Experience the diversity of New Zealand’s North Island with Auckland and its spectacular harbor location as your base. In contrast to the gentile white sand beaches of the city suburbs, visit the rugged west coast of Auckland where the Tasman Sea pounds the black sand beaches. Visit a vineyard and travel to the fertile countryside south of Auckland to experience the glowworm caves at Waitomo and enjoy a farm to table lunch at a private homestead.
DAY 1
Following disembarkation, meet your guide and set out for some city sightseeing, which will include a drive along the waterfront. A stop will be made at Bastion Point for views over the harbor before continuing to St Heliers Bay and through the eastern residential suburbs. Also see the Auckland Domain, the Auckland Museum (no visit), and Parnell Village.
Proceed to your hotel to check. Normal check in time is 3:00pm although the hotel will do everything possible to have your room ready prior to this.
The remainder of the day is at your leisure with lunch and dinner on your own.
DAY 2
After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, depart from the hotel, travelling by way of the north-western motorway, to the farming and wine-growing areas of West Auckland - Kumeu and Huapai - to Muriwai Beach on the rugged west coast. A stop is made on the cliff tops overlooking the beach. From here there is a walk of approximately 250 meters, through native plants, to the glorious black sand.
From Muriwai, travel through rural farming districts to a local winery for lunch and a tasting. West Auckland is the Cities original wine region that boasts a range of wineries to tantalize your taste buds. You will be introduced to a delicious range of artisan cheeses, honey from the vineyard, local olive oil and stone ground sourdough bread before a delicious BBQ. There is an opportunity to meet locals and enjoy a range of locally made gifts and produce.
On leaving the winery, return to Auckland city by way of the farming areas of Waitoki and Dairy Flat to join the northern motorway at Albany. Continue into the city across the Auckland Harbor Bridge and through the downtown shopping area.
Arrive back at your hotel in Auckland. Dinner is on your own.
NOTE:
• Bring comfortable walking shoes and a warm jacket for the visit to the caves.
• The Waitomo Glo worm Caves are accessible to those with reasonable mobility, with good handrails and paths
• There is no wheelchair access
DAY 3
Meet your guide in the hotel reception, today's tour will begin with a drive through the city's central business district before departing from the city and travelling along the southern motorway past the city's southern suburbs and over the Bombay Hills. Descend into the Waikato River Valley and follow the course of the river through the fertile farmlands of the region to the coal-mining town of Huntly. Continue south past Taupiri (the mountain is sacred to the Maori people) and the town of Ngaruawahia, the seat of the Maori King.
Undertake a guided tour of the world-famous Waitomo Glow-worm Caves, a true geological phenomenon of nature. Unique to New Zealand, these tiny creatures radiate a fluorescent blue-green glow that illuminates the caves and underground streams the glow-worms call home. The largest chamber of the cave is known as the "Cathedral," an acoustically perfect auditorium that has hosted a number of renowned performing artists drawn to the area for the purity of sound it produces. As you embark on a short cruise in an open boat through the limestone formations, your guide will share information, legends, and facts about this fascinating and beautiful oddity of nature.
You will have lunch at a private homestead where your hosts have been farming for many years and love to share their lovely French provincial home and gardens with you. Lunch is a delight and all food is made on the premises, including many chutneys and sauces, from the fruit trees on the property. All meat is organic and comes from local farms.
After lunch, return through the pastoral Waikato region to Auckland. Back in Auckland and your hotel, the
remainder of the evening is at your leisure with dinner on your own.
DAY 4
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out and being transferred to the Auckland International Airport.
For guests with late flights, luggage storage is available at the hotel.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
• Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
• Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
• The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
• A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
DAY 1
9:30am Disembark the ship and commence with an Auckland City sightseeing drive
10:30am Arrive at Auckland Art Gallery for guided tour and free time
12:00pm Drive to Ponsonby for free time and lunch (own expense)
2:00pm Depart Ponsonby to the Grand by Sky to check in
3:00pm Official check in time
Remainder of the day at leisure – lunch and dinner on own
Overnight at The Grand by Sky or similar hotel
DAY 2
From 7:00am Breakfast at the hotel
9:30am Depart the hotel and travel to the west coast of Auckland
10:40am Visit Muriwai Beach
11:10am Travel to a winery in west Auckland
11:35am Arrive at a local winery for lunch and wine tasting
1:20pm Depart winery and travel back to Auckland
2:30pm Arrive at the hotel
The remainder of the day and evening are at your leisure
Dinner on your own
Overnight at Grand by Sky or similar hotel
DAY 3
From 7:00am Breakfast starts at the hotel
8:00am Depart the hotel and travel south into the Waikato region
11:00am Arrive in Waitomo for a guided tour of the glowworm caves
12:15pm Depart Waitomo
12:45pm Lunch at Crosshills
2:15pm Depart Crosshills and return to Auckland
5:15pm Arrive at the hotel
The remainder of the day and evening are at your leisure
Dinner on your own
Overnight at Grand by Sky or similar hotel
DAY 4
From 7:00am Enjoy breakfast at the hotel
11:00am Check out time at the hotel- please remember to settle your personal incidental account with the hotel prior to leaving
Transfer to the Auckland International Airport based on your flight details. Luggage storage is available at the hotel for guests with late flights
Extra Nights:
• All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the same hotel used on the LAST NIGHT of your program.
• When you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 11:00am (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of your program.
Transfers: All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.
Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 11:00am. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Expected Weather:
New Zealand's seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere. This means that the warmest months are December, January and February, while the coldest are in June, July and August. The mean daily temperature during January and February is 23 degrees Celsius (74 degrees Fahrenheit).
What to Bring:
As it will be summer light clothing is suggested. However, as the weather can be changeable is recommended that a rain proof jacket be carried. Sunscreen is considered essential.
Dress is informal and relaxed on this program. Smart casual clothes are acceptable at most restaurants and night spots. Men are generally not expected to wear suits and ties, except in a few of the top formal bars and restaurants in major cities.
Currency:
US dollars are generally accepted only in establishments such as souvenir stores; however, credit cards are widely accepted.
Electricity:
Electricity is supplied throughout New Zealand at 230/240 volts, 50 hertz. Most hotels provide 110-volt ac sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors only. Please note that power outlets only accept angled two or three pin Type I plugs (as also used in Australia) depending on whether an earth connection is fitted. Remember to bring a travel adaptor for electric devices.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
Citizens of the United States do not generally require a visa to visit New Zealand.
Please refer to the New Zealand Immigration web site for further information on visas for your nationality.
Accommodation:
Grand By Sky Hotel
90 Federal Street, Auckland, 1010
Phone: +64 363 6000
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen circumstances. If a similar hotel is required, it will be of equal ratings and standards and guests would be notified in advance of travel. If guests are not notified prior to travel of any changes, then the hotel listed above will be used.
Program includes:
• 3 nights at the Grand By Sky or similar hotel including breakfast – Grand room
• Lunch on Days 2 and 3 – includes 1 New Zealand beer or glass of wine or juice or soft drink
• Touring on Days 2, 3 and 4
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program excludes:
• Any meals not listed above
• Gratuities to drivers and guides
• Hotel incidentals such as mini bar and room service
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include: inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.
