17 days, December 18, 2010-January 3, 2011
$2995 ppdo includes Air!
Spend Christmas in Australia and New Year’s in New Zealand aboard the Diamond Princess on this 13-day luxury cruise. All meals and entertainment included, plus two hotel nights in Sydney!
Day 1&2: Your exciting vacation begins today as you board your overnight flight from LAX to Australia. Cross the International Date Line en route.
Day 3: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA. Welcome toSydney, inthe Land Down Under where seasons are reversed (it’s summer here!). Transfer to your centrally located 1st Class hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. MENZIES HOTEL or similar
Sydney
Day 4: SYDNEY A full day in dazzling Sydney to visit sights such as Bondi Beach, Watson’s Bay, the majestic Opera House, the Blue Mountainsand Koala Sanctuary, and the historic Rocks district. (Breakfast only included)
Day 5: SYDNEY/CRUISING. Morning and afternoon free. Transfer to your luxury ship, the Diamond Princess, unpack once for the next 12 nights, and set sail from Sydney Harbour at 8:00 p.m. (Hotel breakfast; lunch/dinner on ship)
Day 6: AT SEA. True to her name, Diamond Princess is a jewel on the seas, filled with innovative features and luxurious amenities. The day is yours to relax, and the weather will be warm where you’re going, so pack a swim suit!
Day 7: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. This riverside city is known as Australia’s “Garden City,” in large part because of Fitzroy Gardens and the lakes and blooms of the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Day 8: AT SEA. Participate in the special holiday festivities offered byPrincess Cruises on this day at sea.
Day 9: HOBART, TASMANIA. Hobart , Tasmania, at the base of Mt. Wellington and rich in character and history, is one of the world’s most beautiful natural harbors. This Australian port offers visitors a menu of interesting tours.
Day 10&11: AT SEA. Bid adieu to Australia and spend two blissful days at sea crossing the Tasman Sea. Enjoy the ship’s Lotus Spa, or may wish to try your luck at shuffleboard, the nine-hole putting course, or at the casino.
Milford Sound, New Zealand
Day 12: FJORDLAND, NEW ZEALAND (cruising) 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Fjordland is the largest national park in New Zealand and arguably the most spectacular.For thousands of years, glaciers have cut into the mountainous area, and the sea has flooded in and filled up the cracks to make a stunning landscape, highlighted by Milford Sound.
Day 13: DUNEDIN (PORT CHALMERS), NEW ZEALAND. 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Sightseeing opportunities abound in this city on NZ’s South Island.A perfectly preserved Victorian city, Dunedin’s Scottish heritage is evident everywhere.
Day 14: CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND. 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Discover the English flair of this charming city. Visit its cathedral, Canterbury Museum and Botanic Gardens; take a countryside tour or a cruise down the Avon River.
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Day 15: AT SEA. Happy New Year! A much-needed day at sea to recover from celebrating the night before….
Day 16: TAURANGA, NEW ZEALAND.8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Tauranga, on NZ’s North island, is noted for its fine beaches, and is gateway to Rotorua, home to the Maori indigenous population and fantastic geothermal geysers.
Day 17: AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND/LOS ANGELES. 6:00 a.m. New Zealand’s largest city—and the world’s largest Polynesia city—is positioned between two harbors. The “City of Sails”boasts more boats per capita than any other city. Disembark the ship this morning and—time permitting—opt to tour the city. Your memorable trip ends when you transfer to Auckland Airport for your flight back to the U.S., where you will arrive the same day
