Overview
Dates & Prices
Itinerary
Ships
Navigating New Zealand’s verdant coastlines we will encounter pristine beaches, quiet coves, and waters filled with whales, dolphins, and seals. The soaring peaks and countless waterfalls of the country’s dazzling fjords are at their jaw-dropping best in Fiordlands National Park, where we spend two days exploring Milford Sound and Dusky Sound. Step into an ancient rainforest, stunning national parks, and fragrant botanical gardens; learn about Maori history and culture and tour cosmopolitan cities.An ornithologist’s dream, New Zealand boasts 300 species of birds including the magnificent royal albatross and a colony of 20,000 gannets. Below the South Island in the Southern Ocean lie the remote and wildly beautiful sub-Antarctic islands where few humans have tread. Teeming with major populations of pelagic seabirds and animals and plants found nowhere else in the world, they burst with thousands of seals and millions of penguins.
- Immerse yourself in unparalleled beauty: scenic beaches and lush native forests in the North Island and deep fjords and dramatic landscapes in the South Island.
- Discover the history and dynamic culture of New Zealand and the Maori people.
- Explore the sub-Antarctic islands which remain almost completely protected from human activity and are home to a diverse collection of endemic plant and animal species
- Delve into New Zealand’s cultural riches – from Napier’s Art Deco architecture, to historical Maori sites.
- Visit Abel Tasman National Park where we’ll discover its golden sand beaches, abundant bird and sea life and native forests.
15 November, 2024 to 04 December, 2024 on National Geographic Orion (reverse)
Prices
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Category 6
£ 43045 GBP pp
Cat 6 Owner’s suite with Balcony #502, 507, 509*, 510 - These large, owner's suites feature a balcony (Cabin 509 does not have a balcony), a spacious bathroom with a large shower and separate soaking tub with a window, and a large separate living area with a couch and two bucket chairs, plus climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV.
Category 1 Solo
£ 33919 GBP pp
These solo cabins feature a window or two portholes, a queen-size bed, writing desk and chair, climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV.
Bathrooms are also generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall
Category 3
£ 26624 GBP pp
Cat 3 Suite with Window #401-412, 414-419 These suites have a comfortable sofa in the sitting area with a large window and plenty of storage. They have a variety of bed configurations (call for details) plus a writing desk and chair, climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV. Modern bathrooms are generously sized with roomy glass-walled shower stall.
Category 1
£ 22614 GBP pp
These cabins feature an oval window and two single beds, two beds that can be converted to a queen-size bed, or a queen size bed (call for details). You'll find an armchair, climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV. Bathrooms are also generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall.
Category 3 Solo
£ 39951 GBP pp
Cat 3S Suite with Window #512 - This solo suite features two beds and a large window, plus a bucket chair and small table, climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV. The bathroom is spacious and has a glass-walled shower.
Category 4
£ 32458 GBP pp
Cat 4 Deluxe suite with Window #511, 515 - These two suites feature separate sleeping and sitting areas, with a two-seater sofa that looks out a large rectangular window. Beds are configurable. You'll find storage, climate controls, reading lamps, a TV. Modern bathrooms are generously sized with roomy glass-walled shower stall.
Category 2
£ 24086 GBP pp
These roomy cabins feature an oval window and two single beds, two beds that can be converted to a queen-size bed, or a queen size bed (call for details). You'll find an armchair, climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV. Bathrooms are also generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall.
Category 5
£ 36774 GBP pp
Cat 5 Suite with Balcony #501, 503-506, 508 - These spacious suites feature open living areas and sliding glass doors that open to a private French balcony. Beds are configurable, and you'll find sitting chairs or a couch, a writing desk, climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV. The bathroom is spacious and has a glass-walled shower.
03 December, 2024 to 22 December, 2024 on National Geographic Orion (reverse)
Prices
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Category 3
£ 26624 GBP pp
Cat 3 Suite with Window #401-412, 414-419 These suites have a comfortable sofa in the sitting area with a large window and plenty of storage. They have a variety of bed configurations (call for details) plus a writing desk and chair, climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV. Modern bathrooms are generously sized with roomy glass-walled shower stall.
Category 3 Solo
£ 39951 GBP pp
Cat 3S Suite with Window #512 - This solo suite features two beds and a large window, plus a bucket chair and small table, climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV. The bathroom is spacious and has a glass-walled shower.
Category 5
£ 36774 GBP pp
Cat 5 Suite with Balcony #501, 503-506, 508 - These spacious suites feature open living areas and sliding glass doors that open to a private French balcony. Beds are configurable, and you'll find sitting chairs or a couch, a writing desk, climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV. The bathroom is spacious and has a glass-walled shower.
Category 1
£ 22614 GBP pp
These cabins feature an oval window and two single beds, two beds that can be converted to a queen-size bed, or a queen size bed (call for details). You'll find an armchair, climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV. Bathrooms are also generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall.
Category 4
£ 32458 GBP pp
Cat 4 Deluxe suite with Window #511, 515 - These two suites feature separate sleeping and sitting areas, with a two-seater sofa that looks out a large rectangular window. Beds are configurable. You'll find storage, climate controls, reading lamps, a TV. Modern bathrooms are generously sized with roomy glass-walled shower stall.
Category 1 Solo
£ 33919 GBP pp
These solo cabins feature a window or two portholes, a queen-size bed, writing desk and chair, climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV.
Bathrooms are also generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall
Category 2
£ 24086 GBP pp
These roomy cabins feature an oval window and two single beds, two beds that can be converted to a queen-size bed, or a queen size bed (call for details). You'll find an armchair, climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV. Bathrooms are also generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall.
Category 6
£ 43045 GBP pp
Cat 6 Owner’s suite with Balcony #502, 507, 509*, 510 - These large, owner's suites feature a balcony (Cabin 509 does not have a balcony), a spacious bathroom with a large shower and separate soaking tub with a window, and a large separate living area with a couch and two bucket chairs, plus climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV.
03 December, 2024 to 22 December, 2024 on National Geographic Orion
Prices
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Category 2
£ 18548 GBP pp
These roomy cabins feature an oval window and two single beds, two beds that can be converted to a queen-size bed, or a queen size bed (call for details). You'll find an armchair, climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV. Bathrooms are also generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall.
Category 4
£ 25443 GBP pp
Cat 4 Deluxe suite with Window #511, 515 - These two suites feature separate sleeping and sitting areas, with a two-seater sofa that looks out a large rectangular window. Beds are configurable. You'll find storage, climate controls, reading lamps, a TV. Modern bathrooms are generously sized with roomy glass-walled shower stall.
Category 5
£ 29000 GBP pp
Cat 5 Suite with Balcony #501, 503-506, 508 - These spacious suites feature open living areas and sliding glass doors that open to a private French balcony. Beds are configurable, and you'll find sitting chairs or a couch, a writing desk, climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV. The bathroom is spacious and has a glass-walled shower.
Category 1
£ 17336 GBP pp
These cabins feature an oval window and two single beds, two beds that can be converted to a queen-size bed, or a queen size bed (call for details). You'll find an armchair, climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV. Bathrooms are also generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall.
Category 1 Solo
£ 26650 GBP pp
These solo cabins feature a window or two portholes, a queen-size bed, writing desk and chair, climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV.
Bathrooms are also generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall
Category 3 Solo
£ 31621 GBP pp
Cat 3S Suite with Window #512 - This solo suite features two beds and a large window, plus a bucket chair and small table, climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV. The bathroom is spacious and has a glass-walled shower.
Category 6
£ 34169 GBP pp
Cat 6 Owner’s suite with Balcony #502, 507, 509*, 510 - These large, owner's suites feature a balcony (Cabin 509 does not have a balcony), a spacious bathroom with a large shower and separate soaking tub with a window, and a large separate living area with a couch and two bucket chairs, plus climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV.
Category 3
£ 20638 GBP pp
Cat 3 Suite with Window #401-412, 414-419 These suites have a comfortable sofa in the sitting area with a large window and plenty of storage. They have a variety of bed configurations (call for details) plus a writing desk and chair, climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV. Modern bathrooms are generously sized with roomy glass-walled shower stall.
show reverse itinerary
DAY 1: Auckland, New Zealand
Arrive in Auckland, where we check in to our hotel.
Join us for a welcome briefing this evening to meet
your fellow travelers.
DAY 2: Auckland/Embark
Have breakfast at the hotel before joining a tour of
this vibrant city center. We’ll stop for lunch midday
before embarking National Geographic Orion in
the late afternoon. (B,L,D)
DAY 3-4: Exploring Coastal New Zealand
As we continue south along the North Island’s
verdant coast, we let nature guide us as your
Captain and Expedition Leader choose our next
site for exploration. (B,L,D)
DAY 5: Gisborne
Today we delve into the cultural riches of Gisborne
– the site of the first European landing place in
New Zealand in 1769. The city’s warm, sun-filled
climate reflects its disposition and complements its
rich soils, bountiful islands, miles of sandy
beaches and resource-rich oceans. Visit a local
Marae and gain insight into the history and culture
of the people of this region. In the afternoon,
discover the greenery of a local arboretum, and
cap the day off with a wine tour and tasting.
(B,L,D)
DAY 6: Napier
Spend the morning getting to know Napier, the Art
Deco capital of New Zealand. Choose to discover
the city’s unique architecture on an art tour, or
leave the city behind and join us on a Gannet
Safari Tour where we’ll have close encounters at a
large Australasian gannet colony. (B,L,D)
DAY 7-8: Abel Tasman & At Sea
Today we arrive at the South Island of New
Zealand where golden beaches and dense
rainforests border the snow-capped Southern
Alps. We begin discovering this stunning island in
Abel Tasman National Park, exploring on hikes
and walks with our naturalists. Spend the next day
at sea as we sail south toward Fiordland National
Park. (B,L,D)
DAY 9-10: Milford Sound & Dusky Sound
Over the course of two days we will explore
Fiordland National Park, home to fourteen
individual fiords. Here we’ll discover hundredsmeter high waterfalls, snowcapped peaks, and
we’ll hope for a glimpse of the Sounds’ resident
bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, and penguins.
(B,L,D)
DAY 11: Snares Islands
Located south of the New Zealand mainland in the
remote Southern Ocean, today we begin our
exploration of the wild and beautiful sub-Antarctic
islands. These remote islands play host to
abundant and unique wildlife, with many species
of birds, plants and invertebrates found nowhere
else in the world. Two small rocky islands, North
East and Broughton, comprise The Snares, the
closest subantarctic islands to New Zealand. The
islands are covered with heavy tussock grass and
wind-beaten forests of tree daisies. The Snares
are home to huge numbers of breeding birds: the
99 recorded species include albatross, Antarctic
terns and Snares crested penguins. (B,L,D)
DAY 12-13: Auckland Islands & At Sea
Spend the next several incredible days
discovering New Zealand and Australia’s
subantarctic islands and their surrounding waters
—the entire marine landscape designated a
UNESCO World Heritage site. We have special
permission to explore these strictly regulated
islands, which are protected at the highest level of
conservation status by the New Zealand
government, and considered “bird central” among
top ornithologists around the world. Keeping a
flexible weather-dependent schedule, we plan to
explore several intriguing islands.
The Auckland Islands are the largest of New
Zealand’s subantarctic islands, with the richest
flora, prolific birdlife, and an interesting human
history. Conditions permitting, we cruise in Zodiacs
to Enderby Island to view a large New Zealand
sea lion colony with pups all jostling for position. If
we are fortunate, we may see rare yellow-eyed
penguins as they move to and from their nests in
the forests beyond the beach.
DAY 14-16: Macquarie Island, Australia & At Sea
We will spend two days at remote Macquarie
Island, a protectorate of Australia and a World
Heritage site. Macquarie is home to a large variety
of wildlife, including thousands of seals and
millions of penguins. Four species of penguin
breed here. The endemic royal penguin has a
population estimated at 850,000. Gentoo and
southern rockhopper penguins also breed here.
And imagine landing on a single beach with
100,000 pairs of king penguins, the third largest
such colony in the world!
With whales beneath and birds above, our time at
sea between islands presents an opportunity to
head up to the bridge to spot marine life and watch
the calm business of navigation. Or spend these
days enjoying the ship’s spa, and fitness center.
Take some time to browse the library or play a
board game in the glass-enclosed observation
lounge. And listen to a variety of engaging talks
from our staff, including photo talks. (B,L,D)
DAY 17-18: Campbell Island
A large island, surrounded by 4 smaller islands
and innumerable rocks and islets, the Campbell
Island group is officially the southernmost territory
of New Zealand. Covered with endemic grasses
and thick vegetation and boasting steep terrain,
Campbell is dramatic and beautiful. Here we will
find six species of albatross, an endemic duck (the
Campbell Island teal), and an endemic snipe, as
well as numerous songbirds and sea birds who
breed on the island. Three species of penguin also
make their home on here, and southern right
whales breed in the surrounding waters.
DAY 19: Stewart Island
Stewart Island, known in Maori as Te Punga o Te
Waka a Maui, is positioned firmly at the heart of
Maori mythology. Today we’ll explore the island’s
rare native birdlife as well as it’s well preserved
podocarp forest. In the afternoon, discover Stewart
Island’s nearby neighbor, Ulva Island, where we’ll
hike with naturalists to discover its unspoiled
rainforest. (B,L,D)
DAY 20: Dunedin/Disembark/Home
Today we disembark on New Zealand’s South
Island in Dunedin, known for its Victorian and
Edwardian architecture. Have breakfast aboard
before transferring to the airport for flights home.
(B)
Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.
National Geographic Orion
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition
Length: 103 metres
Passenger Capacity: 102 (in 53 cabins)
Built: 2003 / Refurbished 2014
Engineered for maximum comfort and safety, Orion is equipped with the latest…
National Geographic Orion
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition
Length: 103 metres
Passenger Capacity: 102 (in 53 cabins)
Built: 2003 / Refurbished 2014
Engineered for maximum comfort and safety, Orion is equipped with the latest technology including large retractable stabilizers, sonar, radar, and an ice-strengthened hull. A shallow draft plus bow and stern thrusters provide the convenience of being able to maneuver close to shore. 14 Zodiacs ensure quick disembarkation and offer the ideal transport for up-close exploration.
National Geographic Orion meets strict specifications for environmental protection and the on board waste management systems meet the stringent Antarctic operational standards enabling us to travel to the most pristine environments. A host of advanced design features and technology ensures sustainable marine environmental practices.
National Geographic Orion accommodates 102 guests in 53 cabins, including several with balconies. She is spacious and modern, with a variety of public rooms that offer panoramic views of the passing landscape. Friendly and informal, Orion fosters a welcoming atmosphere where like-minded guests share in exceptional experiences and enrichment.
Her public rooms include a dramatic window-lined main lounge, as well as an observation lounge and library perched at the very top of the ship, with plentiful observation decks. The spacious lounge is the heart of our expedition community, and is suited for spirited cocktail hours, informative presentations and our nightly tradition of Recap. In addition, a dedicated theater provides a unique setting for specialist presentations or films and slideshows. Both the main dining room and outside buffet easily accommodate all guests at once for open seating dining. On selected nights, weather permitting, our dining room menu is also available on the outside deck.
While Orion interiors are elegant, life aboard is always casual, with no need for formal clothing. And you’ll find shipboard services like laundry, in-room cabled internet, and public-area wifi make packing and traveling more convenient.
