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From Melbourne to Sydney to iconic animal experiences and world-class wine regions, here are the 10 best things to do in Australia. Discover the best water sports to try while on a Great Barrier Reef vacation and start planning your thrilling Australian adventure. Uncover the best travel ideas for adventuring on your winter vacation as you voyage on a getaway to visit Australia, New Zealand, & other destinations. These 10 Melbourne travel tips from Princess Cruises will help you experience the best of this iconic Australian city as only a local would. Read about exotic isles, legendary destinations, and prepare to explore a region unlike any other on your Australia and New Zealand cruise. Marvel at the spectacular scenery of Fiordland National Park / Piopiotahi, voted one of the 7 Cruise World Wonders by Condé Nast Traveler.
History and culture cruises
New Zealand is decidedly more low-key and ideal for long strolls to take in the natural landscape, but visitors should also squeeze in an excursion to historic Christchurch. We offer a wide range of cruises in Australia and New Zealand, from short getaways to longer voyages that visit both countries. We also offer several itineraries that take in both Australia and New Zealand.
Australia & New Zealand Cruises
Most visitors to Australia and New Zealand need an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), an electronic, label-free visa obtainable for a small fee. Smart Casual attire is required for entry to main dining, specialty dining, and the Celebrity Theatre. Smart Casual means you look comfortable yet tasteful in a dress, skirt, long pants, or jeans with a stylish top or button-down. Throughout the ship, casual resort wear, sundresses, shorts, polos, or button-downs are appropriate, paired with sandals, low heels, and loafers.
Related Destinations
Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. Distances are long here, but on a cruise, you can use the travel time to relax into the luxurious surroundings of your ship, waking up refreshed for a new port of call each day. In New Zealand, learn about the Scottish heritage of Dunedin, or visit the snow-capped mountains and dense forests of “Middle Earth”, the famous movie location. Learn about Maori culture and history at the fabulous Te Papa Museum in Wellington.
In the heart of Melbourne sits Federation Square, and rising 230 meters into Brisbane skyline, the SkyPoint viewing deck boasts 360-degree views of the Gold Coast. Weather-wise, northern Australia enjoys an endless summer, but it does get cold in Victoria and Tasmania during winter. Meanwhile, Melbourne is known for displaying four seasons in one day, so always have a jacket and umbrella on hand, just in case. Remove the hassle from air travel and give yourself the gift of flexibility, time and a thicker wallet with Princess EZair flights.
Art & museums
You can change money at the Guest Services Desk on board your ship, or use an ATM in port. Australian dollars are not accepted in New Zealand, or vice versa, so you will need a small supply of each if you are visiting both countries. Credit cards are widely accepted in both, so you really only need cash for small purchases from market stalls or souvenir vendors. Australia and New Zealand both use their own dollars (AU$ and NZD$) as currency. The two are not tied to one another and do not have the same exchange rate, so make sure you understand the value of each before traveling. The daily program, delivered to your stateroom and available at the Guest Relations Desk, will be your guide to the correct attire each evening.
Trek through one of the world’s last temperate rainforests in Tasmania, sample award-winning wine in Margaret River and snorkel in the crystalline waters of the Great Barrier Reef or ride camelback on a beach in Broome / Rubibi. Extend your cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the services of the representative. Trek through one of the world’s last temperate rainforests in Tasmania, sample award-winning wine in Margaret River and snorkel in the crystalline waters of the Great Barrier Reef or ride camelback on a beach in Broome.
APT, Coral Expeditions, Heritage Expeditions, Lindblad Expeditions, On Board Tasmanian Expedition Cruises, Ponant, Silversea and True North. On the Great Barrier Reef, the coral teems with tropical marine life in dazzling colors, from clownfish to butterfly fish and surgeonfish. Sea turtles, manta rays, and marine mammals like whales and dolphins are a regular sight.
A sampler cruise from Sydney is a great way to experience both Australia's biggest city and an exciting cruise. Snorkel, dive and swim along the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef — you can even charter a glass-bottomed boat to stay dry while seeing the only living organism visible from outer space. The reef is accessible from places like Cairns, Airlie Beach, Townsville and Port Douglas in Queensland.
Finally, one-way cruises between Singapore and Sydney visit Bali, Darwin, Cairns, and Airlie Beach, giving you a taste of Asia as well as different Australian ports. You can sail from Australia and New Zealand to the dreamy South Pacific, too, visiting New Caledonia and Vanuatu on the state-of-the-art Celebrity Edge from Sydney. Cruises from Auckland, meanwhile, take you to Fiji and Samoa, with a day in the beautiful Bay of Islands on the way. On Celebrity’s ships, you can enjoy a different restaurant for every meal, with menus designed by a Michelin-starred chef. Don’t miss Dinner on the Edge® on Celebrity Edge, with dining under the stars on The Magic Carpet, high above the ocean, with uninterrupted views. Elevate your experience to the next level at The Retreat®, with suite accommodation, access to a tranquil lounge, and dining at the exclusive Luminae at The Retreat.
Tasmanian devils are difficult to spot in the wild, but you can visit a sanctuary on an excursion in Hobart where injured or orphaned animals are rehabilitated. If you want to see penguins, Phillip Island, near Melbourne, is the place. Wildlife and nature are two of the primary reasons for visiting Australia and New Zealand. Depending on where you go in Australia, you could spot kangaroos and koalas. You’ll also most likely see wallabies, which are like smaller kangaroos, and wombats, a cute-faced marsupial. Some Sydney cruises head north to the spectacular Great Barrier Reef, with stops at Airlie Beach and Cairns, as well as Brisbane and Port Douglas.
You can also see how kiwi fruits are produced, or even spend a day on a sheep farm. You will need a valid passport to visit Australia and New Zealand. It is the responsibility of each guest to identify and obtain all required travel documents and have them available at the pier when necessary. Before leaving home, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the required travel documents you will be asked to provide prior to boarding the ship.
Premium-category cruises offer a comfortable on-board experience at a lower price than luxury cruises. These cruise lines tend towards cultural experiences that enhance your understanding of Australia. You’ll find a good mix of big cities and small towns, islands and national parks.
Princess® brings the joy of discovery on board Australia & New Zealand cruises. Experience the sights, sounds and flavors of Australia & New Zealand. Learn a traditional Māori war dance, indulge in authentic Kiwi cuisine, and sip fine wines and spirits from each region.
Australian couple stranded by Norwegian Cruise Lines describe 'worst experience of our lives' - New York Post
Australian couple stranded by Norwegian Cruise Lines describe 'worst experience of our lives'.
Posted: Wed, 03 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Choose your preferred arrival window and make gangway reservations. Enjoy an insider’s guide to discovering the best family cruises for your next vacation onboard Brilliance of the Seas. Explore Western Australia's Cape Le Grand National Park, which offers stunning coastline set against rolling heathlands filled with kangaroos.
