The first “foreign” experience for cruisers is often Alaska. I guess that makes sense – it is very different than the lower 48, and you get a stamp of a maple leaf in your passport from the Canadians.
The next outing is usually to Europe, which also makes sense not only because of the rich history and cultures there, but also because for those of us in the Eastern time zone it’s only about 6 or 7 hours away (about the same as Alaska!)
Once you go beyond Europe, it’s much more of a commitment to get there, so many people think twice.
Australia / New Zealand (ANZ) are on my radar for a few reasons. The first is quite personal – I lived in Australia for 4 years as a child, so it is part of who I am. The second is that New Zealand is easily one of my favourite destinations on the planet, and I am long overdue to get back (the last time I was there, I was pregnant with our son, who is now 18).
There is no doubt that Australia and New Zealand are a long way away. The two big airports in North America for flights to Asia and Australia are LA and Vancouver, and it’s a 15-hour flight from either to get to Sydney, and almost as long to Auckland.
That’s a long way, and if you’ve only got a week to spare it’s a non-starter. For those with a bit more time, it’s well worth exploring. Here are some reasons why:
- It’s easy. The Aussies and Kiwis may talk funny, but they all speak English, and in many regards it is easier than travel within Europe.
- It’s unique. There are many species of animal, birds (and other) that only exist down-under. The geology and geography are also much different than here.
- It’s diverse. We tend to think of Australia as a beach – and there are plenty of those. It also has a ton of other geography in its vast land mass. Australia is about the same size as the Lower 48 – so it is huge. New Zealand, while only a fraction the size, is even more diverse in terms of its climate and geography.
Ways to see Australia
There are 3 types of cruises to Australia/New Zealand:
- A cruise that starts or finishes in Australia, but with most of the port stops in New Zealand. This is the most common cruise, and for many people the best choice. These trips are usually 2 weeks long. Other than Auckland (a city of 2 million), NZ is a series of charming smaller cities and towns, and ship is a great way to explore them.
- A cruise that originates in Australia and visits the South Pacific Islands or SE Asia. This is good if you’re looking for a Polynesian experience, but you won’t get much of ANZ on these itineraries.
- A circumnavigation of Australia. Only consider this cruise if you really like sea days. As noted above, Australia is as big as the USA, but with only 25 million people – so the cities and settlements are few and far between. These cruises are a minimum of 4 weeks, and often have fewer than 10 port stops.
Why NOW?
These two countries quietly opened to visitors a few weeks ago, after having been closed for two years. This means next season (our Northern hemisphere winter) will be in high demand down-under.
Australia/New Zealand cruises run from October through March for the most part (although some ships stay there year-round).
We are also hoping to see expedition offerings for the Great Barrier Reef and Northern Australia, as more and more expedition ships come to market, but that will be another year or two.
All the mass-market cruise lines operate in ANZ, although I’m not sure the best way to see this part of the world is on a floating amusement park. If you’re going to invest the time and money to go that far, the small ship cruise lines all have at least one vessel there, so you can travel on your line of choice.
We are seeing some interesting itineraries on Oceania, Seabourn, and Viking. Some cruise lines even offer repositioning cruises to/from North America in the spring and fall months (if you have the time, this takes the sting out of a 15-hour flight… at least in one direction).
Today’s Travel Opportunities
Australia & New Zealand with Viking Cruises
- 2 weeks between Sydney and Auckland (you can sail in either direction)
- Visit Melbourne, Tasmania, then 6 ports in NZ, as well as scenic sailing on South Island of New Zealand
- Departures December through March. The base pricing those months months starts at $7499 per person.
- Remember that the entry-level room on Viking Ocean is a 270 square foot veranda, which is comparable to a mini suite on Celebrity, Holland America, or Princess.
- Optional flights from $1599 round trip (that’s from the west coast… the price is slightly higher from points further east)
- Book before April 30th and get an additional $500 per person room credit AND the Silver Spirits Beverage Package
Pre- and post-cruise packages are available in both Sydney and Auckland. For those wanting to make the most of their time down under, you’ll want to consider the 6-day “Aussie Adventure” including Melbourne, Alice Springs and Ayers Rock.
Celebrity Cruises Australia & New Zealand
12-nights round-trip from Sydney departing Nov 27th, 2022 (other dates available).
Visit Milford Sound & 6 ports in New Zealand and then back to Sydney.
- Inside: $2028 per person
- Window: $2253 pp
- Balcony: $2757 pp
- Suite: $2968 pp
Viking’s FRANCE River Cruise Sale (2023 Departures).
Book by the end of April and Viking will throw in FREE international airfare for Verandas and Suites (or low-priced add-ons starting at $299 pp for other stateroom categories).
There are 3 different itineraries in France:
- Paris to Normandy. Visiting La Roche Guyon, Vernon (for Monet’s Gardens), Rouen, Normandy Beaches, Les Andelys, Le Pecq.
- Lyon & Provence: Visiting Tournon, Viviers, Arles, and Avignon
- Chateaus, Rivers & Wine (round trip Bordeaux). Visiting Cadillac, Libourne, Bourg & Blaye, Medoc, and Margaux Wine Country.
Here’s the price range dependent upon your departure date, itinerary and availability:
- Standard: $2599 – $3799
- French Balcony: $3599 – $4999
- Veranda: $3999 – $5599
- Suites: $5999 – $9999
Viking prices include all taxes and fees, a shore excursion in every port, beer/wine with meals, wifi on the ship, and flights (as discussed above – book by April 30th).
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I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
