Cruising Auckland to Sydney

Sorry. Confused.
Cruising Sydney to Auckland? Or vice versa?
How many days you planning pre or post in each ??

your post mentions Auckland to Sydney.
I don't quite understand your trip details.
are you. landing in Sydney, spend a few days?
fly to Auckland spend a few days?
cruise back to Sydney?
is that correct?
also what time of year?

You could easily spend a week in Sydney. look at staying near the harbour. Sydney has got to be one the best cities in the world for scenery,( IMO) so concentrate your time near the harbour, near the opera house/ circular quay/ the rocks/ the zoo/ferry to Manly ( have a look on google maps etc) all public transport is by opal card, so is easy to get around by ferry, train, bus. if your budget can handle it perhaps look for accommodation near 'the rocks' area. also climbing the bridge can be very interesting? there is a train from the airport straight into sydney CBD. Cruise ships generally leave from the quay area.( not far from the opera house)

If you are looking at getting out of sydney for day trips (which is a good idea) then a couple of options ( in no order) would be a trip to the Blue Mountains ( west of sydney) is easily accessible, by train or day tour. or a trip north to the Hunter Valley for vine tasting/ dolphin watching etc at port stephens. A trip to the hunter valley (about 2 hours drive from sydney) would be better as a overnight trip, but they do have day tours.
BTW,a lot of Sydney-siders holiday in the Port Stephens area/Hunter valley , as its not too far from sydney and has beautiful scenery and things to do. ( crowds/accomodation etc depends on the time of year eg: xmas holidays)

http://www.sydney.com/things-to-do
http://www.visitnsw.com/things-to-do
http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/port-stephens-area

I have only stayed in Auckland for a short stay and as a city is very 'similar' to Sydney. others will no doubt comment on ideas for there.

hope this helps.

Sara, the sydney airport train is quick and convenient, but for memory, with 3 or more a cheaper option is a taxi or shuttle etc. luckily sydney airport is conveniently located, so either way doesn't take that long. train would be quicker.
if you are looking at cheaper options for sydney accom. then also consider north sydney? ( on the other side of the bridge) sydney has an extensive train system so North Sydney is only a stop or so from the CBD. or Manly( near the beach) and catch a ferry to the CBD attractions. Sydney Zoo has got to have one of the best locations and is interesting for seeing Australian native animals.
https://taronga.org.au/
https://taronga.org.au/taronga-zoo#plan-your-zoo-visit

Thank you for your replies.
We are going late Feb. early March. Flying into Sydney. Spend 3 nights in Sydney, thinking 2 nights in Melbourne (fly.). 3 nights Auckland, fly. Board ship in Auckland back to Sydney. Fly home

sara, thats clear now. nice time of year. past the 'silly' season Xmas holidays.
with limited time I would ditch the 2 nights in Melbourne. while its an interesting city, you will spend too much time in airports, transfers etc. ( and be sick of flying etc) and be just seeing big cities. unless that takes your fancy? melbourne is like a inland city on a river, so doesn't have the 'wow' factor of Sydney and its harbour. ( I can say that as I don't live in Sydney or Melbourne)

IMO I would look at spending a few days out of Sydney. you will experience the country side and smaller towns/beaches etc. and things unique to Australia.

I guess you got a good deal or are using United points, otherwise you would fly directly to Auckland straight up.

Melbourne is a lifestyle kind of city** where 'hanging out' let's you appreciate why it's often rated the world's most liveable city. However, I don't think 2 nights is enough time to experience that 'vibe'. Instead I would rent a car and head out of Sydney for time in the Blue Mountains and/or Hunter Valley. Three nights is an absolute minimum for Sydney, four is better.

Note: If you are travelling as a group, I would take a taxi from Sydney Airport to downtown. The train line is private, and the airport fare is $16.78 pp one way. The airport is relatively close to downtown and a taxi with 3 or even 2 persons is a better prospect.

Also note: Sydney parties with Mardi Gras on 4th March 2017 if you care to include/avoid.

** This is really code for "it doesn't have a harbour, opera house or bridge".

if you do decide to travel for a few nights out of Sydney you can always catch the train or investigate an organised tour? if you did not want to hire car/s. The Blue Mountains is definitely doable by train (people commute into the CBD daily, from there) and perhaps visit Jenolan caves, for something different?
http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/blue-mountains

Or if you decide the Hunter valley ,( and perhaps don't want to hire a car in Sydney) then you could always catch the train to Newcastle ( 2 1/2 hours direct from Sydney Central) which gets you right out of Sydney traffic and use it as a base to enjoy places like the vineyards near Cessnock ( west of Newcastle) or Port Stephens ( north Of Newcastle). cheaper and 'easier' than Sydney with a lot less traffic.

That said, once you get on the freeway out of Sydney, heading either west towards the Blue Mountains or north to Newcastle/Hunter valley the roads are good with generally not that much traffic.

really depends on what you would like to experience and see?