We wanted to see as much as possible of New Zealand without having to brave driving on the wrong side of NZ's notoriously twisty - and sometimes hazardous - highways. As this was our second Azamara cruise, we knew we could expect matchless service, an impeccable ship, a (relatively) spacious cabin and great food. There were no disappointments in any of those areas.

However ...

1. While we did get plenty of opportunities to experience the North Island, and the east (Pacific) coast of the South Island, there were no ports of call on the west coast NZ's South Island, and - thus - we never got to see the fabled Southern Alps. Read more