, outdoor activities, and many places that have spectacular vistas.
What clothes to pack for New Zealand cruises?
You can pack a lot of casual clothing for these cruises as there is no dress code. You can pack clothes according to the weather when you choose any of these cruises. Pack clothes for at least two seasons that suit the changeable weather.
Looking To Book An International Honeymoon?
Book memorable honeymoon on TravelTriangle with 650+ verified travel agents for 65+ domestic and international destinations.
People Also Read
Cruises In New York Cruises In Spain Cruises In Santorini
Nishi, a travel enthusiast who loves exploring places and sharing the true experiences with the future travelers.
