Detailed Itinerary
Embark Azamara Journey from 1:00PM until 4:30PM.
Welcome Cocktails & Briefing this evening for a chance to meet your fellow participants.
Auckland is the capital and most populous city in New Zealand. The only city in the world built on an active basaltic volcanic field; its warm, coastal climate allows for surfing at black-sand beaches, picnics in secluded coves, or horseback riding. Tour a sheep farm, take a guided tour of the coastal rainforest, or go on a harbor cruise. Immerse yourself in Auckland’s art, Māori culture, and history. View the beauty of the coastline from above when you go hang gliding, or take a trip around the winemaking regions of either Matakana or Waiheke Island.
Enjoy it on your own arrangements or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Port Explorer Guide - Auckland
Overnight: At Sea
Waitangi is the home of the Māori culture. If one of us walks right up, leans in close, and touches noses with you, don’t be alarmed. We’re just saying a friendly “hongi” hello. You may have seen the haka dance, which has been made famous by the New Zealand Rugby team before the start of a match or watched the movie Whale Rider. However when it comes to really understanding and appreciating the Māori culture and people, the best way to do so is visit Waitangi. Māori chiefs signed their 1840 accord with the British Crown at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, making it New Zealand’s most historic site. Not only does Waitangi honour the birthplace of a nation and offer stunning views of the Bay of Islands, but it also features cultural and musical performances, including, yes, the haka. So if you’ve ever wanted to dive into an absolute treasure trove of all things Māori, come with us to Waitangi.
Enjoy it on your own arrangements or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
GOLF: Kauri Cliffs was designed and built by David Harman of Golf Course Consultants, Orlando, Florida. It is a par 72 championship golf course that measures 7,119 yards / 6,510 metres with a selection of five sets of tees to challenge every skill level. Tee selection is an important decision here, with gorges and fairways with some of the healthiest and thickest grass in the world making it easy to mount up a tally of lost balls. Fifteen holes view the Pacific Ocean, six of which are played alongside cliffs which plunge to the sea. The beautiful inland holes wind through marsh, forest and farmland. Kauri Cliffs is currently ranked by Golf Digest as #39 among the top 100 in the world. Golfers rejoin Azamara Journey this afternoon in Russel.
Short VIDEO - Kauri Cliffs Golf Course
Russel has a colourful history that dates back to the early 1800s when it was a lawless frontier town and even called "the hell hole of the Pacific”, and was the first permanent European settlement and seaport in New Zealand. A couple of centuries can make a difference as the guns, grog shops have gone. Today with a population of less than 1,000 people, houses of ill repute have been replaced with quaint shops, cafés, and restaurants (although there is still plenty of grog to be found). One thing that remains the same are Russel’s natural wonders, which are best explored by bike, horse, or sailboat. Try your hand at game fishing marlin and tuna. With scenery like this, you can see why so many people are lured to Russel and the Bay of Islands.
Enjoy it on your own arrangements or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: At Sea
Tauranga is situated midway on the North Island’s eastern coast, and was settled by the Māori in the 13th century. It is now the most populous city in New Zealand’s renowned Bay of Plenty. A popular coastal town with a subtropical climate, Tauranga features beautiful golden beaches, lush parks, and a laidback atmosphere, while offering an array of adventures including dolphin watching, hiking, fishing, sailing, and diving. Choose from nature discovery tours, a Tauranga sightseeing trip, or even a jet boat ride. Head to Mount Maunganui Beach— a favorite locale with both surfers and hikers alike—or visit such sites as Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park, Kaiate Falls, and The Strand waterfront area for its variety of restaurants, pubs, cafes, and nightclubs.
Port Explorer Guide - Tauranga
Golfers disembark in Tauranga (along with any Non-Golfing spouses - reduced rate charge applies) for an easy two round, one night off ship excursion including dinner and drinks plus overnight stay with breakfast in beautiful Taupo. The group will rejoin Azamara Journey in the early evening of day two in Napier New Zealand.
Enjoy a scenic drive (2 hours) to The Kinloch Club nearby Taupo.
GOLF: The Kinloch Club is a recent addition to New Zealand’s golf selection, opening in 2007 as Jack Nicklaus’s signature course. Although the course is situated far inland it pays homage to British Links. Situated on volcanic terrain it seamlessly blends the raw links style into age old kiwi sheep farming territory, surrounded by craggy hills and scenic views of the imposing Lake Taupo. It is now considered by many golf experts to be the #1 course in New Zealand and is sure to give even the most experienced golfer a rugged test.
Overnight: Taupo, New Zealand (hotel – off ship)
Enjoy a scenic drive (2 hours) from Taupo to Cape Kidnappers.
GOLF: Cape Kidnappers is consistently rated the #1 course in New Zealand and has received critical acclaim from around the golfing world. This Tom Doak design occupies a huge expanse of property, with the drive from the public road to the clubhouse taking you through a sheep and cattle station. The golf course is set on pristine land, wedged between the station and the huge cliffs of the Cape. The much photographed course has a number of holes separated by deep ravines which run down to the South Pacific Ocean. The course also offers commanding views over the wine region of Hawke's Bay and the nearby small port town of Napier.
Rejoin Azamara Journey 7:30PM in Napier, New Zealand
Overnight: At Sea
Wellington is located at the southwestern tip of the North Island of New Zealand and is often referred to as “the coolest little capital in the world”. It has fantastic nightlife, including renowned entertainment district of Courtenay Place as well as an internationally recognized coffee culture which has made Wellington both a cosmopolitan and relaxed city. From 19th-century wooden cottages to streamlined art deco structures, the city is filled with sculptures, fountains, and art galleries; be sure to visit The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the national museum and art gallery. Take a ride on the Wellington Cable Car, enjoy stunning panoramic views from the top of Mount Victoria, or tour the famous Oscar-winning Weta Cave—home to props, collectibles, and souvenirs of such movies as Lord of the Rings, Avatar, Man of Steel, and Narnia.
Enjoy it on your own arrangements or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: At Sea
Picton is a seaside town situated in the Marlborough region, close to the head of Queen Charlotte Sound on the South Island and can act as a great starting point for exploring the Marlborough Sounds. The area offers a variety of adventures including fishing, swimming, and bird watching—not to mention enjoying delicious local seafood. The Edwin Fox Maritime Museum is also a popular attraction, showcasing the fascinating adventures of the Edwin Fox, one of the oldest ships in the world, as she sailed around the globe. Take a wine tour through one of the vineyards of Picton, and sample acclaimed wines such as Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Visit the playful fur seal pups at their colony near the waterfall at Ohau Point or conquer The Queen Charlotte Track on foot or by mountain bike.
Enjoy it on your own arrangements or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: At Sea
Akaroa is named after the Māori word for “Long Harbor”, and is a village situated in the heart of an ancient volcano on the South Island of New Zealand. It’s waters are home to the world’s smallest and rarest dolphin, the Hector’s Dolphin, and it is a haven for animal lovers. Spot New Zealand fur seals, little blue penguins, and various sea life. Take a tour of an Alpaca farm and get up close and personal with the unique animals. View the Colonial architecture, crafts, and cafés as you explore the Outer Bays. For some great surf, visit Le Bons Bay or Okains Bay beaches. The drama of the landscape allows you to slow down to take it all in.
Enjoy it on your own arrangements or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
GOLF: Christchurch Golf Club has a proud history that dates back to 1873. The club is the second oldest in New Zealand and the fifth oldest outside the United Kingdom. Its Shirley Links course has held numerous New Zealand Open and Amateur Championships. In 1990 it hosted the World Amateur Team Championship. The course is renowned world-wide as a challenging championship course of the highest quality which offers a fair test of golf for both club and professional golfer. The Club Patron is former Club Champion Sir Bob Charles, New Zealand’s most successful professional golfer, best known for winning the 1963 British Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, England.
Overnight: At Sea
Dunedin is located on the southwest coast of the South Island of New Zealand, bordered by the Tasman Sea. The gold rush in the early 1860s made it the richest province in the country, and brought people from far and wide in search of wealth. Settled by Scotland, a statue of the poet Robbie Burns looks over the Octagon in the city’s center. Take a guided tour around the city and view the Flemish architecture and the Otago Peninsula. Stroll along one of the many beautiful, white sandy beaches. View some of the wildlife unique to the area, like the Northern Royal Albatross, the Little Blue Penguin, and the Kiwi. Learn more about local culture at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, where you’ll discover the story of the people who settled here.
Enjoy it on your own arrangements or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
GOLF: Chisholm Links, located just outside Dunedin, is a genuine links course in the truest sense of the word and may well be considered the hidden gem of this golf voyage. Developed on reserve land in the 1930s, several of its holes occupy a magnificent headland wedged between two beaches. It is hole #9 which guests tend to remember most keenly with the tee clinging to the edge of a huge precipice high over picturesque Tomahawk Beach. The playability and character of the holes along with striking views over the Pacific Ocean and neighboring beaches make it a very special experience. The links have previously hosted the New Zealand Amateur Championship in 2003 plus three Australasian PGA Tour Events.
Overnight: In Port – Dunedin, New Zealand
An opportunity to spend a second day in or around Dunedin. Enjoy it on your own arrangements or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: At Sea
An option at supplementary cost is provided for PerryGolf guests to go deep into New Zealand’s Southern Alps inclusive of golf at the highly rated and spectacular Jack's Point, with nongolfing spouses able to enjoy free time in beautiful Queenstown. All guests will enjoy an overnight stay with dinner and drinks, and will rejoin Azamara Journey the following evening in iconic Milford Sound.
2 March Morning departure from Azamara Journey in Dunedin for the scenic 4 hour drive to Queenstown.
Afternoon golf at Jack's Point. Nongolfers enjoy free time in Queenstown.
Overnight with dinner & drinks, plus breakfast in Queenstown 4 star hotel.
GOLF: Jack's Point Golf Course is situated between the majestic Lake Wakatipu and 2,300 vertical metres of the Remarkables Mountain Range. Jack's Point was named after a 19th century Māori local named Jack. He was awarded a medal from the Royal Humane Society of Britain after saving the life of a man when they had capsized in Lake Wakatipu in winter 1862, an extraordinary rescue. It traverses through wetland to the lake edge encountering steep bluffs, indigenous vegetation and wildlife. The course is not only one of the most spectacular in the world but with an 18 hole par 72 Championship course offers a challenging and lasting experience to any calibre of golfer.
3 March Morning all guests at leisure in Queenstown. Midday departure for the scenic 4 hour drive to Milford Sound, rejoining Azamara Journey early evening.
Short VIDEO - Jack's Point Golf Course
Morning and early afternoon at sea we as cruise the very southern coastline of New Zealand. Late afternoon arrival into iconic Milford Sound, where we make a scenic cruise of this incredible fjord. Golfers who have participated on the Queenstown option will rejoin Azamara Journey in Milford Sound prior to our departure for the crossing to Australia.
Overnight: At Sea
The first of two and a half days at sea. No golf. No sightseeing. No worries. Here’s your chance to reset with the help of four restaurants plus cafes and lounges, a pool, sun decks, a spa, fitness center, jogging track, hair salon, shops, casino and cabaret lounge. Under the stewardship of Larry Pimentel, Azamara’s clubhouse style ambience provides a hybrid of luxury and big-ship cruising with every amenity presented in an intimate setting with superb service. Note that spa treatments can only be reserved on board and they book quickly. Note also that the best cocktails are found along with the best views on Deck 10 in the Looking Glass Lounge where you can admire the Murano glass and gaze out the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Overnight: At Sea
Another relaxing day at sea on board Azamara Journey.
Overnight: At Sea
Late afternoon arrival into Sydney’s beautiful harbor, sailing past the opera house and under the famous harbor bridge.
Sydney is the state capital of New South Wales, the most populous city in the country, and sits on the Tasman Sea along the southeast coast of Australia. Surrounding Sydney Harbour, the city has a rich artistic and cultural life: the iconic Sydney Opera House is not only a prominent feature of the famous skyline, but also a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through the streets of the city to shop, dine, and view spectacular architecture and heritage buildings including Parliament House, Sydney Town Hall, and the Australian Museum. Visit popular sites like Manly Beach, Darling Harbour and Taronga Zoo for the Australian wildlife exhibits plus wonderful views of Sydney Harbour, or tour the city on your own via bike along Sydney’s cycleways.
Enjoy it on your own arrangements or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: In Port – Sydney, Australia
9:00AM Disembark Azamara Journey.
Enjoy three nights in beautiful Sydney at the outstanding Langham Sydney, with golf at two of its finest golf courses – The Lakes and the iconic New South Wales Golf Club.
- 3 nights in the Langham Sydney based on twin occupancy, with daily breakfast
- Day at leisure after disembarking
- Green fees and starting times for 2 rounds of golf with shared electric golf cart
- Transfers from the ship to hotel, and to/from each golf course (airport transfers excluded)
- Box lunch at each golf course with open bar for select standard beers, wines and spirits
- Farwell dinner including drinks and wines
- Management and handling of golf equipment
- All gratuities for golf related staff including drivers & golf bag handling staff
- Full time PerryGolf program manager