Cruise Critic calls the Oceania Nautica the best cruise in the New Zealand/Australia fleet. The Nautica boasts four restaurants serving everything from sushi to Italian to steak. Staterooms come in a variety of sizes, from small and cozy interior rooms, larger balcony rooms, and suites. Enjoy on-board entertainment such as dance lessons, live music and late-night shows in the lounge. The Nautica also offers a dance club, Horizons, for guests who aren't too tired after their shore excursions in ports such as Cairo and Tunisia. The Mandara Spa offers services that include facials, massages and pedicures. Relax during a yoga class or attend the detox for weight loss class in the fitness facility to make yourself feel less guilty about sampling all of the buffets during your stay on the Nautica. Prices and availability vary.
Oceania Nautica
8300 N.W. 33rd St., Suite 308
Miami, FL 33122
800-531-5658
oceaniacruises.com
Cruise Critic's second choice for best cruise ship in the New Zealand/Australia fleet is part of the Princess Cruise Line, the Diamond Princess. During your stay on the Diamond Princess, dance the nights away in Club Fusion or show off your talent during Princess Idol, the talent show. Enjoy traditional cruise ship dining, seated at specific times at specific tables, or personal choice dining, where you can enjoy your meals anytime you'd like, in any of the specialty restaurants. Specialty restaurants book quickly, so reservations are recommended. The majority of the staterooms on the Diamond Princess boast balconies, and rooms range from cozy interiors to grand suites. Entertainment on the Diamond includes comedians, Vegas-style shows, a casino and wine tastings. Enjoy a spa treatment at the Lotus Spa or a professional golf lesson. Price and availability vary.
Princess Cruise Lines
24844 Avenue Rockefeller
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
800-774-6237
princess.com
Cruise Critic's third favorite New Zealand/Australia cruise is the Holland America Volendam. On the Volendam, you can enjoy traditional dining options or the As You Wish dining option, eating when you wish, where you wish. During your traditional dinners on the Volendam, your waiter might disappear for a moment only to reappear for a dining room staff production of your favorite songs. Enjoy themed midnight buffets on the Lido deck during your stay on the Volendam. Choose a small interior stateroom, a slightly larger ocean view stateroom or one of the many large suites during your stay on the Volendam. After dinner, take in a Broadway-style show or enjoy a drink and dancing in the Crow's Nest. On days at sea, swim in one of the two pools on the Lido Deck or relax in the state of the art spa facility. Price and availability vary.
Holland America Cruise Lines
300 Elliot Avenue West
Seattle, WA 98119
206-281-3535
hollandamerica.com
