Auckland Shore Excursions - Seabourn
Americas Cup Dreams
The Americas Cup is the world's oldest and most prestigious sporting trophy, and the ultimate yachting regatta.
The Americas Cup is the world's oldest and most prestigious sporting trophy, and the ultimate yachting regatta. Today you are afforded the unique opportunity to participate in sailing one of these grand prix yachts. Departing the wharf, walk with your escort the short distance to your yacht's berth. Until recently, sailing an Americas Cup yacht has only been available to the crews of the Americas Cup racing circuit. Guests now become the crew and are encouraged to participate in the sailing of these powerful vessels, though some may prefer to simply sit back and watch the action as the yacht sails down beautiful Auckland Harbour . An escort takes you back to the ship at the conclusion of your sailing adventure.
Auckland Acquaintance & Sky Tower
Auckland is New Zealand 's fastest growing city and enjoys a superb geographical location.
Auckland is New Zealand 's fastest growing city and enjoys a superb geographical location. Here is your opportunity to gain a firsthand acquaintance with this charming city by the sea. From the ship, proceed along Auckland 's Waterfront Drive , passing by Okahu Bay and Mission Bay , two of Auckland 's popular bathing beaches. Inland from Mission Bay , pass through the suburbs of Remuera, Epsom and Parnell. Rising 1,072 feet high, Auckland 's Sky Tower features two observation decks and a revolving restaurant, and is the tallest tower in the Southern Hemisphere, offering unparalleled views coast to coast. Glass fronted lifts whisk you up to the glass-floored main observation deck for outstanding views of Auckland , Waitemata Harbour and the many islands of Hauraki Gulf beneath you. From the Skytower travel on passed by some of the city's most attractive and expensive waterfront residences. Descend back down to Waterfront Drive at Okahu Bay and on to Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World. At Kelly Tarlton's, visit the Antarctic Encounter beginning with a walk through a recreation of Captain Scott's hut from the expedition of 1911. Board a specially built, 6-seat Snow Cat and plunge into an authentic whiteout. Enter a colony of live penguins before surviving an attack by a killer whale. Travel beneath the ice for a close up look at Antarctic marine life before surfacing into the amazing Scott Base of 2000. All of this is contained in an environment that is maintained at minus 45 degrees Fahrenheit with real ice and snow. Next is Underwater World, which opened in 1985 and is the largest complex of its type in the world. Here visitors pass beneath the water through acrylic tunnels to view the underwater life. The concept offers the sensation of diving - without getting wet. Travel on a moving conveyor, passing through surging surf, past sandy floors and into rocky reefs. At any point of interest visitors may step off the conveyor to examine more closely the aquatic life. Among the marine creatures that can be seen are moray eels, stingrays, sharks, parrotfish, red moki and angelfish. From Kelly Tarlton's travel along the waterfront drive and through Mission Bay , one of the city's most popular bathing beaches, before turning inland toward the eastern residential suburbs of St. John's , Remuera. Finally, pass through Parnell Village , a fascinating collection of colonial-style shops, boutiques, craft shops and arcades before arriving back at the ship.
Auckland Countryside
Spend a lovely day outside of the city highlighted by a charming visit to a private working farm, and enjoy a barbecue style lunch prepared by your hosts, Trevor and Jenny Holst.
Spend a lovely day outside of the city highlighted by a charming visit to a private working farm, and enjoy a barbecue style lunch prepared by your hosts, Trevor and Jenny Holst. Travel first through the city and up to Mt. Eden where a stop at the summit affords spectacular views over the city. From Mt. Eden proceed through the farming and wine growing regions of West Auckland, Kumeu and Huapai, and on to Muriwai Beach on the rugged west coast. Debark the coach at the cliff tops overlooking the beach. From here, there is a walk of approximately 800 feet through native plants before reaching a scenic lookout point overlooking one of only two mainland gannet colonies in the world. View these beautiful birds very close up and, depending on the season and the time of day, observe their various activities such as nesting, feeding and displaying. Gannets are spectacular aeronauts and you should be able to see their wonderful displays as they dive for fish and bring their catches to the nest site. Back aboard the coach, proceed to the Kaukapakapa/Helensville area and the Abbotsford Farm and Garden, a 345-acre working farm and home of Trevor and Jenny Holst. Located on the South Kaipara peninsula with delightful rural views and glimpses of the Kaipara Harbour , the farm runs 800 Romney sheep for prime lamb and wool production, 100 Poll Angus breeding cows, and a small fallow deer unit. The lovely country garden features a collection of New Zealand natives, camellias, and rhododendrons, as well as many old fashioned roses. A barbecue lunch with New Zealand wines and beers is served at the house, followed by a demonstration of sheep dogs working and sheep shearing. Following lunch, return to your ship in Auckland .
Fishing Off Great Barrier Island
Transfer from the pier to the heliport, where you lift off for a day of awesome fishing amid the beautiful waters of Great Barrier Island .
Transfer from the pier to the heliport, where you lift off for a day of awesome fishing amid the beautiful waters of Great Barrier Island . Let your pilot/guide fly you to an exclusive spot on a highly organized fishing adventure to Great Barrier Island or, weather permitting, the Coromandel peninsula. Take in the spectacular scenery as you soar over the Hauraki Gulf on your way to the fishing destination. All equipment, bait, and a picnic style lunch are included. Indulge in this sporting experience of a lifetime!
Home Hosted Dinner
The people of New Zealand are renowned for the warmth and sincerity in their welcome to overseas visitors.
The people of New Zealand are renowned for the warmth and sincerity in their welcome to overseas visitors. This evening's excursion enables you to experience local hospitality and learn about the life styles of New Zealand while enjoying dinner in a local home. Your hosts meet you shipside in the early evening and transfer you in their private vehicle. Enjoy a three-course dinner with New Zealand flavor accompanied by a selection of fine New Zealand wines. Following dinner, return to the ship by taxi. |
