New Zealand's North and South Islands by Sea - with Smithsonian Journeys

This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.

Because it is so remote, New Zealand was one of the last places on Earth to be settled by human beings. During long centuries of isolation, these islands developed a biodiversity of animals and plants that is rare, possibly unique, in the world. Throughout this 10-day voyage, encompassing both South and North Island, focus will be on the unparalleled richness of New Zealand's flora and fauna, but there will also be ample time to discover some of the richness of the Maori culture and history that continues to thrive in this island nation.

From Lyttleton, sail first to the port of Dunedin. Experience here the spectacular natural beauty of the wilderness that surrounds the town—either by train through the Taieri Gorge, or by eight-wheel-drive vehicles through the wildlife preserve on the Otago Peninsula.

As your ship rounds the southern tip of the island, you enter the stunning, glacier-carved waterways of Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage site known for its narrow fjords, vertical cliffs, and old-growth forests. Sail into remote Dusky Sound for an up-close look at wildlife, including endemic species such as the Fiordland crested penguin. Continue north to the long and narrow Doubtful Sound, so named by Captain Cook, who questioned whether it was navigable when he arrived here in 1770. Navigate Secretary Island as well as Thompson Sound, where you will discover spectacular waterfalls along the shores.

The final day in the Fiordland is in the incomparable Milford Sound, which meanders inland between the steep slopes of the Southern Alps, offering breathtaking vistas at every turn. Spend the day immersed in the sound’s natural majesty, taking in the views from on deck, spotting fur seals and a wide array of birdlife native to New Zealand.

A relaxing day at sea is followed by a call in Picton, at the northern tip of South Island, your gateway to New Zealand's famed Marlborough Wine Route. Enjoy some of the local vintages during visits to three different wineries, or if you prefer, explore the fascinating exhibits of historic aircraft at Omaka Airfield.

In Napier, the first call on North Island, you may continue discovery of New Zealand's abundant fauna at the gannet colony on Cape Kidnappers, or you may immerse yourself in Maori culture during a visit to the Hakikino ancestral lands in the village of Waimārama.

Tauranga, a coastal city on the Bay of the Bay of Plenty, provides an opportunity to sample the world's finest kiwifruit and to visit a local farm that specializes in growing truffles. Or you can travel inland to Rotorua, a geo-thermal wonderland of geysers, bubbling mud pools, and hot springs sacred to the Maori, where you enjoy a performance of Maori dance, sample Maori cuisine, and visit a studio where young Maori women and men learn traditional skills.

The last day of the voyage is spent in Auckland, where your final experience of New Zealand may be a wilderness adventure in the rainforest, a tour of three wineries on Waiheke Island, or exploration of the Auckland Museum, home to world's largest collection of Maori art—a treasure trove of New Zealand history and culture.