Milford Sound overnight excursion on Celebrity Eclipse

[Gull]

We've booked a fairly pricey cruise excursion called, Multi-Day Adventures - Queenstown - Milford/Dunedin on Celebrity.   Would like to hear from anyone who has done this or something similar. Worth the cost?  Description below.

Thank you!

 "Immerse yourself in the spectacular natural beauty and rich culture of Queenstown on an overnight tour that features historic mining communities, a lush, emerald gorge, an exemplary winery and incredible cuisine. Explore vibrant lakeside towns and picturesque villages as you journey across commanding snow-capped mountains, awe-inspiring fjords and the pristine alpine scenery New Zealand is famous for. An evening steamship cruise, fascinating museum visit and award-winning vintages all converge in an unforgettable experience."

[Over from NZ]

On 11/6/2022 at 9:38 AM, Gull said:

We've booked a fairly pricey cruise excursion called, Multi-Day Adventures - Queenstown - Milford/Dunedin on Celebrity.   Would like to hear from anyone who has done this or something similar. Worth the cost?  Description below.

Thank you!

 "Immerse yourself in the spectacular natural beauty and rich culture of Queenstown on an overnight tour that features historic mining communities, a lush, emerald gorge, an exemplary winery and incredible cuisine. Explore vibrant lakeside towns and picturesque villages as you journey across commanding snow-capped mountains, awe-inspiring fjords and the pristine alpine scenery New Zealand is famous for. An evening steamship cruise, fascinating museum visit and award-winning vintages all converge in an unforgettable experience."

What do they sting you for that? And where does your cruise start/End?

[Gull]

11 hours ago, Over from NZ said:

What do they sting you for that? And where does your cruise start/End?

Cruise starts and ends in Sydney. The cruise land excursion is 24 hours.  Price is now 1100 USD. We paid 800USD. PP. First time visiting NZ. Thank you 

" 

Highlights

• Explore the enchanting gold rush village of Arrowtown and discover the town’s rich history at the Lakes District Centennial Museum.
• Relish the magnificent views of towering granite mountains, ice-carved fjords and sparkling waterfalls at Fiordland National Park.
• Experience the grandeur of Milford Sound, named the world’s top travel destination by TripAdvisor in 2008.
• Enjoy a delicious lunch in Alexandra
• Sample award-winning wines at the Gibbston Valley Winery, renowned for their extraordinary range and premium quality.
• See the Kawarau Suspension Bridge, the site of the first commercial bungee-jumping operation.
• Embark on a scenic evening cruise across stunning Lake Wakatipu aboard a vintage steamship.
• Savor authentic New Zealand fare and enjoy a fascinating sheep dog herding demonstration at Walter Peak High Country Farm."   

[Over from NZ]

4 hours ago, Gull said:

Cruise starts and ends in Sydney. The cruise land excursion is 24 hours.  Price is now 1100 USD. We paid 800USD. PP. First time visiting NZ. Thank you 

" 

Highlights

• Explore the enchanting gold rush village of Arrowtown and discover the town’s rich history at the Lakes District Centennial Museum.
• Relish the magnificent views of towering granite mountains, ice-carved fjords and sparkling waterfalls at Fiordland National Park.
• Experience the grandeur of Milford Sound, named the world’s top travel destination by TripAdvisor in 2008.
• Enjoy a delicious lunch in Alexandra
• Sample award-winning wines at the Gibbston Valley Winery, renowned for their extraordinary range and premium quality.
• See the Kawarau Suspension Bridge, the site of the first commercial bungee-jumping operation.
• Embark on a scenic evening cruise across stunning Lake Wakatipu aboard a vintage steamship.
• Savor authentic New Zealand fare and enjoy a fascinating sheep dog herding demonstration at Walter Peak High Country Farm."   

Wow. I wondered if you were starting or finishing in NZ - I would have suggested tacking an extra day or 2 on to your holiday.. flying to Queenstown, doing all that, staying there.. and still having change left over from what the cruise company charges for that excursion lol. You can fly to Queenstown from the main airports in NZ. Actually, you can fly there from Sydney for what you've paid haha. It's a great excursion though and the Queenstown lakes districts are some of the prettiest parts of NZ.. but heck, they know how to charge. Still, am sure you'll love it! All the best! 

[mchell810]

On 11/5/2022 at 4:38 PM, Gull said:

We've booked a fairly pricey cruise excursion called, Multi-Day Adventures - Queenstown - Milford/Dunedin on Celebrity.   Would like to hear from anyone who has done this or something similar. Worth the cost?  Description below.

Thank you!

 "Immerse yourself in the spectacular natural beauty and rich culture of Queenstown on an overnight tour that features historic mining communities, a lush, emerald gorge, an exemplary winery and incredible cuisine. Explore vibrant lakeside towns and picturesque villages as you journey across commanding snow-capped mountains, awe-inspiring fjords and the pristine alpine scenery New Zealand is famous for. An evening steamship cruise, fascinating museum visit and award-winning vintages all converge in an unforgettable experience."

You may want to read the thread below from 2019. I keep it bookmarked just in case I get to do this cruise— I lost the opportunity in the Covid cancellations.   Do keep an eye on the prices as I was able to catch a sale and booked a reduced price for that 2020 trip. 
 

 

Edited November 8, 2022 by mchell810

[mahdnc]

Here is some information on the tour from someone who took it in Dec 2019:

 

 

 

[Gull]

19 hours ago, Over from NZ said:

Wow. I wondered if you were starting or finishing in NZ - I would have suggested tacking an extra day or 2 on to your holiday.. flying to Queenstown, doing all that, staying there.. and still having change left over from what the cruise company charges for that excursion lol. You can fly to Queenstown from the main airports in NZ. Actually, you can fly there from Sydney for what you've paid haha. It's a great excursion though and the Queenstown lakes districts are some of the prettiest parts of NZ.. but heck, they know how to charge. Still, am sure you'll love it! All the best! 

Thank you for your reply!

We were supposed to take this cruise in Feb. 2021 which was cancelled due to COVID. Originally it ended in Auckland and our plan had been to stay a couple of days (or more) to explore NZ. 

Not an option now so doing the best we can with what we have. I think we are going to do the tour and enjoy the experience. Hoping to do a land visit to NZ over New Year's 2024...

 

I see you are from Christchurch - any suggestions for an do-it-yourself excursion? 

Thank you again!

[Gull]

13 hours ago, mahdnc said:

Here is some information on the tour from someone who took it in Dec 2019:

 

 

 

Thank you!!!

This was very helpful.

[Over from NZ]

10 hours ago, Gull said:

Thank you for your reply!

We were supposed to take this cruise in Feb. 2021 which was cancelled due to COVID. Originally it ended in Auckland and our plan had been to stay a couple of days (or more) to explore NZ. 

Not an option now so doing the best we can with what we have. I think we are going to do the tour and enjoy the experience. Hoping to do a land visit to NZ over New Year's 2024...

 

I see you are from Christchurch - any suggestions for an do-it-yourself excursion? 

Thank you again!

What are you interest in? Strenuous stuff or not? And are you talking about an excursion for just a day from a ship.. or when you do a land visit? By land, there's so many cool things nearby.. but you won't have enough time for most of them from the ship. If it's just for the day.. perhaps get an uber or taxi into the city and from there, you can catch the Tram, go to the Botanical Gardens, The Museum, Punt on the Avon, Check out the Terrace area and Riverside Mall for lunch. Things like that. Easily done as it's a short hop over the hill from the port. Even the Gondola could be an option. If you're doing it by land.. look into the Tranz Alpine which is great.. drive the Arthurs Pass (but hey, from there you've got to explore the West Coast!), you've got day-trips to Akaroa (nice French themed seaside town), to Kaikoura and whale-watching.. to wineries.. could go on and on. Happy to throw other ideas to you. 

[MMDown Under]

On 11/6/2022 at 6:38 AM, Gull said:

We've booked a fairly pricey cruise excursion called, Multi-Day Adventures - Queenstown - Milford/Dunedin on Celebrity.   Would like to hear from anyone who has done this or something similar. Worth the cost?  Description below.

Thank you!

 "Immerse yourself in the spectacular natural beauty and rich culture of Queenstown on an overnight tour that features historic mining communities, a lush, emerald gorge, an exemplary winery and incredible cuisine. Explore vibrant lakeside towns and picturesque villages as you journey across commanding snow-capped mountains, awe-inspiring fjords and the pristine alpine scenery New Zealand is famous for. An evening steamship cruise, fascinating museum visit and award-winning vintages all converge in an unforgettable experience."

You will forget the price you paid, but will have treasured memories of your experiences from this unique excursion.

[Gull]

On 11/8/2022 at 9:59 PM, Over from NZ said:

What are you interest in? Strenuous stuff or not? And are you talking about an excursion for just a day from a ship.. or when you do a land visit? By land, there's so many cool things nearby.. but you won't have enough time for most of them from the ship. If it's just for the day.. perhaps get an uber or taxi into the city and from there, you can catch the Tram, go to the Botanical Gardens, The Museum, Punt on the Avon, Check out the Terrace area and Riverside Mall for lunch. Things like that. Easily done as it's a short hop over the hill from the port. Even the Gondola could be an option. If you're doing it by land.. look into the Tranz Alpine which is great.. drive the Arthurs Pass (but hey, from there you've got to explore the West Coast!), you've got day-trips to Akaroa (nice French themed seaside town), to Kaikoura and whale-watching.. to wineries.. could go on and on. Happy to throw other ideas to you. 

Thank you for the wonderful suggestions! Since it is only one day, I think we will follow your first suggestion and head into town to explore. I am intrigued by Akaroa though....maybe that land trip we are hoping to do next year will actually come to fruition.