2026 Wine Education Cruise - New Zealand to Australia

Experience the beauty of New Zealand and South Australia during the next nine days. Casting off from Auckland, sail down the North Island's east coast to Tauranga's captivating blend of Maori and contemporary cultures. The South Island's Lyttleton, gateway to Christchurch, New Zealand's 'Garden City' is next, followed by the soaring cliffs and wide skies of Timaru, where nature enthusiasts can hike into the hills and urbanites can enjoy a perfect coffee on the boardwalk. Heart-melting beauty is found while cruising Dusky, Doubtful, and Milford sounds on day six. Two days across the Tasman Sea offers opportunities to unwind and fully immerse in Crystal Serenity's luxurious amenities and private group activities before disembarking in Melbourne.  See detailed itinerary in Syllabus section below.
 

Group Edutainment Fee:  $1750pp
 

Booking Information:

All private group edutainment activities both on and off the ship are designed and led by Master Sommelier David Glancy, one of 12 people in the world to have achieved the highest certifications from both the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Society of Wine Educators.

Your fee includes:

• Private Group Welcome Reception
• 3 Private All Inclusive Wine Excursions to remarkable wine regions of New Zealand and Australia 
• 2 Private Seated Tasting Seminars
• Private Group Food & Wine "Playing" Dinner with local wines
• Additional impromptu group dinners, tours, tastings, Karaoke nights and other group shenanigans :)

See detailed Itinerary in the syllabus section below

IMPORTANT NOTE: All accommodations, including the cruise itself, must be purchased separately through Martindale Travel
 

Itinerary (dates subject to change):

2/18 - All Inclusive Pre-Cruise Excursion from Auckland to Waiheke Island wineries (includes all group transportation, on shore dining)

CRUISE BEGINS

2/19 - Welcome Reception as we set sail from Auckland

2/20 - Tauranga:

Delve into Tauranga, New Zealand's picturesque coastal gem, where golden sand beaches, rolling green hills, and a blend of Maori and contemporary cultures create a captivating town. The spectacular Bay of Plenty on New Zealand's North Island is home to the resort town of Tauranga. Known for its fine restaurants, boutiques and galleries, the city is also a hot spot for water sports and a gateway to nearby attractions, such as the geothermal wonders of Rotorua. At the southern end of Tauranga's harbor lies the relaxed beach town of Mount Maunganui, named after its distinctive peak, Mauao, which towers 750 feet above the town's white-sand surf.

2/21 - New Zealand Wine Seminar at Sea

2/22 - All inclusive excursion from our dock in Lyttelton (Christchurch) to Waipara wineries  (includes all group transportation, on shore dining, & wine tastings)

2/23 - Timaru:

Wedged between Canterbury Plains and the Pacific Ocean on New Zealand's South Island is Timaru. The little city has certainly been blessed by nature; sprawling sandy beaches as far as the eye can see, backed by lovely parks and gardens but it's a great urban destination as well, with a warm, welcoming community and thriving cultural scene. Timaru is famous for its Maori rock art and the Te Ana Maori Rock Art Centre offers fabulous interactive tours that retrace the steps of the South Island's whakapapa (genealogy). Once you've finished your tour, head to the main street for Edwardian architecture, retail therapy, and a glass of delicious local wine. If you are lucky enough to be in Timaru as the sun sets then head to Caroline Bay. Not only will you be treated to a fabulous spectrum of color streaking across the sky, but you'll enjoy watching the spectacle of Little Blue Penguins as they come in at dusk. 

2/24 - Australian Wine Seminar at Sea

2/25 - Wine Pairing Dinner at Sea 

2/26 - Enjoy your final day at sea in the lap of luxury as you enjoy the incredible amenities aboard Crystal’s beautiful Serenity ship

2/27 - Disembark and hop on the bus for our All Inclusive Post Cruise Excursion to the Yarra Valley  (includes all group transportation, dining, & tastings)
 

Note that probability for other impromptu (and optional) group dinners, tours, tastings, Karaoke nights and other group shenanigans is very high :)