Panoramic view from Mount Maunganui overlooking a curved sandy beach, the blue ocean, a small island and the city of Tauranga with buildings and a harbor in the distance.

Tauranga, New Zealand

Cruises to Tauranga, New Zealand

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Things to do in Tauranga

Tauranga wraps sunshine, surf and geothermal flair into one dynamic port city. You’ll find volcanic cones shadowing white‑sand beaches, Māori heritage in the mix and orchards bursting with fresh flavor. Add seaside cafés, harbor walks and a coastline begging to be explored and you’ve got a stop that pulses with life.

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  • Aerial view of Mount Maunganui with a grassy volcanic hill, white sandy beaches, turquoise ocean and the city of Tauranga stretching inland.

    Explore sweeping beaches and the prominent cone of Mount Maunganui — climb to the summit or just soak up the sand.

  • Bare kiwifruit vines trained along wooden posts above a grassy orchard, with sunlight casting branch shadows on netting below.

    Dive into orchard tours among kiwifruit vines and avocado groves for a taste of New Zealand’s growing legacy.

  • A wooden boardwalk curves through a steamy geothermal pool, with mist rising and bright mineral colors visible in the water under a blue sky.

    Visit thermal springs, geysers and Māori cultural centres in nearby Rotorua for a dose of earth’s raw power and ancient roots.

  • Aerial view of a long sandy beach with calm green ocean waves and a small coastal town backed by rolling hills in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty.

    Take a harbor cruise on the Bay of Plenty, scan for marine life and let the salt air exfoliate your skin.

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Shore excursions to explore in Tauranga

Time to pick your path. Whether you crave volcanoes, vineyards, history or high speed (or hobbits), Tauranga delivers all with a twist.

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  • A steaming geothermal geyser and bright turquoise hot spring surrounded by green forest in Rotorua, New Zealand, under a clear blue sky.

    Best Of Rotorua: Te Puia Geyser & Maori Arts

    Your coach ride whisks you through coastal scenery toward Rotorua where the renowned Te Puia reserve awaits. You’ll witness the legendary Pohutu geyser erupt, wander through boiling mud pools and listen to the stories of master carvers and weavers at the Māori Arts & Crafts Institute. After lunch and a spirited cultural performance filled with haka and hand games, you’ll head back with a whole new appreciation for geothermal wonder.

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  • A historic white colonial house sits on a grassy lawn covered with fallen leaves, surrounded by tall trees and garden greenery under a partly cloudy sky.

    Elms and Orchards: Stories of Tauranga

    Start with a drive past the bay toward the historic Elms Mission Station (1835) and step into a slice of early colonial‑Māori encounter. Then stroll through kiwi orchards where vines hum with harvest energy and stop for local refreshment amid orchard life. Finish your loop with a look at the impressive Māori war canoe along the coast before the ship docks again.

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  • Steaming geothermal terraces with vivid orange and yellow mineral deposits alongside lush green vegetation under cloudy skies.

    Rotorua & Polynesian Spa Experience

    This full‑day outing serves up big vistas and bubbling springs. After a scenic drive to Rotorua you’ll explore geothermal valleys, watch sculptors at work and enjoy a Māori‑inspired lunch at the marae. Then it’s off to the renowned Polynesian Spa for a soak in hot‑spring pools that stare right at the lake. On the way back you’ll roll through kiwifruit country. Yum.

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  • A cozy hobbit-style home with a round blue door and a lush garden full of colorful flowers.

    Movie Set

    Board your motorcoach and travel toward Matamata where the famous film set of Hobbiton awaits. Wander through Hobbit holes, cross the restored bridge and stop by the Green Dragon Inn for a drink. It’s a light‑hearted excursion that pairs lush farmland with movie history and magic. Don’t forget to treat yourself to ‘second breakfast’ before you get started.

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  • Brown kiwi bird with a long beak searching for food on the ground.

    National Kiwi Hatchery & Agrodome

    Meet New Zealand’s adorable feathered national symbol at the hatchery. These adorable wonders of evolution look like a mix between a mole and a chicken that lost a bet… and they own it.  After some quality time with the coolest birds you’ll probably ever meet, enjoy a guided farm tour at the Agrodome and feast on a hearty lunch. This tour blends wildlife, wool and rural flair in a way only the Kiwis could deliver.

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  • A wide, gently curving river bordered by grassy fields and forested hills under clear daylight.

    Rangitaiki Rafting Adventure

    If you’re up for something splashy and bold, the Rangitaiki River Grade 3–4 white‑water rafting tour is the obvious choice. You’ll skill‑up with paddle training, navigate rapids and then float through native forest and plantation scenery. Note: this one’s not for the faint of heart. On the other hand, it’s probably the most efficient way to prove just how ‘not faint of heart’ you are. 

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Explore all Tauranga shore excursions

Explore itineraries with cruises to Tauranga

Your ship docks in Tauranga at a well‑equipped berth with easy access to both city and coast. From the gangway, you’re minutes from cafés, harbor exploration and seaside markets. As part of many New Zealand or Australia cruise itineraries, Tauranga offers smooth transitions from ship to shore (and everything beyond).

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Tauranga, New Zealand

13-Day Australia & New Zealand

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Manukau Heads Lighthouse - Auckland, New Zealand

15-Day New Zealand

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Aerial view of Sydney, Australia

20-Day Tahiti, Hawaii & South Pacific Crossing

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Discover Tauranga on your next cruise

In Tauranga, geothermal heat meets orchard chill and a rich cultural past hums beneath modern surf-town energy. There’s steam in the air, citrus on the breeze and enough texture to keep your senses fully booked. Princess makes it seamless, with curated excursions, stress-free transfers and all the time you need to dig in and bliss out.

Cruises to Tauranga
Row of carved wooden Māori figures standing upright on a grassy lawn.

Stand among powerful Māori carvings that share stories of ancestry and guardianship.

Tall, narrow waterfall flowing into a small pool surrounded by dense green ferns and forest.

Wander into Tauranga’s lush rainforest where a hidden waterfall spills into a quiet, fern-lined pool.

A smiling couple stands at the railing of a Princess® cruise ship, enjoying the open sea and blue sky.

A couple stands together on the wooden deck of a Princess® cruise ship, gazing out at the open sea beneath a bright blue sky dotted with clouds.

Front-facing view of a Princess® cruise ship sailing through calm ocean waters.

Cut through the world’s waterways and experience the planet’s most exciting coastlines from a sea-side perspective; our fleet is your luxury-and-entertainment-packed transport to adventure.

Discover our ships

Step aboard any Princess® ship and discover your new favorite way to travel. Each vessel is a floating playground of flavor, comfort and top-deck experiences. Enjoy freshly prepared local dishes, Broadway-caliber entertainment, oceanview fitness and wellness studios, family programming and beds so comfortable they’ve won awards. 


No two ships are identical, but they all share one mission: turn your vacation into a standing ovation.

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Cruises to Tauranga FAQs

*The port location is subject to change. Please check itinerary details after you book for more information.

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