Tranz Alpine train or Taieri Gorge

We are cruising around NZ on the Majestic Princess in March 2018. I can’t decide between these two ship tours. Tranz Alpine is 9 hour tour with 6 hours being on motor couches I think. If we picked Taieri, we would probably include Larnach Castle. Has anyone done both lately? Advise please! Thanks

We took the Gorge train trip - really enjoyed it (2018 with Celebrity); the castle tour was fascinating and the gardens around the castle magnificent.

I've done both, although we didn't do the TranzAlpine as a cruise excursion.

They are both spectacular in their own way however I would choose the Taieri Gorge as a cruise excursion over the TranzAlpine as, personally, I think the bus content of the TranzAlpine excursion is just too much.

Akaroa is such a gorgeous harbour, one of my favourite NZ port stops, and there is plenty to do there without having to do the long trip across the Christchurch. I recommend going to the Giant's House which has the most fantastical gardens with mosaic sculptures, plus you get great views across the harbour from there. I believe there are also some shorter tours you can to, plus trips on the harbour to view dolphins etc.