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Beautiful view of Akaroa

The Best of New Zealand

Dunedin - Auckland - Example 10 Day Cruise aboard Le Bellot
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Board the Le Bellot at lovely Dunedin. The Edinburgh of New Zealand is a lively student city, with a rich Scottish Heritage. The Banks Peninsula will reveal wonderful landscapes of lush hills and rugged coasts during your calls in the bays of Lyttleton and Akaroa, two ancient flooded volcano craters. In Picton, explore the Marlborough region, famous for its vineyards and its submerged valleys. Also sail to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. This ancient site of the Maori people, as demonstrated by the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, perfectly combines local traditions and bustling nightlife. Discover many treasures of Tauranga: volcanoes, hot springs, geysers, rivers and gorges, and lakes that range in color from deep blue to orange-tinged.
Auckland, the City of SailsA quiet morning near DunedinWindblown trees and sheepSheep and landscapeBeautiful view of Akaroa
Highlights
  • Meet the Maori people, brave warriors with ancestral traditions and customs
  • Discover sublime New Zealand landscapes with exceptional diversity
  • View the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum at Wellington
  • Visit Picton, a little coastal town girded by gentle hills
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1-2: Dunedin | Embark

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 2 Dinners
Embark in Dunedin, New Zealand's oldest city and often referred to as the Edinburgh of New Zealand.

Dunedin is New Zealand's oldest city and is often referred to as the Edinburgh of New Zealand. This city of the south wears its Scottish heritage with pride. The city contains some of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian architecture in the Southern Hemisphere. The picturesque Silverpeaks hinterland to the North West provides a picturesque backdrop and The Otago Peninsula, which lies within the city boundaries, has internationally renowned wildlife reserves, including the only mainland breeding colony of Northern Royal Albatross.

The following optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: Taieri Gorge Railway, Natures Wonders, Scenic Drive And Botanical Gardens.

Day 3: Akaroa

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Set on the east coast of South Island, Christchurch is New Zealand's second-biggest city. You can soak up its easy-going atmosphere in one of the many parks and gardens that give Christchurch its nickname "the garden city", or dally a while in Cathedral Square to see how the city is transforming itself after the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Attractions such as the International Antarctic Centre and Christchurch Gondola ride are as popular as ever, while pop-up cafes, the Cardboard Cathedral, and community art projects showcase the citizens' resilience. The beautiful port of Akaroa, where ships dock, is about 90-minute drive from Christchurch on the Banks Peninsula.

The following optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: Manderley Farm Tour, Marine Life Observation Cruise.

Day 4: Lyttelton

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
On the eastern coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Lyttelton (or Te Whaka Raupo in the Maori language) served, thanks to its proximity with Ross Island, as the starting point for the British expeditions in the mythical age of the South Pole explorations. It takes its name from George Lyttelton (1709-1773), the aristocrat and colonial governor of South Carolina. In this colorful port town full of history, you’ll be able to discover the Time Ball: constructed in 1876, it rang at 1.00 pm every day for 58 consecutive years to give Greenwich meridian time, enabling ship captains to set their chronometer and very precisely calculate their position.

The following optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: Discover Lyttelton, River And Gardens Of Christchurch, Winery Vip Tour By Helicopter.

Day 5: Picton

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
A must-see entry point to South Island, Picton is a little coastal town girded by gentle hills, located on the south side of the Queen Charlotte inlet. The cafés and restaurants which border the charming waterfront give a very lovely view of the fjord. You can also decide to get some height above sea level and walk in the surrounding areas. However, Picton is above all an opportunity to explore the unique Marlborough fjords. This interweaves of submerged valleys, making numerous different navigable routes are among the most beautiful natural wonders of New Zealand.

The following optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: Queen Charlotte Sound Cruise & Tasting, Sheep Farm And Winery, Underwater Observatory And Marine Life, Queen Charlotte Cruise & Walk.

Day 6: Wellington

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Crowned with gentle green hills, Wellington harbor is located in the far south of North Island. This city offers a charming pell-mell of traditional and modern cultures, bestowing on the New Zealand capital, a unique atmosphere, at once friendly and Avant-guard. Where some sites, like the large National Te Papa Tongarewa museum, reflect the city’s Maori past, others, like the many cafés and restaurants, affirm the inhabitants’ incredible lust for life.

The following optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: Wellington City Sights, Around Wellington.

Day 7: Napier

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
On the east coast of North Island, south of Hawke’s Bay, you’ll find Napier. Mostly destroyed by an earthquake in 1931, reviving from its ashes in less than two years, it grew into a magnificent Art Deco style city, very in-vogue at the time. With its pure lines mixed with traditional Maori designs, the singular New Zealand character of this city will intrigue you. You’ll discover all this extraordinary architectural heritage as you take a stroll through the city. Wine lovers will be able to taste some of the best wines from the region, which is famous for its vineyards.

The following optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: Hawke's Bay Wineries, Maori Experience, Cape Kidnappers & Gannets.

Day 8: Gisborne

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Gisborne, called “Gizzy” by the locals and Teoneroa by the Maori, is located to the north of a large bay surrounded by fertile hills and long, wild beaches that attract walkers and surfers. At the southern end of the bay, the magnificent cliffs of Young Nick’s Head majestically keep watch over the ocean’s tides. In Ngatapa, a few kilometers north of the city, the Eastwoodhill Arboretum stretches out over more than 130 hectares (320 acres) and is home to magnificent exotic and native plants. In the city, you can learn about Maori culture and the local history at the Tairawhiti Museum or enjoy some of the products of this rich farming region, renowned in particular for its Chardonnay.

The following optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: Steam Train To Muriwai.

Day 9: Tauranga

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Located to the north of Rotorua, Tauranga stretches the length of the Bay of Plenty, sheltered from the ocean by the island of Matakana. This coastal city boasts a flourishing economy thanks to its port and is a pleasant and pretty town with a peaceful, relaxed feel. The seafront area is contemporary and lively, dotted with cafés and restaurants. The town center reveals more picturesque charms, while the surrounding area is packed full of natural delights. Travel on to the town of Rotorua to visit the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland: a fantastic opportunity to experience an exceptional geothermal phenomenon.

The following optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: Rotorua : Volcanism & Geothermalism, Rotorua Thermal Wonderland.

Day 10: Auckland | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest, most populated and busiest city. Located on an isthmus linking the peninsula of Northland to the expansive North Island, it seems to float between land and sea. It is one of the few cities in the world to have two separate harbors: Manukau Harbour on the Tasman Sea and Waitemata Harbour on the Pacific Ocean. You will understand why Auckland is known as the city of sails when you see the forest of masts in the marina. The 328 meter-high Sky Tower offers splendid views of the city. Surrounded by dormant volcanoes such as Mt Eden, Auckland is noted for its abundant nature and magnificent black-sand beaches. A blend of Maori, European and Asian cultures gives the city a vibrant atmosphere.

Ship/Hotel

Le Bellot

Ponant Sauna
Owner's Suite
Relax aboard

Dates & Prices

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Per person starting at
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Deluxe Stateroom
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Deluxe Stateroom
19 m² area featuring a 4m² Private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Shower
Prestige DeckPrestige Deck
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Prestige Deck 4
19 m² area featuring a 4m² Private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Shower
Prestige DeckPrestige Deck
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Prestige Deck 5
19 m² area featuring a 4m² Private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Shower
Prestige DeckPrestige Deck
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Prestige Deck 6
19 m² area featuring a 4m² Private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Shower
Deluxe SuiteDeluxe Suite
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Deluxe Suite Deck 3
27 m² area featuring, 6m² private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, 1 sofa, shower
Deluxe SuiteDeluxe Suite
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Deluxe Suite Deck 4
27 m² area featuring, 6m² private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, 1 sofa, shower
Deluxe SuiteDeluxe Suite
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Deluxe Suite Deck 5
27 m² area featuring, 6m² private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, 1 sofa, shower
Deluxe SuiteDeluxe Suite
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Deluxe Suite Deck 6
27 m² area featuring, 6m² private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, 1 sofa, shower
Prestige Suite
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Prestige Deck Suite 5
38 m² area featuring an 8m² Private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Shower
Prestige Suite
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Prestige Deck Suite 6
38 m² area featuring an 8m² Private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Shower
Privilege SuitePrivilege Suite
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Privilege Suite Deck 5
32 m² area featuring an 8m² Private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Shower
Privilege SuitePrivilege Suite
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Privilege Suite Deck 6
38 m² area featuring an 8m² Private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Shower
Grand Deluxe SuiteGrand Deluxe Suite
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Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6
45 m² area featuring, 40m² private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Bathtub
Grand Deluxe SuiteGrand Deluxe Suite
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Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 5
45 m² area featuring, 40m² private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Bathtub
Owner's SuiteOwner's Suite
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Owner's Suite
45 m² area featuring an 30m² Private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Shower
Included
  • 9 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 9 Dinners
  • 9 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Port Fees
  • Unlimited Wifi
  • Onboard Entertainment 
  • Captain’s Welcome Cocktail and Gala Dinner
  • Gratuities to Onboard Crew
  • “Open Bar” (pouring wines, house champagne, alcohol except premium brands...list available upon request)
  • 24h Room Service (special selection)
  • English-Speaking Lecturer 
  • Highly experienced and bilingual (French-English) expedition staff
  • Park Entry Fees into Protected Areas
  • Water sports activities (except scuba diving) using the ship’s equipment, when permitted by local authorities and confirmed by ship Master according to safety and sea conditions onsite. 
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Visa Fees
  • Optional Excursions - Ponant allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately six to two months prior to the cruise* departure. Please note that this is subject to change. Please contact us for more details.
  • Any ground services before and/or after the cruise other than the ones mentioned
  • Luggage Handling 
  • Laundry Services, Hair Salon, and à La Carte Spa Treatments
  • Pre or post cruise programs, overland programs or shore excursions 
  • Beverages other than the ones mentioned in inclusions
  • CDP recommends that every Traveler has full and adequate travel insurance covering the risks of cancellation, assistance being required, repatriation, damages to and loss of baggage, and medical expenses

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