Cruises departing from New Zealand

Where do these sailings go?

All sailings depart from Auckland, New Zealand. The majority head around the coast of Australia and New Zealand — a natural circuit that suits anyone who wants to see both countries without a long-haul flight at either end. A smaller but well-subscribed group of sailings push further, crossing the Pacific on transpacific repositioning voyages that end in destinations such as Los Angeles or Singapore. Durations run from short coastal breaks to extended voyages of several weeks, with a median around 14 nights — long enough to feel genuinely away, short enough to be practical.

Where do cruises from New Zealand go?

Close to home — New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific

The largest share of sailings cover the Australia and New Zealand region, making them ideal if you want a proper tour of both countries from a single departure port. Itineraries call at a spread of Australian and New Zealand ports, with many voyages ending in Sydney or Melbourne — both easy to fly home from, making a one-way itinerary straightforward if you’re not based in Auckland. A dedicated group of sailings focuses on New Zealand alone, exploring the country’s coastline in more depth, including calls at ports around the South Island and North Island. The port of Bluff, at the southern tip of the South Island, features on several of these itineraries.

Beyond New Zealand and Australia, sailings reach the South Pacific, Polynesia and Fiji. If you’ve been considering a Sydney to Fiji cruise and are open to starting from Auckland instead, these routes cover similar ground. South East Asia also appears, with some voyages finishing at Benoa, Bali.

The long haul — transpacific and beyond

Transpacific sailings are the standout option for travellers who want a grander journey. These voyages cross the Pacific Ocean on a one-way passage, typically ending in a port on the far side of the ocean. They suit anyone who has always wanted to do a real ocean crossing rather than a regional loop — and because they’re one-way, the return leg is simply a flight home from the disembarkation port. Our team can book that flight, along with any hotels you’d like at either end, as part of a single Cruise1st Package.

Which cruise lines sail from Auckland?

Princess Cruises leads the fleet from Auckland, with the largest number of departures of any line. Azamara follows, offering a boutique experience with longer port stays as standard. Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises both offer a luxury all-inclusive style, while Viking Cruises brings its understated Scandinavian approach to these waters. Carnival Cruise Lines rounds out the main lines with a more lively, activity-focused option — particularly well suited to families. A number of sailings also feature Celebrity Cruises.

Most fares are all-inclusive or semi-inclusive, meaning a significant portion of these sailings bundle drinks, Wi-Fi, dining and gratuities into the headline price — worth checking when you compare options, since what’s included can vary considerably between lines and fare tiers.

Ships sailing from New Zealand

Royal Princess — Princess Cruises

Royal Princess accounts for the most departures. One of its most talked-about features is the SeaWalk — an 18-metre glass-bottomed walkway that sits 40 metres above the ocean, giving you a clear view straight down to the water below. On-demand delivery via the Princess app (MedallionClass® OceanNow®) lets you order food and drinks to any spot on the ship, while Crown Grill and Sabatini’s handle specialty dining and the 24-hour International Café is there for everything in between. See the full range of Royal Princess cabins and deck plans before you choose your grade.

• Inside cabin IA — 15.4 m², sleeps 4. The most affordable way aboard, with minibar, safe and desk as standard.
• Sea-view cabin O6 — 20 m², sleeps 4. A large panoramic window gives a forward-facing view of the open ocean and fills the cabin with natural daylight.
• Deluxe Balcony cabin DA — 23.4 m², sleeps 4. A private balcony for breakfast or sundowners — the outdoor space inside and ocean-view grades don’t offer.
• Penthouse Suite S3 with aft balcony — from 54.5 m², sleeps 4. The largest cabin aboard, with significantly more living space than any mini-suite or standard cabin.

Princess offers several fare tiers from Auckland. The Princess Standard fare is the base cruise fare — the ship and its included meals and entertainment, with drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities available to add. The Princess Plus package adds 4 casual dining meals per voyage, beverages up to A$15 each (up to 15 per day), MedallionNet® Max Wi-Fi, pre-paid crew appreciation, unlimited digital photos plus 3 prints, and reserved theatre seating. Ask our team which tier suits your travel style — it’s one of the most common questions we answer. See what’s available across the full Princess Cruises 2027–2028 season.

Azamara Pursuit — Azamara Cruises

Azamara Pursuit carries just 777 guests, which makes a real difference in port — you’re not sharing a gangway with thousands of other passengers. The line’s signature approach is longer port stays: the ship regularly overnights or stays late, giving you time to genuinely explore rather than rushing back for an early departure. Every sailing includes complimentary AzAmazing Evenings, which are exclusive private cultural events ashore — a meaningful inclusion that most lines charge for or don’t offer at all. Specialty restaurants Prime C and Aqualina are included in the fare. Review the Azamara Pursuit cabins and deck plans to find the right fit.

• Inside cabin 09 — 14.7 m², sleeps 2. No window, designed for quiet and complete darkness — ideal for anyone who prioritises sleep between busy port days.
• Ocean-view cabin 04 — 13.3 m², sleeps 3. A large window with a sea view brings natural daylight directly into the cabin.
• Veranda Plus Ocean-view cabin P1 — 16.3 m², sleeps 3. A private balcony with direct access to fresh sea air and the view outside.
• Club World Owner’s Suite CW — 52 m², sleeps 3. At 52 m², this is the largest cabin on board — more than three times the size of a standard veranda cabin.

Carnival Adventure — Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Adventure is the most activity-packed ship. The EDGE Adventure Park on deck includes zip-lining, rock climbing, abseiling and a flying fox — all suspended above the ship. Families will find Camp Ocean (ages 2–11), Circle C and Club O2 teen programmes running throughout the voyage, while adults have the Serenity Retreat and Cloud 9 Spa. For dining, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi and the Blanc de Blanc Uncorked cabaret add genuine variety beyond the main restaurants. The Carnival Adventure cabins and deck plans cover everything from compact inside rooms to the flagship Presidential Suite.

• Inside cabin 4A — 15 m², sleeps 4. Includes a walk-in wardrobe and generous storage — practical for longer sailings.
• Ocean-view cabin with Porthole PT — 15 m², sleeps 4. Two round portholes let in natural light on the quieter lower decks.
• Balcony cabin 8A — 16 m², sleeps 4. A private balcony with a glass folding door giving direct access to your own outdoor space.
• Byron Beach Club Presidential Suite SB — 58 m², sleeps 4. The flagship suite — more than twice the size of a standard balcony cabin, with an expansive balcony, dressing area and deluxe bathroom.

For families or groups considering Carnival sailings from Sydney, it is worth comparing those itineraries against these Auckland departures — the ships and fare structures are similar, and the right starting port often comes down to where you’re flying from.

Celebrity Edge — Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Edge introduced the Magic Carpet — a cantilevered floating platform that travels up the side of the hull to sit 16 storeys above the waterline, serving as a bar, a restaurant and a dive platform depending on the time of day. Infinite Veranda staterooms open the entire balcony wall so the boundary between cabin and ocean air disappears, and Le Petit Chef delivers a 3D animated dinner experience that runs alongside Eden, a three-level live-performance venue. Celebrity fares from Auckland range from the base best-rate (cruise fare with no bundled extras, so you can add what you actually want) through best-value, which includes a classic drinks package and basic Wi-Fi, up to The Retreat — a full-suite tier with premium drinks, premium Wi-Fi, private dining and exclusive deck and lounge access. Before you choose your stateroom type, the Celebrity Edge cabins and deck plans show every category and its position on the ship.

Seven Seas Explorer — Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas operates an all-inclusive model across its fleet, meaning nearly everything is bundled into the headline fare. Seven Seas Explorer is the line’s flagship, designed around generous suite accommodation and immersive port experiences. If you’re comparing luxury all-inclusive options, our team can walk you through how the Regent fare stacks up against Oceania and Azamara for what’s actually covered day to day. See the Seven Seas Explorer cabins and deck plans for suite categories and sizes.

Viking Orion — Viking Cruises

Viking Orion is an all-suite, all-balcony ship — so every cabin comes with its own private outdoor space as standard, not as an upgrade. The Wintergarden, a light-filled space around the main pool area, is one of the ship’s most distinctive public spaces, and the spa includes a sauna for those who want to unwind between port days. Viking Orion cabins and deck plans show the full range of suite categories available on these sailings.

How much do cruises from New Zealand cost?

Prices start from A$646 pp* for the sailings. That figure reflects the entry-level inside cabin on the shortest available departure — useful as a reference point, though most guests find the median itinerary of around 14 nights sits at a noticeably higher price point. Discounts of up to 47% are available on some departures, though that maximum applies to a single sailing; most reduced fares are discounted by around 10% from the price previously listed for that cabin grade. All-inclusive fares — where drinks, gratuities and often Wi-Fi are bundled in — are available across most of the lines represented here, and our team can show you where the all-in price compares favourably to a base fare with extras added separately.

How to get to Auckland to board your ship

If you live in or near Auckland, boarding is as simple as getting to the cruise terminal — no flight needed at all. If you’re travelling from another part of New Zealand or from Australia, a domestic or trans-Tasman flight connects you to Auckland quickly, and Cruise1st can book that alongside your cruise as part of a single package. For transpacific sailings that end overseas — in Los Angeles or Singapore, for example — we can add a return flight home and any hotels you want at either end, so you’re not left arranging the return leg yourself.

What’s included in a New Zealand cruise fare?

It depends on the line and the fare tier you choose, and it’s worth understanding before you compare headline prices. Princess Cruises offers fare types such as Princess Standard (cruise only) and Princess Plus (which adds casual dining, drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities). Celebrity Cruises has a best-rate option for those who prefer to add their own extras, a best-value tier bundling drinks and Wi-Fi, and The Retreat for suite guests wanting a fully managed luxury experience. Regent Seven Seas includes almost everything in its standard fare. Azamara includes specialty restaurants and exclusive shore events. Carnival’s fare structure lets you add drinks and dining packages once you’ve chosen your base fare. Our team will spell out exactly what each tier covers so you can compare like with like — it is one of the things a cruise specialist genuinely saves you time on.

Make it a complete holiday

Cruise1st can build your trip as a Cruise1st Package — cruise plus flights, hotels either side, transfers and tours in a single booking. If you need a night in Auckland before departure, a return flight from Sydney, or a couple of days in Bali at the end of a transpacific voyage, we put it all together rather than leaving you to coordinate each piece separately. Our Australian cruise experts are available seven days a week if you’d rather talk it through before you book.

For other options sailing the region, you might also consider a cruise around Australia, New Zealand cruises from Sydney, New Zealand cruises from Brisbane, or a cruise from Australia to New Zealand. Christmas sailings to New Zealand are also popular — see our Christmas cruises to New Zealand page for what’s available over the festive season. Those planning a Princess cruise around Australia in 2027 or the 2026 season will find those itineraries often connect with New Zealand departures. If you’re looking at a cruise around Australia in 2027 more broadly, or Princess sailings from Melbourne, our team can compare all the options in one call. Browse the full range of cruise deals across every departure point if you’re still weighing up your options.

*Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing, and are subject to change. This price is not kept up to date and therefore does not reflect live pricing and availability. Prices and any discounts shown were checked on 14 October 2026.

Where a discount is shown, it is a reduction from the price previously listed for that cabin grade on that sailing, not a comparison between cabin grades or against a brochure rate. Discounts and prices shown are not kept up to date: the reduction available now may be smaller, or may have ended, and prices may have changed.