Can you sail to New Zealand/Australia from the US....and back ?
 

My parents,who travel extensively are planning their next trip to New Zealand. They mentioned not flying and if it is possible to sail there from the West Coast or Vancouver...I did a little research but have limited resources and can only find a way as far as Hawaii, and no way back either....They are not even necessarily interetsed in a "cruise ship"...any ideas on where to research this possible adventure?

We are cruising on the Radisson World Cruise on the Voyager. The first segment is from Los Angeles January 5, 2005 to Auckland. The 2nd segment is from Auckland to Sydney. I will try to copy and past the itineray for these first 2 segments (also the first segment is priced at a 2 for the price of 1). I've been on the Voyager ship and it is FABULOUS! You can read more at rssc.com

SEVEN SEAS VOYAGER - 2005
World Cruise - Segment 1 - Passport to Paradise ARRIVAL DEPARTURE
5-Jan-2005 Wed Los Angeles, California, USA B 5:00 PM
6-Jan-2005 Thu Cruise the Pacific Ocean C
7-Jan-2005 Fri Cross the Tropic of Cancer C
8-Jan-2005 Sat Cruise the Pacific Ocean C
9-Jan-2005 Sun Cruise the Pacific Ocean C
10-Jan-2005 Mon Cross the Equator C
11-Jan-2005 Tue Cruise the Pacific Ocean C
12-Jan-2005 Wed Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands A 9:00 AM 3:00 PM
13-Jan-2005 Thu Cruise the Pacific Ocean C
14-Jan-2005 Fri Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia B 9:00 AM 11:00 PM
15-Jan-2005 Sat Moorea, French Polynesia A 9:00 AM 6:00 PM
16-Jan-2005 Sun Bora Bora, French Polynesia A 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
17-Jan-2005 Mon Cruise the Pacific Ocean C
18-Jan-2005 Tue Rarotonga, Cook Islands A 8:00 AM 3:00 PM
19-Jan-2005 Wed Cross International Dateline C
20-Jan-2005 Thu Cruise the South Pacific C
21-Jan-2005 Fri Cruise the South Pacific C
22-Jan-2005 Sat Cruise the South Pacific C
23-Jan-2005 Sun Bay of Islands, New Zealand A 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
24-Jan-2005 Mon Auckland, New Zealand B 8:00 AM

CRUISE DAYS 18
CALANDER DAYS 19

SEVEN SEAS VOYAGER - 2005
World Cruise - Seg 2 - New Zealand Splendors ARRIVAL DEPARTURE
24-Jan-2005 Mon Auckland, New Zealand B 11:00 PM
25-Jan-2005 Tue Cruising White Island Volcano C
26-Jan-2005 Wed Picton, New Zealand B 9:00 AM 7:00 PM
27-Jan-2005 Thu Lyttelton (Christchurch), New Zealand B 8:00 AM 7:00 PM
28-Jan-2005 Fri Port Chalmers (Dunedin), New Zealand B 8:00 AM 8:00 PM
29-Jan-2005 Sat Cruise Foveaux Strait C
30-Jan-2005 Sun Cruise Dusky Sound C
Cruise Doubtful Sound C
Cruise Milford Sound C
31-Jan-2005 Mon Cruise Tasman Sea C
1-Feb-2005 Tue Cruise Tasman Sea C
2-Feb-2005 Wed Hobart, Tasmania, Australia B 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
3-Feb-2005 Thu Phillip Island, Australia A 6:00 PM 11:00 PM
4-Feb-2005 Fri Melbourne, Australia B 8:00 AM 7:00 PM
5-Feb-2005 Sat Cruise Bass Strait C
6-Feb-2005 Sun Sydney, Australia B 8:00 AM Overnight
7-Feb-2005 Mon Sydney, Australia B Overnight

CRUISE DAYS 14

petlover,
Thank you so much ! This is exactly the info I needed !!!
What a voyage !

Hi Wednesday:
Glad to hear you are satisfied with that info. But what about your parents that didn't necessary want a cruise ship (Voyager is one.)And how do you think this trip will get your parents home from Australia? most likely by air!?

Yes, it does sound like a great voyage. Hope your parents concur.

To the best of my knowledge all trips require a flight at least one way, or land trips which require a round trip flight. I too hate long flights!

If they meet the age and health standards (no doctors on board, often lots of stairs) they might consider a freighter cruise. We cruised from NZ to San Francisco a few years ago and it still stands out as one of our most memorable travel experiences. It's quite cheap and very educational, too.

Freighter World Cruises in Pasadena CA is the big dog in freighter travel; see http://www.freighterworld.com/places/austnz.html - We used a travel agent in NZ who specialize in freighters and recommend them highly - see http://www.freightertravel.hb.co.nz/

Good luck.

You also might look at Maris Cruises, Freighter World's main competitor - http://freightercruises.com/ - they list a service on Columbus Line (which we used) between Vancouver BC and NZ.

Thank you for the info also Gardyloo, they are enjoying exploring all their options...:-)