Diannemaree

When I commented that most towns seemed to have a NZ Gov't tourist office keep in mind that they provide info and book tours that are in other cities. The Wellington office was in the centre of town. We had a list of port stops so we spent time in that office looking at the offerings and speaking to the clerks. They were extremely helpful. This is how we were able to book the train excursion several days prior to the port stop. Glad we did, because it sold out-both the RCI excursion and the public offering.

 

We were on an RCI ship. The on board currency was USD. Two weeks prior we had been on the Sun Princess where the on board currency was AUD. This made a substantial difference in costs. Princess was about 25 percent less for many items. We did not spend much on the 21 day RCI cruise. Hopefully, your cruise will have AUD as the on board currency. AUD and NZ are very close in value.

 

We subsequently spoke to a number of people who took the RCI train excursion. They were not very happy about the price as they had somehow heard how much the train ride was being sold for privately. They really felt ripped off.

Thanking you again for this information and the reminder regarding the fruit. It is very much appreciated. We are booked on the Golden Princess so will have AUD. Have never been to New Zealand nor have we been on a Princess cruise, looking forward to it :)

We did the train at Dunedin. We booked it at a NZ Gov't tourist office at the stop before Dunedin.

 

The cost? Less than half $100 the $229 cost that RCI was charging for the tour. Plus about $15 in cab one way and bus back. We had actually reserved a spot on the RCI sponsored trip and then cancelled as soon as we figured out how to do it on our own and how easy it was to book.

Others booked on some company website and got picked up by a double decker bus from the dock to town and back as part of their package.

 

The only thing we missed out on from the ship excursion was the train ride from port to town, a box lunch that included a little bottle of wine. We actually had a great lunch. The local Rotary or some other civic group put on a barbeque at the last stop. Then into the pub.

 

Most of the NZ stops seem to have a NZ Gov't tourist office where you can book all sorts of private tours. I seem to recall that we found out about this and booked in the next stop prior to Dun. It was a great service. Well worth your while to pop in with you itinerary and see what they offer for you at the various stops.

Thankyou for this information. The reason I posted in the first place was because the cost of doing a shore tour at every port was going to be a bit expensive for us. So trying to decide which ones to tour and which to walk.

Thankyou for sharing, we should be able to do a few more knowing this :)

Auckland is a very walkable city; be aware it is uphill from the waterfront to areas such as the Sky Tower and the very interesting Museum.

 

Any tour allowing you to visit a winery in New Zealand will provide you with much satisfaction if you enjoy wine.

Thankyou so much, yes, I'll be sure to put a visit to a winery on the list :)

Oh I wouldn't just visit the towns.

 

Sure in some places but in other areas you want to get out of town as there is so much to see and do IMHO.

 

Keith

Thankyou Keith for all your replies, will check out the links :D

We did not pre-book any tours in New Zealand.

Auckland: Walk into town

Bay of Islands: shuttle bus to town and to Waitangi Treaty grounds, walking possible

Napier: shuttle bus to town's tourist office where they offer tours. We walked around in town.

Tauranga: walk into small town, excursions offered on pier

Akaroa: small, tender port, picked up an excursion on the pier

Dunedin: shuttle bus to town

Thanking you so much for the information :D

Thanks so much, did not know, will check it all out :)

Hi,

I am booked on a cruise Melbourne to New Zealand 13 nights in November on the Golden Princess.

Was wondering if anyone could advise me on the best shore tours to take and/or which places do not need a shore tour. Some places it is better to just catch a shuttle into the city/town and walk around. We have been caught out before (not in New Zealand) by paying for a tour then once on land realising it would have perhaps been better to just go into the town and walk around.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, as I am clueless in what would be best.

Dianne