Just Cruising - 3 Night Luxury Cruise

The Just Cruising cruise offers first class excursions, led by expert guides who travel with you and uncover the mysteries of the region's wildlife, guided walks, kayaking, fishing, small boat exploration, shore transfers and island tours. Or you may choose to relax with a good book from the library or laze on a steamer chair in the sun. You decide...

Just Cruising cruises include; luxury accommodation, all onboard chef prepared meals, juices, water, exclusive shore excursions, snorkel equipment, kayaks and small boat exploration, onboard expedition leader, fishing equipment and guides.

The "Island Passage" has accommodation for just 20 guests. The ten spacious en-suite cabins have rich timber panelling and hand made kauri furniture. All are individually styled with original NZ artworks, are fitted with DVD, Audio, TV and air-conditioning. Most have doors opening directly to the outer teak deck. We take much pride in the fact that our cabins are amongst the largest for a ship of this size.

Daily Itinerary

Each day aboard Island Passage is unique and different. The specific programs are decided between 12 and 24 hours in advance, so that activities and expeditions can take into account immediate climatic conditions and other relevant factors such as tides as well as reports we have from the area.

The Cruise Program

 Explore Waiheke and Motutapu - Days 1 & 2
Your Island Passage adventure begins when you board the ship late Sunday afternoon for a 5pm sailing. On the way to our anchorage for the night, the ship glides past the volcanic island Rangitoto. A few decades ago this island was a barren landscape of tumbled basalt lava; today it supports New Zealand’s largest pohutukawa forest and prolific birdlife. Your first night aboard Island Passage will be spent at anchor in Home Bay, Motutapu Island. The next day provides the opportunity to explore Motutapu or neighbouring Waiheke Island. Begin with a refreshing ocean swim, enjoy a sumptuous breakfast on the deck, then choose the morning’s activity. Options include a guided walk on Motutapu, or an indulgent Waiheke wine experience. Beachcombing on these islands is the perfect start to your adventures. 

Waiheke wine time - A vineyard discovery tour will introduce you to the island’s famous cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and malbec. Waiheke’s clay soils have a layer of ‘rotten rock’ beneath, which helps to produce complex, intense red wine.

Great Barrier Island - Days 3 & 4
The final frontier. Half the size of Singapore, but with no electricity and a population of just 850, Great Barrier Island is the guardian of the gulf. It shields the inner islands, while taking a pounding from the Pacific Ocean on its eastern side. Fitzroy Harbour, on the sheltered side of the island, is one of the country’s most naturally-gifted harbours - the water is deep right up to the shore, making it possible to anchor and tie the stern to a pohutukawa tree. The island has a colourful history involving whaling, gold and silver mining, shipwrecks and alternative lifestyles. Today a passion for conservation connects the residents, who believe (with good reason) that they’ve found heaven on earth. More than 120 kilometres of walking tracks let you connect with Great Barrier Island’s wild spirit.

The Glenfern Sanctuary guided walk will give you a special insight into the natural world of Great Barrier Island. The sanctuary, which is on the Kotuku Peninsula near Port Fitzroy, has an extensive network of walking tracks. A highlight is the swing bridge that enables you to climb into the crown of a 600-year-old kauri tree. Places of interest The Kaiaraara kauri dam is a relic from the island’s forestry days. Constructed entirely from kauri logs, it has a ‘trapdoor’ that opens to let the water and logs pass through. The hot pools in Kaitoke Creek are another goal to aim for when planning your Great Barrier hikes.

Coastal explorations are actively encouraged on Island Passage. You can do it the fast way, in one of our high- powered tenders, or you can slip into a sea kayak and enjoy the tranquillity of a paddling tour. And then there’s the fishing – you catch ‘em, we’ll cook ‘em. Island Passage entering Port Fitzroy, Gt Barrier Island You’ll awake to the extraordinary beauty of Fitzroy Harbour, your launching pad for two days of soft, medium or hard adventure on Great Barrier Island. The choices are many: forest hiking to the kauri dam, Kaitoke hot springs or the summit of Mount Hobson; a peaceful kayak tour on the pristine waters of the harbour; a trip to Miners Head in one of our tenders; fishing at a spot known only to the locals; seabird photography from a chair on the deck. We’ll help you to find outdoor entertainments that suit your interests and fitness level.  

Perhaps another early morning swim or breakfast on deck before you are transferred to Okiwi or Claris airfield for your 9am GBA flight to Auckland (included) or fly from the ship with our Helicopter (this is additional) directly to Downtown Auckland at 10am.

Just Cruising 3 Night Cruise Rates

    The pricing below is valid from 01 September 2008 to 30 April 2010.

    Additional costs include optional excursions.

    Single use rates are an additional 50% of the twin/double rates.

    Triple bedding rate is based on 3 passengers.

*Cabin Layout - Download PDF or View Online

Our cruise rates include:

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