27 Nights - Norwegian Cruise Line (Auckland

Auckland, New Zealand to Papeete, French Polynesia, March 16 - April 12, 2023

NCL Spirit was built in 1998 by the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. In 2004 she was transferred to NCL and renamed Norwegian Spirit. Refurbished in 2022. We first reserved room #10587 (inside room) but upgraded to a balcony room, #9120, after the upgrade price dropped about $5,000. We thought with covid, if we had to quarantine in our room it would be nice to have a balcony, and this is over both our birthdays and Lynn's is starting a new decade...

Back to back cruises - 12 night New Zealand & Australia, then 15 night South Pacific, all places we have not been. Nine sea days counting cruising the Sounds, 18 places.

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This will be our 24th and 25th cruise (7 cruises/74 days on Norwegian (after these), 8 cruises/64 days on Princess, 6 cruises/44 days on Carnival, 3 cruises/26 days on Royal Caribbean and 1 cruise/9 days on Celebrity) = 217 days of fun and relaxing cruising. We enjoy seeing many new parts of the world, different lifestyles, they pamper you by cleaning your cabin, providing entertainment and making your meals. We also are not claustrophobic and are comfortable in the small staterooms which we generally are only in to shower, change and sleep.

This is a splurge for us and reaffirming we need to live our best lives. You never know how long you will have your health and feel comfortable to explore the world. The inside price was $9982.66 ($6,686 Cruise, $1,477 Gov Tax/PortExp/fees, $1818 cruise air (from Miami, transfers included). The upgrade price was $4857.62 and our room is on the starboard or right side which has New Zealand land on that side. Our new total $14,840 including airfare, balcony room, food, entertainment, etc. Tips were extra ($864, $16 per day times 2 peoople) and we prepaid them to save a $4 increase per person, per day, if you did not. When we upgraded to a balcony our Costco gift card doubled to $925, we also get 4x 300 minute Internet packages and two shore excursion discounts. The gift card is for using Costco travel, the internet and excursion discounts are for being Norwegien latitude gold level.

Airfare and Lodging

We added airfare through the cruise line and got our info 1-28-23. We leave Miami on 3/14/23 at 4:35 pm stoping at Houston International airport (3 hour flight, Houston is 1 hour behind), we then have a 3-1/4 hour layover, then fly to Auckland (15 hour flight, plus Auckland is 19 hours ahead of Houston) arriving 3/16/23 6:45 am. We have transfers to the ship and the ship departs at 6 pm.

Auckland, New Zealand
March 16, 2023, depart 6:00pm

Notes about this stop.

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Tauranga, New Zealand
March 17, 2023, 7:00am - 4:00pm

Notes about this stop.

If you are a walker then Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, would be the place for you. After a geyser display thee is a wonderful walk (about 3km) through and around the thermal park. We always take our visitors here if they can walk the distance. If you do go to Te Puia make sure you have the included Maori culture experience.

https://www.viator.com/tours/Tauranga/Tauranga-Shore-Excursion-Te-Puia-Maori-Cultural-Centre-and-Rotorua-City-Sightseeing/d4761-6050PRTTRGRKFD

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Napier, New Zealand
March 18, 2023, 9:00am - 6:00pm

Notes about this stop.Free shuttle to town; easy walking port. Shuttle has 2 stops? 2nd is Aquarium Bicycling to wineries and Hawkes Bay?

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Wellington, New Zealand
March 19, 2023, 8:00am - 6:00pm

Notes about this stop.

Wellington is relatively easy as the city is so hilly. I would recommend walking to the bOtanic Gardens and strolling right to the top of the Cable Car & back down again. You could also take the free shuttle bus from the top of the Cable Car to ***Zealandia Sanctuary***. There is a lovely loop walk inside the quarantine fence at Zealandia.

Te Ara Paparārangi (1.5hr) Take in arguably the best views of Wellington Harbour on this easy, all-ages walk along the Harbour Escarpment from Waihinahina Park, Newlands. Enjoy the tranquillity of the native old-growth and regeneration forest in Gilberd Bush Reserve and stop at viewpoints along the way to drink in the views.

Allow 30 minutes return via streets.

Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa 10 - 6 City is very hilly so tour of peaks is nice; also, Cable Car runs 8:30 a - 7 p , between Lambton Quay, the main shopping street, and Kelburn, a suburb in the hills overlooking the central city. The highlight to any visit to Wellington is a trip on Wellington Cable Car. In just 5 minutes you will reach the top of the Botanic Garden where panoramic views of the city and harbour are the reward. You can also visit the Space Place Observatory here. Before you head back down make sure to visit the Cable Car Museum (free entry), which provides a history of the city's symbolic mode of transport and see the original cars and winding machinery on display. There are walking tracks that start at the top of the Cable Car if you're keen on a stroll back to the city. The Cable Cars leave every 10 minutes and evry 15 minutes before 8pm.

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Lyttleton, New Zealand
March 20, 2023, 8:00am - 6:00pm

Notes about this stop.Lyttleton (Christchurch) We really enjoyed taking the trolley cars which are open air. Much like the SF Cablecars without the hills! Also, we found the ***International Antacrctic Centre a fascinating excursion (aprox 1/2 day). It's a simulation of what it's actually like to be on Antarctica. It was developed in conjunction with the USA. NZ is quite close to Antarctica. This, although not about NZ, was pretty remarkable!

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Dunedin, New Zealand
March 21, 2023, 8:00am - 6:00pm

Notes about this stop.The architecture inside and out of the train station is quite spectacular!

Larnach Castle is also very intersting with beautiful gardens. open 9 - 5, approx $25 for garden and castle entry. *On Cruise Ship days, a Port Chalmers pick-up is available from 9.00am and tours depart Dunedin City at 9.45am returning to the city by 1.00pm. An afternoon tour departs the city at 1.15pm returning in time for the shuttles back to the ship.**

**walkabout... the train station is worth a look around as well as is the big Presbyterian church in the middle of town and a nice Museum that has free entry, overall it’s a pleasant place to spend a day. Dunedin Botantical Gardens

Port Chalmers is a nice to walk round and relax

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Cruise Doubtful Sound, New Zealand
March 22, 2023

Notes about this stop.

Meet & Greet is arranged by NCL for Wednesday March 22 at 11:00am in the Social Comedy & Night Club. Hope to see you all there.

Maryanne

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Cruise Dusky Sound, New Zealand
March 22, 2023

Notes about this stop.

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Cruise Milford Sound, New Zealand
March 22, 2023

Notes about this stop.

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Melbourne, Australia
March 25, 2023, 8:00am - 5:00pm

Notes about this stop.

Avi & Dalia

10 Best Things to Do in Melbourne Cruise Port

Melbourne Skydeck.
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
The driving time to the Royal Botanic Garden from the dock is approximately 20 minutes.
Queen Victoria Market. the iconic market takes up two city blocks and is the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere.
This authentic historic market is home to more than 600 shops and stalls and a great place to find everything you need, from fresh seafood, meat, fruits and veggies, to ground coffee, specialty produce, handmade products, souvenirs, clothing, and so much more!
National Gallery of Victoria.
Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Werribee Open Range Zoo.
Serendip Sanctuary. Serendip Sanctuary is a 227 ha protected wildlife oasis located around 60 km/37 miles southwest of Melbourne, home to hundreds of native animals including kangaroos, wallabies, emus and rare bird species. Some of the wildlife you can encounter here are eastern grey kangaroos, pademelons, tawny frogmouths, bush stone-curlews, Australian bustards, freckled ducks, inland bearded dragon, wild koalas and many other species.
Serendip Sanctuary displays the open grassy woodlands and wetlands of the volcanic Western Plains and is the perfect place for native wildlife spotting. Facilities are available and they include a visitor center and a public picnic area with a fully accessible toilet. The entrance is free of charge.
Dandenong Ranges.

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Burnie Tasmania, Australia
March 26, 2023, 7:00am - 4:00pm

Notes about this stop.

Burnie Tasmania from say Burnie, Cradle Mountain offers a lovely day out but again a lot of time lost driving, though it can be a lovely drive.

Penquin Place

the Taieri Gorge train and Dunedin railway station where we boarded the train in Dunedin. We did an independent tour, Good Company Tour.

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Eden, Australia
March 27, 2023, 10:00am - 5:00pm

Tender. Notes about this stop.

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Sydney, Australia
March 28, 2023, 6:00am - 4:00pm

Notes about this stop.

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Isle of Pines, New Caledonia
March 31, 2023, 8:00am - 5:00pm

Tender. Notes about this stop.

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Mystery Island, Vanuatu
April fools, 2023, 8:00am - 5:00pm

Tender. Notes about this stop.

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Lautoka, Fiji
April 3, 2023, 7:00am - 8:00pm

Notes about this stop. Visit Nadi and Rise Beyond the Reef; mudbath

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Dravuni Fiji, Fiji
April 4, 2023, 8:00am - 5:00pm

Tender. Notes about this stop.

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Apia, Samoa
April 6, 2023, 8:00am - 6:00pm

Notes about this stop.Apia is the capital city of Samoa, another busy port with lots to do. The main part of the city is within walking distance of the port. You can walk and see all the sites and a few places to shop one is known as old Apia Market.

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Pago Pago, American Samoa
April 7, 2023, 8:00am - 5:00pm

Notes about this stop.

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Raiatea, French Polynesia
April 10, 2023, 7:00am - 10:00pm

Notes about this stop.Raita known for its historic ruins and pearls.

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Moorea, French Polynesia
April 11, 2023, in at night, explore from 7:00am - 5:00pm

Tender. Notes about this stop.

A short boat cruise from the dock took us to a spot waist deep so we could snorkel/swim with non dangerous stingrays and reef sharks in crystal clear water.

Drive to Afareaitu, Moorea’s administrative center, and head inland for a 30-minute easy hike along a river. En route, you’ll pass under endless fruit trees and the famous mape – the Tahitian Chestnut tree with its incredible roots. Don’t forget your swimming gear, as the waterfall’s natural pool is so refreshing after the sweaty hike.

**Temae Beach is the best public beach on Moorea and a fantastic free snorkel destination. Temae boasts white sands, swaying palms, and idyllic waters. Its coral reef is among the island’s most stunning.

Temae sits adjacent to the Sofitel. It is a large swath of public beach that we found surprisingly free of crowds during the days we visited.

if lunch at Hilton or Sofitel may be able to use their beach.

Visiting the Lagoonarium (permanently closed???) is one of the top things to do in Moorea—and for good reason. It is a shallow lagoon that houses swarms of tropical fish,a healthy population of rays, and docile black-tipped reef sharks. Visiting the Lagoonarium costs roughly $35 for the day and the price includes a transfer to a private island within the lagoon, access to day bungalows, snorkel equipment, kayaks, picnic tables and unlimited access to the coral gardens.

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Papeete, French Polynesia
April 12, 2023, in at 8:00pm, overnight, depart at 8am

Notes about this stop.

Souveniers?

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Auckland, New Zealand to Papeete, French Polynesia, March 16 - April 12, 2023

Airfare and Lodging

Auckland, New Zealand March 16, 2023, depart 6:00pm

Tauranga, New Zealand March 17, 2023, 7:00am - 4:00pm

Napier, New Zealand March 18, 2023, 9:00am - 6:00pm

Wellington, New Zealand March 19, 2023, 8:00am - 6:00pm

Lyttleton, New Zealand March 20, 2023, 8:00am - 6:00pm

Dunedin, New Zealand March 21, 2023, 8:00am - 6:00pm

Cruise Doubtful Sound, New Zealand March 22, 2023

Cruise Dusky Sound, New Zealand March 22, 2023

Cruise Milford Sound, New Zealand March 22, 2023

Melbourne, Australia March 25, 2023, 8:00am - 5:00pm

Burnie Tasmania, Australia March 26, 2023, 7:00am - 4:00pm

Eden, Australia March 27, 2023, 10:00am - 5:00pm

Sydney, Australia March 28, 2023, 6:00am - 4:00pm

Isle of Pines, New Caledonia March 31, 2023, 8:00am - 5:00pm

Mystery Island, Vanuatu April fools, 2023, 8:00am - 5:00pm

Lautoka, Fiji April 3, 2023, 7:00am - 8:00pm

Dravuni Fiji, Fiji April 4, 2023, 8:00am - 5:00pm

Apia, Samoa April 6, 2023, 8:00am - 6:00pm

Pago Pago, American Samoa April 7, 2023, 8:00am - 5:00pm

Raiatea, French Polynesia April 10, 2023, 7:00am - 10:00pm

Moorea, French Polynesia April 11, 2023, in at night, explore from 7:00am - 5:00pm

Papeete, French Polynesia April 12, 2023, in at 8:00pm, overnight, depart at 8am

Auckland, New Zealand
March 16, 2023, depart 6:00pm

Tauranga, New Zealand
March 17, 2023, 7:00am - 4:00pm

Napier, New Zealand
March 18, 2023, 9:00am - 6:00pm

Wellington, New Zealand
March 19, 2023, 8:00am - 6:00pm

Lyttleton, New Zealand
March 20, 2023, 8:00am - 6:00pm

Dunedin, New Zealand
March 21, 2023, 8:00am - 6:00pm

Cruise Doubtful Sound, New Zealand
March 22, 2023

Cruise Dusky Sound, New Zealand
March 22, 2023

Cruise Milford Sound, New Zealand
March 22, 2023

Melbourne, Australia
March 25, 2023, 8:00am - 5:00pm

Burnie Tasmania, Australia
March 26, 2023, 7:00am - 4:00pm

Eden, Australia
March 27, 2023, 10:00am - 5:00pm

Sydney, Australia
March 28, 2023, 6:00am - 4:00pm

Isle of Pines, New Caledonia
March 31, 2023, 8:00am - 5:00pm

Mystery Island, Vanuatu
April fools, 2023, 8:00am - 5:00pm

Lautoka, Fiji
April 3, 2023, 7:00am - 8:00pm

Dravuni Fiji, Fiji
April 4, 2023, 8:00am - 5:00pm

Apia, Samoa
April 6, 2023, 8:00am - 6:00pm

Pago Pago, American Samoa
April 7, 2023, 8:00am - 5:00pm

Raiatea, French Polynesia
April 10, 2023, 7:00am - 10:00pm

Moorea, French Polynesia
April 11, 2023, in at night, explore from 7:00am - 5:00pm

Papeete, French Polynesia
April 12, 2023, in at 8:00pm, overnight, depart at 8am