A super-sized cruise ship with a 1350 seat theatre, surfing simulators, an ice skating rink and a rock climbing wall has arrived in Auckland.

Tristram Clayton finds much to sing about cruising on the enormous Anthem of the Seas.

Tristram Clayton finds much to sing about cruising on the enormous Anthem of the Seas...

Farrah has a nose for divine earthy truffles buried deep in the Bordeaux soil. Catherine Masters meets a talented collie.

Luxury cruise, visiting the Wonders of the World and seeing the Northern Lights top options in new survey.

Ewan McDonald writes a letter from the Corinthians' canal, an emperor's project two millennia in the making.

Stay on track when the ship docks around the Mediterranean, writes Megan Singleton.

Stormy weather has prompted a cruise company to turn around a ship, and will dump bucket-loads of rain on concert-goers in Auckland tonight.

Golden Princess' maiden arrival in Melbourne is priceless, writes Shandelle Battersby.

Danger is never far away on an Arctic expedition, writes Sarah Marshall.

A five-day taste of ocean life is enough to convert cruise newbie Catherine Smith.

As the new season gets under way, there is no sign of an end to the sailing boom.

Catherine Masters travelled Bordeaux by river ship - here she takes a look at some of the destinations and ancient history of the famous wine region.

The possibilities for discovery are endless, regardless of route, on a European river cruise, writes Pamela Wade.

The brightly coloured fish of the Marquesas would have inspired Doctor Seuss, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Thousands of graves stretching to the horizon remind Penny Lewis of the sacrifice made by so many.

A luxury river trip from Mandalay, writes Nigel Tisdall, is the stress-free way to see remote parts of Burma.

With a new air route connecting Auckland to Houston, Kiwi cruisers can head to the Caribbean.

Isobel Marriner gets a maritime history lesson amid the spectacular scenery of Fiordland.

Dominica has avoided the rampant development which has blighted the Caribbean.

More choice and innovation ensure cruising is the travel industry's fastest growing sector, finds Megan Singleton.

Stephanie Maskery boards a clipper to cruise the Amalfi Coast.

Elisabeth Easther and her son enjoy the festive cheer on board a freighter ship in the Pacific.

Now's the time to think about a romantic snowy Christmas in the Northern Hemisphere. Ewan McDonald takes a Yuletide cruise on the Danube.

On a billion-dollar ship, Toby Manhire dodges the conga line and opts instead for several fine ales and a ride on the North Star.

River cruises are growing in popularity, particularly across Europe. Pamela Wade explains why.

Rod Emmerson looks at the nuts and bolts of a luxury cruise through the Greek Isles and Turkish Coast.

Sarah Marshall travels effortlessly from downtown Auckland to a world beyond Earth.

Those axe-wielding, marauding Norse ancients would be so envious of the comforts on today's ships, writes Catherine Masters.

Cruise ship travellers look likely to be charged a higher rate - possibly nearly $3 per person more - than others under a new levy imposed from January on all travellers arriving and leaving New Zealand.