13-night Pacific cruise: Auckland to Timaru on Scenic Eclipse II
The Splendours of New Zealand: Auckland to Christchurch is a 13-night Pacific cruise aboard Scenic Eclipse II, operated by Scenic Ocean Cruises. Departing Auckland on November 30, 2028 and arriving in Timaru on December 13, 2028, the voyage visits 7 ports including Waiheke Island, Napier, New Zealand, Picton, NZ. Fares start from $14,503 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.
Kaikoura
Two hours north of Christchurch is the “we can’t believe how beautiful this is” town of Kaikoura, situated on a rocky peninsula with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. The Māori name of Kaikoura translates to “meal of crayfish” (kai = food, koura = crayfish) for which the region is famous. And it’s this abundance of crayfish, combined with a complex marine system and rich habitat, which draws so many visitors here—humans and animals alike. In fact, you could call Kaikoura a marine mammal mecca, where sperm whales, fur seals, and dolphins live permanently, while migrating species like the rare Hector’s dolphins, humpback whales, and orca pop by for visits.
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In 2019, the launch of Scenic Eclipse, The World's First Discovery Yachts™, set the benchmark in ultra-luxury ocean cruising. Now, we invite you to experience a new era of expedition cruising with the highly anticipated arrival of Scenic Eclipse II. Combining innovative design and state-of-the-art technology with unrivalled discovery. Enjoy enhanced ultra-luxury spaces, new culinary experiences and unmatched exploration as you soar above by helicopter^.
On the 13th April Scenic Eclipse II set sail from Lisbon, Portugal, on her inaugural voyage, the 12-day Incredible Iberian Discovery cruise to Barcelona, Spain.
On board for her maiden voyage the Scenic Group Chairman and founder Glen Moroney and his wife, Karen Moroney, joined our loyal guests, invited VIPs, and dedicated Scenic Eclipse crew who have played a part in the vision and delivery of this much-anticipated state-of-the-art Discovery Yacht.
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