17-night Oceania cruise from Auckland on MS EUROPA 2
The Kia Ora – Intensive New Zealand experiences - Auckland to Auckland is a 17-night Oceania cruise aboard MS EUROPA 2, operated by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Departing Auckland on March 1, 2027, the voyage visits 13 ports including White Island, NZ, Napier, New Zealand, Wellington. Fares start from $12,749 per person.
Fixed editorial images from the places on this itinerary. They stay stable each time you return to this sailing.
Auckland
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.
Napier, New Zealand
Where Vineyards meet the Ocean
As soon as you set foot in New Zealand on your MSC World Cruise, you will see just how charming and relaxing Napier is, the most populous city in Hawke's Bay.
New Zealanders love it for its climate, very similar to that in the Mediterranean, the low cost of living and its well preserved Art Deco buildings, built after the earthquake of 1931.
Enjoy walking around the city centre, where the streets are named after great English writers like Shakespeare or Dickens. Napier's main street is Emerson Street, which connects Marine Parade and the city’s beach (not suitable for bathing) to Clive Square.
About 5 km from the centre, on the north side of Bluff Hill, there is the original Maori village of Ahuriri, where there are now clothes shops, cafes and trendy restaurants.
From Napier, an MSC day trip will take you to visit the surrounding area, which is famous for its vineyards; there is also the New Zealand Wine Centre in the city if you want to find out more about the history of wine in this country.
You can independently visit the National Aquarium of New Zealand, where the ocean marine fauna includes species from Africa, Asia and Australia.
If you are passionate about architecture, a visit to the Art Deco district is a must. Inspired more by Californian than European architecture, the architects who rebuilt Napier after 1931 imitated their colleagues in Santa Barbara by using Mayan, Egyptian and Maori motifs to adorn the facades of buildings. Established forty years ago, the Art Deco Trust protects the buildings by restoring the original decorative elements (don't miss the ASB Bank, the former Hotel Central, the Daily Telegraph building, the Masonic Hotel or the Municipal Theatre).
For lovers of adventure and outdoor activities, there is an MSC day trip which offers you the possibility to raft down the Mohaka River rapids, just 90 km from Napier.
Wellington
Sprawling around a hook-shaped peninsula, Wellington is a vibrant and energetic seaside capital. A compact, well-stocked city of buzzing bars and chatting cafes, New Zealand's capital is a bright and breezy place with an infectious, easy-going atmosphere. Known as the creative hub of the South Pacific, there are shows to see, art installations to enjoy, and rich flavours to savour here. The sounds of rare and beautiful birdlife fill the hills around the city, and the bush of the green belt provides easy-to-access sanctuary, strolls and cycle rides. View less
The Botanical Gardens break up the buildings, even more, while an iconic, cherry-red cable car rumbles up Wellington's slope to the city's best viewpoint, looking out over the city's scenic harbour from above. Zealandia has provided an urban home for rare and endangered birdlife, bringing many species back from the brink. Varied museums cover everything from Maori traditions to earthquake simulations and even the real-life Kraken - a displayed colossal squid. Wellington is only New Zealand's third-biggest city, but spend some time here and you'll realise that's a blessing. Eminently strollable, you can stop in at countless cool cafes to top up your caffeine levels whenever your energy is flagging - the smell of a fresh artisan espresso is never far away. The wines grown nearby are revered, and the city's craft beers are also making waves. Wander the breezy waterfront, and admire the surfers riding the wind-whipped rollers of the self-proclaimed 'coolest little capital in the world'.
Prices come from third-party data feeds via Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and may differ from the cruise line's current fare. Confirm the final price before booking. How our pricing works
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With a maximum of 500 guests, you can expect maximum personal space and individualised service. And all this with an extremely luxurious number ratio of almost one to one. The EUROPA 2 combines comfort with a high degree of flexibility by also calling at small harbours and remote corners off the beaten track. Welcome aboard the best cruise ship in the world!
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