Neither does your agent bear any responsiblity - all decided by RSSC. Kind of like a guarantee. You were actually very lucky to get on at all. You still cannot book that segment. The power of a waitlist always worth while.

The Tasman has a reputation of being rough BUT it will be worth while I think you will love the N.Z. portion and also the Australian ports.

Also I strongly suggest you book the overland excursion between Dunedin and Milford Sound. You just cannot go to N.Z and not take this extra trip. This takes you to what is probably N.Z. best area Fjordland, and Queenstown. I saw Queensland voted in some poll as one of the worlds top destinations. It is wonderful. I know it is expensive but it is worth it. Besides the roughest seas can be around the bottom of N.Z. If there is a storm coming up from Antarctica there is nothing between Antarctica and N.Z. to break the seas. So a wonderful excuse to go.