Wellington

New Zealand

Explore Middle-earth film locations and vibrant waterfront galleries in New Zealand's creative capital.

Currency New Zealand Dollar (NZD)

Language English, Te Reo Māori

Time Zone NZDT (UTC+13) or NZST (UTC+12)

Best Time to Visit Dec–Feb

Typical Duration 14-35 nights

Price Range $722–$67,990 per person

Port Type Port of Call

Tender Port No

Wellington is New Zealand's cultural capital and gateway to the North Island, offering vibrant arts, museums, and stunning harbor views on cruises exploring the South Pacific.

Cruises that visit Wellington

Build Your Day in Wellington

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

My ship arrives around: Getting around:

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Lots of interactive exhibits to keep people entertained. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 26k

Wellington Botanic Garden Great scavenger hunt for the kids Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 10k

Wellington Cable Car Amazing views at the top and a lot of fun activities to choose from! Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 7k

Wellington Zoo So many interactive activities along the way. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 6k

Mount Victoria Lookout Kids loved climbing stairs and taking pictures. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 6k

Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne I highly recommend this place e for a meditative, educational experience. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 6k

Wētā Workshop Experiences Lots of movie props and their stories made for a fun and engaging afternoon. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 5k

Wellington Museum The interactive exhibits create a memorable learning experience. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 3k

Charley Noble The aranchini, parfait, and steaks were out of this world. Steak · ★ 4.5 · 2k Closed · Opens 11:30 AM

Wellington Waterfront Walk A lot of things to see around the area especially there's program held. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 2k

Ombra The food was delicious, service was fantastic and the vibe was great. Italian · ★ 4.6 · 2k Closed · Opens 12 PM

The Library Great music , best cocktails in town, beautiful cozy atmosphere Bar · ★ 4.5 · 2k Closed · Opens 5 PM

The Rogue & Vagabond Had live music, fantastic personable bar staff and great choice of drinks. Bar · ★ 4.5 · 2k Closed · Opens 12 PM

Outlet City Good quality clothings and reasonable prices Outlet mall · ★ 3.9 · 2k Open · Closes 5 PM

Space Place at Carter Observatory Opportunities for children to interact with activities Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 2k

Johnsonville Shopping Centre A lot of variety And collection Easy to get parking Lot of options Shopping mall · ★ 3.6 · 2k Open · Closes 7 PM

Otari-Wilton's Bush Lots to do here for all ages wanting to go for a walk. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 1k

Te Papa Store friendly counter staff, good security, COVID scan ins Gift shop · ★ 4.5 · 1k Open · Closes 6 PM

Ortega Fish Shack Great food, great wine selection, great atmosphere and amazing service! Seafood · ★ 4.8 · 1k Closed · Opens 5 PM

Dirty Little Secret Super friendly and welcoming bartender, awesome DJ, great live music. Bar · ★ 4.3 · 1k Closed · Opens 4 PM

City Gallery Wellington They do a great job of curating thought provoking, immersive art. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.3 · 1k Temporarily closed

Dragonfly Great food, cocktails, service, and ambience. Pan Asian · ★ 4.6 · 1k Closed · Opens 4:30 PM

The Arborist Rooftop Bar Great roof top bar, great food and area. Bar · ★ 4.4 · 1k

Boulcott Street Bistro Lively ambience and attentive service, delicious meal, drinks and dessert. Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 1k Closed · Opens 12 PM

Lambton Square Pharmacy, Mr Minit, food court, & mini mart in a handy CBD location. Shopping mall · ★ 4.1 · 1k Open · Closes 7 PM

Havana Bar very friendly welcoming staff, delicious food & drinks, and lovely spot! Bar · ★ 4.6 · 1k

Old Bank Arcade Many shops for clothing, fashion, cosmetics, spa, cafes in the building. Shopping mall · ★ 4.4 · 1k Open · Closes 5 PM

Golding's Free Dive The laid-back atmosphere and unique dive-themed decor add to its charm. Bar · ★ 4.6 · 1k Closed · Opens 12 PM

Logan Brown Restaurant and Bar Fabulous Service, Food and Ambience…and wine list. Restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 1k Closed · Opens 5:30 PM

Lady Norwood Rose Garden In botanical garden there are lots of things to do Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 1k

Kisa Superb food - especially the short rib, fast service and friendly people. Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 1k Closed · Opens 12 PM

Old St Paul's The building hosts tours and musical events and is a must-see in Wellington. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 1k

The Larder Consistently great food and fabulous service. New Zealand · ★ 4.7 · 1k

Hawthorn Lounge Lovely quiet atmosphere, intimate, outstanding service, fantastic cocktails. Cocktail bar · ★ 4.7 · 1k Closed · Opens 5 PM

Hanging Ditch Delicious cocktails served by fun and charming staff. Cocktail bar · ★ 4.7 · 1k Closed · Opens 4:30 PM

Koji Very attentive service and cool atmosphere and delicious food. Restaurant · ★ 4.9 · 0k Closed · Opens 5 PM

Liberty Restaurant The service was attentive and knowledgeable and the food was immaculate. Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 0k Closed · Opens 5 PM

Top of Tory Mega Centre A lot of parking available... Easy access to stores. Shopping mall · ★ 4.1 · 0k Open · Closes 7 PM

Cuba Mall Lots of great shops and easy to travel to by bus. Shopping mall · ★ 4.3 · 0k Open now

Dee's Place Delicious cocktails, great service, and a relaxed, welcoming environment. Cocktail bar · ★ 4.9 · 0k Closed · Opens 5 PM

Capital on the Quay Good shopping, food and access. Shopping mall · ★ 4.1 · 0k Open · Closes 7 PM

Whisky & Wood Great atmosphere, amazing staff, lovely space for events. Bar · ★ 4.9 · 0k

Coco Wellington Great service and knowledge staff about products and clothing styles. Clothing store · ★ 4.9 · 0k Open · Closes 6 PM

Wellington Souvenir Great selection of souvenirs, good prices, very friendly staff. Souvenir store · ★ 4.6 · 0k Open · Closes 8:30 PM

Seal Coast Safari If you have some free time, id recommend this as a fun excursion. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 0k

Taranaki Street Wharf Onsite services Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 0k

The Wharf, Wellington A great show for Matariki tonight. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 0k

Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.

Next Departures from Wellington

About Wellington

Wellington, New Zealand's vibrant capital, has established itself as a premier cruise destination in the Australia and New Zealand region, welcoming ships from 11 major cruise lines including Viking Ocean Cruises, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International. While primarily serving as a port of call, Wellington attracts over 116 upcoming cruises, with most voyages spanning 14 nights and connecting to popular destinations like Sydney, Auckland, Tauranga, and Hobart. The peak season runs from November through March, making summer months ideal for experiencing this dynamic port.

As you step ashore in Wellington, you'll discover a compact, walkable city brimming with creative energy and natural beauty. Cruise passengers typically enjoy exploring the waterfront precinct, diving into the city's renowned cultural institutions, or venturing into the surrounding Wairarapa wine region. The port's convenient location means you can maximize your time exploring everything from local craft breweries to dramatic coastal landscapes, all within easy reach of the cruise terminal.

Te Papa Tongarewa's World-Class Collections

Explore New Zealand's premier national museum, located just steps from the cruise terminal. This innovative institution showcases Māori artifacts, natural history, and contemporary art across six levels. You'll discover the country's cultural heritage and geological wonders, from ancient taonga to interactive exhibits that bring Aotearoa's story to life.

Craft Beer and Local Food Scene

Wellington punches above its weight with exceptional craft breweries and innovative eateries concentrated in the compact city center. Sample world-class beers at Garage Project or Tuatara Brewery, then indulge in fresh seafood, artisan coffee, and fusion cuisine reflecting Pacific Rim influences. The vibrant food culture makes this a culinary destination.

Botanic Gardens' Lush Native Landscape

Ride the historic cable car up to Wellington Botanic Gardens, offering stunning harbor views and native New Zealand flora. Wander through themed gardens featuring native plants, ancient trees, and peaceful walking trails. The gardens provide a serene escape with panoramic vistas of the city and Cook Strait.

Cuba Street's Eclectic Shopping and Culture

Stroll Wellington's bohemian heart on Cuba Street, lined with independent boutiques, vintage shops, and quirky galleries showcasing local designers and artists. This pedestrian-friendly neighborhood captures the city's creative spirit with street art, independent cafes, and unique souvenirs you won't find elsewhere. It's authentically Wellington.

Zealandia's Urban Sanctuary Experience

Visit this groundbreaking urban wildlife sanctuary, a short drive from the port, where native birds thrive within a predator-proof fence. Walk through regenerating forest and wetlands while spotting tui, fantails, and rare kiwi birds in their natural habitat. It's a remarkable conservation success story and uniquely New Zealand.