Kiwi Coast & Islands – Auckland & Bay of Islands

About this cruise

You board in Sydney on December 19, 2026 for 9 nights visiting Bay of Islands, Auckland and Tauranga, and you come back from this kind of trip wondering why you don't do it more often. You ease into this one, with a few sea days up front to find your rhythm before the 3 port calls start. Sydney Opera House one day, Milford Sound's fjords another. The Antipodes reward the long flight. Bay of Islands alone is worth the trip, 144 islands of subtropical paradise. Around 11 hours per port on average, which is generous enough to go beyond the obvious. Anthem of the Seas takes the food seriously, with 15 restaurants to choose from. 7 are included, and the rest are worth the splurge. Families and groups will find plenty to do: waterslides, shows, multiple pools, and something for every age. A December sailing is basically an excuse to chase the sun for a week or two. Worth booking. That's the short version.