Dawn, Australia & New Zealand ex Auckland to Melbourne

9 Night Cruise sailing from Auckland to Melbourne aboard Dawn Princess.

Dawn Princess - along with its sister ships Sun and Sea - creates paradise on the high seas. Featuring a wrap-around Promenade Deck, this spectacular ship has more than 400 balcony staterooms to enjoy the ever-changing scenery and two spacious decks. Hot spots include two show lounges with nightly entertainment, and plenty of elegant and casual dining options from gourmet pizza to grilled steaks.

Highlights of this cruise:

Auckland
Straddling a narrow isthmus created by 60 different volcanoes, New Zealand's former capital boasts scenic beauty, historical interest and a cosmopolitan collection of shops, restaurants, museums, galleries and gardens. Rangitoto, Auckland's largest and youngest volcano, sits in majestic splendor just offshore. Mt. Eden and One Tree Hill, once home to Maori earthworks, overlook the city. One of New Zealand's fine wine districts lies to the north of Auckland.

Auckland served as New Zealand's capital from 1841 until 1865, when the seat of government moved to Wellington.

Tauranga, New Zealand
The "Bay of Plenty" was named by Captain Cook after the prosperous Maori villages of the region generously replenished his supplies. Tauranga, the chief city, is a bustling port, an agricultural and timber center and a popular seaside resort. Tauranga is the gateway to Rotorua, a geothermal wonderland that is the heart of Maori culture and New Zealand's primary tourist attraction.

Tauranga, meaning "sheltered waters" in Maori, is rich with native culture and tradition. Waterskiing, windsurfing and deep-sea fishing abound in Tauranga Harbour. Rotorua with its healing, natural mineral springs is an ideal place to unwind in a therapeutic bath.

Napier
Napier and Hawke's Bay have become New Zealand's premier lifestyle getaways. Located on the North Island's eastern coast, New Zealand's oldest wine-growing region boasts a superb Mediterranean climate and golden sand beaches. In recent years, Hawke's Bay has become a leading producer of fine olive oils and artisanal cheeses. Wildlife lovers and birders will flock to Cape Kidnappers in Southern Hawke Bay: the Cape is home to the largest mainland gannet colony in the world.

In 1931, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake leveled Napier. The town rebuilt itself, and today Napier is hailed as the "Art Deco City" for its superb collection of Deco, Spanish Mission and Classical Revival buildings.

Wellington, New Zealand
From the top of Mt. Victoria, New Zealand's capital lies at your feet. It is a stunning vista of forested peninsulas, with a bustling waterfront, dramatic cliff-side homes and fine Victorian architecture. Despite its steep hills, the city can easily be explored on foot. Wellington is also home to many museums, gardens, winding streets and even a cable car. Many travelers compare it to San Francisco.

Akaroa
On the eastern shores of New Zealand's South Island, Akaroa is a popular tourist destination with a distinctly French flair, its history steeped in legend. It lies on the volcanic Banks Peninsula, which the Maori believe was formed when a hero named Maui piled mountains upon a giant who threatened to eat his children.

The same peninsula was purchased from the local Maori by a French whaler around 1838, and was later settled by both the French and the British, who had just signed the Treaty of Waitangi ensuring New Zealand's existence as a British colony.

With French-named streets leading to restaurants serving French cuisine and colonial architecture all around, Akaroa's heritage as the only French-founded community in New Zealand is unmistakable. Akaroa harbour is home to a diverse array of marine life, including rare Hector's dolphins, and visitors are lured by the area's secluded beaches and quaint boutiques.

Dunedin (Port Chalmers), New Zealand
Dunedin is the old Gaelic name for Edinburgh. Uncover this "kiwi" city's Scottish heritage roots as you meander its octagon-shaped streets and quaint Victorian buildings.

Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne is a huge, sprawling city with something for everyone-culture, art, fashion, and friendly Australians. It is also Australia's financial and commercial center. Easy to explore, at the heart of the city is the Golden Mile, the city's governmental and business corridor, home to hotels, shops, restaurants and theaters.

Melbourne also offers one of the world's finest parks - the Royal Botanic Gardens. Tour this city's charming Victorian-era architecture and visit the countryside via a vintage steam train.