Southern Sounds & Spires – Fiordland & Christchurch

About this cruise

A week or so at sea, a few great ports, and nothing to organise once you're on board. This 9-night sailing from Sydney on December 29, 2027 visits Fiordland National Park, Dunedin, Lyttelton (Christchurch) and Wellington. The sea days come first, which means no rushing to get off the ship on day one. You hit the ports relaxed and ready. Flat whites in Melbourne, coral at the Great Barrier Reef, and fjords in New Zealand. Hard to pick a highlight. Fiordland National Park stands out. It's New Zealand's pristine wilderness of sound and silence. With about 7 hours at each port, you'll want a plan, or at least a shortlist. There are 15 restaurants on Anthem of the Seas, so you'd need to double up a few evenings to try them all in 9 nights. Sydney itself is worth spending some time in. Don't just treat it as a departure point. And a December cruise to warmer water? Hard to argue with that when it's cold at home. All in all, it's a solid trip.