14 Night Australia Cruise
Itinerary
Auckland
New Zealand
Day 1Auckland is called the City of Sails, and visitors flying in will see why. On the East Coast is the Waitemata Harbour—a Māori word meaning sparkling waters—which is bordered by the Hauraki Gulf, an aquatic playground peppered with small islands where many Aucklanders can be found "mucking around in boats."Not surprisingly, Auckland has some 70,000 boats. About one in four households in Auckland has a seacraft of some kind, and there are 102 beaches within an hour's drive; during the week many are quite empty. Even the airport is by the water; it borders the Manukau Harbour, which also takes its name from the Māori language and means solitary bird.According to Māori tradition, the Auckland isthmus was originally peopled by a race of giants and fairy folk. When Europeans arrived in the early 19th century, however, the Ngāti-Whātua tribe was firmly in control of the region. The British began negotiations with the Ngāti-Whātua in 1840 to purchase the isthmus and establish the colony's first capital. In September of that year the British flag was hoisted to mark the township's foundation, and Auckland remained the capital until 1865, when the seat of government was moved to Wellington. Aucklanders expected to suffer from the shift; it hurt their pride but not their pockets. As the terminal for the South Sea shipping routes, Auckland was already an established commercial center. Since then the urban sprawl has made this city of approximately 1.3 million people one of the world's largest geographically.A couple of days in the city will reveal just how developed and sophisticated Auckland is—the Mercer City Survey 2012 saw it ranked as the third-highest city for quality of life—though those seeking a New York in the South Pacific will be disappointed. Auckland is more get-up and go-outside than get-dressed-up and go-out. That said, most shops are open daily, central bars and a few nightclubs buzz well into the wee hours, especially Thursday through Saturday, and a mix of Māori, Pacific people, Asians, and Europeans contributes to the cultural milieu. Auckland has the world's largest single population of Pacific Islanders living outside their home countries, though many of them live outside the central parts of the city and in Manukau to the south. The Samoan language is the second most spoken in New Zealand. Most Pacific people came to New Zealand seeking a better life. When the plentiful, low-skilled work that attracted them dried up, the dream soured, and the population has suffered with poor health and education. Luckily, policies are now addressing that, and change is slowly coming. The Pacifica Festival in March is the region's biggest cultural event, attracting thousands to Western Springs. The annual Pacific Island Secondary Schools’ Competition, also in March, sees young Pacific Islander and Asian students compete in traditional dance, drumming, and singing. This event is open to the public.At the geographical center of Auckland city is the 1,082-foot Sky Tower, a convenient landmark for those exploring on foot and some say a visible sign of the city's naked aspiration. It has earned nicknames like the Needle and the Big Penis—a counterpoint to a poem by acclaimed New Zealand poet James K. Baxter, which refers to Rangitoto Island as a clitoris in the harbor.The Waitemata Harbour has become better known since New Zealand staged its first defense of the America's Cup in 2000 and the successful Louis Vuitton Pacific Series in early 2009. The first regatta saw major redevelopment of the waterfront. The area, where many of the city's most popular bars, cafés, and restaurants are located, is now known as Viaduct Basin or, more commonly, the Viaduct. A recent expansion has created another area, Wynyard Quarter, which is slowly adding restaurants.These days, Auckland is still considered too bold and brash for its own good by many Kiwis who live "south of the Bombay Hills," the geographical divide between Auckland and the rest of New Zealand (barring Northland). "Jafa," an acronym for "just another f—ing Aucklander," has entered the local lexicon; there's even a book out called Way of the Jafa: A Guide to Surviving Auckland and Aucklanders. A common complaint is that Auckland absorbs the wealth from the hard work of the rest of the country. Most Aucklanders, on the other hand, still try to shrug and see it as the parochial envy of those who live in small towns. But these internal identity squabbles aren't your problem. You can enjoy a well-made coffee in almost any café, or take a walk on a beach—knowing that within 30 minutes' driving time you could be cruising the spectacular harbor, playing a round at a public golf course, or even walking in subtropical forest while listening to the song of a native tûî bird.
About this cruise
Discovery Princess℠, our third vessel designed from the ground up with Princess MedallionClass™ and the final Royal-class ship, will continue to deliver an array of innovative new experiences. Enjoy 270-degree sweeping views from our largest balconies at sea, unwind in ultimate comfort at The Sanctuary, and indulge your senses with world-class dining options from Michelin-star and renowned chefs. Plus, Princess live entertainment presents spectacular new productions that can only be seen in our state-of-the-art Princess Theatre. With our effortless, personalised service of the MedallionClass® experience, your real holiday has just begun!
From the moment you step aboard, we want you to feel welcomed and right at home. And with attentive service from a friendly staff that knows what hospitality means, you’ll find your Princess® ship truly is your home away from home.
Available dates
Stateroom Options
- InsideFROM£1,399 pp
- BalconyFROM£1,869 pp
- OceanviewFROM£1,919 pp
- SuiteFROM£2,269 pp
Fast, Simple, Secure booking
No Booking Fees
No Hidden Fees
dining
enrichment
kids teens
accommodation
entertainment
health fitness
dining
Chocolate Journeys℠
Indulge Your Chocolate Fantasies
There are few foods that inspire as much passion as chocolate. Our pastry chefs channeled their love of chocolate into handcrafted treats designed exclusively for our Chocolate Journeys℠ programme. These sweet creations combine premium quality chocolate with unique flavours and artful designs and can be found throughout the ship.
Chocolate Journeys℠
Indulge Your Chocolate Fantasies
There are few foods that inspire as much passion as chocolate. Our pastry chefs channeled their love of chocolate into handcrafted treats designed exclusively for our Chocolate Journeys℠ programme. These sweet creations combine premium quality chocolate with unique flavours and artful designs and can be found throughout the ship.
Gigi's Pizzeria
Hand-Tossed Pizza, Hot Out of the Oven
This charming sit-down venue offers an enticing menu of freshly prepared individual-size pizzas along with beer and wines by the glass. The open kitchen design allows you to watch as the chefs create pizza by hand and serve them straight out of the oven.
Venues and menu items vary by ship and are subject to change.
World Fresh Marketplace
Whenever you visit, you’ll find plenty of well-balanced options to choose from. Stop by for breakfast and visit our gourmet pancake station, or enjoy one of our unique hot cereal offerings. At lunch, look for handcrafted sandwiches, regionally inspired dishes and soups, as well as our carvery selections. For dinner, there’s everything from international favourites, comfort foods, customised stir-fry or pasta, plus a multitude of fresh fruit and salad choices.
International Café
Sip and Snack Around the Clock
Open 24-hours a day, the International Café located in the Piazza is the place for an ever-changing array of small bite meals, treats and gourmet beverages. Grab a freshly baked croissant to start your day, snack on pies and quiche or choose from a wide variety of salads and sandwiches at lunchtime, and indulge in decadent desserts in the evening. Coffee and tea fans will love the New Grounds Crafted Coffee menu featuring a variety of speciality espresso-based drinks made from a custom blend of coffee beans, as well as iced tea fusions.
The Salty Dog Grill
While you're enjoying the fresh air on the top deck, treat yourself to one of our 100% handmade gourmet burgers, including our Princess Burger or Triple Smoked Burger.
Ocean Terrace
Celebrate Seafood
The Ocean Terrace seafood bar is ideal for those who love to feast on the bounty from the sea. This stylish bar offers an array of ocean treasures, including sushi and sashimi along with chilled sake, cocktails, and wine by the glass. A la carte pricing makes it easy to pick and choose.
Additional charge applies. Menu items may vary by ship and are subject to change.
Slice Pizzeria
Our top-deck pizzeria features a bold new look that sets the stage for tempting toppings and classic favourites. Try a slice of our award-winning signature Neapolitan-style pizza. Go simple and delicious with just cheese, or mix it up with a variety of toppings that change daily.
Discovery Princess
Princess Cruises
FROM
£1,399 pp
- What's included?
- The below amenities and services are included in your selected cruise fare. By choosing a promotion during the booking process you may be entitled to additional amenities or services, depending on the particular offer.
Base Included Services
Dining options freshly prepared from scratch
Dazzling entertainment from sunrise to sundown
Health and Wellness
Comfortable Accommodations
You can upgrade to 'Princess Plus' to get:
You can also upgrade to 'Princess Premier' to get:
Not Included
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