I was sailing from Auckland to Lyttelton, a partial journey of a fuller 14-night voyage that was continuing on to Sydney. For me, ports of call included Tauranga and Picton, with a day or two of glorious relaxation at sea.

Every little detail, everywhere on the ship, was built for luxury, style and comfort. The bed better than the one you’ve got at home. Expensive sheets. A pillow menu with eight different types to choose from. Perfect orchids everywhere. Bathrooms of marble, with Bvlgari toiletries – although if they’re not to your liking, you can ask your butler to swap them out for something else. The chilled bottle of champagne in your suite on arrival. Champagne everywhere in fact – as you check in, pre-dinner drinks, post-dinner drinks – whenever you need it.

It was an opportunity to see New Zealand through fresh eyes – the sea’s viewpoint providing a new perspective on the beauty we inevitably take for granted.

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