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New Zealand - Aotearoa - The Natural Elements

The New Zealand - Aotearoa small ship cruise explores the coastline between Milford Sound and Auckland over 13 days. The pristine landscapes and stunning natural features of the Land of the Long White Cloud are timeless attractions. Spouting geysers, bubbling thermal pools, fjords, glaciers, snow-capped mountains, rivers and sweeping stretches of white sandy beaches enshrine the country’s natural heritage, forever protected in 14 national parks.

New Zealand’s spectacular landscapes, lush forests, amazing wildlife and pleasant climate make it a haven for many outdoor activities, and a great place to unwind. Its society is diverse, sophisticated and multicultural. The honesty, friendliness and openness of Kiwis will impress you, as the Maori people (Pacific Islanders) are happy to share their living culture with like-minded visitors. The great advantage of New Zealand is that all of its diverse physical, cultural and artistic landscapes are so close to each other. New Zealand is a country that will welcome you gladly!

Day 1 - Queenstown & Milford Sound

This morning join a chartered coach in Queenstown for the scenic drive along the shores of beautiful Lake Te Anau before entering World Heritage-listed Fiordland National Park. Enjoy breathtaking alpine scenery and pass through the remarkable 1,200 metre Homer Tunnel before emerging to unforgettable views of Milford Sound’s Mitre Peak. After boarding Oceanic Discoverer, depart Milford Sound at 2:00pm and enjoy your first experience of the spectacular deep Fiordland waterways. This evening enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Drinks while absorbing Milford Sound’s natural beauty before the first of many delicious dinners.

Accommodations: Oceanic Discoverer
Included Meals: lunch and dinner

Day 2 - Doubtful Sound

Awaken this morning to the magnificent scenery of Doubtful Sound. The deepest of the sounds, Doubtful was named by Captain Cook in 1770 and is often described as Fiordland’s most spectacular waterway. Aboard Xplorer and the Zodiacs join informative guest lecturers on guided excursions through the maze of cliffs and waterways. Keep an eye out for penguins, seals and a myriad of marine and bird life as you explore what is considered to be the most strikingly beautiful of the national park's fiords.

Accommodations: Oceanic Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Dusky Sound

Join the expedition crew on an exploratory cruise through rarely visited Dusky Sound, among an array of islands, marine and bird life. Land at historic Astronomer’s Point, where Captain Cook anchored his ship Resolution using a tree as a gangway, a tree that still exists today. Rejoin Oceanic Discoverer to cruise the spectacular passages through the fiord before a further expedition around the coastline of Pidgeon Island and Facile Harbor where you are sure to encounter New Zealand fur seals, penguins, dolphins and other wildlife.

Accommodations: Oceanic Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Stewart Island

Discover the natural delights and scenic beauty of Stewart Island, a large island that is almost totally wilderness and home to a vast number of seals, birds and other wildlife. Landing ashore at Paterson Inlet, join a guided walk to encounter native birds such as the Weka, Tui, Bellbird, Kaka and New Zealand’s iconic national bird, the kiwi. Unlike other species of kiwis, the Stewart Island kiwi is active both during the day and night and is often seen foraging on the beach for sandhoppers and other insects.

Accommodations: Oceanic Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Discover Dunedin

The Otago Harbour welcomes you as the Oceanic Discoverer cruises past the world’s largest mainland albatross colony at Tairoa Heads, also home to the world rarest penguin, the yellowed-eyed penguin. Of Scottish heritage, Dunedin offers a great diversity of experiences from abundant wildlife to the historic Edwardian and Victorian architecture, the Otakou Maori Marae, the famous Speights Brewery, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Settlers Museum and New Zealand’s oldest botanical gardens. A full day in port provides you the option to explore areas of interest at your leisure.

Accommodations: Oceanic Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Gallic Akaroa

This morning cruise into secluded Akaroa Harbor, a very scenic village nestled in the heart of an active volcano. Stroll through the village, discovering its French history, cosy cafes and excellent craft stores. Enjoy optional shore excursions, perhaps swimming with one of the smallest and rarest dolphins – the Hector’s or New Zealand dolphin (additional expense).

Accommodations: Oceanic Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Kaikoura Whalewatching

The scenic coastal town of Kaikoura is renowned as possibly the world’s best destination for whale watching and one of the few places in the world where it is possible to view the giant sperm whale in its natural environment. Join a special cruise to discover these majestic mammals along with fur seals, dolphins and other migratory whales, an experience never to be forgotten. Enjoy time for a stroll around the pretty coastal town before reboarding Oceanic Discoverer.

Accommodations: Oceanic Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Marlborough Sounds

Your arrival to the dark green hills and blue-green waters of the Sounds is highlighted with a cruise through the scenic Tory Channel. Spend the day exploring an array of spectacular waterways including the fiord-like Queen Charlotte Sound. Retracing the history of Captain Cook, visit Ships Cove, a regular stop for Captain Cook on his voyage of discovery and the place where he careened the Endeavor. The day offers a multitude of explorations aboard Xplorer and inflatable Zodiacs under the guidance of your Expedition Leader and with interpretation from experienced guest lecturers. We offer guided visits to Moturoa Island where it’s possible to view a variety of New Zealand’s iconic native birdlife.

Accommodations: Oceanic Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - Coastal Cruise

A day of leisure at sea. Take in the scenic coast, read or join informative presentations from qualified guest lecturers detailing the early settlers and Maori culture in preparation of your visit to a small Maori Marae and Gisborne the location of the first European landing.

Accommodations: Oceanic Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 10 - Art Deco Napier

In 1931 Napier was all but destroyed by an earthquake measuring some 7.9 on the Richter Scale. The city’s rebuild followed the flourishing art deco trend in America and Europe of that time, and as such, Napier features a wonderful heritage of art deco architecture. Explore the sights of the city. Perhaps stroll Marine Parade, the city’s delightful seaside boulevard which retains its air of an old-fashioned English seaside resort, complete with a pebble beach.

Accommodations: Oceanic Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11 - Gisborne & Maori Culture

This morning arrive in historic Gisborne, the first European landing place in New Zealand. Captain Cook first arrived here in 1769 and a European settlement was established in 1831. Your exploration begins with a visit to a small Marae for an exclusive Maori cultural experience including a traditional welcome, guided tour and Kapa Haka cultural show. This afternoon explore Gisborne at your own pace, with the opportunity to discover the historic city at your leisure or join an optional guided tour exploring the city’s beautiful gardens and renowned vineyards.

Accommodations: Oceanic Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 12 - White Island Volcano

Following breakfast, embark on an excursion to explore the active White Island volcano, identifiable by the plume of steam continually spouting from its crater. Traveling ashore aboard Xplorer and a fleet of Zodiacs, join the expedition staff on a guided walk to the crater, which resembles a moonscape. Enjoy the rare opportunity to view the heart of an active volcano and see a build up of gas and steam escaping from the earth. This evening, enjoy the Captain’s farewell cocktails as you make our way to Auckland while reminiscing about this wonderful one-in-a-lifetime journey.

Accommodations: Oceanic Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 13 - Disembark Auckland

Your arrival into Auckland, the City of Sails, signals the end of your voyage of discovery in New Zealand. Farewell your travelling companions, the Captain and his crew before disembarkation at 8:00am.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

Reverse Itinerary:
Day 1 - Embark Auckland
Day 2 - White Island Volcano
Day 3 - Gisborne
Day 4 - Napier
Days 5 & 6 - Marlborough Sounds
Day 7 - Kaikoura
Day 8 - Akaroa
Day 9 - Dunedin
Day 10 - Stewart Island
Day 11 - Dusky Sound
Day 12 - Doubtful Sound
Day 13 - Milford Sound & Queenstown

Itinerary Notes: Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, National Park regulation or at the captain's discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of small ship cruising unique.

Included: Accommodations as booked, cruise transportation, all meals onboard, morning and afternoon teas, 24-hour tea/coffee and soft drinks, captain's welcome and farewell cocktails, 24-hour room service, entertainment and educational programs, access to islands, marine and national parks, use of all onboard facilities, including a comprehensive range of library and video resources, use of snorkeling equipment such as masks, fins, flotation vests and wetsuits plus a free scuba skills lesson, port taxes and government charges, one-way scheduled coach transfer between Queenstown and Milford Sound or vice versa.

Exclusions: Pre and post flights, transfers and hotels; travel insurance; personal items such as communications and bar charges; optional shore excursions. Tipping is note required and is completely optional.

Families & Children: Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Coral Princess Cruises does not provide services of entertainment, supervision or care of children. This New Zealand itinerary is quite adventurous and therefore children aged above 12 years of age will enjoy the experience the most. For families of three onboard Oceanic Discoverer, the third person (child only) can be accommodated on the settee as there are not Pullman bunks in any staterooms. This is applicable in a Main Deck A or Main Deck B stateroom only.

Arrival & Departure: The New Zealand - Aotearoa 13-day cruise begins in and ends in either Auckland or Queenstown/Milford Sound. Boarding commences at 4:00pm in Auckland for a 5:00pm departure; you will need to organize a taxi or hotel transfer to the dock. For the Milford Sound departures, join the chartered coach in Queenstown at approximately 7:00am for the scenic drive to Milford Sound and board Oceanic Discoverer in Milford Sound at 2:00pm for a 3:00pm departure. In Auckland, Oceanic Discoverer departs from either Princes Wharf or Queens Wharf; notification will be provided of the exact wharf on guest documentation. Oceanic Discoverer departs from the Milford Sound Wharf in Milford Sound. A complimentary coach transfer from Queenstown to Milford Sound is available on departure day for the itinerary departing from Milford Sound. Disembarkation is after breakfast on final day at 8:00am. Please schedule flights accordingly.

Payment & Cancellation: Prices for the New Zealand - Aotearoa Cruise aboard the Oceanic Discoverer are in Australian dollars. We will accept payment in U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate the day you make your payment. For today's exchange rate visit USD to AUD. To secure your reservation, a deposit of 10% of the fare is required at the time of booking. A Reservation Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. A $200 per person fee may be charged by Coral Princess Cruises for any amendments not requiring a date change after booking is confirmed. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following per-person fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 60 days - forfeit your deposit
30 to 59 days - forfeit 50% of the fare
1 to 29 days - forfeit 100% of the fare

Terms & Conditions: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance. Please note that you must purchase your travel insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.



Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life. Any medical condition, advanced pregnancy or disability must be advised to AdventureSmith Explorations when a request for accommodation is made. Guests should be sure to bring onboard sufficient supplies of any prescription medication they may require.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

800-728-2875 | 530-583-1775 | fax 530-583-1711 | travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com