

The December 20, 2023 cruise on the MS Noordam departs from Sydney, Australia. On this 13 Night New Zealand Holiday (Sydney Roundtrip) sailing, the ship will visit a total of 9 cruise port destinations, including its departure port. The MS Noordam sets sail on Wednesday, Dec 20th and returns on Tuesday, Jan 2nd.
MS Noordam - December 20, 2023 - 13 Nights
| Day | Date | Port |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dec 19th | Sydney, Australia |
| 2 | Dec 20th | At Sea |
| 3 | Dec 21st | At Sea |
| 4 | Dec 23rd | Waitangi, Bay Of Islands, New Zealand |
| 5 | Dec 24th | Auckland, New Zealand |
| 6 | Dec 19th | White Island, New Zealand |
| 7 | Dec 26th | Napier, New Zealand |
| 8 | Dec 27th | Wellington, New Zealand |
| 9 | Dec 28th | Timaru, New Zealand |
| 10 | Dec 29th | Port Chalmers (Dunedin), New Zealand |
| 11 | Dec 19th | Cruise Fjordland National Park |
| 12 | Dec 30th | At Sea |
| 13 | Dec 31st | At Sea |
| 14 | Jan 2nd | Sydney, Australia |
The MS Noordam sails on December 20, 2023 for a 13 Night New Zealand Holiday (Sydney Roundtrip). The ship will depart the port of Sydney, Australia at 3:00 PM and will return to the port of Sydney, Australia on Jan 2nd at 6:00 AM. During the 14-day journey, the MS Noordam will visit 8 additional ports and will spend 4 days at sea.

The MS Noordam has a construction date of 2006 and a total size of 82,500 gross tons. The ship measures 936 feet (285 meters) in length. MS Noordam is included in Holland America’s Vista Class Class. At full capacity, the MS Noordam holds 2,716 passengers. That includes 1,916 cruise vacationers and 800 staff members. The MS Noordam total number of staterooms is 986.
To see how this compares, click through to see MS Noordam age and stats vs all Holland America ships. There you’ll find graphs showing length, capacity, tonnage and more for this ship vs all in the fleet.
To check out the ship from top to bottom, click here for MS Noordam Deck Plans.
Sydney, Australia, offers docking at Circular Quay. Travelers explore Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach. Excursions visit Blue Mountains. Local markets sell meat pies. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures iconic landmarks and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes lamingtons, an Australian favorite. Souvenirs, like opal crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Aboriginal history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Sydney’s urban charm offers a vibrant Australian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural landmarks and scenic coasts, making Sydney an engaging destination for exploration. (126 words)
Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!
Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!
Waitangi, Bay of Islands, New Zealand, offers docking at Waitangi Port. Travelers explore Treaty Grounds and Paihia’s beaches. Excursions include dolphin-watching tours. Local markets sell pavlova. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures historic sites and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes hangi, a Maori favorite. Souvenirs, like jade crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Maori history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while water shoes enhance beach exploration. Waitangi’s cultural charm offers a vibrant New Zealand stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic treaties and scenic bays, making Waitangi an engaging destination for exploring New Zealand’s north.
Auckland, New Zealand, offers docking at Auckland Port. Travelers explore Sky Tower and Waiheke Island. Excursions include Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Local markets sell pavlova. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures urban harbors and Hauraki Gulf vistas. Dining onboard includes lamb, a Kiwi favorite. Souvenirs, like Maori crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Maori history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Auckland’s urban charm offers a vibrant New Zealand stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of modern landmarks and scenic islands, making Auckland an engaging destination. (126 words)
White Island, New Zealand, offers scenic cruising without docking. Travelers view active volcanic craters and steaming vents from the ship. Excursions include zodiac tours around the island. No facilities exist; provisions are ship-based. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal cruising. Photography captures volcanic plumes and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes whitebait fritters, a Kiwi favorite. Souvenirs, like volcanic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Maori history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while binoculars enhance crater viewing. White Island’s volcanic allure offers a vibrant New Zealand stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of geologic wonders and scenic seas, making White Island an engaging destination.
Napier, New Zealand, offers docking at Napier Port. Travelers explore Art Deco District and Hawke’s Bay wineries. Excursions visit Cape Kidnappers’ gannets. Local markets sell pavlova. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Art Deco buildings and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes lamb, a Kiwi favorite. Souvenirs, like Maori crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Ngāti Kahungunu history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Napier’s cultural charm offers a vibrant New Zealand stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of architectural heritage and scenic vineyards, making Napier an engaging destination. (126 words)
Wellington, New Zealand, offers docking at Wellington Port. Travelers explore Te Papa Museum and Mount Victoria. Excursions visit Weta Workshop. Local markets sell pavlova. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures urban harbors and Cook Strait vistas. Dining onboard includes lamb, a Kiwi favorite. Souvenirs, like Maori crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Polynesian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Wellington’s cultural charm offers a vibrant New Zealand stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of modern museums and scenic lookouts, making Wellington an engaging destination for exploration. (126 words)
Timaru, New Zealand, offers docking at Timaru Port. Travelers explore Caroline Bay and Aigantighe Art Gallery. Excursions visit Mount Cook’s trails. Local markets sell pavlova. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures sandy beaches and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes lamb roast, a Kiwi favorite. Souvenirs, like jade crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Maori history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while sturdy shoes enhance mountain hikes. Timaru’s coastal charm offers a vibrant New Zealand stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic beaches and cultural heritage, making Timaru an engaging destination for exploration.
Port Chalmers (Dunedin), New Zealand, offers docking at Port Chalmers. Travelers explore Larnach Castle and Otago Peninsula. Excursions include wildlife tours for albatross. Local markets sell hokey pokey. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Gothic castles and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes whitebait fritters, a Kiwi favorite. Souvenirs, like paua crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Maori history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while sturdy shoes enhance peninsula hikes. Port Chalmers’ cultural charm offers a vibrant New Zealand stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic castles and scenic wildlife, making Port Chalmers an engaging destination. (126 words)
Fiordland National Park, New Zealand, offers no docking; ships cruise Milford Sound within the park. Travelers observe Mitre Peak and Stirling Falls from deck. Zodiacs spot bottlenose dolphins. No facilities; provisions from ship. Peak season December to March; rain frequent. Photography captures sheer cliffs and rainbows. Dining onboard includes green-lipped mussels. Souvenirs, like sound postcards, in ship shops. Briefings stress ecosystem protection. Kayaking explores Hall Arm. Rain gear essential for wet climate. UNESCO-listed Fiordland’s dramatic fjords and wildlife provide immersive nature experiences in this temperate rainforest paradise.
Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!
Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!
Sydney, Australia, offers docking at Circular Quay. Travelers explore Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach. Excursions visit Blue Mountains. Local markets sell meat pies. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures iconic landmarks and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes lamingtons, an Australian favorite. Souvenirs, like opal crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Aboriginal history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Sydney’s urban charm offers a vibrant Australian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural landmarks and scenic coasts, making Sydney an engaging destination for exploration. (126 words)