New Zealand

You won’t struggle to find something to send your taste buds into raptures of delight in New Zealand. The country's cuisine draws inspiration from Europe, Asia and Polynesia, with an emphasis on using local ingredients and seasonal variations.

Seafood is hugely popular in New Zealand, with crayfish, king salmon, scallops and oysters used in many flavoursome dishes in cafes and restaurants across the land. New Zealand lamb, one of the country’s top exports, is a must-try gastronomic joy when flavoured with rosemary and served alongside seasonal roasted vegetables. Another big favourite is a trusty helping of fish and chips, which came to New Zealand via Britain and is often made with elephant fish, blue warehou, red cod or shark species. Hangi is a traditional Maori form of cooking where fish, pork, lamb, potato, pumpkin and other foodstuffs are smoked to perfection in a pit in the ground.

 This magical country also produces some of the best wine on the planet, with Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and the popular New Zealand Syrah among the highly-rated offerings. Lemon and Paeroa (L&P) is a much-loved soft drink manufactured in New Zealand, pavlova is regarded as the country’s national dessert and Kiwi pie is consistently voted as a favourite comfort food.

The cruise season in New Zealand officially gets underway in early October, but the peak summer months of December, January and February are an ideal time to visit this spellbinding land. July is the first month of winter and only a very limited number of cruise ships visit New Zealand between May and September. Weather conditions can change suddenly and there's a lot of truth in the saying that New Zealand can experience four seasons in one day. Most of the country lies near the coast, resulting in mild to cool temperatures all year round. Average temperatures decrease as you travel south, with January and February traditionally the warmest months. Average maximum temperatures in summer range between 20°C and 30°C, depending on your precise location.
New Zealand experiences high annual rainfall which is spread fairly evenly throughout the year. The far north can have sub-tropical weather during the summer months, while the inland alpine areas on the South Island can experience temperatures as cold as -10°C in winter. Snow typically appears between June and October in New Zealand's mountainous areas, such as the Central Plateau in the north. It's worth noting that the summer months are a traditional holiday period for families in New Zealand, so you'll encounter bigger crowds at major tourist attractions and beach resorts at this time of year.      

Travellers embarking on an exciting cruise adventure in New Zealand will discover a myriad of fun-packed things to see and do. This incredible land is home to epic natural attractions including the towering mountains and lush valleys glorified in the blockbusting Lord of the Rings movies. Discover enthralling urban culture in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch, visit the Franz Josef and Foz Glaciers on the South Island or check out the world Heritage-listed Fiordland National Park which is home to the mighty fjords of Milford Sound. You can also head for Lake Wakatipu's shores where bungee jumping, whitewater rafting and jet boating are among the delights which await, while the must-see Bay of Islands is home to golden sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and some of New Zealand’s most amazing coastal scenery. .
 The country’s largest city Auckland will make a big impression on you with its superb museums and galleries, glorious park, vibrant nightlife and excellent shops. Key attractions in the city include the iconic Sky Tower, Harbour Bridge, Auckland Domain, Auckland Zoo and Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life Aquarium. The Royal Albatross Centre in Dunedin is the only place you can see Northern Royal Albatross in their natural habitat, while Courteney Place and Cuba Street in Wellington, the culinary capital of New Zealand, is a magnet for foodies. Other sensational attractions in this beautiful country include McLaren Falls in Tauranga, Abel Tasman National Park, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Mount Tongariro, Lake Tekapo, Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, Moeraki Boulders Beach, Huka Falls, Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Wellington Cable Car. Popular outdoor activities in New Zealand include caving, canyoning, ziplining, off-road driving, heli-skiing, skydiving, kayaking, cycling and scuba diving.