Sydney to Auckland 2021: 17-Night All-Inclusive Festive Cruise with Business-Class Flight & US$3,000 Onboard Credit

Enjoy the holiday season as never before in Australia and New Zealand’s great outdoors on a 17-night southern hemisphere celebrations cruise beginning on 17 December 2021. Depart from the sun-kissed city of Sydney toward the multicultural city of Melbourne and Tasmania’s cosmopolitan capital, Hobart. Then, spend Christmas Day gliding through the peaceful waters of Milford Sound, learning of New Zealand’s rich Māori history and enjoy the islands’ idyllic shoreline for an end of year celebration to remember forever. Your cruise is complete with a luxurious one-night post-cruise stay at the five-star Grand Windsor (or similar) followed by a business-class flight back to Sydney.

Cruise with confidence: Our trusted cruise partner has prepared a COVID safe plan, please see Fine Print for further details.

The Ship – Silversea’s newest flagship

Step aboard the incredible Silver Muse and into a world of unbeatable luxury. You’ll be treated like royalty with personalised service across eight fantastic restaurants and multiple onboard entertainment venues.

All-inclusive gourmet dining awaits at Indochine, serving Asian-accented cuisine, the authentic Italian La Terrazza, outdoor venue the Grill, elegant Atlantide, specialising in seafood, pizza inspired by the streets of Naples at Spaccanapoli, and Silver Note, offering tapas-style dishes. At an extra charge, guests can also dine at La Dame, serving delectable French cuisine, or teppanyaki restaurant Kaiseki. Dine whenever and wherever you please with open-seating dining.

Raise a toast to this incredible cruise with free-flow drinks served across all bars or in-suite, including champagne and select wines and spirits.

As for entertainment, Silver Muse surely delivers. Relax on the pool deck and Jacuzzi area, head to the fitness centre for a workout, mingle with other guests in the Dolce Vita lounge, have a flutter at the casino, treat yourself to a pampering session at the Zagara Spa, read and reflect at the Observation Library, browse the onboard boutique and head to the Venetian Lounge for theatre, music and feature films.

Your Suite – Refined luxury with personal butler service and US$1,500 onboard credit

Located lower bow, the extra-luxe Panorama offers all the comfort and attention to detail that you can expect aboard, including large picture windows that frame panoramic ocean views. Enjoy an expanse of interior comforts, elegant décor, a stunning marble bathroom and ample seating area, making this a cosy home away from home.

With attentive butler service and 24-hour room service for all suites, you won’t even need to leave the comfort of your suite to experience the best of this magnificent ship.

Plus, enjoy $1,500 per person onboard credit to put toward premium services including any of the incredible off-shore excursions.

Classic Veranda Suite Upgrade: This suite’s finest asset lies just outside, as floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto a private veranda, making every sunset feel as if it is yours alone.

Superior Veranda Suite Upgrade: These upgraded suites are located on the upper deck and offer even more spectacular sunset views. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto a private veranda, for luxe privacy.

Deluxe Veranda Suite Upgrade: The Deluxe Veranda Suite offers a preferred mid-ship location and all the comfort and attention to detail that you can expect aboard – it’s the savvy traveller’s paradise. Outside, floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto a private veranda for stunning sunset views.

The Cruise – Discover the thriving cities and scenic wonders of Australia and New Zealand, from Sydney to Auckland

Your 17-night adventure begins in Sydney before setting sail to Australia’s metropolitan cultural capital, Melbourne, a refined, contemporary and richly liveable city. Your Australian adventure concludes in Hobart, an artistic hub encircled by dramatic cliffs, landscaped gardens and rolling vineyards.

Cruise from Australia to New Zealand and enjoy a scenic sail through the stunning Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park. Soak up incredible lush cliff vistas and admire the natural beauty of this unique corner of the South Island on Christmas Day. Continue your exploration of New Zealand’s wild southern island with a visit to Dunedin in Otago Harbour. With raw scenic beauty, this cosmopolitan city is one of culture and architectural splendour. Next up is Lyttelton – known as New Zealand’s ‘Garden City’. A place of quiet streets, leafy parks and beautiful tree-lined boulevards.

Lodged between high mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Kaikoura offers striking views from every angle. Spend a day exploring this incredible region before venturing to the vibrant and energetic seaside capital of Wellington. From Wellington, complete 2021 with a cruise to pretty Picton, a beautiful harbour town lying on the cusp of Marlborough Sounds Maritime Park. Cross over to the North Island and sail along the scenic east coast to the phenomenal Bay of Islands where you can explore an array of beautiful, isolated beaches.

Your cruise wraps up in the stunning cityscape of Auckland.

The Post-Cruise Stay – Spend one luxurious night at the Hotel Grand Windsor (or similar) in the heart of Auckland

A stay in a Queen Room at the award-winning Hotel Grand Windsor puts you in the perfect spot for experiencing everything this incredible city has to offer. Explore the wharfside bars and restaurants of the CBD, visit a museum or two, or head out for a day to discover New Zealand’s spectacular scenery and wineries.

Enter a world of high-end luxury, classic art-deco design and charm from a bygone era. Built in 1928, Hotel Grand Windsor is superbly situated in the heart of Auckland, New Zealand’s most vibrant and dynamic city. Having undergone a meticulous and extensive refurbishment, this boutique heritage hotel transports its guests to an age of opulent glamour while offering a superior level of luxury, service and hospitality from top to bottom.

Named in honour of the eatery which occupied Windsor House in 1928, Cooke’s Restaurant & Bar perfectly recreates the glamour and elegance of a bygone era with timber parquetry flooring, art deco features, banquette seating and individual velvet-covered chairs. The following morning, immerse yourself in a sumptuous breakfast of favourite dishes including eggs made-to-order, bacon, mushrooms and other hot classics.

The VIP Flight – One-way Business Class flight from Auckland to Australia

Fly in style with a one-way business-class flight from Auckland to Sydney included in your package. Flights from Auckland to other Australian cities or towns can be arranged for a surcharge – contact cruiseteam@luxuryescapes.com.

Your cruise starts in Sydney, Australia on 17 December 2021 and ends in Auckland, New Zealand on 3 January 2022 with one night of post-cruise accommodation. Getting back to Australia is easy with a one-way business-class flight from Auckland, New Zealand included in your package.

Airport transfers are not included.

Day 1: Embarkation in Sydney (Departs 7pm)

With its glorious harbour, golden beaches and iconic landmarks, Sydney is Australia’s showpiece city. Discover the world-class cuisine, indigenous culture and irresistible beach life that make Sydney one of the world’s most dynamic, exciting destinations.

Sydney’s sparkling harbour is the heart of a culture-rich city, overlooked by the metallic curves of the Opera House, and the grand Sydney Harbour Bridge. Take it all in from the water, and admire the iconic landmarks set before the city’s gleaming skyline backdrop. If you’re feeling adventurous, take the legendary climb up the smooth curve of the bridge – nicknamed the Coathanger – to take in the shining city from a unique perspective. Spread out to tan on one of the world’s most famous stretches of sand – Bondi Beach. Restaurants and bars hum in the background, while the sun beams down and surfers leap over blue rollers. Swim in spectacular salty ocean pools, or stroll the beautiful Bondi to Coogee coastal walk for more of this sun-gorged stretch of prime coastline.

Leaving the thrills of Australia’s largest city behind is surprisingly simple – take to the skies to be flown above skyscrapers and rippling ribbons of waves, and out to majestic peaks, sheer cliffs and iconic rock formations such as the Three Sisters of the Blue Mountains. Or, drop in on wildlife sanctuaries caring for the country’s animals – from hopping kangaroos to cuddly koalas.

In the late afternoon, make your way to the harbour and board your Silversea cruise in plenty of time for departure at 7pm.

Accommodation: Silversea Silver Muse

Day 2: At Sea

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up on what you’ve been meaning to do, whether that’s going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.

Accommodation: Silversea Silver Muse

Days 3-4: Melbourne, Victoria

Australia’s metropolitan cultural capital is a refined, contemporary and richly liveable city. The smells of freshly ground, artisan coffees fill the streets of this hip, youthful city generously sprinkled with fine-dining establishments, art galleries and absorbing museums.

Multicultural and diverse, Victoria’s capital is crisscrossed by narrow alleys and splashed with street art. It’s fair to say Melbourne’s bearded baristas take their coffees seriously. Settle in to sample the unique coffee culture that is an essential part of Melbourne life. Looking for something a little stronger? The city’s rooftop bars come alive with clinking cocktails as the sun sets. A world leader in culinary arts, take your seat at award-winning restaurants, and sample world foods alongside delicious wines cultivated in the vineyards of the surrounding valleys. Savour a glass while cruising the Yarra River for an unbeatable introduction to Melbourne.

An outdoor city, it’s no surprise that Melbourne is one of Australia’s sporting giants. The vast bowl of Melbourne Cricket Ground serves as the city’s sporting cathedral – squeezing in over 100,000 fans and hosting various sports on its hallowed turf. Whether it’s the rumble of hoofs during the Melbourne Cup, engines revving during the Formula One, or the thwacks of tennis balls during the Australian Open, few places can boast such a comprehensive list of high-profile sporting attractions.

Accommodation: Silversea Silver Muse

​Day 5: At Sea

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up on what you’ve been meaning to do, whether that’s going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.

Accommodation: Silversea Silver Muse

​Day 6: Hobart, Tasmania

Mount Wellington’s looming form is an ever-present sight as you explore Hobart, the cosmopolitan capital of Australia’s most southerly state. A former British penal colony, nowadays Australia’s second-oldest city is a place to live the free and easy life. Encircled by dramatic cliffs, landscaped gardens and rolling vineyards, Hobart is also well furnished with cultural pursuits including museums, and respected – if controversial – galleries plastering new and old art to their walls.

With fresh sea breezes and a fabulous location, Hobart is a creative place, where you can browse local artisanal produce at Saturday’s massive Salamanca Market, which draws visitors from all across Tasmania and beyond. Eat at waterfront restaurants, or ascend Mount Wellington’s slopes to appreciate the remoteness of Hobart’s location. From this elevated platform, you can look down across views of thick forest, undulating mountains and endless ocean. Further away, wildlife sanctuaries introduce you to the island’s animal inhabitants, including the famous Tasmanian devil. Thirsty? Hobart has a long brewing tradition, so enjoy a refreshing ale poured from the country’s oldest brewery. The climate’s blend of sunshine and cool Antarctic breezes results in acclaimed wines, and thick clumps of pinot noir grapes hang from vineyards in the valleys nearby. Taste the wines, accompanied by a platter of artisanal cheese and sausage. Whiskey aficionados aren’t left in the cold either, with international award-winning distilleries close by.

Accommodation: Silversea Silver Muse

​Day 7-8: At Sea

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up on what you’ve been meaning to do, whether that’s going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.

Accommodation: Silversea Silver Muse

​Day 9: Cruising Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, New Zealand

Named after Milford Haven in Wales, Milford Sound is not a sound but a fjord, yet the name has stuck. In 1998 the Māori name Piopiotahi was added, which refers to the extinct New Zealand thrush (the piopio). Milford Sound sits within South Island’s Fiordland National Park, one of the four national parks forming the UNESCO World Heritage site ‘Te Wahipounamu’ – pounamu being the local greenstone highly sought-after for carvings by the Māori.

The fjord is characterised by steep cliffs, several impressive waterfalls and dense rainforest. Halfway down the fjord is Stirling Falls, the second tallest of the falls in the sound. Near the end of the sound are the U-shaped Sinbad Gully and the famous Mitre Peak which rises to a height of 1,692 metres, while on the eastern side is Lady Bowen Falls, the tallest of the falls at 162 metres. The Piopiotahi Marine Reserve protects the local flora and fauna, which includes bottlenose dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and Fiordland crested penguin site.

Accommodation: Silversea Silver Muse

Day 10: Dunedin (Port Chalmers), New Zealand

The southeasterly coast of New Zealand’s wild southern island is a haven for outdoor adventures, with raw scenic beauty and a thrilling coastline. On Otago Harbour, Dunedin is a cosmopolitan city of culture and architectural splendour, with a distinctly tartan flare. Settled by the Scots in 1848, the romantic misty valleys and moody landscapes continue to capture the hearts of visitors to these distant shores.

Gothic revival architecture is scattered liberally through the city, including the magnificent university, with its glorious clocktower, and the city’s grand cathedral. Head to the elegant Octagon to see the statue to Robert Burns, whose nephew was a city founder. The railway station is perhaps the pick of this city’s many artistic structures – its glowing gardens and pretty mosaics add extra detail to the elegant gingerbread building. It’s also the perfect jumping-off point for romantic rail adventures along the coastline. The melodramatic coastline of the Otago Peninsula boasts dramatic cliffs and sea-sprayed beaches, as well as an abundance of animals. Explore cliffs laced with tunnels and hidden walkways, and get you up close and personal with yellow-eyed penguins, as sea lions and seals doze on windswept beaches.

The South Island’s second-largest city regularly receives a top-up of youthful energy thanks to its healthy student population. Not that Dunedin is lacking in quirky personality, as evidenced by the annual Cadbury Jaffa Race, which sent thousands of chocolate candies rolling down the world’s steepest residential street – Baldwin Street. Museums in the city tell of Chinese influences, as well as the stories of early Māori settlers. Round off an active day sampling a South Island institution – an icy beer from Speight’s Brewery.

Accommodation: Silversea Silver Muse

​Day 11: Lyttelton (Christchurch), New Zealand

New Zealand’s ‘Garden City’ is a place of quiet streets, leafy parks and beautiful tree-lined boulevards. Christchurch has an unmistakable English flavour to it, and serves as the gateway to southern New Zealand’s natural wonders. The rebuild of the country’s oldest city continues apace following the earthquakes that devastated it in 2011– and the South Island’s biggest city is now blossoming, having evolved into a confident and cultural powerhouse. Colourful street art adds an edge to the city, while shiny new bars and restaurants contribute to the sense of revitalisation and renewal. Visit museums and take tours to learn more of the reconstruction, which has made incredible progress in recent years.

The old-time charm of a punt on the River Avon is still a quintessential Christchurch experience. Sail amid weeping willows drooping to the water, as you drift through a blur of colours in the botanical gardens. Surrounded by extinct volcanoes, soaring lakes, and the rolling farmlands of the Canterbury Plains, spectacular scenery abounds around the city. Pay a visit to the Southern Alps’ snow-covered peaks, the stunning hot pools and rushing streams of Hanmer Springs, or the Hector’s dolphins who swim at Akaroa.

A city that has faced immense challenges over the last decade, both natural and manmade, it’s hard not to feel inspired by Christchurch’s defiant character and friendly people, who share an open and welcoming outlook that shines stronger than ever.

Overnight: Silversea Silver Muse

Day 12: Kaikoura, New Zealand

Lodged between high mountains and the Pacific Ocean on New Zealand’s South Island, it’s said that no two views in Kaikoura are the same. Look left, and you’ll see snow-capped peaks and rolling meadows. Look right, and you’ll see seals lounging on rugged shores. Look straight ahead and you’ll see nothing except the wide expanse of the Pacific.

Kaikoura’s claim to fame is its rich abundance of marine life. Visitors have a 95% chance of spotting giant sperm whales, as well as dusky dolphins, orcas and humpback whales, regardless of whether you’re travelling by boat or by air. Additionally, New Zealand fur seals live in the shallow waters of the town’s peninsula – surely there can be no greater experience than swimming alongside the playful marine mammal in its natural habitat. Very little is known about the town’s Māori history, although the word Kaikoura translates in the Māori language as a ‘meal of crayfish’ (‘kai’ meaning ‘food’, ‘koura’ meaning ‘crayfish’). In Māori legend, the great fisherman Maui placed his foot on the Kaikoura peninsula to steady himself while he fished the North Island from the sea with a fishhook taken from his grandmother’s jaw bone. The legend attracted Māori settlers to the coast, and several of their settlements (pa) can still be seen from the peninsula. European settlers began a whaling trade here in the 1840s, which only operated up until the mid-1960s.

Accommodation: Silversea Silver Muse

​Day 13: Wellington, New Zealand

Sprawling around a hook-shaped peninsula, Wellington is a vibrant and energetic seaside capital. A compact city of buzzing bars and lively cafes, New Zealand’s capital is a bright and breezy place with an infectiously easy-going atmosphere. Known as the creative hub of the South Pacific, there are shows to see, art installations to enjoy, and rich flavours to savour here. The sounds of rare and beautiful birdlife fill the hills around the city, and the bush of the green belt provides easy-to-access sanctuary, strolls and cycle rides.

The Botanical Gardens break up the buildings, while an iconic, cherry-red cable car rumbles up Wellington’s slope to the city’s best viewpoint, looking out over the city’s scenic harbour from above. The Zealandia wildlife sanctuary has provided an urban home for rare and endangered birdlife, bringing many species back from the brink. Varied museums cover everything from Māori traditions to earthquake simulations and even the real-life Kraken – a preserved colossal squid. Wellington is only New Zealand’s third-biggest city, but spend some time here and you’ll realise that’s a blessing. Eminently strollable, you can stop in at countless cool cafes to top up your caffeine levels whenever your energy is flagging – the smell of a fresh artisan espresso is never far away. The wines grown nearby are revered, and the city’s craft beers are also making waves. Wander the breezy waterfront, and admire the surfers riding the wind-whipped rollers of what Lonely Planet-described as the ‘coolest little capital in the world’.

Accommodation: Silversea Silver Muse

Day 14-15: Picton, New Zealand

Pretty Picton is a beautiful harbour town lying on the cusp of the Marlborough Sounds Maritime Park, and providing an attractive link between New Zealand’s two main islands. The journey into the scenic Queen Charlotte Sound is through vistas that only New Zealand can provide, as you sail past crumpled green peaks and rolling hills, towards Picton’s flotillas of yachts and endearing waterfront appeal. You could easily spend days here browsing art studios and galleries, nursing coffees made from freshly ground beans, and watching the undulations of the bay from Picton’s waterfront eateries. Or enjoying the coastal location and sea views while wandering Picton Memorial Park, among palm trees, bright flowers and benches before sweeping views of the Sound.

There’s a lot to explore beyond Picton’s limits, too, with scenic inlets and glorious sweeping bays enticing you out into the sumptuous panoramas. The Marlborough Sounds are 1,500 km of unbelievably beautiful scenery, formed by submerged valleys cascading down to the sea’s waters. With its multitude of bays, coves and islands, you’ll find no shortage of walks, as well as plenty of opportunities to get out onto the calm water and push through the gentle waves in kayaks. Or sit back and enjoy weaving through the scenery from the comfort of a sailboat, looking out for abundant wildlife such as penguins, dolphins and seals. Vineyards coat the sheltered land between the mountains and ocean – the perfect climate for cultivation. Sample a glass of the renowned sauvignon blanc from the Blenheim wine region nearby for a taste of the local produce.

Accommodation: Silversea Silver Muse

Day 16: At Sea

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up on what you’ve been meaning to do, whether that’s going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.

Accommodation: Silversea Silver Muse

Day 17: Bay of Islands, New Zealand

The Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet at the top of the North Island at Cape Reinga. No matter what route you take, you’ll pass farms and forests, marvellous beaches, and green open spaces.

The first decision on the drive north comes at the foot of the Brynderwyn Hills. Turning left will take you up the West Coast through areas once covered with forests and now used for either agriculture or horticulture. Driving over ‘the Brynderwyns’, as they are known, takes you to Whangarei, the only city in Northland. If you’re in the mood for a diversion, you can head to the beautiful coastline and take in Waipu Cove, an area settled by Scots, and Laings Beach, where million-dollar homes sit next to small Kiwi beach houses. An hour’s drive further north is the Bay of Islands, known all over the world for its beauty, where you will find lush forests, splendid beaches, and shimmering harbours. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed here in 1840 between the Māori and the British Crown, establishing the basis for the modern New Zealand state.

Continuing north on the East Coast, the agricultural backbone of the region is even more evident and a series of winding loop roads off the main highway will take you to beaches that are both beautiful and isolated, where you can swim, dive, picnic or just laze. The West Coast is even less populated, and the coastline is rugged and windswept. In the Waipoua Forest, you will find some of New Zealand’s oldest and largest kauri trees; the winding road will also take you past mangrove swamps. Crowning the region is the spiritually significant Cape Reinga, the headland at the top of the vast stretch of 90 Mile Beach, where it’s believed Māori souls depart after death.

Accommodation: Silversea Silver Muse

Day 18: Auckland, New Zealand (arrive 7am)

Blending a beach location with all the delights of a modern, diverse and thoroughly multicultural city, Auckland sits on the blue-green waters of New Zealand’s North Island. Known as the ‘City of Sails’, its two harbours will tempt you with waterfront walks and the chance to breathe fresh sea air while absorbing spectacular views of Auckland’s grand harbour bridge.

Take in the true scale of Auckland’s magnificent cityscape by ascending 192 metres to the Sky Tower and looking out over the city’s gleaming silver buildings, the bay and adjacent islands. You can share delicious cocktails at this dizzying height, above the mingling yachts of Viaduct Harbour. Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of the area at Auckland Art Gallery, Toi o Tāmaki. Set beside the tranquil fountains and handsomely landscaped flowerbeds of Albert Park, the French Renaissance-style building houses New Zealand’s most extensive art collection and exhibits works from Māori and Pacific artists.

New Zealand is world-renowned for its captivating natural scenery, and day trips across the sparkling bays to nearby islands like Waiheke, Tiritiri Matangi and Rangitoto are always tempting. Discover lava caves, grape-laden vineyards and flourishing wildlife in the Hauraki Gulf’s islands. You’ll also find an exceptional 360-degree panorama over the city, to the horizon beyond, from the heights of ancient Mount Eden. The spectacular dormant volcano rises improbably from a city suburb and also lends its name to Eden Park – the unusual, translucent stadium of New Zealand’s mighty All Blacks.

Check in to the luxurious Hotel Grand Windsor where you’ll enjoy a comfortable post-cruise stay in a stylish Queen room. Enter a world of high-end luxury, classic art-deco design and charm from a bygone era. Built in 1928, Hotel Grand Windsor is superbly situated in the heart of Auckland. Having undergone a meticulous and extensive refurbishment, this boutique heritage hotel transports its guests to an age of opulent glamour while offering a superior level of luxury, service and hospitality from top to bottom.

Accommodation: Grand Windsor (Queen Room)

Day 19: Auckland, New Zealand

This morning, immerse yourself in a sumptuous breakfast of classic dishes at Cooke’s Restaurant & Bar at Hotel Grand Windsor, including eggs made to order, bacon, mushrooms and more.

Depart for Australia on your included business-class flight and return home with lifelong memories.