Auckland, New Zealand

Location

Auckland is called the City of Sails, and visitors flying in will see why. On the East Coast is the Waitemata Harbour—a Māori word meaning sparkling waters—which is bordered by the Hauraki Gulf, an aquatic playground peppered with small islands where many Aucklanders can be found "mucking around in boats."Not surprisingly, Auckland has some 70,000 boats. About one in four households in Auckland has a seacraft of some kind, and there are 102 beaches within an hour's drive; during the week many are quite empty. Even the airport is by the water; it borders the Manukau Harbour, which also takes its name from the Māori language and means solitary bird.According to Māori tradition, the Auckland isthmus was originally peopled by a race of giants and fairy folk. When Europeans arrived in the early 19th century, however, the Ngāti-Whātua tribe was firmly in control of the region. The British began negotiations with the Ngāti-Whātua in 1840 to purchase the isthmus and establish the colony's first capital. In September of that year the British flag was hoisted to mark the township's foundation, and Auckland remained the capital until 1865, when the seat of government was moved to Wellington. Aucklanders expected to suffer from the shift; it hurt their pride but not their pockets. As the terminal for the South Sea shipping routes, Auckland was already an established commercial center. Since then the urban sprawl has made this city of approximately 1.3 million people one of the world's largest geographically.A couple of days in the city will reveal just how developed and sophisticated Auckland is—the Mercer City Survey 2012 saw it ranked as the third-highest city for quality of life—though those seeking a New York in the South Pacific will be disappointed. Auckland is more get-up and go-outside than get-dressed-up and go-out. That said, most shops are open daily, central bars and a few nightclubs buzz well into the wee hours, especially Thursday through Saturday, and a mix of Māori, Pacific people, Asians, and Europeans contributes to the cultural milieu. Auckland has the world's largest single population of Pacific Islanders living outside their home countries, though many of them live outside the central parts of the city and in Manukau to the south. The Samoan language is the second most spoken in New Zealand. Most Pacific people came to New Zealand seeking a better life. When the plentiful, low-skilled work that attracted them dried up, the dream soured, and the population has suffered with poor health and education. Luckily, policies are now addressing that, and change is slowly coming. The Pacifica Festival in March is the region's biggest cultural event, attracting thousands to Western Springs. The annual Pacific Island Secondary Schools’ Competition, also in March, sees young Pacific Islander and Asian students compete in traditional dance, drumming, and singing. This event is open to the public.At the geographical center of Auckland city is the 1,082-foot Sky Tower, a convenient landmark for those exploring on foot and some say a visible sign of the city's naked aspiration. It has earned nicknames like the Needle and the Big Penis—a counterpoint to a poem by acclaimed New Zealand poet James K. Baxter, which refers to Rangitoto Island as a clitoris in the harbor.The Waitemata Harbour has become better known since New Zealand staged its first defense of the America's Cup in 2000 and the successful Louis Vuitton Pacific Series in early 2009. The first regatta saw major redevelopment of the waterfront. The area, where many of the city's most popular bars, cafés, and restaurants are located, is now known as Viaduct Basin or, more commonly, the Viaduct. A recent expansion has created another area, Wynyard Quarter, which is slowly adding restaurants.These days, Auckland is still considered too bold and brash for its own good by many Kiwis who live "south of the Bombay Hills," the geographical divide between Auckland and the rest of New Zealand (barring Northland). "Jafa," an acronym for "just another f—ing Aucklander," has entered the local lexicon; there's even a book out called Way of the Jafa: A Guide to Surviving Auckland and Aucklanders. A common complaint is that Auckland absorbs the wealth from the hard work of the rest of the country. Most Aucklanders, on the other hand, still try to shrug and see it as the parochial envy of those who live in small towns. But these internal identity squabbles aren't your problem. You can enjoy a well-made coffee in almost any café, or take a walk on a beach—knowing that within 30 minutes' driving time you could be cruising the spectacular harbor, playing a round at a public golf course, or even walking in subtropical forest while listening to the song of a native tûî bird.

Auckland, New Zealand Itineraries

7 Nights

Taste of New Zealand: Norfolk Island & Bay of Islands

Departure Date
28 Nov 24
Cruise Line Scenic Ocean Cruises
Cruise Type Ocean
Ship Scenic Eclipse II
Region Australia & New Zealand
Departure Port Wellington
Destination Port Auckland
Itinerary
Wellington, New Plymouth, Norfolk Island, Bay of Islands and Auckland

From £4,884pp

Plus substantial savings from Deluxe Cruises

14 Nights

Australia & New Zealand

Departure Date
29 Nov 24
Cruise Line Viking Ocean Cruises
Cruise Type Ocean
Ship Viking Orion
Region Australia & New Zealand
Departure Port Sydney, New South Wales
Destination Port Auckland
Itinerary
Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Melbourne, Victoria, Hobart, Tasmania, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Napier, Tauranga and Auckland

From £8,490pp

Plus substantial savings from Deluxe Cruises

15 Nights

New Zealand At Its Best

Departure Date
03 Dec 24
Cruise Line Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Cruise Type Ocean
Ship MS EUROPA 2
Region Australia & New Zealand
Departure Port Melbourne, Victoria
Destination Port Auckland
Itinerary
Melbourne, Victoria, Hobart, Tasmania, Port Arthur, Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Oban, Stewart Island, Port Chalmers, Lyttelton, Picton, Wellington, Napier, Tauranga and Auckland

From £7,390pp

Plus substantial savings from Deluxe Cruises

16 Nights

Sydney to Auckland

Departure Date
04 Dec 24
Cruise Line Silversea
Cruise Type Ocean
Ship Silver Nova
Region Australia & New Zealand
Departure Port Sydney, New South Wales
Destination Port Auckland
Itinerary
Sydney, New South Wales, Hobart, Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Milford Sound, Port Chalmers, Lyttelton, Picton, New Plymouth, Wellington, Napier, Gisborne, Tauranga and Auckland

From £7,350pp

Plus substantial savings from Deluxe Cruises

12 Nights

Pure New Zealand: North & South Islands

Departure Date
05 Dec 24
Cruise Line Scenic Ocean Cruises
Cruise Type Ocean
Ship Scenic Eclipse II
Region Australia & New Zealand
Departure Port Auckland
Destination Port Queenstown
Itinerary
Auckland, Tauranga, Gisborne, Napier, Wellington, Kaiteriteri, South Island, Nelson, Picton, Kaikoura, Port Chalmers, Oban, Stewart Island, Milford Sound, Bluff, Queenstown and Queenstown

From £8,696pp

Plus substantial savings from Deluxe Cruises

14 Nights

Auckland to Sydney

Departure Date
06 Dec 24
Cruise Line Silversea
Cruise Type Ocean
Ship Silver Muse
Region Australia & New Zealand
Departure Port Auckland
Destination Port Sydney, New South Wales
Itinerary
Auckland, Napier, Picton, Lyttelton, Port Chalmers, Hobart, Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Port Arthur, Tasmania, Burnie, Tasmania and Sydney, New South Wales

From £4,550pp

Plus substantial savings from Deluxe Cruises

30 Nights

Australia, New Zealand & Indonesia

Departure Date
07 Dec 24
Cruise Line Viking Ocean Cruises
Cruise Type Ocean
Ship Viking Venus
Region Asia
Departure Port Benoa, Bali
Destination Port Auckland
Itinerary
Benoa, Bali, Lombok, Komodo Island, Darwin, Northern Territory, Darwin, Northern Territory, Thursday Island, Queensland, Cairns, Queensland, Townsville, Queensland, Airlie Beach, Airlie Beach, Newcastle, New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Melbourne, Victoria, Hobart, Tasmania, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Napier, Tauranga, Auckland and Auckland

From £15,990pp

Plus substantial savings from Deluxe Cruises

14 Nights

Kiwi & Aussie Majesty

Departure Date
08 Dec 24
Cruise Line Oceania Cruises
Cruise Type Ocean
Ship Regatta
Region Australia & New Zealand
Departure Port Auckland
Destination Port Sydney, New South Wales
Itinerary
Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Picton, Lyttelton, Dunedin, Bluff, Melbourne, Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Geelong, Victoria, Burnie, Tasmania and Sydney, New South Wales

From £2,496pp

Plus substantial savings from Deluxe Cruises

14 Nights

Australia & New Zealand

Departure Date
13 Dec 24
Cruise Line Viking Ocean Cruises
Cruise Type Ocean
Ship Viking Orion
Region Australia & New Zealand
Departure Port Auckland
Destination Port Sydney, New South Wales
Itinerary
Auckland, Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hobart, Tasmania, Melbourne, Victoria, Sydney, New South Wales and Sydney, New South Wales

From £7,890pp

Plus substantial savings from Deluxe Cruises

20 Nights

Christmas In Paradise

Departure Date
18 Dec 24
Cruise Line Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Cruise Type Ocean
Ship MS EUROPA 2
Region Australia & New Zealand
Departure Port Auckland
Destination Port Lautoka
Itinerary
Auckland, Tauranga, Nelson, Kaiteriteri, South Island, Picton, Bay of Islands, Nouméa, Kuto Bay, Isle des Pins, Maré Island, Mystery Island (Inyeug), Port Vila, Suva, Kabara, Lau Islands, Taveuni Island, Dravuni Island, Lautoka, Port Denarau and Lautoka

From £13,760pp

Plus substantial savings from Deluxe Cruises

137 Nights

Viking World Cruise

Departure Date
19 Dec 24
Cruise Line Viking Ocean Cruises
Cruise Type Ocean
Ship Viking Sky
Region World-wide
Departure Port Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Destination Port London (Greenwich)
Itinerary
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Cozumel, Cartagena, Colón, Puntarenas, Cabo San Lucas, Los Angeles, California, Honolulu, Hawaii, Nawiliwili, Hawaii, Vaitape, Moorea, Papeete, Tahiti, Papeete, Tahiti, Rarotonga, Waitangi, Bay of Islands, Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Mooloolaba, Queensland, Airlie Beach, Cairns, Queensland, Cairns, Queensland, Thursday Island, Queensland, Darwin, Northern Territory, Rinca Island, Benoa, Bali, Benoa, Bali, Semarang, Jakarta, Jakarta, Singapore, Singapore, Port Klang, Georgetown, Penang, Georgetown, Penang, Phuket, Colombo, Colombo, Male, Victoria, Mahé, Mombasa, Mombasa, Zanzibar, Zanzibar, Hell-Ville, Maputo, Richards Bay, Durban, East London, Gqeberha (ex Port Elizabeth), Cape Town, Cape Town, Lüderitz, Walvis Bay, Walvis Bay, Luanda, Praia, Santiago Island, Mindelo, São Vicente Island, Puerto de la Estaca, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Agadir, Agadir, Casablanca, Casablanca, Cádiz, Algarve, Leixões, Vigo, La Coruña, Honfleur, Dover, London (Greenwich) and London (Greenwich)

From £47,990pp

Plus substantial savings from Deluxe Cruises

179 Nights

Viking World Voyage I

Departure Date
19 Dec 24
Cruise Line Viking Ocean Cruises
Cruise Type Ocean
Ship Viking Sky
Region World-wide
Departure Port Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Destination Port New York, New York
Itinerary
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Cozumel, Cartagena, Colón, Puntarenas, Cabo San Lucas, Los Angeles, California, Honolulu, Hawaii, Nawiliwili, Hawaii, Vaitape, Moorea, Papeete, Tahiti, Papeete, Tahiti, Rarotonga, Waitangi, Bay of Islands, Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Mooloolaba, Queensland, Airlie Beach, Cairns, Queensland, Cairns, Queensland, Thursday Island, Queensland, Darwin, Northern Territory, Rinca Island, Benoa, Bali, Benoa, Bali, Semarang, Jakarta, Jakarta, Singapore, Singapore, Port Klang, Georgetown, Penang, Georgetown, Penang, Phuket, Colombo, Colombo, Male, Victoria, Mahé, Mombasa, Mombasa, Zanzibar, Zanzibar, Hell-Ville, Maputo, Richards Bay, Durban, East London, Gqeberha (ex Port Elizabeth), Cape Town, Cape Town, Lüderitz, Walvis Bay, Walvis Bay, Luanda, Praia, Santiago Island, Mindelo, São Vicente Island, Puerto de la Estaca, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Agadir, Agadir, Casablanca, Casablanca, Cádiz, Algarve, Leixões, Vigo, La Coruña, Honfleur, Dover, London (Greenwich), London (Greenwich), London (Greenwich), Dover, Dun Laoghaire, Holyhead, Liverpool, Belfast, Ullapool, Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Newhaven/Edinburgh, Invergordon, Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Bergen, Bergen, Bergen, Geiranger, Narvik, Leknes, Tromsø, Honningsvåg, Longyearbyen, Longyearbyen, Isafjørdur, Reykjavík, Heimaey Island, Djúpivogur, Seydisfjørdur, Akureyri, Isafjørdur, Nanortalik, Qaqortoq (Julianehaab), L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland and Labrador, Halifax, Nova Scotia and New York, New York

From £99,990pp

Plus substantial savings from Deluxe Cruises