Southern Cross Traverse – Auckland, Picton & Fiordland

About this cruise

Somewhere around day five the ship stops being transport and starts being home. This 14-night sailing from Sydney on November 18, 2027 visits Auckland, Bay of Islands and Tauranga, with additional stops along the Australia & New Zealand. The first couple of days are at sea, which gives you time to settle in and get to know the ship before the ports begin. The distances are huge, which makes the sea days feel earned, and the ports feel worth it. Most ports give you about 10 hours, so you can do more than just tick off the main sights. As for the ship itself, Grand Princess keeps you well fed. 10 places to eat, with 6 included in the fare and a few specialty spots if you're in the mood. 14 nights is long enough to build a routine on board: favourite restaurant, favourite deck chair, favourite people. It starts to feel like a floating village. A proper voyage for people who like to take their time and hate rushing through destinations. Being shoulder season helps: golden light, comfortable weather, and shorter queues at the popular spots. Hard to ask for much more than that, honestly.