OUR EXPERTS WERE HERE
You have questions.
We have answers.
Learn More
Cruises to New Zealand
with AdventureSmith
Ready to experience the near-tangible magic of these incredible islands? AdventureSmith Explorations offers the largest selection of New Zealand small ship cruises. Let our experienced team guide you to best plan, book and enjoy your New Zealand cruise. Why book with us?
Personalized Service
Work with one dedicated U.S.-based specialist to purchase & prepare for your New Zealand cruise.
Authentically Small
Truly small. All our ships are under 150 guests for the ultimate access & off-ship adventure.
Trusted Cruise Experts
Our relationships with reputably ship operators result in tried & trusted New Zealand cruises.
Active, Guided Itineraries
Our New Zealand cruises include guided hiking, skiff rides, kayaking & township visits.
New Zealand Cruises 2025 & 2026
The New Zealand cruise experience in 2025 & 2026 feels like stepping back in time to a less-visited Aoteoroa. Explore remote shorelines roads can’t reach. And enjoy the famed hospitality of local Kiwis who love welcoming travelers to their unique islands and pristine landscapes.
Aboard small ship New Zealand cruises, small group sizes and onboard guides ensure personalized attention, while flexible schedules enhance opportunities for wildlife viewing, learning about the Maori culture and natural interaction with locals.
If you want to see New Zealand, there’s no better way than by small ship.
Exclusive Access, Unique Wildlife
Sail aboard a ship and you’ll see why the local Maori called New Zealand the “land of the long white cloud.” White clouds often hang over the dramatic mountain ranges, and there’s no better view than at being at sea. Diverse landscapes ranging from alpine mountains and sandy beaches to subtropical forests mean travelers never tire of views from the ship’s bow.
Hike along famous tracks, kayak in calm scenic fjords and reach remote offshore islands full of wildlife. Don’t miss the famed kiwi bird, the mischievous alpine parrot, the kea, or the multiple species of penguins.
Cruises Around New Zealand Only
Focus just on this island nation with our selection of New Zealand only cruises. A New Zealand South Island cruise with AdventureSmith visits not only the iconic Milford Sound, but the more remote reaches of the greater Fiordland National Park. Quickly leave the day boats behind to explore New Zealand fjords and coastlines in true AdventureSmith style—away from ports and into the wilderness.
To go farther on a New Zealand South Island cruise, look for Stewart Island, Dunedin and even Abel Tasman on your route. On the North Island, highlights include the Bay of Islands, Auckland, Gisborne and Napier, among many other lesser-known coastline gems. Many of our islands combine both islands into comprehensive east coast explorations. And luxury New Zealand cruises can offer exclusive experiences like helicopter flightseeing.
Include Antarctica
Another unique way of cruising New Zealand is to embark or disembark here on an Antarctica cruise itinerary. You’ll explore a far less visited region of Antarctica including the Ross Sea and New Zealand’s sub-Antarctic Islands like the Auckland Islands and Campbell Island. On these routes you’ll spend way more time below the Polar Circle than an average Antarctica itinerary as well as be able to continue your travels in New Zealand. New Zealand Antarctica cruises embark from either Dunedin or Bluff, the country’s “most southerly” town.
When Should You Cruise New Zealand?
The most popular time to cruise New Zealand is during November through April, when temperatures are warmer and rainfall is less. Since New Zealand is an island in the South Pacific, with miles of ocean in every direction, a maritime climate prevails bringing warm summer months (Dec-March) and mild winters.
