Sarah Bretz, ContributorOceania Cruises is preparing to sail Australia and New Zealand this coming November to March aboard its 1,250-guest ship Riviera.
It will be the vessel’s first time sailing in the region, and the only Oceania ship there to offer exclusive itineraries with a focus on food. Passengers will be able to immerse themselves in the local culinary scene through a variety of small-group shore excursions including visits to local markets, rice fields, and truffle farms.
The 2026 Australia and New Zealand season will run from November 2025 to March 2026, offering sailings ranging from 14 to 35 days with departures from multiple homeports. Voyages combine hidden gems like Mystery Island in Vanuatu, Dunedin in New Zealand, and Kangaroo Island in South Australia. Hundreds of excursions are available — among them are chef-led Culinary Discovery Tours to local restaurants or to see a destination through the eyes of local fishermen and farmers.
Riviera features The Culinary Center, a cooking school at sea where guests can participate in hands-on cooking classes inspired by regional flavors. Oceania Cruises’ award-winning culinary team has introduced a new class for this year called the “Down Under Abundance,” inspired by the richness of ingredients found in Australia and New Zealand. Crafted in collaboration with Oceania’s “Down Under” chef colleagues, the class celebrates the freshest offerings from the sea, the mountains, and the vineyards of the region.
To enhance the cruise itineraries, guests can add a pre or post-cruise land program to their vacation. Options include:
- Great Barrier Island Adventure in Auckland, which includes chartered fishing trips, star-gazing experiences, and a tour of Auckland’s vibrant metropolis
- Scenic Journey to the Blue Mountains from Sydney, where guests can soak up the landscapes before joining a hike with a National Park Ranger who will share Dreamtime stories of the Aboriginal people who first inhabited the area
Highlights of Oceania Cruises’ 2026 Australia, New Zealand, and South Pacific season include:
- Komodos & Kangaroos — 22 days from Singapore to Sydney visiting Surabaya, Bali, Lombok, Komodo, Waingapu Sumba, Perth, Busselton, Albany, Penneshaw (Kangaroo Island), Adelaide, Melbourne and Burnie. Departs November 18, 2025.
- South Pacific Archipelagos — 19 days from Sydney to Papeete visiting Noumea, Mystery Island, Lautoka, Suva, Nuku’alofa, Vava’u, Apia, Pago Pago, Rarotonga, Bora Bora, Huahine and Moorea. Departs December 10, 2025.
- Azure Atolls to Auckland — 18 days from Papeete to Auckland visiting Moorea, Huahine, Bora Bora, Rarotonga, Alofi, Pago Pago, Apia, Suva, Nuku’alofa and Bay of Islands. Departs January 6, 2026.
- Maori Heritage Route — 14 days from Auckland to Sydney visiting Rotorua, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hobart and Melbourne. Departs January 25, 2026.
- Outback to Verdant Bali — 14 days from Sydney to Bali visiting Brisbane, Whitsunday Island, Cairns, Cooktown, Darwin, Komodo and Bali. Departs February 8, 2026.
- Melanesian Marvels — 21 days from Bali to Sydney visiting Komodo, Kupang (West Timor), Darwin, Port Moresby, Alotau, Honiara, Luganville (Espiritu Santo), Port Vila, Lautoka, Suva and Noumea. Departs February 22, 2026.
- Kiwi & Coral Seascapes — 21 days from Auckland to Singapore visiting Bay of Islands, Sydney, Townsville, Cairns, Darwin, Komodo and Bali. Departs March 30, 2026.
Comments
Which Riviera voyage listed above most appeals to you? Have you ever taken a cruise in Australia and/or New Zealand and if so, how was your experience? Drop us an anchor below and share your thoughts!
