New Zealand had been on our bucket list for years, and with a New Zealand cruise from Sydney, it felt like the perfect family adventure without travelling too far from home.
We couldn’t wait to experience the incredible scenery, visit a few wineries (that was more for me!) and finally see what New Zealand had to offer. And if I’m being completely truthful, our love of The Lord of the Rings definitely helped inspire the trip too!
Cruising New Zealand was the perfect way for our family to explore. We unpacked once, visited multiple destinations and sailed through the breathtaking Fiordland National Park, including Milford, Doubtful and Dusky Sounds.
One of the biggest advantages of a New Zealand cruise is being able to experience so many different destinations without constantly changing hotels or packing and unpacking.
For us, the itinerary was just as important as the ship.
Our must-haves were a roundtrip cruise from Sydney, stopping in Tauranga — because Hobbiton was an absolute must — and scenic cruising through Fiordland National Park.
A cruise gave us all of that in one holiday.
It’s also a fantastic option for families. You can spend the day exploring ashore and then return to the comfort of the ship for dinner, entertainment and some much-needed downtime.
Having booked many Princess cruises for my clients over the years, I’d always loved their New Zealand cruise itineraries.
They tended to be longer and port-intensive, with many of the destinations we wanted to experience.
We chose Royal Princess because it offered the right balance of dining, entertainment and onboard facilities without feeling overwhelming.
With several tender ports on our itinerary, I also preferred a ship of this size over one of the larger mega ships.
For us, Princess Cruises offered the itinerary we wanted while still giving us a comfortable and relaxed family holiday.
Our daughter was 22 months old when we travelled, and cruising New Zealand with a toddler turned out to be one of the easiest ways we could have explored the country.
We unpacked once, woke up somewhere new and always had somewhere nearby to eat, relax or take our daughter when she needed a break.
She took everything in her stride and loved the adventure.
One important thing to consider when planning a New Zealand cruise with kids is the children’s program offered by your cruise line.
At the time of our cruise, our daughter was too young to be left under the supervision of the Princess youth staff. She could visit the kids’ facilities with us, but we needed to remain with her.
For us, this wasn’t a deal breaker because we knew before booking. But when you’re comparing family cruises, particularly with children under three, checking the minimum age for supervised kids’ clubs is important.
One of the questions I’m asked most often is:
“Do I really need a balcony?”
My answer is always the same — it depends on the itinerary, your budget and how you plan to use your cabin.
For some cruises, I don’t think a balcony is essential.
But for scenic destinations such as Alaska, Norway and New Zealand, I think it’s well worth considering.
When cruising New Zealand, the scenery can be part of the experience even when you’re onboard. Having your own balcony means you can sit outside with a coffee and watch the landscape change without having to leave your cabin.
And for us, travelling with a toddler made it even more worthwhile.
For our New Zealand cruise, we chose a Mini Suite.
The balcony was important because we wanted to enjoy the spectacular scenery, particularly while sailing through Fiordland National Park.
But travelling with our two-year-old daughter meant the extra space became just as valuable.
Our cabin was much more than somewhere to sleep. It was where we spent nap time, relaxed after busy days ashore and unwound once our daughter had gone to bed.
The additional living space and storage simply made travelling as a family more comfortable.
A Mini Suite isn’t necessary for everyone, but it’s a great example of why I always recommend choosing your cabin based on how you travel, rather than automatically booking the cheapest cabin or assuming you need the most expensive.
Scenic cruising through Fiordland National Park was one of the experiences we were most excited about.
Our itinerary included Milford, Doubtful and Dusky Sounds, giving us the opportunity to experience some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery directly from the ship.
This is also why I recommend looking carefully at the itinerary when choosing a New Zealand cruise.
Not every sailing visits the same ports or includes the same scenic cruising. If Fiordland is high on your wish list, check exactly what’s included before booking.
It’s one of those destinations where having a balcony can really come into its own.
After experiencing it ourselves, these are some of the things I’d consider when planning a New Zealand cruise from Australia:
Choose your itinerary carefully. Not all cruises visit the same ports or include scenic cruising through Fiordland National Park.
Book popular shore excursions early. Tours to popular attractions can sell out, particularly on busy cruise dates.
Pack for all seasons. New Zealand’s weather can change quickly, even during summer. Layers, comfortable shoes and a waterproof jacket are worth packing.
Be prepared for the Tasman Sea. Conditions can vary, so if you’re prone to motion sickness, consider your cabin location and speak to an appropriate healthcare professional or pharmacist about suitable options before travelling.
Research your ports. Some cruise ports aren’t located directly in the main city. Lyttelton for Christchurch and Port Chalmers for Dunedin, for example, may require additional transport, so factor this into your plans and budget.
Don’t try to do everything. Sometimes simply wandering around a port and seeing where the day takes you can be just as memorable as an organised excursion.
And if my husband were writing this guide…
He would tell you that if your New Zealand cruise visits the Bay of Islands, you absolutely have to go fishing!
It was one of his highlights of the entire holiday — and years later, he’s still talking about it.
Absolutely.
For us, cruising New Zealand with a toddler made exploring multiple destinations incredibly easy.
There was no constant packing and unpacking, we had the comfort of returning to the same cabin each night, and there was something onboard for every generation of our family.
We could experience New Zealand’s landscapes, food, wineries and ports during the day, then return to the ship and relax.
And waking up to a new destination outside your window never gets old.
There are lots of things to consider when choosing the right New Zealand cruise — the cruise line, ship, cabin, departure port, itinerary and time of year can all make a difference.
Whether you’re looking for a New Zealand cruise from Sydney, a family cruise with kids, scenic cruising through Fiordland National Park, or simply want help choosing the right ship and itinerary, I can help you put it all together.
Having experienced cruising New Zealand with our own toddler, it’s a destination and style of holiday I’m always happy to talk about.
Could New Zealand be your next cruise adventure?
CLIA - Cruise Lines International Association
Princess Cruises Commodore Club
Tauck Certified Advisor
NSW TAFE Travel & Tourism Diploma of Tourism Management
Accredited Covermore Travel Insurance Agent
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