Aboard Seabourn Quest with Seabourn
Cruise Overview
Auckland is called the City of Sails, and visitors flying in will see why.
On the East Coast is the Waitemata Harbour—a Māori word meaning sparkling waters—which is bordered by the Hauraki Gulf, an aquatic playground peppered with small islands where many Aucklanders can be found "mucking around in boats."Not surprisingly, Auckland has some 70,000 boats.
About one in four households in Auckland has a seacraft of some kind, and there are 102 beaches within an hour's drive; during the week many are quite empty.
Even the airport is by the water; it borders the Manukau Harbour, which also takes its name from the Māori language and means solitary bird.According to Māori tradition, the Auckland isthmus was originally peopled by a race of giants and fairy folk.
When Europeans arrived in the early 19th century, however, the Ngāti-Whātua tribe was firmly in control of the region.
The British began negotiations with the Ngāti-Whātua in 1840 to purchase the isthmus and establish the colony's first capital.
In September of that year the British flag was hoisted to mark the township's foundation, and Auckland remained the capital until 1865, when the seat of government was moved to Wellington.
Aucklanders expected to suffer from the shift; it hurt their pride but not their pockets.
As the terminal for the South Sea shipping routes, Auckland was already an established commercial center.
Since then the urban sprawl has made this city of approximately 1.3 million people one of the world's largest geographically.A couple of days in the city will reveal just how developed and sophisticated Auckland is—the Mercer City Survey 2012 saw it ranked as the third-highest city for quality of life—though those seeking a New York in the South Pacific will be disappointed.
Auckland is more get-up and go-outside than get-dressed-up and go-out.
That said, most shops are open daily, central bars and a few nightclubs buzz well into the wee hours, especially Thursday through Saturday, and a mix of Māori, Pacific people, Asians, and Europeans contributes to the cultural milieu.
Auckland has the world's largest single population of Pacific Islanders living outside their home countries, though many of them live outside the central parts of the city and in Manukau to the south.
The Samoan language is the second most spoken in New Zealand.
Most Pacific people came to New Zealand seeking a better life.
When the plentiful, low-skilled work that attracted them dried up, the dream soured, and the population has suffered with poor health and education.
Luckily, policies are now addressing that, and change is slowly coming.
The Pacifica Festival in March is the region's biggest cultural event, attracting thousands to Western Springs.
The annual Pacific Island Secondary Schools’ Competition, also in March, sees young Pacific Islander and Asian students compete in traditional dance, drumming, and singing.
This event is open to the public.At the geographical center of Auckland city is the 1,082-foot Sky Tower, a convenient landmark for those exploring on foot and some say a visible sign of the city's naked aspiration.
It has earned nicknames like the Needle and the Big Penis—a counterpoint to a poem by acclaimed New Zealand poet James K.
Baxter, which refers to Rangitoto Island as a clitoris in the harbor.The Waitemata Harbour has become better known since New Zealand staged its first defense of the America's Cup in 2000 and the successful Louis Vuitton Pacific Series in early 2009.
The first regatta saw major redevelopment of the waterfront.
The area, where many of the city's most popular bars, cafés, and restaurants are located, is now known as Viaduct Basin or, more commonly, the Viaduct.
A recent expansion has created another area, Wynyard Quarter, which is slowly adding restaurants.These days, Auckland is still considered too bold and brash for its own good by many Kiwis who live "south of the Bombay Hills," the geographical divide between Auckland and the rest of New Zealand (barring Northland).
"Jafa," an acronym for "just another f—ing Aucklander," has entered the local lexicon; there's even a book out called Way of the Jafa: A Guide to Surviving Auckland and Aucklanders.
A common complaint is that Auckland absorbs the wealth from the hard work of the rest of the country.
Most Aucklanders, on the other hand, still try to shrug and see it as the parochial envy of those who live in small towns.
But these internal identity squabbles aren't your problem.
You can enjoy a well-made coffee in almost any café, or take a walk on a beach—knowing that within 30 minutes' driving time you could be cruising the spectacular harbor, playing a round at a public golf course, or even walking in subtropical forest while listening to the song of a native tûî bird.
New Zealand's capital is, arguably, the country's most cosmopolitan metropolis.
It's world-class Te Papa Tongarewa-Museum of New Zealand is a don't-miss attraction, and the burgeoning film industry led, of course, by the Lord of the Rings extravaganzas has injected new life into the local arts scene.
Attractive and compact enough to be explored easily on foot, Wellington is a booming destination.
Modern high-rise buildings gaze over Port Nicholson, surely one of the finest natural anchorages in the world.
Known to local Māori as The Great Harbor of Tara, its two massive arms form the jaws of the fish of Maui from Māori legend.
Sometimes referred to as the windy city, Wellington has been the seat of New Zealand's government since 1865.
On the East Coast is the Waitemata Harbour—a Māori word meaning sparkling waters—which is bordered by the Hauraki Gulf, an aquatic playground peppered with small islands where many Aucklanders can be found "mucking around in boats."Not surprisingly, Auckland has some 70,000 boats.
About one in four households in Auckland has a seacraft of some kind, and there are 102 beaches within an hour's drive; during the week many are quite empty.
Even the airport is by the water; it borders the Manukau Harbour, which also takes its name from the Māori language and means solitary bird.According to Māori tradition, the Auckland isthmus was originally peopled by a race of giants and fairy folk.
When Europeans arrived in the early 19th century, however, the Ngāti-Whātua tribe was firmly in control of the region.
The British began negotiations with the Ngāti-Whātua in 1840 to purchase the isthmus and establish the colony's first capital.
In September of that year the British flag was hoisted to mark the township's foundation, and Auckland remained the capital until 1865, when the seat of government was moved to Wellington.
Aucklanders expected to suffer from the shift; it hurt their pride but not their pockets.
As the terminal for the South Sea shipping routes, Auckland was already an established commercial center.
Since then the urban sprawl has made this city of approximately 1.3 million people one of the world's largest geographically.A couple of days in the city will reveal just how developed and sophisticated Auckland is—the Mercer City Survey 2012 saw it ranked as the third-highest city for quality of life—though those seeking a New York in the South Pacific will be disappointed.
Auckland is more get-up and go-outside than get-dressed-up and go-out.
That said, most shops are open daily, central bars and a few nightclubs buzz well into the wee hours, especially Thursday through Saturday, and a mix of Māori, Pacific people, Asians, and Europeans contributes to the cultural milieu.
Auckland has the world's largest single population of Pacific Islanders living outside their home countries, though many of them live outside the central parts of the city and in Manukau to the south.
The Samoan language is the second most spoken in New Zealand.
Most Pacific people came to New Zealand seeking a better life.
When the plentiful, low-skilled work that attracted them dried up, the dream soured, and the population has suffered with poor health and education.
Luckily, policies are now addressing that, and change is slowly coming.
The Pacifica Festival in March is the region's biggest cultural event, attracting thousands to Western Springs.
The annual Pacific Island Secondary Schools’ Competition, also in March, sees young Pacific Islander and Asian students compete in traditional dance, drumming, and singing.
This event is open to the public.At the geographical center of Auckland city is the 1,082-foot Sky Tower, a convenient landmark for those exploring on foot and some say a visible sign of the city's naked aspiration.
It has earned nicknames like the Needle and the Big Penis—a counterpoint to a poem by acclaimed New Zealand poet James K.
Baxter, which refers to Rangitoto Island as a clitoris in the harbor.The Waitemata Harbour has become better known since New Zealand staged its first defense of the America's Cup in 2000 and the successful Louis Vuitton Pacific Series in early 2009.
The first regatta saw major redevelopment of the waterfront.
The area, where many of the city's most popular bars, cafés, and restaurants are located, is now known as Viaduct Basin or, more commonly, the Viaduct.
A recent expansion has created another area, Wynyard Quarter, which is slowly adding restaurants.These days, Auckland is still considered too bold and brash for its own good by many Kiwis who live "south of the Bombay Hills," the geographical divide between Auckland and the rest of New Zealand (barring Northland).
"Jafa," an acronym for "just another f—ing Aucklander," has entered the local lexicon; there's even a book out called Way of the Jafa: A Guide to Surviving Auckland and Aucklanders.
A common complaint is that Auckland absorbs the wealth from the hard work of the rest of the country.
Most Aucklanders, on the other hand, still try to shrug and see it as the parochial envy of those who live in small towns.
But these internal identity squabbles aren't your problem.
You can enjoy a well-made coffee in almost any café, or take a walk on a beach—knowing that within 30 minutes' driving time you could be cruising the spectacular harbor, playing a round at a public golf course, or even walking in subtropical forest while listening to the song of a native tûî bird.
New Zealand's capital is, arguably, the country's most cosmopolitan metropolis.
It's world-class Te Papa Tongarewa-Museum of New Zealand is a don't-miss attraction, and the burgeoning film industry led, of course, by the Lord of the Rings extravaganzas has injected new life into the local arts scene.
Attractive and compact enough to be explored easily on foot, Wellington is a booming destination.
Modern high-rise buildings gaze over Port Nicholson, surely one of the finest natural anchorages in the world.
Known to local Māori as The Great Harbor of Tara, its two massive arms form the jaws of the fish of Maui from Māori legend.
Sometimes referred to as the windy city, Wellington has been the seat of New Zealand's government since 1865.
Cruise Itinerary
Aboard Seabourn Quest
Launch Year: 2011 Length: 198 Width: 26 Currency: USD Capacity: 450 Crew Count: 330 Deck Count: 10 Cabin Count: 229
Seabourn Quest is the third iteration of the vessel design that has been called “a game-changer for the luxury segment.” True to her Seabourn bloodlines, wherever she sails around the world, Seabourn Quest carries with her a bevy of award-winning dining venues that are comparable to the finest restaurants to be found anywhere. Seabourn Quest offers a variety of dining options to suit every taste and every mood, with never an extra charge.
Seabourn Quest Facilities
Seabourn Quest Includes
Cabin Details
Seabourn Quest offers nine types of suites, eight of which feature verandas. Designed as home away from homes, these suites aim to be the place for you to unwind at the end of the day. Featuring a range of traditional cabin amenities, each also benefit from a Personal Suite Stewardess who will welcome you with Champagne and canapés, draw you a relaxing bath and assist you with anything you might need during your stay.
