Currency
New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
Language
English, Te Reo Māori
Time Zone
NZDT (UTC+13) or NZST (UTC+12)
Best Time to Visit
Oct–Apr
Typical Duration
14-35 nights
Price Range
$955–$65,074 per person
Port Type
Port of Call
Tender Port
No
Gateway to New Zealand's South Island, offering access to stunning natural landscapes including fjords, mountains, and adventure activities in the Canterbury region.
Cruises that visit Christchurch
- cruises to Christchurch
- Christchurch sailings
- Christchurch cruises
- 10-night Celebrity Cruises cruise
- 11-night Celebrity Cruises cruise
- 11-night Royal Caribbean International cruise
- 12-night Celebrity Cruises cruise
- 12-night Celebrity Cruises cruise
- 12-night Seabourn cruise
- 12-night Celebrity Cruises cruise
- 12-night Royal Caribbean International cruise
- 13-night Celebrity Cruises cruise
- 14-night Silversea cruise
- 14-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 14-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 14-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 14-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 15-night Seabourn cruise
- 28-night Seabourn cruise
- 30-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 30-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 30-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 30-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 36-night Seabourn cruise
- 58-night Seabourn cruise
- 71-night MSC Cruises cruise
- 82-night Seabourn cruise
- 92-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 92-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 92-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
Build Your Day in Christchurch
Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.
Ships typically depart around 6:00 PM
Usually about 10 hours ashore
Getting around:
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Native & exotic plant species
Closed · Opens 7 AM
Westfield Riccarton
Newer and largest among all the malls in Christchurch.
Closed · Opens 9 AM
Riverside Market
Hip locale with food retailers & cafes
Closed · Opens 7:30 AM
Hagley Park North
Large recreational space with gardens
The Margaret Mahy Family Playground
Play area built after the 2011 quake
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
Native animals & guided tours
Closed · Opens 9:30 AM
Canterbury Museum
Human & natural history of region
Closed · Opens 9 AM
The Tannery
Unique eateries and shops, fabulous atmosphere, a Christchurch must do!
Closed · Opens 10 AM
Little High Eatery
Hip food court with global fare
Closed · Opens 11 AM
South City Shopping Centre
Has a great food court and variety of shops.
Closed · Opens 9 AM
Christchurch Gondola
Closed · Opens 10 AM
Christchurch Casino
Gaming, dining & live entertainment
Closed · Opens 12 PM
Tower Junction Shopping Centre
Great selection of shops and always busy with car parking.
Closed · Opens 7 AM
International Antarctic Centre
Antarctic simulations, rides & animals
Closed · Opens 9 AM
Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū
Collections & exhibits of modern art
Closed · Opens 10 AM
King of Snake
Hand down the best food and experience for dining in Christchurch.
Closed · Opens 12 PM
Quake City
Interactive exhibition on earthquakes
Closed · Opens 10 AM
Christchurch Tram
Closed · Opens 9:15 AM
Riccarton House and Bush
Onsite services
Fiddlesticks Restaurant and Bar
Chic haunt with creative dishes
Closed · Opens 9 AM
Cardboard Cathedral
Temporary church built from cardboard
Closed · Opens 9 AM
Unknown Chapter Coffee Roasters
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Opens soon · 6:30 AM
Casa Publica
Striking bistro for South American fare
Closed · Opens 12 PM
The Colombo
Well lit, clean, quiet, a good place to meet friends, or browse the shops.
Closed · Opens 9 AM
Kaiser Brew Garden
Dine-in·No delivery
Closed · Opens 11:30 AM
Black Betty Cafe
Bustling coffee bar & breakfast spot
Closed · Opens 7 AM
Hello Sunday
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Closed · Opens 7:30 AM
Merivale Mall
Very clean , tidy and well set out, with a good selection of shops
Closed · Opens 9 AM
New Regent Street Precinct
Beautiful little shops from lovely ice cream selection to many food shops.
Closed · Opens 10 AM
Bloody Mary's
Upscale steakhouse with terrace
Punting On The Avon (Antigua Boat Sheds)
Sightseeing boat rides
Closed · Opens 9:30 AM
Little Poms cafe
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Opens soon · 6:30 AM
O.G.B Bar & Restaurant
Dine-in·Delivery·No takeout
Closed · Opens 12 PM
Sign of the Kiwi Cafe
Dine-in·No delivery
Closed · Opens 8:30 AM
Christchurch Adventure Park
City views & mountain biking trails
Closed · Opens 11 AM
5th Street
Our favourite restaurant in Christchurch , amazing food and service.
Closed · Opens 4:30 PM
Smash Palace
Dine-in·No delivery
Closed · Opens 12 PM
The Church Pub
Dine-in·Delivery
Closed · Opens 11 AM
Cave Rock / Tuawera
Onsite services
Twenty Seven Steps
Amazing food, good selection of NZ wines, great service & atmosphere.
Closed · Opens 5 PM
The Crossing
Great variety of stores good cafe and restaurant options would recommend
Closed · Opens 9 AM
Scarborough Park
Great play ground.kids pool,beach and ice cream shop...
Cellar Door
Special mention in the NZ Michelin Guide is well deserved.
Closed
The Athens Yacht Club
Amazing food (like Michelin star quality) and plentiful.
Closed
Bessie
50 Of The Best Restaurants In Christchurch
Closed
The Last Word
Dine-in·No takeout·No delivery
Closed · Opens 2 PM
Table at Monks Coffee and Eatery
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Closed · Opens 7:30 AM
Zodiac Bar
Dine-in·Takeout·Delivery
Closed · Opens 11:30 AM
The Goldfinch
Would eat here every night if I lived in Christchurch.
Closed · Opens 11:30 AM
ROCA
Stunning food, one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in Christchurch.
Closed · Opens 12 PM
Corsair Bay Reserve
Beautiful safe space to swim, cool park for the kids and yummy ice cream!!!
Pink Lady Rooftop
Dine-in·No takeout·No delivery
Closed · Opens 12 PM
Cathedral Square Christchurch
Onsite services
The Monday Room
The oyster mushrooms were amazing and the aged ribeye cooked to perfection!
Manu Restaurant and Bar
This is the new top dining experience in Christchurch!
Closed · Opens 5 PM
EARL - Restaurant Christchurch
This place has it all, amazing food, exceptional service n a great winelist!
Closed
Scarborough Beach
The waves were huge, and the beach was very busy, life guards on site.
Mr. Brightside Rooftop Bar
Dine-in·No takeout·No delivery
Closed · Opens 12 PM
Sumner Beach Park
Excellent location to build in the sand, swim and play
Jimmy's Smokehouse
Dine-in·Takeout
Closed · Opens 11:30 AM
A'mano authentic pasta & cucina
Dine-in·Delivery·No takeout
Closed · Opens 12 PM
Scoundrel
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Closed · Opens 9 AM
Texas Grill Christchurch
Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No-contact delivery
Closed · Opens 12 PM
Chillingworth Road
The food was top notch and the cocktails were stunning.
Closed
Taylors Mistake Beach
Clear blue water and yellow sand.
Inati restaurant
We had the eight plate trust the chef menu and the food was exceptional.
Closed · Opens 5:30 PM
City Mall
Good place for shopping leisurely, price also affordable
Closed · Opens 9 AM
Odeon restaurant
Dine-in·No takeout·No delivery
Closed · Opens 5 PM
New Brighton Beach
Nice beach with a pier, hot pools, kiddies splash pool, and a playground.
The Loft Bar
Dine-in·No takeout·No delivery
Closed · Opens 12 PM
Soul Quarter
Staff are top notch, food is delicious with gorgeous portions!
Closed · Opens 4:30 PM
Tussock Hill Vineyard and Cellar Door Restaurant
We were blown away by the first two dishes, michelin quality in our opinion.
Closed
Austin Club
Dine-in·No takeout·No delivery
Closed · Opens 5 PM
Story
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Closed · Opens 5 PM
Gatherings Restaurant
Such amazing food, decour and service, best restaurant in Christchurch 👌
Closed
Lake Rua
Clean clear water in a stunning location.
Closed · Opens 7 AM
LONDO
The presentation was worthy of a look by the Michelin folks.
Closed
The Core Bar & Grill
Dine-in·Takeout·Delivery
Closed · Opens 4 PM
Xolo
Dine-in·No delivery
Closed · Opens 5 PM
North Beach
Good swimming beach, safe, shower after Well serviced, free.
Christchurch Botanic Gardens Tour
Closed · Opens 11 AM
Fika
Dine-in·Takeout
Closed · Opens 7 AM
The Dirty Land
Dine-in·No takeout·No delivery
Closed · Opens 4 PM
Christchurch Tramway Restaurant
Dinner was lovely and the wine pairing was perfect.
Closed · Opens 7:30 PM
Waimairi Beach Park
A lovely place for a midwinter swim ❤️
Rook Cafe
Dine-in·Takeout
Closed · Opens 7 AM
The Lane
Dine-in·No delivery
Spencer Park Beach
Very well organized area for picnicing & camping & swimming.
Shopology
A wonderful shop with a great selection of quality clothing.
Closed · Opens 10 AM
Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.
About Christchurch
Christchurch stands as a compelling destination for cruise travelers exploring the stunning landscapes of New Zealand and the greater Australia & New Zealand region. As a primary port of call, this vibrant South Island city welcomes passengers from leading cruise lines including Viking Ocean Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, Seabourn, Royal Caribbean International, and Silversea. With 75 upcoming cruises and peak seasons spanning October through February, Christchurch serves as an ideal embarkation or exploration point for those seeking immersive Pacific voyages.
Most cruises calling at Christchurch feature 14-night itineraries that weave together the region's most captivating destinations, including Auckland, Tauranga, Dunedin, Sydney, and Hobart. This positioning makes Christchurch perfect for travelers eager to experience New Zealand's dramatic scenery without committing to a full repositioning cruise.
The port itself offers convenient access to the city's revitalized downtown, where you'll discover excellent shopping, dining, and cultural attractions within walking distance or a short taxi ride. Beyond the port, Christchurch serves as your gateway to some of the South Island's most breathtaking natural wonders—from the adventure capital of Queenstown to the stunning fjords of Milford Sound. Whether you're embarking on an extended voyage or enjoying a day in port, Christchurch delivers the perfect blend of urban exploration and access to New Zealand's world-class outdoor experiences.
Most cruises calling at Christchurch feature 14-night itineraries that weave together the region's most captivating destinations, including Auckland, Tauranga, Dunedin, Sydney, and Hobart. This positioning makes Christchurch perfect for travelers eager to experience New Zealand's dramatic scenery without committing to a full repositioning cruise.
The port itself offers convenient access to the city's revitalized downtown, where you'll discover excellent shopping, dining, and cultural attractions within walking distance or a short taxi ride. Beyond the port, Christchurch serves as your gateway to some of the South Island's most breathtaking natural wonders—from the adventure capital of Queenstown to the stunning fjords of Milford Sound. Whether you're embarking on an extended voyage or enjoying a day in port, Christchurch delivers the perfect blend of urban exploration and access to New Zealand's world-class outdoor experiences.
Cruise Lines at Christchurch
- Viking Ocean Cruises (48 cruises)
- Celebrity Cruises (17 cruises)
- MSC Cruises (17 cruises)
- Seabourn (11 cruises)
- Royal Caribbean International (9 cruises)
- Explora Journeys (3 cruises)
- Silversea (1 cruise)
Cruises Departing From Christchurch
Cruises Visiting Christchurch
Ship Schedule at Christchurch
Christchurch Location
Other Cruise Ports in New Zealand
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Christchurch known for?
Christchurch is known for its English heritage, Avon River punts, and historic colleges such as Christ's College.
When is the best time to visit Christchurch?
Spring and autumn offer mild weather and scenic beauty; summers can be busy.
What are top attractions in Christchurch?
Canterbury Museum, Botanic Gardens, Avon River punting, and the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
How can I get around Christchurch?
Public buses, the tram, cycling, and walking are convenient in the city center.