Cruising to New Zealand
In and around Oceania
We are taking a family trip on a cruise ship from Australia to New Zealand. We have always wanted to go to New Zealand, but hadn't considered a cruise. We looked at ships as a method of getting there, then realised that staying in the ship would have a great many advantages.
We are sailing on the MS Volendam from Sydney on 5th December. From there, we got to Melbourne, Tasmania, then across to the South Island of New Zealand. The ship works it's way up the east coast of New Zealand, stopping at a different port every day and sailing on at night. Finally we get to Auckland and fly home on 20th December.
I'm not sure how much internet access we will have although the ship promises wireless access depending on satellite conditions. However it would be cool to be able to map out or trip as we go.
Route taken and entries by Real Traveler sarahtim
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1
Preparations
With five of us (2 parents and 3 teenagers) we have a bit of work to get ready. However we are almost set now. Everything is booked and confirmed and... Continue reading » -
2
Flying to Sydney
We had an early start, so got everyone up at 5 am without any complaints! This worked well and all got up & ready promptly. Then the boys had a last m... Continue reading » -
3
At sea en route to Melbourne
We had a leisurely start to the day. Jack had ordered room service breakfast which came soon after 8, but he was very impressed with the quantity supp... Continue reading » -
4
Melbourne
We woke at 4:30 am, in time to feel the ship slow down for the pilot to board. Then the pilot boat roared off leaving the pilot to navigate into Port... Continue reading » -
5
Burnie, Tasmania
We woke up as the ship was approaching Burnie which is a deep water port on the north coast of Tasmania. Looking out our window as the ship tied up, w... Continue reading » -
6
The Tasman Sea
The map doesn't allow me to choose a spot in the middle of the sea, so I had to pick the destination, but we will be at sea for 2 days. Day 5: T... Continue reading » -
7
Milford Sound & Fiordland National Park
Day 7: Today we got to New Zealand but didn't land. We cruised through the Fjordland, starting with Milford Sound, then Doubtful Sound, then Dusky... Continue reading » -
8
Dunedin
The map doesn't understand about sea travel, so just shows a direct line between stops. Day 8: We landed in New Zealand for the first time. New... Continue reading » -
9
Christchurch
Day 9: Today we were in Christchurch which is about half way up the east coast of the South Island. Again, we sailed in early in the morning, and a... Continue reading » -
10
Picton, Queen Charlotte Sound, Capt. Cook Cove
Day 10: We got into Picton early in the morning. Picton is a small town on the northern end of South Island and is the port used by the inter-islan... Continue reading » -
11
Wellington
Day 11: Today we got to Wellington which is our first stop on the North Island and the capital city. It was warm at times, then wet and windy. We w... Continue reading » -
12
Napier
Day 12: Today we were in Napier which is on the east coast of North Island. It had been devastated by an earthquake in 1931 and completely re-built... Continue reading » -
13
Tauranga (Rotorua)
Day 13: Early this morning, we docked in Tauranga at the foot of Mount Maunganui which is a small round hill on the end of a peninsula. Yesterday,... Continue reading » -
14
At sea en route to Auckland
Day 14: Today we are at sea cruising through the Bay of Plenty towards Auckland. In the early morning, we were sailing around White Island which is... Continue reading » -
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