World Cruises Cruise on Noordam from Auckland (New Zealand)

Auckland (New Zealand)

Auckland is a major cruise ship stopover point, with the ships usually tying up at Princes Wharf. Auckland CBD is connected to coastal suburbs, to the North Shore and to outlying islands by ferry. Auckland is home to many cultures. The majority of inhabitants claim European - predominantly British and/or Irish - descent, but substantial Maori, Pacific Islander and Asian communities exist as well. Auckland has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world and a higher proportion of people of Asian origin than the rest of New Zealand. Ethnic groups from all corners of the world have a presence in Auckland, making it by far the country's most cosmopolitan city.

Tauranga (New Zealand)

Tauranga is the largest city in the region of Bay of Plenty, on the east coast of the Northern island of New Zealand. We can find Mount Manganui, named after an extinct volcano. Famous for the beaches and mostly for its mountain.

Napier (New Zealand)

Napiuer is a portuary city located in the region of Hawke Bay in New Zealand. It is known as the world capital of Art Decó. After a 7,9 magnitude earthquake and the fires that came after, most part of the commercial area was destroyed in 1931. After that the city was reconstructed in the flamboyant style of Art Decó. The neat geometrical lines, the neon clocks and the iluminated fountains give Napier a look as of a movie set. Napier also has the most sun hours in the country, for this reason it is one of the main regions for wine in the country.

Wellington (New Zealand)

Wellington, in the past a slow growing city, in the last years has transformated in the most sofisticated and bright city in New Zealand. In fact it is the favourite weekend destination in New Zealand. Part of its attractive in due to the option of doing plenty of things in one area. Theatres, shops, galleries, restaurants and bars are all in a walking distance. And talking about eating, it has been said that Wellington competes with New York in teh amount of restaurants per capita. You can also add to all that hte wonderful location in fornt of the port and you will see why a visit to this city should be amongst the first in your itinerary.

Picton (New Zealand)

picton is located in the region of Malbourough, on the north of South Island. It is the bridge city between both islands. It is a peaceful city, that has a marina and a park on the beach. The wide principal street is full of souvenir shops, restaurants and cafes, many with sea views. A relaxing walk down the marina and the coast will allow you to see the marvelous views. The Queen Charlotte Drive, the touristic train TranzCoastal, the fjords of Malborough, together with the diving, the navigation and the sighting of dolphins and sea lions, are some of the attractions of Picton.

Christchurch

Christchurch is the second largest city in New Zealand. It is internationaly known for it's open spaces, its wineries and its gardens.The only place in the world where within two hours of an international airport you can ski at a world class alpine resort, play golf, bungy jump,go rafting, mountain biking, hot-air ballooning, wind surfing, or whale watching.

Dunedin (New Zealand)

Dunedin is the largest city in the province of Otago, New Zealand. You can find endless beaches for the practice of surfing or diving.

Hobart (Tasmania)

On the foot of mount Wellington in Tasmania, Hobart is one of the mos picturesque capitals of the world. Founded in 1802, Hobert has the flavour and charm of a small city of another time where life is more paused. Walk through the streets of this charming city and you will discover the mansions that show excellent examples of clasic georgian and victorian architecture, small cottages, shops and unique galeries, many of which where built by convicts brought from England. Walk through the Richmond Bridge, the eldest bridge in Australia, and finish your tour with a snack or tucker and a beer in a local bar.

Melbourne (Australia)

Melbourne is Australia´s cultural capital, with Victorian-era architecture, extensive shopping, museums, galleries, theatres, and large parks and gardens. Its 4-million residents are both multicultural and sport enthusiasts. Al fresco eateries, one-off shops and cozy little bars all nestle side-by-side in laneways threading throughout the city. Each arcade has its own individual character and charm. Melbourne is often called the cultural capital of Australia, with its many art galleries, film festivals, orchestras, choral and opera productions, vibrant live music scene, and a strong food, wine and coffee culture. Melbourne, known as the Kulin Nation to its traditional owners, has many galleries and museums with an Aboriginal or Indigenous focus, including the Koorie Heritage Trust.

Sydney (Australia)

Sydney is known as the Harbour City. It is the largest, oldest and most cosmopolitan city in Australia and one of the world´s most beautiful and liveable cities. Brimming with history, nature, culture, art, fashion, cuisine, design, it is set next to miles of ocean coastline and sandy surf beaches. Recent immigration trends have led to the cities reputation as one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse cities in Australia and the world. The city is also home to the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, two of the most iconic structures on the planet. The city is surrounded by nature and national parks, which extend through the suburbs and right to the shores of the harbour.

Noumea (New Caledonia)

The isles that form New Caledonia are a paradise lost in the Southern Pacific. It is an area that is worth visiting, specially the villages in the coast and that reflect the lifestyle of the kanak culture. Places to visit: Anse Vata, Baie des Citrons and Pointe Magnin, Le Petit train tour, Pierre Vernier promenade, Place des Cocotiers Square and the Tjibaou Cultural Centre, where the market takes place.

Lifou, Loyalty Islands

Located to the east of New Caledonias mainland, The Loyalty Islands are a French territory in the Pacific Ocean. Lifou is the largest and most populated of the islands and boasts stunning fine sandy beaches, lush tropical forrests and spectacular coral reefs off its shores teaming with marine life. Scuba diving, snorkeling and big game fishing are popular activities while the southern coast of Lifou is home to networks of stunning limestone caves that are a popular attraction with visitors along with the Bay of Wanda marine turtle park.

Port Vil (Vanuatu)

Port Vila is the capital and most populated city in Vanatu. The surroundings of Port Vila are ideal to make trips on sailboats or by ferry to the nearby islands or to practice snorkelling and diving. The sea is full of wrecked ships, most of them from the 19th centtury, like the sailboat Star of Russia, constructed by the same company as the Titanic, and is wrecked about 300 meters of the wharf.

Suva (Fidji)

Suva is a multicultural city where we can find churches, mosques and temples. Suva outstands for the scenery, from the little bay the tourist can contemplate the high mountains. Suva has a strange architecture, mixture of the colonial past full of mansions and gardens, and the native constructions.

Lautoka

Isla Dravuni

Vavaú (Tonga)

Nuku Alofa (Tonga)

Rarotonga (Cook Islands)

Rarotonga is the largest of the 15 Cook Islands in the central South Pacific. The interior of the country is characterized by volcanic peaks, mountain ridges and rainforests. A 20-mile (32 km) strait runs around the island, which is lined with beaches, coastal lagoons, and reefs with popular diving and snorkeling spots. Crossing rugged terrain, the Cross-Island Track passes the 650m peak of Te Rua Manga, also known as "The Needle".

Raiatea, French Polynesia

It is the biggest of the Sotavento islands. You can arrive by plane from Tahiti. Uturoa is the main town. In one day you can visit the whole island. A place full of beauty is the Faaroa Bay, where we will find vanilla plantations. The Bay of Opoa and the marae de Taputapuatea are two of the main attractions.

Papeete (French Polynesia)

Papeete is the capital of the French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the Pacific Ocean. The commune of Papeete is located on the island of Tahiti. Admire the Point Venus view where Captain Cook settled in Tahiti. Visit the busy port of Papeete before venturing to the waterfalls and black sand shores. Don't forget your camera to take back special memories of the helicopter ride.

Papeete (French Polynesia)

Papeete is the capital of the French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the Pacific Ocean. The commune of Papeete is located on the island of Tahiti. Admire the Point Venus view where Captain Cook settled in Tahiti. Visit the busy port of Papeete before venturing to the waterfalls and black sand shores. Don't forget your camera to take back special memories of the helicopter ride.

Opunohu Bay (Tahiti)

Opunohu Bay is located in the Island of Moorea (Tahiti) about 20 miles west of Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia. To the south of the island, we can find Mt. Tohivea, the highest mountain in the island. Many people visit the bay to go to Papetoai, to go shopping. Near we can fin Pao Pao. There are ferries and airplanes to reach Moorea.

Fakarava, French Polynesia

Between the sean and the sky, Fakarava is a protected atoll, designated as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. This atoll is well known for the outstanding diving sites, specially especially for the 800 meters north of Garoua passes that allow crossing the pelagic fauna and observe rare corals of exceptional quality.

Kona, Hawaii

Situated on the western coast of the Hualalai Volcano, Kailua-Kona, or "kona" to the locals, is the principal city of western Hawaii. Boasting a spectacular volcanic coastline from otherworldly lava formations to lush greenery with calm and clear waters that are perfect for snorkeling, diving and spotting dolphins and honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles). Kailua-Kona itself is a bustling, social hub, home to shops, restaurants and nightlife.Visitors can also explore the islands rich history by visiting Kealakekua Bay, where Captain James Cook first landed on the island in 1778, Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park or the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park, a 1160-acre park that lets you explore early "Heiau" or "temples"

Kahului (Maui, Hawaii)

Located on Maui's northern shores, Kahului is home to the islands airport and only deep-draft harbor making it the commercial epicentre for the island of Maui. Visitors are spoilt for choice with its variety of shopping malls and commercial centers as well as its palmtree-laden beaches crystal clear waters and stunning volcanic scenery. Haleakala (the East Maui Volcano) forms the majority of the island and is the largest inactive volcano in the world while Kahalawai forms the rest. Kahalawai is also known as West Maui Mountains due to its several peaks.

Honolulu (Hawaii)

The isle of Hawaii is named Grnad Island, and we explain why. It is more than double the size than all the rest of Hawaiian isles together, and is completely full of luxuriant nature, from the rugged volcanoes to the cascades and the rainy forrests. It is the home of smokey volcano craters and rivers of dry lava in the National Park of the Volcanoes.

Honolulu (Hawaii)

The isle of Hawaii is named Grnad Island, and we explain why. It is more than double the size than all the rest of Hawaiian isles together, and is completely full of luxuriant nature, from the rugged volcanoes to the cascades and the rainy forrests. It is the home of smokey volcano craters and rivers of dry lava in the National Park of the Volcanoes.

Kauai (Nawiliwili, Hawaii)

Kauai is the oldest of the hawaiian islands. Used as the backdrop for the Hollywood film Jurassic Park, the island boasts spectacular volcanic peaks and lush rainforrests. With more miles of sandy coastline than the other Hawaiian islands this virtually untouched tropical paradise is also known by locals as the "Garden Isle". Natural wonders such as Waimea Canyon, the Na Pali Coast and Wailua Falls are all popular with visitors as well as offering a wide range of wtar based activities.

Seattle (USA)

Seattle is a major coastal seaport city and the seat of King County, in the U.S. state of Washington. A major gateway for trade with Asia, Seattle is the 8th largest port in the United States and 9th largest in North America in terms of container handling. Seattle has a noteworthy musical history. From 1918 to 1951, there were nearly two dozen jazz nightclubs along Jackson Street from the current Chinatown/International District to the Central District. The jazz scene developed the early careers of Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Ernestine Anderson and others. Seattle is also the birthplace of rock legend Jimi Hendrix and the rock music style. Places to visit: the Henry Art Gallery , the first public art museum in Washington. The Seattle Art Museum , the Frye Art Museum is a free museum on First Hill. Regional history collections are at the Loghouse Museum in Alki, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, the Museum of History and Industry and the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. Industry collections are at the Center for Wooden Boats and the adjacent Northwest Seaport, the Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum, and the Museum of Flight. Regional ethnic collections include the Nordic Heritage Museum, the Wing Luke Asian Museum and the Northwest African American Museum. Seattle has artist-run galleries, including 10-year veteran Soil Art Gallery,and the newer Crawl Space Gallery.Other significant events include numerous art and entretainment, music, religious and ethnic festivals. Since the middle 1990s, Seattle has experienced significant growth in the cruise industry, especially as a departure point for Alaska cruises.