Experience the diversity of New Zealand’s North Island with Auckland and its spectacular harbor location as your base. In contrast to the gentile white sand beaches of the city suburbs, visit the rugged west coast of Auckland where the Tasman Sea pounds the black sand beaches. Visit a vineyard and travel to the fertile countryside south of Auckland to experience the glowworm caves at Waitomo and enjoy a farm to table lunch at a private homestead.

Note: Due to varying terrain, this program is not suited for guests with walking difficulties or those who rely on use of a wheelchair or scooter.

DAY 1

Upon arrival at the Auckland Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure and dinner is on your own. Transfer time is approximately 45 minutes.

DAY 2

Today's tour will begin with a drive through the city's central business district before departing from the city and travelling along the southern motorway past the city's southern suburbs and over the Bombay Hills. Descend into the Waikato River Valley and follow the course of the river through the fertile farmlands of the region to the coal-mining town of Huntly. Continue south past Taupiri (the mountain is sacred to the Maori people) and the town of Ngaruawahia, the seat of the Maori Queen.

Undertake a guided tour of the world-famous Waitomo Glow-worm Caves, a true geological phenomenon of nature. Unique to New Zealand, these tiny creatures radiate a fluorescent blue-green glow that illuminates the caves and underground streams the glow-worms call home. The largest chamber of the cave is known as the "Cathedral," an acoustically perfect auditorium that has hosted a number of renowned performing artists drawn to the area for the purity of sound it produces. As you embark on a short cruise in an open boat through the limestone formations, your guide will share information, legends, and facts about this fascinating and beautiful oddity of nature.

You will have lunch at a private homestead where your hosts have been farming for many years and love to share their lovely French provincial home and gardens with you. Lunch is a delight, and all food is made on the premises, including many chutneys and sauces, from the fruit trees on the property. All meat is organic and comes from local farms.

After lunch, return through the pastoral Waikato region to Auckland. Back in Auckland and your hotel, the

remainder of the evening is at your leisure with dinner on your own.

NOTE:

•Bring comfortable walking shoes and a warm jacket for the visit to the caves.

•The Waitomo Glow worm Caves are accessible to those with reasonable mobility, with good handrails and paths

•There is no wheelchair access

DAY 3

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide in reception then depart from the hotel, travelling by way of the north-western motorway, to the farming and wine-growing areas of West Auckland - Kumeu and Huapai - to Muriwai Beach on the rugged west coast. A stop is made on the cliff tops overlooking the beach. From here there is a walk of approximately 250 meters, through native plants, to the Gannet lookout.

As you will be very close to the white seabirds, you will be able to watch them nesting, feeding, and flying in the updrafts offshore. Their behavior will depend on the season and time of day, but regardless of what the activity, you can expect it to be hugely entertaining, especially if they are diving for fish. There should be hundreds, if not thousands of gannets in the colony, all of them clustered about the cliffs side by side. The dramatic setting, with sweeping views of the black sand beach and crashing waves, makes this a truly memorable experience.

From Muriwai, travel through rural farming districts to a local winery for lunch and a tasting. West Auckland is the city’s original wine region that boasts a range of wineries to tantalize your taste buds.

On leaving the winery, return to Auckland city by way of the farming areas of Waitaki and Dairy Flat to join the northern motorway at Albany. Continue into the city across the Auckland Harbor Bridge and through the downtown shopping area.

Arrive back at your hotel in Auckland. Dinner is on your own.

DAY 4

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. After check-out, board your coach for a brief sightseeing tour of the city which will include a drive along the waterfront. A stop will be made at Bastion Point for views over the harbor before continuing to St Heliers Bay and through the eastern residential suburbs. Also see the Auckland Domain, the Auckland Museum (no visit), and Parnell Village.

At the end of the sightseeing tour, you will be transferred to the ship for embarkation.

Land Program Step by Step:

•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.

•Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.

•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.

•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.

Extra Nights

•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the hotel that is used on the FIRST NIGHT of your land program

•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.

•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.

•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.

DAY 1

Arrive in Auckland and transfer to the hotel

3:00pm Check-in at the hotel, remainder of the day is at leisure

Dinner will be on your own this evening

Overnight at the Horizon Hotel or similar

Day 2

From 7:00am Breakfast at the hotel

8:00am Depart the hotel and travel south into the Waikato region

11:00am Arrive in Waitomo for a guided tour of the glowworm caves

12:15pm Depart Waitomo

12:45pm Lunch at Crosshills

2:15pm Depart Crosshills and return to Auckland

5:15pm Arrive at the hotel, remainder of the day and evening are at your leisure

Dinner on your own

Overnight at the Horizon Hotel or similar

Day 3

From 7:00am Breakfast at the hotel

9:20am Meet your guide at reception

9:30am Depart the hotel and travel to the west coast of Auckland

10:45am Visit Muriwai Beach and the gannet colony

11:10am Travel to a Vineyard Cottages winery

11:30am Arrive at a local winery for lunch and wine tasting

1:30pm Depart winery and travel back to Auckland

2:30pm Arrive at the hotel, remainder of the day and evening at your leisure

Dinner on your own

Overnight at the Horizon Hotel or similar

Day 4

From 7:00am Enjoy breakfast at the hotel

10:00am Check out - please remember to settle your personal incidental account with the hotel prior to leaving

10:30am Auckland city sightseeing drive

2:00pm Transfer to the ship for embarkation

Expected Weather:

New Zealand's seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere. This means that the warmest months are December, January and February, while the coldest are in June, July and August. The mean daily temperature during the month of March is 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit).

What to Bring:

As it will be summer light clothing is suggested. However, as the weather can be changeable is recommended that a rain proof jacket be carried. Sunscreen is considered essential.

Dress is informal and relaxed on most occasions. Smart casual clothes are acceptable at most restaurants and nightspots. Men are generally not expected to wear suits and ties, except in a few of the top formal bars and restaurants in major cities.

Currency:

US dollars are generally accepted only in establishments such as souvenir stores; however, credit cards are widely accepted.

Electricity:

Electricity is supplied throughout New Zealand at 230/240 volts, 50 hertz. Most hotels provide 110 volt ac sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors only. Please note that power outlets only accept angled two or three pin Type I plugs (as also used in Australia) depending on whether an earth connection is fitted. Remember to bring a travel adaptor for electric devices.

Documents and Visa Requirements

US (and most nationalities) will require either a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) or visa. The NZeTA needs to be secured in advance.

Please refer to your local New Zealand embassy for details and requirements for your nationality.

Accommodation:

Horizon Hotel

46 Nelson Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

Or 85 Hobson Street (both addresses are valid for this hotel due to its location)

*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen circumstances. If a similar hotel is required, it will be of equal ratings and standards and guests would be notified in advance of travel. If guests are not notified prior to travel of any changes, then the hotel listed above will be used.

Program includes:

•3 nights at the Horizon Hotel– Elite King Room

•Lunch on Days 2 and 3 – includes 1 beer, glass of wine, juice or soft drink per person

•Tours and entrances per the itinerary

Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.

Program excludes:

•Any meals not listed above

•Gratuities to drivers and guides

•Hotel incidentals such as mini bar and room service

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.

Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.

Price: U$1.799 per guest based on double occupancy.

Hotel and Land Program pricing is not combinable with FREE 1-Night Pre-Cruise Luxury Hotel Package. If applicable, please contact Regent Seven Seas Cruises or your travel agent for multi-night pre-cruise hotel pricing information. Land program promotions are subject to terms.