Day 1 Sunday February 20, 2011 Departure
This afternoon board the Sun Princess on this fantastic cruise to New Zealand. Be up on deck as we cruise Sydney Harbour and out through Sydney Heads.

Day 2 Monday February 21, 2011 Cruising Tasman Sea
Our first day at sea. During the day there will be time to explore and enjoy the fantastic facilities and many activities available on the Sun Princess. This afternoon we have our first exclusive concert, featuring The Howie Brothers. Adam Harvey and Beccy Cole will make guest appearances on this show. This evening we will formally welcome our tour group with a Welcome Aboard cocktail party. This will be an excellent opportunity to meet and chat with Adam Harvey, Beccy Cole, Wayne Horsburgh, Laura Downing, The Howie Brothers, and other tour group members.

Day 3 Tuesday February 22, 2011 Cruising Tasman Sea
Another day at sea. You can spend the day exploring the ship, participating in its many activities or browsing in the designer boutiques on board. This afternoon we have our second exclusive on board concert, featuring Wayne Horsburgh. Laura Downing will make a guest appearance on this show.

Day 4 Wednesday February 23, 2011 Bay of Islands
Our first stop is the spectacular Bay of Islands, one of the most beautiful spots in New Zealand (the bay is dotted with 150 scenic islands). Morning: Sightseeing coach tour of Paihia (the main town) and surrounding area, including a tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where the treaty between settlers and Maoris was signed in 1840. Afternoon: Free time for you to explore Paihia or catch a ferry over to the charming and historic village of Russell. Russell, New Zealand’s first European settlement, was for many years a notorious whaler, sealer and escaped convict town. Pre-dinner drinks entertainment: Adam Harvey.

Day 5 Thursday February 24, 2011 Auckland
Auckland is the largest city and the commercial centre of New Zealand. Our morning city tour takes in the main sights of Auckland, including the Harbour Bridge, which spans the beautiful Waitemata Harbour, Mount Eden, where we get a panoramic view of the city, the Auckland Museum and the trendy shopping area of Parnell. Our visit to the Auckland Museum will include a 30 minute traditional Maori concert. Mid-afternoon: Return to the Sun Princess, where we attend a special concert by landmark New Zealand act, the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band. Be up on deck as we sail out of gorgeous Auckland harbour at 6pm.

Day 6 Friday February 25, 2011 Tauranga (for Rotorua)
We arrive in Tauranga this morning. Tauranga is a thriving port city in the beautiful Bay of Plenty area. We travel by coach to Rotorua, a major city on the shores of Lake Rotorua, where we visit Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, one of the best places to witness the amazing geothermal activity of geysers, boiling mud pools and steaming craters. If possible we will see a geyser display, where boiling water shoots many metres into the air. Pre-dinner drinks entertainment: Laura Downing.

Day 7 Saturday February 26, 2011 Napier
This morning we will have a special Country Music Forum (question & answer session) with Adam Harvey, Beccy Cole, Wayne Horsburgh, Laura Downing, and Barry Roy. They will give us insights into their lives as musicians and share some wonderful stories. Afternoon: Visit the city of Napier. We will have a city tour, during which our local guide will provide in-depth information about the Art Deco-style architecture of the city. We will see the National Tobacco building and many shops and houses designed in this popular 1930s style. In February 1931 an earthquake, registering 7.9 on the Richter scale, levelled almost all the buildings in Napier and raised the seabed by two and a half metres. Prior to re-boarding the Sun Princess, join our country music entertainers at an exclusive venue in Napier, for an informal ‘unplugged’ music session. Bring your instrument and join in!

Day 8 Sunday February 27, 2011 Wellington
Today we will have a sightseeing tour of Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. Wellington is a spectacular city, built in a mountainous region that runs right down to the sea. See New Zealand’s parliament building, known as “the Beehive”. Visit Mount Victoria, where we have spectacular 360 degree views of the city. We will also travel by cable car to the Botanical Gardens. Pre-dinner drinks entertainment: Wayne Horsburgh.

Day 9 Monday February 28, 2011 Christchurch (Lyttelton)
Today we call into Lyttelton, the port for Christchurch. Christchurch, with its very English feel, is the South Island’s largest city. The city boasts modern architecture and historic buildings set against beautiful parks, gardens, rivers and beaches. Morning: Travel to the beautiful Banks Peninsula and the village of Akaroa. Originally founded by the French, it is now a delightful town, still retaining the ambience of France. Afternoon: Spend some time in the charming inner-city area of Christchurch. Pre-dinner drinks entertainment: The Howie Brothers.

Day 10 Tuesday March 1, 2011 Dunedin (Port Chalmers)
We arrive in the city of Dunedin this morning. Tour Dunedin and surrounding region. Originally founded by Scottish settlers and known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’, Dunedin has many beautifully preserved historic buildings. Visit the impressive Dunedin Railway Station (1906) and beautiful Jacobean style Olveston House (1904-6), which contains a treasure trove of art and antiques. Pre-dinner drinks entertainment: Beccy Cole.

Day 11 Wednesday March 2, 2011 Fiordland National Park
Today we cruise past Fiordland National Park, in the south-west corner of the South Island. This is one of the most beautiful wilderness regions in the world. Late afternoon, enjoy amazing scenery as we sail into spectacular Milford Sound. Today we will have our third exclusive on board concert, featuring Laura Downing. Pre-dinner drinks entertainment: Our exclusive country music entertainers will share the stage.

Day 12 Thursday March 3, 2011 Cruising Tasman Sea
Enjoy a relaxing day at sea. Morning is free for individual activities. This afternoon we have our fourth exclusive on board concert, featuring Beccy Cole.

Day 13 Friday March 4, 2011 Cruising Tasman Sea
Today you are free to enjoy the many activities available aboard the Sun Princess. This afternoon we have our final exclusive concert, featuring Adam Harvey.

Day 14 Saturday March 5, 2011 Sydney
Tour members will disembark the ship this morning and tour arrangements conclude.