Australia & New Zealand Cruises — Tasman Sea round-trips

Overview

Why Australia & New Zealand?

Australia/New Zealand cruises are mainstream to US travelers making the "once in a lifetime" trip to the South Pacific. The classic 12-night Sydney round-trip hits Melbourne + Hobart + NZ's South Island (Fiordland scenic cruise + Dunedin + Wellington) + NZ's North Island (Auckland + Napier).

Book balcony cabins for Fiordland (Milford/Doubtful Sound scenic cruising is the visual highlight of the trip). Princess's Majestic Princess and Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas dominate the market. Cunard's Queen Elizabeth is the premium option.

Summer in the Southern Hemisphere (Dec–March) is peak. Winter (Jul–Sep) is cool, windy, and cheaper but misses the point.

Typical price

$1,799–$4,999/pp for 12-night balcony

Best season

Dec–Mar (Southern Hemisphere summer)

Departure ports

Sydney · Auckland · Melbourne

Ports of call

Where you'll stop

Sydney
Melbourne
Brisbane
Hobart
Cairns
Auckland
Wellington
Napier
Dunedin
Fiordland (Milford Sound scenic)

Operators

Cruise lines sailing Australia & New Zealand

Princess

Cunard

Celebrity

Holland America

Royal Caribbean

Planning

How to plan it

12-night round-trip Sydney is the canonical starting itinerary
Don't skip Fiordland scenic cruising — the #1 visual day
Pre-book Sydney Opera House + harbour bridge climb if possible
US passports need 72-hr Australian ETA — apply online before booking

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