Cruising into spring:
5 ways to explore the ANZ in comfort with Dream Cruises

With just a few months left before 2020, most avid travellers are already planning for their annual year-end getaways. Often, travellers resort to spend these extended year-end holidays at temperate countries marked by chilly winters – hardly ideal for parents with young children and elderly family members in tow, or for travellers who simply wish to enjoy a destination at its full glory instead of experiencing it under a blanket of snow.

Wondering where to go then? Spin the globe and cruise towards the Southern Hemisphere at Australia and New Zealand, right in time for spring when the region throws up some of the most amazing natural sights, bucket-list adventures and gastronomical delights for one and all.

Increasingly, savvy travellers are choosing rail/cruise and fly/cruise options to live out their travel adventures, cutting the fuss on planning. And where best to live that dream than on the highly-acclaimed Explorer Dream?

Dream Cruises’ latest vessel has earned a reputation as the fastest cruise ship in Asia Pacific since its launch in April. Add to that its exclusive butler concierge service, cool entertainment and leisure spaces, plus world-class dining experiences, picking one of 21 weekly seven-night itineraries to explore ANZ has never been this easy and fun.

1. Ticking off bucket-list adventures

An increase in daylight hours in the Southern Hemisphere makes late October through February a great time for outdoor activities, and gives travellers extended time to check off some of Australia’s and New Zealand’s favourite vacation spots.

Sailing into Brisbane via Dream Cruises, stop by the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary for that customary selfie with the Australia’s beloved marsupial, and attend wildlife shows at the Australia Zoo, home of the renowned Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin. When in Hobart, you’ll get to see another beloved treasure Down Under, the Tasmanian Devil.

Hop on one of New Zealand’s last steam trains in Gisborne, taking a 40-minute ride to Muriwai for a lively Maori cultural performance that often includes school children too. Or join the reef walk at Tatapouri Bay, while learning about and feeding stingrays and eagle rays on this educational tour. The Kiwi experience will not be complete without cruising into what must be the country’s most popular natural attraction: Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound, sheer masterpieces of towering emerald-green cliffs and majestic waterfalls.

2. Best kept secrets – until now

Cruising is a fantastic way of avoiding mainstream attractions and instead straight into the heart of local life. Dream Cruises passengers can particularly look out for exclusive land experiences, like on Explorer Dream’s 7-Night New Zealand Adventure IV (departs January 12, 2020).

The 13-deck, 928-room ship stops at Picton for a personal tour to see how exquisite Paua pearls are grown, led by the owners of Arapawa Seafarms themselves. Then see New Zealand through the eyes of the land’s indigenous people, with Māori elders leading the Kerikeri tour and ending with an authentic hāngī feast, where food is traditionally cooked in ovens in an underground pit. After touring Wellington, guests arrive at Pencarrow Station: a 1,900 acre working sheep and cattle farm which offer a leisure afternoon over tea and farm dog demonstration, surrounded by views of the snow-capped Kaikoura Ranges in South Island to the Cook Strait.

3. Following the grapevine

Wine lovers will be delighted to hop on any of Explorer Dream’s four sailings departing from Sydney or Auckland to explore the best vineyard magic in the region, with many itineraries tastefully paired with amazing gastronomic fare.

For New Zealand, opt for the Marlborough Sounds seafood cruise which first brings you on walks at the farms, then back to ship to sample fresh local salmon, mussels and clams paired with Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc wine. The Gisborne region is another international favourite, famed for its two exceptional family-owned vineyards, Bushmere Estate and Matawhero Wines.

For Tasmania sailings, don’t miss Hobart’s seafood seduction cruise onboard a custom-built vessel which takes just 12 guests towards the Derwent River. Watch as guides dive for abalone and sea urchin, then prepare these fresh seafood with local breads, cheeses and array of Bruny Island premium wines, boutique beers, cider and locally-made organic juices.

4. Instagrammable moments all day long

There’s more to Newcastle than just its wineries at Hunter Valley – Did you know Australia’s seventh largest city is also one of the best spots for adventures? From your ship, move on to Port Stephens and climb into the boom net for an exciting up-close-and-personal ride to see the bottlenose dolphins. Or, if you prefer something wilder, hop on the 4WD as your driver zips through sand dunes, before stopping at the best spots perfect for your exhilarating sand-boarding experience.

At New Zealand’s Bay of Islands, ready your selfie sticks as your catamaran voyages into the Hole in the Rock, a 210-foot opening at sea level carved out by winds and waves over centuries. Bottlenose dolphins are frequently sighted here, as are blue penguins are various birdlife too. Switch gears for Northland’s Kawiti Caves, as thousands of glow worm illuminate the 200 metre limestone cave.

Another Dream Cruises exclusive is the chance to dine at Seafood Grill by award-winning Australian chef Mark Best, or catching the hottest Japan dessert crazes at Matcha Ice. Don’t forget to schedule time onboard Explorer Dream’s ESC Experience Lab – a virtual reality extravaganza pulling guests into immersive gaming experiences through state of the art VR/AR arcade gaming that’s perfect for friends and families.

5. Scenic sights sans the crowds

After whirlwind stops on your cruise adventures, guests who wish to slow things down will have plenty of options.

In Australia, opt for the exclusive visit to Gladstone’s Quoin Island, home to Central Queensland's Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, which includes a harbour cruise, personal interactions with the animals and time to explore the island at leisure. A portion of the ticket price also goes to the centre, adding meaning to this memory.

When in New Zealand’s oldest wine region, Hawke’s Bay, relish in the spread of full-bodied red wines and enjoy scenic walks along Cape Kidnappers across broad rolling pastures, steep gullies and breath-taking inclines.

Back onboard your ship, guests who’d like to enjoy privacy for the remaining day without forsaking modern comforts can check themselves into Dream Cruises’ ship-within-a-ship concept, The Palace.

Like a private resort at sea, return from shore into VIP facilities such as private pool deck and lounge access, spacious 42sqm suites, decadent meals across six specialty private restaurants, and one-to-one butler service to pamper you silly.

Ready to cruise away on a Dream to escape your everyday? Explore more trip ideas and deals right here.

This article is brought to you by Dream Cruises.