Christchurch, et al excursion rec on Eclipse RT Sydney

[CU64]

Would the train be best or going to the “ center of the earth”….both all day…..or something else? 
we prefer the beauty of the area, not interested in wine tasting, ….Ty in advance to those who are in the know.

barbara

[mahdnc]

It depends on what you like. During our last cruise in 2019, we did the train excursion and very much liked it

[TeeRick]

18 hours ago, CU64 said:

Would the train be best or going to the “ center of the earth”….both all day…..or something else? 
we prefer the beauty of the area, not interested in wine tasting, ….Ty in advance to those who are in the know.

barbara

Maybe ask on your roll call or on the AUS/NZ board.  

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/48-australia-amp-new-zealand/

Edited July 21, 2022 by TeeRick

[mahdnc]

Here are my notes from taking the Trans-Alpine Railway excursion when we sailed on Solstice to New Zealand in late Dec - early Jan:

 

7:30 am We arrived at the Celebrity Theater as instructed on our ticket. 

 

7:45 am We line up to board the first tender. 

 

8:20 am We board our motorcoach. There are 28 passengers on our bus and a total of 3 buses. The bus ride is nicely narrated by the driver. 

 

9:05 am We have a scheduled restroom stop  It is very brief. 

 

10:00 am The bus arrives at the location in Christchurch to board our train. The train is empty and appears to be dedicated for the cruise ship. It only has around 4 passenger cars with an observation car. There are 84 passengers that board. The train ride is headphone narrated and is very comfortable. 

 

11:00 am A nice box lunch is served on the train  You can buy additional snacks or meals. The train climbs the mountains through 12+ tunnels along a beautiful river. The river is a pretty silty turquoise color which indicates that it is being fed from a glacier. 

 

12:30 pm We arrive at our destination, Arthur's Pass. Under gorgeous sunny skies, we get off the train and board the same 3 buses from earlier in the day. We make 3 quick stops for photos of the mountain scenery. The view on the bus ride down the mountains is as spectacular as it was from the train on the way up. 

 

2:20 pm. Two buses arrive at a sheep farm where free water, coffee, and tea are served along with snacks. There is a demonstration of the dogs herding the sheep followed by a sheep shearing demonstration. 

 

3:30 pm. We get back on the bus for the 2 hour bus ride back to the tender dock. I am currently on the bus. 

 

[Arizona Wildcat]

The drive and train ride are excellent.   You really get to experience South Island of NZ.  Do agree you will find more info in Australia NZ forum

[Suzi66]

Of course, the place that the ship docks is different now to when mahdnc went in 2019.  Then the ship tendered in Akaroa.  Now it is docked in Lyttleton which is just out of Christchurch so that will make the trip slightly different.

[CU64]

20 hours ago, mahdnc said:

Here are my notes from taking the Trans-Alpine Railway excursion when we sailed on Solstice to New Zealand in late Dec - early Jan:

 

7:30 am We arrived at the Celebrity Theater as instructed on our ticket. 

 

7:45 am We line up to board the first tender. 

 

8:20 am We board our motorcoach. There are 28 passengers on our bus and a total of 3 buses. The bus ride is nicely narrated by the driver. 

 

9:05 am We have a scheduled restroom stop  It is very brief. 

 

10:00 am The bus arrives at the location in Christchurch to board our train. The train is empty and appears to be dedicated for the cruise ship. It only has around 4 passenger cars with an observation car. There are 84 passengers that board. The train ride is headphone narrated and is very comfortable. 

 

11:00 am A nice box lunch is served on the train  You can buy additional snacks or meals. The train climbs the mountains through 12+ tunnels along a beautiful river. The river is a pretty silty turquoise color which indicates that it is being fed from a glacier. 

 

12:30 pm We arrive at our destination, Arthur's Pass. Under gorgeous sunny skies, we get off the train and board the same 3 buses from earlier in the day. We make 3 quick stops for photos of the mountain scenery. The view on the bus ride down the mountains is as spectacular as it was from the train on the way up. 

 

2:20 pm. Two buses arrive at a sheep farm where free water, coffee, and tea are served along with snacks. There is a demonstration of the dogs herding the sheep followed by a sheep shearing demonstration. 

 

3:30 pm. We get back on the bus for the 2 hour bus ride back to the tender dock. I am currently on the bus. 

 

Amazing description. Thank you for taking the time to write.

[CU64]

Thank you all so much for your help.I did find the Australia New Zealand Forum which had great information. 
Barbara

[CU64]

7 hours ago, Suzi66 said:

Of course, the place that the ship docks is different now to when mahdnc went in 2019.  Then the ship tendered in Akaroa.  Now it is docked in Lyttleton which is just out of Christchurch so that will make the trip slightly different.

I have read that Akaroa is lovely. Would the slightly different trip cause you to reconsider?….or maybe a better option in your opinion, since you are from Australia? 

[mahdnc]

9 hours ago, Suzi66 said:

Of course, the place that the ship docks is different now to when mahdnc went in 2019.  Then the ship tendered in Akaroa.  Now it is docked in Lyttleton which is just out of Christchurch so that will make the trip slightly different.

 

You make a very good point.  I presumed that they would be similar, but not identical.  I did notice that Celebrity runs the excursion (CH73) in reverse: bus ride first and then the train ride is second compared to our excursion (KQ07--description in screenshot below).