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It’s known as the land of the long white cloud and New Zealand is also notorious for its changeable weather.
And while packing for a cruise from Sydney in the summer to somewhere like the South Pacific is easy (you know it’s probably to be sweltering), heading to New Zealand is a little more challenging.
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I was on board Sydney-based Discovery Princess for five days of the 12-day New Zealand Cruise. I lugged a full-sized suitcase with me and still I’ll admit, I got it a little wrong.
Here are my top packing tips.
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What to pack for a New Zealand cruise
I brought a puffer jacket with a hood which rolled up small. This is something I got right. It was perfect for the day we cruised Fjordland.
However I could also have done with a beanie-style hat. It was pretty chilly on deck.
While an umbrella might have been helpful it probably would have just blown inside out.
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I also wish I’d thought to take my binoculars too, to get a closer look at the dramatic cliffs in Milford Sound.
The jacket also stood up against the wind on the Otago Peninsula.
I also brought jeans and sneakers, which I wore on the two excursions we did.
Walking boots were not needed – but trainers I didn’t mind getting a little muddy were.
I also wore a t-shirt, and a thick denim shirt, which I stripped off when the sun came out.
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Now, one benefit of it being chilly weather on a cruise are the hot tubs.
They’re toasty warm, so do bring your swimmers if you’re into that (you can also wear them in the thermal suite or spa if your ship has one).
However, I did make a major mistake.
On the last sea day before we docked in Sydney and as we approached Australia, the weather warmed up. It was around 22 degrees, but breezy.
As many cruises will know, at sea the weather can be deceiving.
I am still picking bits of peeled skin from my scalp from the sunburn I got while chilling on a sunbed for an hour. So please, bring a sun hat.
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I also burned my legs because, while I did bring shorts (intended for the gym where I never went) I didn’t apply enough sunscreen.
That too, is an absolute must, and re-apply regularly.
As for clothes for aboard the ship, I was pleased to see most passengers do still dress for formal nights.
So do bring something suitable if you want to join in the festivities.
On other nights while many people did dress for dinner, casual was the general vibe.
What is the weather like on a New Zealand Cruise
Cruise season in Australia and New Zealand is in the summer but that doesn’t always mean it will be hot, especially over the Tasman.
It might be cold, it could be wet, it may be dry.
Pack for all eventualities and think layers when it comes to clothes.
What items are banned on a New Zealand cruise
Just like on any other cruise there are many things you can’t bring.
That includes electric gadgets like irons, steamers and even power boards.
When disembarking we discovered a table where they were waiting to be reunited with their owners after being confiscated.
Also remember New Zealand, like all places, has strict biosecurity laws.
So no, you can’t take that croissant from the buffet off the ship for later.
At the start of your cruise you can however bring on a bottle of wine and cans of soft drinks.
Drop us an email with all your wisdom to travel@nine.com.au, and your tip could be featured in an upcoming story on 9Travel.
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