Cross International Dateline
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12/19/2023 |
12/19/2023 |
Air Travel
Air Travel 12/20/2023
Depart on an overnight flight, cross the International Dateline, and arrive in Auckland, where we check into a hotel. Join a welcome briefing this evening to meet your fellow travelers.,
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12/20/2023 |
12/20/2023 |
Auckland
Auckland 12/20/2023
Depart on an overnight flight, cross the International Dateline, and arrive in Auckland, where we check into a hotel. Join a welcome briefing this evening to meet your fellow travelers.,
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12/20/2023 |
12/20/2023 |
Auckland
Auckland 12/21/2023
Have breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the airport for a flight to Dunedin. Spend the day touring and stop for lunch midday before embarking National Geographic Orion in the late afternoon. (B,L,D),
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12/21/2023 |
12/21/2023 |
Air Travel
Air Travel 12/21/2023
Have breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the airport for a flight to Dunedin. Spend the day touring and stop for lunch midday before embarking National Geographic Orion in the late afternoon. (B,L,D),
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12/21/2023 |
12/21/2023 |
Dunedin (Port Chalmers)
Dunedin (Port Chalmers) 12/21/2023
Have breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the airport for a flight to Dunedin. Spend the day touring and stop for lunch midday before embarking National Geographic Orion in the late afternoon. (B,L,D),
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12/21/2023 |
12/21/2023 |
Cruise Starts (Embarkation)
Cruise Starts (Embarkation) 12/21/2023
Have breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the airport for a flight to Dunedin. Spend the day touring and stop for lunch midday before embarking National Geographic Orion in the late afternoon. (B,L,D),
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12/21/2023 |
12/21/2023 |
Dunedin (Port Chalmers)
Dunedin (Port Chalmers) 12/21/2023
Have breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the airport for a flight to Dunedin. Spend the day touring and stop for lunch midday before embarking National Geographic Orion in the late afternoon. (B,L,D),
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12/21/2023 |
12/21/2023 |
Stewart Island
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12/22/2023 |
12/22/2023 |
Ulva Island
Ulva Island 12/23/2023
Stewart Island, known in Maori as Te Punga o Te Waka a Maui, is positioned firmly at the heart of Maori mythology. Today, we'll explore the island's rare native birdlife as well as its well-preserved podocarp forest. In the afternoon, discover Stewart Island's nearby neighbor, Ulva Island, where we'll hike with naturalists to discover its unspoiled rainforest. (B,L,D),
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12/23/2023 |
12/23/2023 |
At Sea
At Sea 12/23/2023
Stewart Island, known in Maori as Te Punga o Te Waka a Maui, is positioned firmly at the heart of Maori mythology. Today, we'll explore the island's rare native birdlife as well as its well-preserved podocarp forest. In the afternoon, discover Stewart Island's nearby neighbor, Ulva Island, where we'll hike with naturalists to discover its unspoiled rainforest. (B,L,D),
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12/23/2023 |
12/23/2023 |
Campbell Island
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12/24/2023 |
12/24/2023 |
At Sea
At Sea 12/25/2023
A large island, surrounded by four smaller islands and innumerable rocks and islets, the Campbell Island group is officially the southernmost territory of New Zealand. Covered with endemic grasses and thick vegetation and boasting steep terrain, Campbell is dramatic and beautiful. Here, we will find six species of albatross, an endemic duck (Campbell Island teal), and an endemic snipe, as well as numerous songbirds and sea birds who breed on the island. Three species of penguin also make their home on here, and southern right whales breed in the surrounding waters.,
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12/25/2023 |
12/25/2023 |
Macquarie Island
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12/26/2023 |
12/26/2023 |
At Sea
At Sea 12/27/2023
We will spend two days at remote Macquarie Island, a protectorate of Australia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Macquarie is home to a large variety of wildlife, including thousands of seals and millions of penguins. Four species of penguin breed here. The endemic royal penguin has a population estimated at 850,000. Gentoo and southern rockhopper penguins also breed here. And imagine landing on a single beach with 100,000 pairs of king penguins, the third-largest such colony in the world! With whales beneath and birds above, our time at sea between islands presents an opportunity to head up to the bridge to spot marine life and watch the calm business of navigation. Or spend these days enjoying the ship's spa, and fitness center. Take some time to browse the library or play a board game in the glass-enclosed observation lounge. And listen to a variety of engaging talks from onboard staff, including photo talks. (B,L,D),
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12/27/2023 |
12/28/2023 |
Auckland Islands
Auckland Islands 12/29/2023
Spend the next several incredible days discovering New Zealand and Australia's subantarctic islands and their surrounding waters—the entire marine landscape designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We have special permission to explore these strictly regulated islands, which are protected at the highest level of conservation status by the New Zealand government, and considered "bird central" among top ornithologists around the world. Keeping a flexible weather-dependent schedule, we plan to explore several intriguing islands. The Auckland Islands are the largest of New Zealand's subantarctic islands, with the richest flora, prolific birdlife, and an interesting human history. Conditions permitting, we cruise in Zodiacs to Enderby Island to view a large New Zealand sea lion colony with pups all jostling for position. If we are fortunate, we may see rare yellow-eyed penguins as they move to and from their nests in the forests beyond the beach.,
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12/29/2023 |
12/29/2023 |
Snares Islands
Snares Islands 12/30/2023
Located south of the New Zealand mainland in the remote Southern Ocean, today we begin our exploration of the wild and beautiful sub-Antarctic islands. These remote islands play host to abundant and unique wildlife, with many species of birds, plants, and invertebrates found nowhere else in the world. Two small rocky islands, North East and Broughton, comprise The Snares, the closest subantarctic islands to New Zealand. The islands are covered with heavy tussock grass and wind-beaten forests of tree daisies. The Snares are home to huge numbers of breeding birds: the 99 recorded species include albatross, Antarctic terns, and Snares crested penguins. (B,L,D),
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12/30/2023 |
12/30/2023 |
Milford Sound
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12/31/2023 |
12/31/2023 |
Dusky Sound
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01/01/2024 |
01/01/2024 |
At Sea
At Sea 01/02/2024
Over the course of two days we will explore Fiordland National Park, home to fourteen individual fiords. Here we'll discover hundreds-meter-high waterfalls, snowcapped peaks, and we'll hope for a glimpse of the resident bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, and penguins. (B,L,D),
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01/02/2024 |
01/02/2024 |
Abel Tasman National Park
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01/03/2024 |
01/03/2024 |
At Sea
At Sea 01/04/2024
Today, we arrive at the South Island of New Zealand where golden beaches and dense rainforests border the snow-capped Southern Alps. We begin discovering this stunning island in Abel Tasman National Park, exploring on hikes and walks with our naturalists. Spend the next day at sea as we sail south toward Fiordland National Park. (B,L,D), Spend the morning getting to know Napier, the Art Deco capital of New Zealand. Choose to discover the city's unique architecture on an art tour, or leave the city behind and join a Gannet Safari Tour where we'll have close encounters at a large Australasian gannet colony. (B,L,D),
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01/04/2024 |
01/04/2024 |
Napier
Napier 01/04/2024
Today, we arrive at the South Island of New Zealand where golden beaches and dense rainforests border the snow-capped Southern Alps. We begin discovering this stunning island in Abel Tasman National Park, exploring on hikes and walks with our naturalists. Spend the next day at sea as we sail south toward Fiordland National Park. (B,L,D), Spend the morning getting to know Napier, the Art Deco capital of New Zealand. Choose to discover the city's unique architecture on an art tour, or leave the city behind and join a Gannet Safari Tour where we'll have close encounters at a large Australasian gannet colony. (B,L,D),
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01/04/2024 |
01/04/2024 |
Gisborne
Gisborne 01/05/2024
Today we delve into the cultural riches of Gisborne – the site of the first European landing place in New Zealand in 1769. The city's warm, sun-filled climate reflects its disposition and complements its rich soils, bountiful islands, miles of sandy beaches, and resource-rich oceans. Visit a local Marae and gain insight into the history and culture of the people of this region. In the afternoon, discover the greenery of a local arboretum, and cap the day off with a wine tour and tasting. (B,L,D),
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01/05/2024 |
01/05/2024 |
At Sea
At Sea 01/06/2024
As we continue south along the North Island's verdant coast, we let nature guide us as your captain and expedition leader choose our next site for exploration. (B,L,D),
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01/06/2024 |
01/07/2024 |
Auckland
Auckland 01/08/2024
Have lunch aboard the ship before disembarking and transferring to the airport for flights home. (B,L),
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01/08/2024 |
01/08/2024 |