Get Ready New Zealand & Australia

Are You Ready To Sail From New Zealand To Australia?

The countdown is on! It’s time to start planning all those little details that will make our OUTbound New Zealand & Australia Cruise even more amazing! Below are a few things to help you make the most of our vacation together. As always, if you have any questions that we haven’t covered, or have a special request, hit us up… either by phone at 916.683.1000 or email us at info@iamOUTbound.com.

Let’s get started!
Flights

Flight Ideas

Since our New Zealand & Australia Cruise starts in Auckland and ends in Sydney, flights can be a little tricky. Many OUTbounders are booking a ‘Multi-City’ ticket when looking for flights. The ‘Multi-City’ option can be found on most airline’s websites where you would choose between a one-way or round trip flight or under the ‘Advanced Search’ link. With the ‘Multi-City’ option, you’ll be able to enter your departure airport, arrival in Auckland (AKL) and then a departure from Sydney (SYD) back to your original airport. The multi-city option will often be cheaper than purchasing two one-way tickets separately.

The airline you choose is completely up to you. While flights are not included, we’re always happy to help narrow down the best flight options with you. Simply give us a call or send us an email, letting us know where you’ll be flying from, if you have a preferred airline (based on frequent flyer miles or credit card points), and what class of service you typically like to book.

Boarding Our Ship

Getting to the Ship

Our ship will be docked at the Queens Wharf Cruise Terminal.

The exact address of the Queens Wharf Cruise Terminal is: 89 Quay Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.

The Queens Wharf Cruise Terminal complex is fairly large. As we get a little closer to our sail date, our ship, the Azamara Pursuit, will be assigned a specific dock. We’ll update this section with the most current dock location once that has been assigned.

Boarding

Boarding officially begins at 1:00pm local time on Monday, February 14, 2028, but you are free to arrive at our ship at any time after 12:00pm, drop your luggage with one of the many porters, head through a quick security checkpoint, and then relax with some light refreshments in the dock facility until pre-boarding begins. Once pre-boarding opens, you’ll be able to register at one of the many gate agent counters, board the ship and participate in a quick muster station and security information session, and then begin exploring the gorgeous Azamara Pursuit.

The Windows Café on Deck 9 will be open to grab a bite and start getting to know your fellow OUTbounders!

Remember, your transfers from our host hotel in Auckland to our ship docked at the Queens Wharf are included with your hotel package!

Auckland Host Hotel

Our Host Hotel In Auckland

For those of you who are getting a jump start on your vacation and arriving early in Auckland to kick your jet lag, see a little of the city and start getting to know your fellow OUTbounders, we have you covered. We’ll be announcing our host hotel in Auckland in just a few months. This will be your home for our time in New Zealand’s largest city before we start our cruise.

We’ll send an email to all our booked guests once our host hotel is open for reservations.

Theme Nights

Theme Nights & Parties

Nothing makes an OUTbound event more fun than our THEME NIGHTS! This is your chance to express yourself with a fun t-shirt, wild wig or full blown costume. Feel free to show us what you’ve got! As always with OUTbound, you are welcome to participate as much or as little as you like, it’s up to you!

Be sure to check back as we get a little closer to our sail date to see the full list of our Theme Nights! We’ll announce these about three months before we sail… plenty of time to plan, coordinate and get creative!

Travel Tips

Take A Picture!

Before heading out on a big trip, most travelers focus on packing the right clothes, confirming reservations, and making sure your passports are in hand. But seasoned OUTbounders know there’s another small step that can make a big difference in a pinch… snapping a few key photos before you leave home.

These quick snapshots take less than two minutes to capture but can save hours of stress if luggage gets lost, travel apps glitch, or important documents go missing.

Passport
A clear photo of the main passport page can make it faster to get a replacement at an embassy or consulate if your passport is lost. It’s best to keep this image in a secure, password-protected file or cloud app.

Prescription Medications & Labels
OUTbounders who take medication should take a picture of both your pills and the prescription labels. If your medications get lost or you run out, having the generic drug name on hand can make it much easier to refill while traveling.

Boarding Pass & Travel Documents
Travel apps sometimes glitch, and wifi isn’t always reliable at the airport. A screenshot of your boarding pass ensures it’s available offline when needed. The same goes for any hotel confirmations, train tickets, or tour reservations booked outside of your OUTbound trip.

Luggage Contents
Snapping a photo of everything packed in your suitcase before zipping it shut can be invaluable if your bags are delayed or lost. Airlines and insurance companies often ask for detailed lists of contents when processing a claim. A quick image can serve as proof of what was inside your bags and speed up any claims you might need to make.

As we all know, travel can be unpredictable, but your smartphone camera (something that’s already in your pocket and doesn’t require any extra cost) offers one of the easiest safeguards. Taking a few extra photos before you depart is a small habit that can prevent big headaches… and help you stay calm when plans don’t go exactly as expected.

Tipping

Tipping Our Hosts

Tips for our onboard ship staff are included with your OUTbound cruise from New Zealand to Australia.

Tips for our tour guides in Auckland and Sydney or for any of the shore excursions from our ship during the cruise are not included and are optional. At the end of each day’s guided tour, you’ll have the chance to tip our guide and driver whatever you feel your experience was worth.

If you feel that any individual in particular, either onboard our ship or during one of your tours, has gone above and beyond in making your experience something extra special, we encourage you to reach out to them directly and let them know how much you appreciated their service during our time together.

Currency

What Money Should You Bring?

New Zealand

New Zealand’s unit of currency is the Dollar (abbreviated as NZD$). All major credit cards are accepted in New Zealand, with Visa and Mastercard the most widely used. Many retailers and restaurants will accept Apple Pay.

Australia

Australia’s official currency is also called the Dollar, although to reduce confusion the symbol used is AUS$. As in New Zealnd, credit cards are also widely accepted in addition to cash, with many retailers accepting Apple Pay and other forms of contactless payment. American Express is not as widely accepted as Visa or MasterCard.

You can also use your credit or debit card as well throughout our trip, as credit cards are widely accepted everywhere in both of the countries we will visit. However, remember that there will be additional bank charges upon usage and even a foreign transaction fee in some cases, depending on your bank.

Visa Requirements

Will I need a Visa to enter New Zealand or Australia?

New Zealand

Canada, EU, UK and USA passport holders need to apply for the NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority). This must be done before boarding arriving in New Zealand. You can apply through New Zealand’s travel website…

New Zealand Visa Application

All other nationalities should check for immigration requirements.

Australia

USA, Canada and UK and passport holders require a pre-arranged e-visa (ETA) that must be obtained before traveling. You can apply directly through Australia’s ETA webpage…

Australia ETA Application

EU passport holders require a pre-arranged e-visa (E-Visitor) that must be obtained before traveling. Please apply through this direct link…

EU Passport Holder Application

All other nationalities are required to check if a visa is required.

Power Outlets

What Power Converters Will I Need?

Our ship, the Azamara Onward, has two (2) EU 220v Type C outlets and two (2) US 110v Standard outlets in each stateroom. Feel free to bring a USB adapter with multiple outlets so that you can charge several of your devices at once.

If you are joining us early in Auckland or staying after in Sydney, our host hotels use Type I power outlets, which feature three flat pins in a triangular pattern (two angled and one vertical). The standard voltage is 230/240V at 50Hz, requiring a Type I plug adapter for international visitors. US and Canada devices (120V) often need a voltage converter, while UK and EU devices may only need a plug adapter if they support 230V. These outlets are different from the Type A and B outlets common in North America, so you will need a plug adapter to charge your devices.

 

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance

If we’ve learned anything over these last couple of years, it’s that the world can be an uncertain place at times. While you’re never required to buy travel insurance, it’s a good idea and we recommend all OUTbounders consider protecting your hard-earned vacation money. The price of your coverage will depend on a few factors, including the cost of the trip, what state you live in, how long before the trip departs, and if you have any pre-existing or underlying health conditions, to name a few.

Some reasons why you might buy travel insurance include:

  • Cancel for Any Reason
  • Unexpected Work Requirements
  • Personal or Family Illness

OUTbound does not provide travel insurance. However, we always recommend using a third-party insurance carrier to provide your coverage.

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