| Date |
Destination |
| 4-Mar-2013 |
Bluff/New Zealand, departure 19.00 hrs |
| 05 Mar - 06
Mar-2013 |
Fjordland National Park (cruising in Dusky, Breaksea and
Milford Sound) |
| 7-Mar-2013 |
Stewart Island |
| 8-Mar-2013 |
Dunedin, from 7.00 to 14.00 hrs |
| 9-Mar-2013 |
Lyttelton (Christchurch), from 7.00 to 18.00
hrs |
| 10-Mar-2013 |
Kaikoura Bay |
| 11-Mar-2013 |
Abel Tasman National Park |
| 12-Mar-2013 |
Marlborough Sounds |
| 13-Mar-2013 |
Wellington, from 8.00 to 20.00 hrs |
| 14-Mar-2013 |
Relaxation at sea |
| 15-Mar-2013 |
Napier, from 7.00 to 19.00 hrs |
| 16-Mar-2013 |
Cruising off White Island |
| 17-Mar-2013 |
Tauranga, from 6.00 to 18.00 hrs |
| 18-Mar-2013 |
Great Barrier Island Auckland/New Zealand, arrival 22.00 hrs,
overnight stay on board |
| 19-Mar-2013 |
Auckland |
It is one of the most magnificent nature reserves in the world - marvel at the evergreen
hillsides of
Dusky and
Breaksea Sound as we cruise
through the
Fiordland National Park. The BREMEN will be spending a
considerable amount of time in the famous
Milford Sound. The steep rock
faces overgrown with rainforest rise out of the crystal-clear water to heights of up to
1,200 m, the fog almost magically hovers between the mountain peaks. The terrific landscape
is crowned by the craggy Mitre Peak. With the BREMEN, you will experience these miracles of
nature as intensively as possible. If the weather is favourable, you will even set out
directly from the ship on unforgettable
helicopter flights* to enjoy the
mountain world from a bird's eye view. The helicopter will also enable you to discover New
Zealand's presumably best-kept secret
Stewart Island when you explore
Paterson Inlet from above*. Alternatively, you may wish to head for the
bird sanctuary Ulva Island* in the company of experienced rangers - the
lush green rainforest is home to a large number of representatives of New Zealand's
abundant bird world. You can continue to watch the latter as you set out from
Dunedin, a city with gorgeous architecture, to see the
royal
albatrosses and yellow-eyed penguins on the Otago Peninsula*.
The port of
Lyttelton is a flooded volcanic crater, and the Banks Peninsula, which
you will get to know on the excursion
Picturesque Akaroa*, also owes its idyllic
green landscape to volcanic eruptions. In the sheltered bay with the turquoise blue sea,
you may catch sight of sea lions and dolphins. Or you enjoy the
spectacular countryside
on the way to Arthur's Pass* as well as magnificent views across the mountains and the
highland while travelling on the legendary TranzAlpine train.
Unforgettable moments in fantastic natural settings also await you in the course of the
following days with numerous Zodiac rides and tours of discovery. Start out by discovering
Kaikoura Bay where, besides seals and dolphins, you may also spot whales with a
little luck. In the small, but impressive
Abel Tasman National Park, the local
conditions determine our activities - the options range from a walk through the park with
its extensive forests via a hike along the coast to relaxed hours on the beach. Eventually,
you will reach the
Marlborough Sounds, a huge and complex labyrinth of waterways
with countless islands and bays - virtually made for an exciting expedition day with
intense experiences. For instance when you follow the traces of James Cook in Ship Cove,
where his "Endeavour" once lay at anchor, or, given favourable conditions, you land on
Motuara Island, which is home to New Zealand fur seals and endemic birds. For further
unforgettable sights, the BREMEN will subsequently cruise through
Queen Charlotte
Sound.
If you wish to experience the breathtaking landscape from yet another perspective, you can
set out from
Wellington, New Zealand's snug capital, on a
helicopter flight to
the Marlborough Sounds*. Victorian buildings and the marvellous view from Mount
Victoria will captivate you on the excursion
Wellington presents itself*. Or you
could join a
hike in the natural paradise Kapiti Island*, where you will look out
for rare native birds together with the experts. For further bird observations at close
range, you may wish to visit the famous
gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers*, to which
you will travel from
Napier. Why time in the latter does not seem to have begun
until the 1930s although it is significantly older is something you will learn on the
walk through the Art Deco district*. In the language of the Maori,
White
Island is called "dramatic volcano" - and you will immediately understand why as we
cruise off the coast of the country's only still active volcanic island. Starting out from
the popular holiday resort
Tauranga, you will explore
Rotorua - New Zealand's
thermal centre*. There, bubbling mud pools and steaming crevices provide graphic
evidence of the force of nature. An ideal destination for discoverers awaits you when the
BREMEN sets course for
Great Barrier Island for the very first time. Broad beaches,
pristine forests and hot springs make up the setting for rivetting and flexible expedition
experiences - the magnificent finale of an even more magnificent cruise.
A change in itinerary may become necessary on this expedition to Antarctica. The captain
will decide on the best possible alternatives depending on weather and ice conditions.
