9 Night New Zealand Holiday Cruise

9 nights Dec 19, 2026

The 9 Night New Zealand Holiday Cruise is a 9-night New Zealand cruise aboard Anthem of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean. Departing Sydney, Australia on December 19, 2026, the voyage visits 4 ports. Fares start from $1,961 per person.

from $1,961

$217 / night per person, incl. taxes & fees

See prices

You'll continue on Royal Caribbean's official site. Affiliate disclosure

from $1,961 pp

Continues on Royal Caribbean's site

See prices

Itinerary

Day 1 Dec 19, 2026 Sydney, Australia Departs 17:00 If you want a snapshot of Australia's appeal, look no further than Sydney: The idyllic lifestyle, friendly locals and drop-dead natural beauty of this approachable metropolis and its attractions explain why the country tops so many travelers' wish lists. But Sydney is more than just the embodiment of classic antipodean cool—the city is in a constant state of evolution. A list of what to do in Sydney might start with the white-hot nightlife, with its new cocktail bars and idiosyncratic mixology dens. Inventive restaurants helmed by high-caliber chefs are dishing up everything from posh pan-Asian to Argentine street food, while the famous dining temples that put Sydney on the gastronomic map are still going strong too. The famed harbor is among the top sights—home to twin icons the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, it is the stepping-off point for some of the city's best cultural attractions and sightseeing. In one day you can sail around the harbor, get a behind-the-scenes tour of the opera house and climb the bridge, with time to spare for people-watching over a flat white at a waterfront café. Speaking of water, when you plan what to do in Sydney, you will want to include the iconic beaches, where surfers, office workers and tourists alike converge on some of the most gorgeous shoreline scenery anywhere. Bondi, Bronte and Clovelly are all within easy reach of the Central Business District, as is Manly, a charming seaside town located a short ferry ride from Circular Quay. Beyond the city you'll discover UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the chance to encounter Australia's cuddliest wildlife—a perfect way to round out your envy-inducing Sydney photo collection. Go to Sydney, Australia Cruises visiting Sydney, Australia

Sydney, Australia photo — Day 1 Dec 19, 2026 Sydney, Australia Departs 17:00 If you want a snapshot of Australia's appeal, look no further than Sydney: The idyllic lifestyle, friendly locals and drop-dead natural beauty of this approachable metropolis and its attractions explain why the country tops so many travelers' wish lists. But Sydney is more than just the embodiment of classic antipodean cool—the city is in a constant state of evolution. A list of what to do in Sydney might start with the white-hot nightlife, with its new cocktail bars and idiosyncratic mixology dens. Inventive restaurants helmed by high-caliber chefs are dishing up everything from posh pan-Asian to Argentine street food, while the famous dining temples that put Sydney on the gastronomic map are still going strong too. The famed harbor is among the top sights—home to twin icons the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, it is the stepping-off point for some of the city's best cultural attractions and sightseeing. In one day you can sail around the harbor, get a behind-the-scenes tour of the opera house and climb the bridge, with time to spare for people-watching over a flat white at a waterfront café. Speaking of water, when you plan what to do in Sydney, you will want to include the iconic beaches, where surfers, office workers and tourists alike converge on some of the most gorgeous shoreline scenery anywhere. Bondi, Bronte and Clovelly are all within easy reach of the Central Business District, as is Manly, a charming seaside town located a short ferry ride from Circular Quay. Beyond the city you'll discover UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the chance to encounter Australia's cuddliest wildlife—a perfect way to round out your envy-inducing Sydney photo collection. Go to Sydney, Australia Cruises visiting Sydney, Australia

Day 4 Dec 22, 2026 Bay Of Islands, New Zealand 08:00 – 19:00 11.0 hrs ashore The Tasman Sea on the west and the Pacific Ocean on the east meet at the top of North Island at Cape Reinga. No matter what route you take, you'll pass farms and forests, marvellous beaches, and great open spaces. The East Coast, up to the Bay of Islands, is Northland's most densely populated, often with refugees from bigger cities—looking for a more relaxed life—clustered around breathtaking beaches. The first decision on the drive north comes at the foot of the Brynderwyn Hills. Turning left will take you up the West Coast through areas once covered with forests and now used for either agricultural or horticulture. Driving over "the Brynderwyns," as they are known, takes you to Whangarei, the only city in Northland. If you're in the mood for a diversion, you can slip to the beautiful coastline and take in Waipu Cove, an area settled by Scots, and Laings Beach, where million-dollar homes sit next to small Kiwi beach houses. An hour's drive farther north is the Bay of Islands, known all over the world for its beauty. There you will find lush forests, splendid beaches, and shimmering harbors. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed here in 1840 between Māoriand the British Crown, establishing the basis for the modern New Zealand state. Every year on February 6, the extremely beautiful Waitangi Treaty Ground (the name means weeping waters) is the sight of a celebration of the treaty and protests by Māori unhappy with it. Continuing north on the East Coast, the agricultural backbone of the region is even more evident and a series of winding loop roads off the main highway will take you to beaches that are both beautiful and isolated where you can swim, dive, picnic, or just laze. . The West Coast is even less populated, and the coastline is rugged and windswept. In the Waipoua Forest, you will find some of New Zealand's oldest and largest kauri trees; the winding road will also take you past mangrove swamps. Crowning the region is the spiritually significant Cape Reinga, the headland at the top of the vast stretch of 90 Mile Beach, where it's believed Māori souls depart after death. Today Māori make up roughly a quarter of the area's population (compared with the national average of about 15%). The legendary Māori navigator Kupe was said to have landed on the shores of Hokianga Harbour, where the first arrivals made their home. Many different wi (tribes) lived throughout Northland, including Ngapuhi (the largest), Te Roroa, Ngati Wai, Ngati Kuri, Te Aupouri, Ngaitakoto, Ngati Kahu, and Te Rarawa. Many Māorihere can trace their ancestry to the earliest inhabitants

Day 5 Dec 23, 2026 Auckland 07:00 – 19:00 12.0 hrs ashore Adorned with a harbor and a spectacular bridge, the largest and most populous city in New Zealand is also one of the most beautiful. Auckland will be the next stop on your MSC World Cruise, for an extraordinary vacation in the "City of Sails", named as such for its beautiful bays and its passion for water sports and yachting. Its superb location, on a narrow strip of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, is made even more attractive by the lush subtropical forests that surround the nearby hills and the volcanic landscapes of the surrounding islands. Another stop on your trip with MSC Cruises that can not be missed is the Sky Tower, the tallest structure in the southern hemisphere. At 328 meters in height, this tower offers breathtaking sights: out of its glass windows, the view stretches for 80 kilometers in every direction. To find out all about the Maori culture and the origins of life in the ocean, you can visit the Auckland Museum, with a section dedicated to the Second World War. Here you can not only enjoy the collections on the local traditions, but also watch live vocal performances and dances by the local people. The National Maritime Museum instead will reveal the secrets of sailing in New Zealand, and at Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World aquarium, you can see fish of all kinds, alternating with the recreation of fantastic arctic excursions. The city has a lot to offer in terms of art galleries, festivals and events of all kinds, related to music, cooking, wine and adventure, such as bungee jumping, skydiving, kayaking, swimming with dolphins and diving or shellfish. Thanks to your MSC cruise ship, you will experience unique moments in one of the most amazing cities in the world. Go to Auckland Cruises visiting Auckland

Auckland photo — Day 5 Dec 23, 2026 Auckland 07:00 – 19:00 12.0 hrs ashore Adorned with a harbor and a spectacular bridge, the largest and most populous city in New Zealand is also one of the most beautiful. Auckland will be the next stop on your MSC World Cruise, for an extraordinary vacation in the "City of Sails", named as such for its beautiful bays and its passion for water sports and yachting. Its superb location, on a narrow strip of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, is made even more attractive by the lush subtropical forests that surround the nearby hills and the volcanic landscapes of the surrounding islands. Another stop on your trip with MSC Cruises that can not be missed is the Sky Tower, the tallest structure in the southern hemisphere. At 328 meters in height, this tower offers breathtaking sights: out of its glass windows, the view stretches for 80 kilometers in every direction. To find out all about the Maori culture and the origins of life in the ocean, you can visit the Auckland Museum, with a section dedicated to the Second World War. Here you can not only enjoy the collections on the local traditions, but also watch live vocal performances and dances by the local people. The National Maritime Museum instead will reveal the secrets of sailing in New Zealand, and at Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World aquarium, you can see fish of all kinds, alternating with the recreation of fantastic arctic excursions. The city has a lot to offer in terms of art galleries, festivals and events of all kinds, related to music, cooking, wine and adventure, such as bungee jumping, skydiving, kayaking, swimming with dolphins and diving or shellfish. Thanks to your MSC cruise ship, you will experience unique moments in one of the most amazing cities in the world. Go to Auckland Cruises visiting Auckland

Day 6 Dec 24, 2026 Tauranga, New Zealand 09:00 – 20:00 11.0 hrs ashore These “sheltered waters”, the meaning of the name Tauranga in Maori, will also shelter you while on an MSC World Cruise in New Zealand. The city extends along a narrow peninsula dotted with parks and gardens lying behind a vibrant promenade, The Strand. Tauranga is a delightful city in which you can spend half a day wandering around between shops, restaurants and art galleries. If you miss the ocean, you can take a taxi to Mount Maunganui, the name of both the mountain that protects the port of Tauranga and the district overlooking the Pacific, with its long sandy beach and surfers. One of the city's main attractions is the Tauranga Art Gallery, which opened in 2007. The gallery is housed in a former bank that was transformed inside by creating large exhibition spaces; the exterior is completely sheathed with metal panels, similar to those of medieval armour. On The Strand, there is an ad hoc structure that houses the Te Awanui, a 14-metre long carved Maori war canoe used during ritual ceremonies; it is a truly remarkable example of New Zealand’s indigenous art. If you want to relax, seek out the roses and Begonias in Robbins Park, or if you prefer to dive into the past of Tauranga, there’s nothing better than a visit to the immaculate Elms Mission House, one of New Zealand's oldest standing houses, built between 1835 and 1847 for the first missionaries. A visit to this house, which still has its original furniture, is part of an MSC tour that ensures that you don’t miss out on anything in Tauranga. If you want to go further afield, about 70 km inland you can visit Tudor-style spa bath houses and the Government Gardens near the town of Rotorua, which are well worth a visit, as are the Glow-Worm Waitomo Caves and the Hobbiton Movie Set, where Peter Jackson reconstructed J.R.R Tolkien’s County for his The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Go to Tauranga, New Zealand Cruises visiting Tauranga, New Zealand

Tauranga, New Zealand photo — Day 6 Dec 24, 2026 Tauranga, New Zealand 09:00 – 20:00 11.0 hrs ashore These “sheltered waters”, the meaning of the name Tauranga in Maori, will also shelter you while on an MSC World Cruise in New Zealand. The city extends along a narrow peninsula dotted with parks and gardens lying behind a vibrant promenade, The Strand. Tauranga is a delightful city in which you can spend half a day wandering around between shops, restaurants and art galleries. If you miss the ocean, you can take a taxi to Mount Maunganui, the name of both the mountain that protects the port of Tauranga and the district overlooking the Pacific, with its long sandy beach and surfers. One of the city's main attractions is the Tauranga Art Gallery, which opened in 2007. The gallery is housed in a former bank that was transformed inside by creating large exhibition spaces; the exterior is completely sheathed with metal panels, similar to those of medieval armour. On The Strand, there is an ad hoc structure that houses the Te Awanui, a 14-metre long carved Maori war canoe used during ritual ceremonies; it is a truly remarkable example of New Zealand’s indigenous art. If you want to relax, seek out the roses and Begonias in Robbins Park, or if you prefer to dive into the past of Tauranga, there’s nothing better than a visit to the immaculate Elms Mission House, one of New Zealand's oldest standing houses, built between 1835 and 1847 for the first missionaries. A visit to this house, which still has its original furniture, is part of an MSC tour that ensures that you don’t miss out on anything in Tauranga. If you want to go further afield, about 70 km inland you can visit Tudor-style spa bath houses and the Government Gardens near the town of Rotorua, which are well worth a visit, as are the Glow-Worm Waitomo Caves and the Hobbiton Movie Set, where Peter Jackson reconstructed J.R.R Tolkien’s County for his The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Go to Tauranga, New Zealand Cruises visiting Tauranga, New Zealand

Pricing

Lowest fare we've tracked over the observed 82-day span: $1,961 · range $1,961–$2,476

Current prices

Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

Inside

from $1,961

$217 / night

Fare rows

Interior Stateroom - Guaranteed

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,961

$217 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Interior with Virtual Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,053

$228 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Interior with Virtual Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,073

$230 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Connecting Interior with Virtual Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,093

$232 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Oceanview

from $2,232

$248 / night

Fare rows

Oceanview Stateroom - Guaranteed

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,232

$248 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,400

$266 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Spacious Ocean View

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,549

$283 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Balcony

from $2,173

$241 / night

Fare rows

Balcony Stateroom - Guaranteed

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,173

$241 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,364

$262 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,763

$307 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Connecting Oceanview Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,903

$322 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View with Large Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,054

$339 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View with Large Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,144

$349 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Suite

from $4,704

$522 / night

Fare rows

Suite - Guaranteed

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,704

$522 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Junior Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,784

$531 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Junior Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,874

$541 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Junior Suite with Large Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,924

$547 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Sky Junior Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $5,099

$566 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Grand Suite - 1 Bedroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $6,758

$750 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Grand Suite with Large Balcony - 1 Bedroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $7,578

$842 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Owner’s Suite - 1 Bedroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $13,639

$1,515 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Sky Loft Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $14,419

$1,602 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Grand Suite - 2 Bedroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $14,708

$1,634 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Grand Loft Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $15,628

$1,736 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Owner’s Loft Suite - 1 Bedroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $17,398

$1,933 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Prices verified Jun 19, 2026

Prices come from third-party data feeds via Royal Caribbean and may differ from the cruise line's current fare. Confirm the final price before booking. How our pricing works

All cabin grades (40) Detailed cabin specs available at booking.

Name	Supplier code	Type
Ocean View with Large Balcony	1C	Balcony
Ocean View Balcony	1D	Balcony
Obstructed Ocean View Balcony	1E	Balcony
Ocean View with Large Balcony	2C	Balcony
Ocean View Balcony	2D	Balcony
Obstructed Ocean View Balcony	2E	Balcony
Studio Ocean View Balcony	2F	Balcony
Ocean View Balcony	3D	Balcony
Ocean View with Large Balcony	4C	Balcony
Ocean View Balcony	4D	Balcony
Connecting Oceanview Balcony	CB	Balcony
Balcony Stateroom - Guaranteed	XB	Balcony
Interior with Virtual Balcony	1U	Inside
Interior with Virtual Balcony	2U	Inside
Studio Interior	2W	Inside
Interior with Virtual Balcony	3U	Inside
Interior with Virtual Balcony	4U	Inside
Connecting Interior with Virtual Balcony	CI	Inside
Interior Stateroom - Guaranteed	ZI	Inside
Interior Quad Gty	ZQ	Inside
Ocean View	1N	Oceanview
Ocean View	2N	Oceanview
Spacious Ocean View	3M	Oceanview
Spacious Ocean View	4M	Oceanview
Ocean View Balcony Quad Gty	XQ	Oceanview
Oceanview Stateroom - Guaranteed	YO	Oceanview
Ocean View Quad Gty	YQ	Oceanview
Grand Suite with Large Balcony - 1 Bedroom	GB	Suite
Grand Loft Suite	GL	Suite
Grand Suite - 1 Bedroom	GS	Suite
Grand Suite - 2 Bedroom	GT	Suite
Junior Suite with Large Balcony	J1	Suite
Junior Suite	J3	Suite
Junior Suite	J4	Suite
Sky Junior Suite	JY	Suite
Owner’s Loft Suite - 1 Bedroom	OL	Suite
Owner’s Suite - 1 Bedroom	OS	Suite
Royal Loft Suite	RL	Suite
Sky Loft Suite	SL	Suite
Suite - Guaranteed	WS	Suite