Phillip Island is best known for the Penguin Parade, but there’s more to it than that. The island sits about two hours from Melbourne and has a genuinely wild, windswept coastline that feels nothing like the city. Cruisers who time their shore day well can also take in the Nobbies, a rocky headland with fur seal colonies and views back towards the Bass Strait.
Milford Sound
Most people see Milford Sound from a coach or a day cruise out of Queenstown. Seeing it from the deck of a ship is a different experience entirely. Mitre Peak rises over 1,600 metres straight out of the water, and if it’s been raining, the cliff faces run with dozens of temporary waterfalls. There’s nothing else quite like it in New Zealand.
Dunedin
Dunedin punches well above its size. The Victorian and Edwardian streetscapes in the city centre are worth an hour on foot, but the real draw is nearby Otago Peninsula, where you can see royal albatross, little blue penguins, and New Zealand sea lions without a long drive. It’s one of the best wildlife spots accessible from any port on a New Zealand itinerary.
Eden
Eden is the first stop out of Sydney and a good reminder that the New South Wales south coast is seriously underrated. The town sits above Twofold Bay, one of the deepest natural harbours on the coast, and the surrounding Sapphire Coast region has some excellent seafood. It’s a gentle, unhurried start to the voyage.
Tauranga (Rotorua)
Tauranga is the gateway port for Rotorua, and if you’ve never visited New Zealand’s geothermal heartland, this is the stop to commit to a full-day excursion. The geysers, boiling mud pools, and Maori cultural experiences at Te Puia are genuinely memorable. The drive through the Bay of Plenty is also one of the more scenic in the North Island.
Norwegian Spirit – Ship Overview
Norwegian Spirit is a mid-sized ship that went through a significant refit in 2020, and it shows. The layout is easy to navigate, the cabins have been freshened up, and there’s enough going on board to keep you busy on sea days without the ship ever feeling overwhelming.
Dining
Norwegian’s freestyle dining means no set times and no assigned seats, which suits a longer voyage well. The Windows dining room is worth seeking out early, with double-height windows that let in serious natural light and views of the wake. Beyond that you’ve got Cagney’s steakhouse, Le Bistro for French, Silk for Asian, a teppanyaki table, and Onda by Scarpetta for Italian. The Local Bar and Grill runs 24 hours if you want something casual between ports.
Entertainment
The Stardust Theatre runs production shows including the acrobatic Elements, plus stand-up comedy and live music across the voyage. The Galaxy of the Stars lounge does double duty as a quiet spot during the day and a venue for themed nights and dancing after dark. Spice H2O is the adults-only outdoor area and picks up later in the evening with deck parties.
Wellness
Mandara Spa is one of the more substantial spa setups you’ll find on a ship this size, expanded during the 2020 refit. The thermal suite is the pick for sea days, and there are over 50 treatments on the menu including hot stone massage. The fitness centre and a wraparound promenade on Deck 7 cover the exercise side of things.
Norwegian Spirit Cabins
All cabins on Norwegian Spirit were refurbished in 2020, so everything feels fresh despite the ship being around for a while. You’ve got four category options: inside, oceanview, balcony, and suites. Every cabin comes with beds that convert to a queen, USB ports at the bedside and desk, a coffee maker, mini-bar, and Australian power sockets. Worth knowing upfront: the inside cabins run around 14 square metres, which is fine for a short trip but worth thinking about on a longer voyage like this one. If you’re planning to spend meaningful time in your cabin, the step up to a balcony is a reasonable call.
Inside Cabin
Ocean View
Balcony
Penthouse Suite
Owner’s Suite
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