Fiji & New Zealand 13 Nights • Auckland, New Zealand • CELEBRITY EDGE

Experience New Zealand's most cosmopolitan city—a melting pot of British, Asian, Pacific, and Māori cultures. Your cruise from Auckland allows you to sample their diverse arts, entertainment, and traditions.

The Auckland Art Gallery has collected more than 15,000 paintings, sculptures, and prints, dating from 1376. Other attractions to visit include the Auckland War Memorial Museum, New Zealand Maritime Museum, National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy, and Museum of Transport and Technology.

The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra performs concerts, operas, and ballets, and more arts events include the Auckland Festival, Auckland Triennial, New Zealand International Comedy Festival, and New Zealand International Film Festival.

An Auckland cruise arrives via one of two ports, either Waitematā Harbour from the Pacific Ocean to the east, or Manukau Harbour from the Tasman Sea to the west. Perched on a skinny isthmus between them is a leafy urban cityscape of beautiful parks and modern buildings, a dramatic landscape molded by volcanoes (now dormant) and the ocean.

Natural landmarks include Auckland Domain, a central park offering great views of Hauraki Gulf; Mount Eden, with 360-degree views from the city's highest volcanic cone; Mount Victoria, a volcanic cone overlooking downtown from North Shore; and Waiheke Island, a remote site of beaches, forests, vineyards, and olive groves. The hills surrounding the city are cloaked in rainforest.

Man-made landmarks include Sky Tower, offering panoramic views from downtown; Auckland Harbour Bridge, the connection to North Shore; and Auckland Town Hall, which includes a fine concert hall.

Aucklanders love their boating—one in three households owns a boat—and they've hosted the America's Cup twice. Diverse forms of cruises from Auckland include adrenaline-fueled adventures aboard supercharged speedboats that take you flying passed the impressive skyline.

When it's time to go shopping, head to Queen Street, Britomart, Ponsonby Road, Karangahape Road, Newmarket, or Parnell. You won't come back empty handed from your Auckland cruise.

Your ship departs promptly at 8:00 pm, so we recommend arriving at least 2-3 hours early to smoothly navigate check-in and boarding. All ship amenities are open and ready, so kickstart your vacation with a refreshing drink or a delicious snack.

Discover indigenous New Zealand Maori culture in a land of sparkling seas and pristine beauty. Bay of Islands is a sub-tropical paradise of clear blue water, hundreds of undeveloped islands, diverse wildlife, and historical significance. The pristine oceans, warm weather, and many animal species attract nature lovers from around the globe. Take an eco-cruise and discover the area’s dolphins, penguins, marlins, whales, and bird life. Journey into a beautiful cave with majestic rock formations and glow worms. Kayak, sail, swim, or sunbathe on one of the many beaches. Those who love beaches consider these in Bay of Islands & New Zealand some of the world’s finest, with their perfect white sand and crystal-clear water. And as tempted as you’ll be to pull up a lounge chair and soak in the surroundings, many consider a Bay of Islands cruise the ideal time to partake in more active pursuits, such as kayaking, mountain-biking, parasailing, swimming with dolphins and scuba-diving.

On your cruise to Suva, capital of Fiji, you'll discover a mix of 21st-century architecture, Art Deco gems, and 19th-century British colonial buildings. Although Suva is built on a peninsula, surrounded by ocean, this part of Viti Levu, one of more than 330 Fijian islands, is more mangrove than beach.

Suva offers several pleasant parks and gardens near the port. Ratu Sukuna Park offers pretty views of the harbor. Next door is Suva Civic Center, an arts and cultural venue.

Historic Albert Park, on coastal Victoria Parade, was the site of the first-ever airplane to land in Fiji. Next door, Thurston Gardens displays botanical specimens in several greenhouses and hiking trails. It's also the site of the Fiji Museum, with archaeological materials going back 3,700 years and cultural objects representing indigenous inhabitants and immigrant communities.

Ten minutes up the hills from Suva, serene Colo-i-Suva Forest Park lures residents and guests with clear river waters amid a spectacular rainforest, making it perfect for a cool dip, a bit of bird watching, and a picnic in the shade, with temperatures cooler than the city. The natural beauty will soothe your soul.

A hub of entertainment for Oceania, Fiji hosts regional sports and activities in several multipurpose venues. Check Vodafone Arena, ANZ National Stadium, and Albert Park.

When it's time to shop for mementos of your Suva cruise, look for Cumming Street, blocks from the port. Colorful colonial buildings feel like you're stepping back in time. Hungry? Along Victoria Parade, you'll find cafés and restaurants, from Italian and pizza, to Indian and Japanese, to steaks and seafood.

During a cruise to Fiji, receive a warm welcome and see a traditional meke (dance) in the peaceful village of Lauwaki, on Viti Levu. Although the Fijian archipelago has more than 330 islands, most of the 920,000 locals live on just two, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Despite Fiji's exotic image—white beaches, turquoise waters, friendly smiles—the island paradise enjoys one of the most developed economies in the South Pacific.

Fiji's Garden of the Sleeping Giant may be one of the best kept secrets in horticulture. Its magnificent collection of Asian orchids and Cattleya hybrids—more than 2,000 varieties—evolved from the private collection of American actor Raymond Burr. Now open to the public, it makes for a wonderful day of admiring the delicate flowers and wandering the canopy-covered boardwalks, landscaped lawns, and lily ponds.

Also at the base of the Sabeto mountains, you can embrace the therapeutic powers of a natural geothermal mud pool. Slopping around in the mud here will leave you feeling completely refreshed—if only from all the giggling. Mud is rubbed on, then washed away, leaving your skin exfoliated and glowing. The Fijian people have enjoyed this treatment for generations.

For a bit more action, fly high above the rainforest canopy on a five-level zip line that whisks you over streams and waterfalls, and hike among the ancient trees full of colorful butterflies and parrots.

To immerse yourself in Fiji's cultural traditions, tour popular Nadi town. You can experience folkloric performances, explore a wonderland of orchids, and shop for traditional woodcarvings, pottery, and tapa cloth to take back on your Lautoka cruise.

Over 3,000 years of Samoan culture and 19th Century colonial character echo across Apia in a charming urban center. Experience a vibrant nightlife, bustling seafood markets, and swim and snorkel the many scenic beaches and waterfalls. Be sure to take in traditional Samoan song, dance, and cuisine at a Fiafia night, and visit Robert Louis Stevenson’s former home, which is now a popular museum.

This tropical destination will delight you with its magnificent mountain ridges, wonderfully peaceful bays, tranquil villages and some of the world’s most remote and utterly beautiful reefs and beaches. Whether you're a hiker keen on checking out some of the highest sea cliffs in the world on Ta'u, a history buff wanting to see your first star mound, or a leisure-seeker with a deep appreciation of beach life, you'll be glad you visited this unsung paradise.

Tauranga, New Zealand: Explore this chic coastal town in the North Island and you’ll discover the land of the Māori. Tauranga’s white sand beaches offer something for everyone. Relax and sunbathe on one of New Zealand’s most beautiful and popular coasts. Take a dip in the ocean or immerse yourself in a lush waterfall swimming hole. Watch dolphins frolic in the waves or swim with these lovable creatures. Learn to sail, try surfing, take a diving lesson, or refine your fishing technique. Water activities abound in Tauranga. If you’re a landlubber, you can tee up at a golf course on your Tauranga cruise or stroll down The Strand where you can enjoy cafés and a vibrant nightlife. Journey to charming waterfalls or board one of the many eco-cruises available in the Bay of Plenty. Sometimes called the New Zealand Riviera, downtown Tauranga offers galleries, shops, history, and a vibrant café and restaurant scene. The culinary culture brings together innovative chefs working in diverse traditions. Enjoy Italian, Indian, Turkish, Thai, French, and fusion flavors. Sip a hand-crafted drink or enjoy fresh-caught seafood from the Bay of Plenty. From casual al fresco dining to sophisticated New Zealand Riviera gastronomy, Tauranga offers something to tantalize every taste.

Your cruise may have ended, but the adventure continues. Take advantage of the fantastic activities in the area. If you're flying out, please keep your departure flight time in mind and plan accordingly.