Docking in Christchurch

[lawra09]

Does anyone know where we dock in Christchurch. Is it near major hotels? Thinking of taking a tour that leaves from several hotels. Thanks.

[kaseyoz]

Not sure which ship you are coming in on but most of the major ships dont actually dock at Christchurch but stop at lytteton (sp) and they bus you in or you can take tours from there

[Annatoo]

Does anyone know where we dock in Christchurch. Is it near major hotels? Thinking of taking a tour that leaves from several hotels. Thanks.

 

Here is a link that will give you all information on Hotels/Attractions/Transport.....everything :)

http://www.christchurchnz.net

[lawra09]

Thank you so much. We are trying to decide on the best tour to take in Christchurch and whether they will pick us up at the ship. We'll be on the Sapphire Princes..

[Bob&Janet]

Lyttleton is about half an hour from Christchurch. The ship's tours will leave from the port, but it may be necessary to get into Christchurch yourself to pick up a private tour.

 

Not sure whether Princess operates a shuttle service into Christchurch but there is a public bus service that runs regularly (every half hour I think) from the harbour into town - it's a 30 minute run for $NZ1.90 ... see www.metroinfo.org.nz.

 

We will likely take this option when we are there in Feb on the Sun Princess. Seems to us that there are enough interesting things to occupy a day in Christchurch without having to go too far afield ... but that's us.

 

Cheers

Bob

[Missabby]

Bob - We just came back from the Statendam's last NZ-AUS cruise. Bus fare to Christchurch from Lyttleton on the #28 bus was NZ$2.50 one way per person. The bus driver can make change on the bus. At least that's what we paid. Even if you want to do that, you've got to get out of the "working" port (the gate was only about 100 yards or so directly across from the ship). We had two shuttles. One started at 8AM and took you thru Lyttleton only (that's how we got to the #28 bus). The second went back and forth to Christchurch but started at 9AM. BTW - the souvenir shop where the shuttle bus picked us up in Christchurch knew we were in town. There was a sign outside saying 5% off all items for Statendam passengers!

 

We spent the morning in the town centre (cathedral, etc.) and arts centre (neat place!), and the afternoon in the botanic gardens (gorgeous).

[kaseyoz]

they did have a princess shuttle when we were there.

the odd thing was they took USD for the fare which was funny as we were australians travelling in NZ and they wanted paying in USD. They also took NZD though!!

[bobsydney]

Bob - We just came back from the Statendam's last NZ-AUS cruise. Bus fare to Christchurch from Lyttleton on the #28 bus was NZ$2.50 one way per person. The bus driver can make change on the bus. At least that's what we paid. Even if you want to do that, you've got to get out of the "working" port (the gate was only about 100 yards or so directly across from the ship). We had two shuttles. One started at 8AM and took you thru Lyttleton only (that's how we got to the #28 bus). The second went back and forth to Christchurch but started at 9AM.

 

Thanks for that missabby, very helpful to know what is what to expect arrives ... it makes life much easier when your time in a port is limited.

 

We are thinking of doing the gondola ride on the way back from Christchurch to the ship in the afteroon. Apparently, the summit which is the crater rim of an extinct volcano offers great views of Christchurch, Lyttelton Harbour and the surrounding countryside - great for photos. The #28 bus to/from Lyttleton go past the Gondola, so easy to stop off, but thought just occurred that mayb e the ship shuttle drops off / picks up people from there on its way/to from Christchurch ... do you know?

 

Cheers

Bob

[Missabby]

Bob - IIRC, the gondola ride is several hundred meters from the highway. Our ship's shuttle (on the way back) did not veer off the highway just to stop at the gondola - it stayed on the highway and zoomed right by. To my knowledge, it went straight from the ship to the city center (we picked it up at the souvenir shop at the NW corner of Columbo & Gloucester Streets). Hope this helps. Be flexible on the gondola ride - if the weather is really lousy it makes no sense to go up.

[Annatoo]

Thank you so much. We are trying to decide on the best tour to take in Christchurch and whether they will pick us up at the ship. We'll be on the Sapphire Princes..

This is the link I intended to give you. Has Shuttle/Circle Tram/Punt/Gondola/Antarctic Centre.....everything. Also if looking for a tour to pick up shipside check www.discoverytravel.com.au. Arthur's Pass, Akaroa or City Sights are samples.

That link: http://www.chchattractions.co.nz/sitemap.asp

B E V

[Annatoo]

This is the link I intended to give you. Has Shuttle/Circle Tram/Punt/Gondola/Antarctic Centre.....everything. Also if looking for a tour to pick up shipside check www.discoverytravel.co.nz Arthur's Pass, Akaroa or City Sights are examples.

 

That link: http://www.chchattractions.co.nz/sitemap.asp

 

B E V