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| Underwater
World and Antarctic Encounter Observe marine life from acrylic walk-through tunnels and visit a re-creation of Captain Scott's Antarctic expedition of 1911. Auckland Sky Tower Offering 360-degree views of Auckland, witness this busy commercial and recreational harbor in action, giving credit to the title, City of Sails. Glow Worm Grotto Marvel at the twinkling glow worms as you gently glide in a small boat along the underground waterway. |
| Auckland
City Sights Adult: $38 Child: $25 (12 & Under) Approximately 4 hours Tour Auckland’s city sights and learn about Maori culture at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. WHAT YOU VISIT Auckland War Memorial Museum - Overlooking Waitemata Harbour, the museum features an intriguing collection of exhibits on New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. An 82-foot war canoe, chiseled from an entire totara tree, presides over the Maori Court.Time will be allowed to view the Maori and Polynesian sections at the museum. PHOTO OPPORTUNITY Mt. Eden - Walk about 65 feet to Auckland’s highest natural point for city and harbor views and a vista of the distant Waitakere Ranges. WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY You pass many of Auckland’s major points of interest on this drive through the city and across Harbour Bridge. Downtown Auckland’s shopping and office complexes contrast with the restored Victorian buildings of the city’s suburbs and Parnell Village with its colonial-style shops. Harbour Bridge dramatically links Auckland with the fast-growing North Shore. SPECIAL NOTES DISEMBARKING PASSENGERS IN AUCKLAND This tour is available only to passengers with a Princess transfer disembarking in Auckland and departing on the same day with flights after 5:00pm. The tour will end at the airport at approximately 1:30pm; passenger baggage will be transported separately and claimed at the airport. |
| Waitomo
Glow Worm Grotto Adult: $139 Child: $94 (12 & Under) Approximately 9 hours View the geological wonders of the Glow Worm Grotto; observe New Zealand’s native kiwis, and be treated to both countryside and regional town scenes on the drive each way. WHAT YOU VISIT Glow Worm Grotto - Your boat navigates an underground stream through the Grotto that is lit by the flickering blue-green light of glow worms. The limestone formations include the "Cathedral," an acoustically perfect auditorium that has hosted performances by such recording artists as the Vienna Boys Choir. Kiwi House - Located in Otorohanga, this specially constructed observatory affords a look at New Zealand's national bird, the kiwi, in its nocturnal habitat. LUNCH A home-cooked lunch is served at Graeme and Elizabeth Robertson’s home of Crosshills, where the lovely English style garden is a visitor’s delight. WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY During your scenic drive, take in the North Island’s spectacular scenery. The route crosses downtown Auckland and follows the Waikato River into the rural countryside, where apart from green fields dotted with sheep, the sights include Ngaruawahia, home of the Maori Queen, and Hamilton, New Zealand’s largest inland city. Your drive will take you through Taupiri, known for a mountain sacred to the Maori. SPECIAL NOTES DISEMBARKING PASSENGERS IN AUCKLAND The visit to the Glow Worm Grotto is neither wheelchair accessible nor suitable for the claustrophobic. This tour is available only to passengers with a Princess transfer disembarking in Auckland and departing on the same day with flights after 8:30pm. The tour will end at the airport at approximately 4:30pm; passenger baggage will be transported separately and claimed at the airport. |
| America’S
Cup Sailing Adult: $106 Child: $106 Approximately 2 to 2 3/4 hours The America’s Cup is the world’s oldest and most prestigious sporting trophy and ultimate yachting regatta. Today, you are offered the unique opportunity to participate in sailing one of these grand prix yachts. YOUR SAILING ADVENTURE NZL 40 and NZL 41 are America’s Cup Class yachts. Both were built for the 1995 America’s Cup in San Diego. The yachts offer a unique opportunity to experience sailing or racing authentic America’s Cup yachts, the equivalent to driving a Formula 1 race car. Your two-hour sailing experience starts in the Viaduct Harbour where you meet the professional crew and are taken through a short safety briefing. The yacht then heads out of the America’s Cup Village past the syndicates and super yachts. The sails are hoisted and passengers become the crew. You are encouraged to take the helm and exert energy on the grinders, or simply sit back and take in the action as the yacht sails down the beautiful Waitemata Harbour. SPECIAL NOTES Passengers must be at least 10 years of age to participate. There is a walk of approximately 500 yards between the ship's berth and the departure/arrival point for the America's Cup boats. This tour is not available on voyages beginning or ending in Auckland. |
| Matakana
Wine & Craft Trail Adult: $99 Child: $99 Approximately 6 1/2 hours Learn about the history and scope of the New Zealand wine industry; less than an hour’s drive north of Auckland is one of New Zealand’s newest and most vibrant wine regions, Matakana, near the small town of Warkworth. WHAT YOU VISIT Ransom Wines - This vineyard was partially planted in 1993 with chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and merlot vines. Plantings of pinot gris, cabernet franc and malbec since then have virtually completed the Mahurangi River Vineyard block. The first vintage was a small one in 1996, increasing to around 40 tons in the year 2000. Wine tasting will take place in a building situated on a knoll that affords sweeping views down and across the vineyard to the beautiful bush-clad Mahurangi hills beyond. Ascension Winery – The winery is situated on an exceptional piece of land; the steep north facing hillside and ancient red iron-rich clay combine with hand-tended vines to yield small crops of intensely flavoured grapes. The owners, Darryl and Bridget Soljan care for these grapes and craft them into wine with a passion and empathy that can only come from five generations of working with the land and vine. SHOPPING See some of the local arts and craft this area has to offer including Morris & James Pottery which is famous in New Zealand for its vibrantly colored glazes. On the way back to Auckland stop at a local art gallery featuring local craft work. You will also have the opportunity to purchase local wines. LUNCH During your time at Ascension Winery, you will take a break for lunch. WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY Embarking at the pier, you cross Auckland’s city center on your drive to some of the North Island’s famed wine country. Return to the city over the Harbour Bridge SPECIAL NOTES This tour is not available on voyages beginning or ending in Auckland. Passengers must be over the age of 18 to participate in the wine tasting at the wineries. |
| Auckland
Countryside Experience Adult: $99 Child: $66 (12 & Under) Approximately 6 hours Explore Auckland’s surrounding countryside, complete with a working farm adventure, a barbeque and visit to a bird colony. WHAT YOU VISIT Country Farm - Watch sheep dog and sheep shearing demonstrations on this working family farm located on the South Kaipara Peninsula. The farm runs sheep, and beef on a commercial basis but they also have a herd of quiet and friendly fallow deer in a field behind the house. The deer will come when called and make a delightful photo opportunity. Your hosts new, architecturally designed house is open for your use and is situated high on a hill with wonderful views over the farm out to the Kaipara Harbour. Gannet Colony - From the cliffs above Muriwai Beach, walk approximately 400 yards to an overlook for a close-up of life in a sea bird colony. Depending on the time of year, you may observe these aeronauts breeding and nesting. PHOTO OPPORTUNITY Muriwai Beach - The cliffs above the beach offer spectacular views of the Tasman Sea. LUNCH Sample a New Zealand-style barbecue with local beers and wines during your farm visit. WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY Your narrated drive includes Auckland city highlights, wine-growing areas, farming districts and coastal vistas before returning via the Harbour Bridge. SPECIAL NOTES DISEMBARKING PASSENGERS IN AUCKLAND This tour is available only to passengers with a Princess transfer disembarking in Auckland and departing on the same day with flights after 6:45pm, or for CruisePlus passengers. The tour will end at the airport or CruisePlus hotel at approximately 4pm; passenger baggage will be transported separately and claimed at the airport or hotel. |
