New Zealand

Day 1 Auckland, New Zealand – Embark

Boarding at 4:00pm, depart the "City of Sails" at 5:00pm and enjoy the view of the city and Hauraki Gulf as you begin your 13 day New Zealand expedition cruise. Spend the late afternoon cruising through the beautiful Hauraki Gulf and amongst its many islands before joining the Captain and his crew at the Captain's Welcome Cocktails. Then, enjoy the first of many delicious dinners aboard Oceanic Discoverer.

Day 2 White Island

Following breakfast, subject to weather, embark on an excursion to explore this active volcano, identifiable by the plume of steam continually spouting from its crater. Following a landing with the "Xplorer" spend approx three hours on a guided walk to the crater returning to Oceanic Discoverer for lunch before cruising southwards along the coast to Whangara, a small Maori settlement made famous following the filming of the movie Whale Rider.

Day 3 Gisborne

This morning, subject to weather, land on Whangara Beach for your exclusive Maori cultural experience including a traditional welcome, Kapa Haka cultural show and tour of the Marae by the elder of the Ngati Konohi people.

Following your visit cruise to Gisborne, the first European landing place in New Zealand. Captain Cook first landed here in 1769 and a European settlement was established in 1831. Today enjoy the opportunity to explore the region. Whether your interest is the history, the renowned wines and vineyards, short or long walks or beautiful gardens, this region offers you a multitude of guided or self-discovery options.

Day 4 Napier

An earthquake in 1931 led to the unique rebuilding of this city. The rebuild followed the flourishing art deco trend in America and Europe at that time, and offers a wonderful heritage of art deco architecture. Spend the morning enjoying the sights of the city or embark on an optional adventure tour to Cape Kidnappers Gannet Sanctuary, the world's largest mainland gannet colony.

Days 5-6 Marlborough Sounds

Spend two days 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 his vessel the Endeavour. The days offer a multitude of explorations aboard the Xplorer and inflatable Zodiacs under the guidance of your Expedition Leader and with interpretation from your experienced Guest Lecturers. Subject to timing you have the option to spend time ashore in Picton. Guided visits to Moturoa Island are offered where you will enjoy an abundance of bird life. Bid farewell to the dark green hills and blue-green waters of the Sounds with an evening cruise through the scenic Tory Channel as we continue the journey southwards.

Day 7 Kaikoura

Today is dedicated to the ultimate marine experience of whale watching with the spectacular backdrop of the Kaikoura coastline. Kaikoura is one of the few places in the world to experience the giant sperm whale in its natural environment. Joined by dusky dolphins, seabirds, fur seals and other migratory whale species this promises to be an experience never forgotten.

Day 8 Akaroa

This morning cruise to the secluded Akaroa Harbor. This picturesque' bay hosts a myriad of wildlife including penguins and dolphins. For a special nature experience, you have the opportunity to swim with one of the smallest and rarest dolphins - the Hector's or New Zealand Dolphin. The town originally settled by the French in the early 19th century, retains its Gallic heritage and ambiance.

Day 9 Dunedin

The Otago Harbour welcomes you as your ship cruises past the world's largest mainland albatross colony at Tairoa Heads. It is also home of the world rarest penguin, the Yellowed Eyed Penguin. Of Scottish heritage, Dunedin offers a great diversity of experiences from the 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. Spend a full day in port providing you the option explore areas of interest at your leisure.

Day 10 Stewart Island

Cruise to Stewart Island, a large island that is almost totally wilderness and home to a vast number of seals, birds and other wildlife. Here spend a day of discovery and exploration through the Paterson Inlet and surrounding areas. Either encounter includes guided "Xplorer" and/or Zodiac excursions to maximize the experience to it fullest. Walks ashore under the guidance of your experienced naturalists encounter native birds such as the Weka, Tui, Bellbird, Kaka, Karikari and more.

Day 11 Dusky Fiord

Your first experience of the deep Fiordland waterways begins as you enter Dusky fiord. Spend the day in awe of the spectacular and dramatic natural wilderness while cruising past the sheer cliffs and tumbling waterfalls of this beautiful landscape. Enjoy the view from the Oceanic Discoverer or choose to explore the inlets on the "Xplorer" or Zodiacs. Rejoin Oceanic Discoverer and head north to Doubtful fiord to anchor for the evening.

Day 12 Doubtful Sound

Another day awakens to the magnificent scenery of Fiordland. Doubtful fiord the deepest of the fiords will not disappoint. Aboard the "Xplorer" or inflatable Zodiacs join your informative Guest Lecturers on conduct guided excursions through the maze of spectacular waterways. This evening enjoy the Captains Farewell Cocktails whilst engulfed by the dramatic scenery.

Day 13 Milford Sound

Farewell and disembarkation at 8:00am. A complimentary coach transfer to Queenstown is available on the morning of arrival.