private tours in australia & new zealand

[levart57]

Any suggestions for private guides and drives in the above countries for elite clients?

[eh2zed]

Are you asking for land tours or shore excursions. In the latter case which ports?

[Ontario Cruiser]

If you mean non cruise excursions check the rollcalls lots of info on private tours. eg Celebrity Millie Mar 15 2009 Volendam Dec 6th 2009

Ontario Cruiser

[Globaliser]

... for elite clients?

Australia and New Zealand are two of the most egalitarian countries in the English-speaking world, and about the least likely places to find anything explicitly catering to people who consider themselves "elite".

[greyhound101]

For Tauranga check out Indiginous Tours, they have a website. Look for Des he is great and so his is tour company we used them last December on Christmas day for a tour to see Maori, and we did.

 

In Dunedin there is no one better than Arthur's Tours use them in this city, they also have a website.

 

Christchurch I won't suggest as I did not like our tour guide in that city. Great Town, really beautiful, be sure to go punting. We did not because our tour guide lollied around to much. Also the restaurant service in NZ is very slow because there is no tipping, so be prepared to wait for your food.

 

Art

Diamond Princess, December 2008-January 2009 Auckland to Sydney

[suzy5555]

For Tauranga check out Indiginous Tours, they have a website.

 

Make sure you are happy with their cancellation policy in case you miss this port for some reason. Here is a link to their terms and conditions

 

http://www.itrails.co.nz/Indigenous_Trails/Terms___Conditions_IDL=1_IDT=1952_ID=11733_.html

[MMDown Under]

For Tauranga check out Indiginous Tours, they have a website. Look for Des he is great and so his is tour company we used them last December on Christmas day for a tour to see Maori, and we did.

 

In Dunedin there is no one better than Arthur's Tours use them in this city, they also have a website.

 

Christchurch I won't suggest as I did not like our tour guide in that city. Great Town, really beautiful, be sure to go punting. We did not because our tour guide lollied around to much. Also the restaurant service in NZ is very slow because there is no tipping, so be prepared to wait for your food.

 

Art

Diamond Princess, December 2008-January 2009 Auckland to Sydney

 

You may need to be prepared to wait for your food, however I doubt restaurant service in NZ is very slow because there is no tipping. Slow service could be due to a multitude of reasons, including small numbers of staff or just a casual attitude.

[Globaliser]

Also the restaurant service in NZ is very slow because there is no tipping, so be prepared to wait for your food.

This is complete rubbish. Restaurant service in NZ is no different from anywhere else. There is the usual gamut of levels of service from the very good to the very poor, which is quite unaffected by the "no tipping" approach in NZ.

 

In fact, not only does the "no tipping" approach not reduce the enthusiasm of restaurant staff in NZ, the "no tipping" approach partly reflects the fact that at least some restaurant staff find it positively offensive to be offered a tip.

 

So anyone who thinks that "no tipping" in NZ means poor service is failing to observe objectively, probably because they are too bound up in their own "tipping culture" prejudices. Some people simply cannot imagine how good service can be delivered with tips - but it can.

[mochuck]

The other thing that makes that statement even more incredulous is that tipping is "compulsory" in the US. So how does that increase the incentive to provide good service?

[MMDown Under]

Some people simply cannot imagine how good service can be delivered with tips - but it can.

 

Did you mean without tips? :)

[Globaliser]

Oops - I think so! Fingers getting behind brain there.

[mochuck]

OK Globaliser, I've been meaning to challenge you on your HOHO signature. I think HOHO buses are a great way to get around and get your bearings.

[Globaliser]

They're slow and obstructive at the best of times. And when they're driven by stupid and inconsiderate drivers, they get infinitely worse. They might be great in a theme park - but London is not a theme park.

[MMDown Under]

They're slow and obstructive at the best of times. And when they're driven by stupid and inconsiderate drivers, they get infinitely worse. They might be great in a theme park - but London is not a theme park.

 

Totally agree re HOHO busses in London.

 

Why anyone would catch one when they can ride a real double decker bus all over London never ceases to amaze me.

[CRUZGAL53]

Make sure you are happy with their cancellation policy in case you miss this port for some reason. Here is a link to their terms and conditions

 

http://www.itrails.co.nz/Indigenous_Trails/Terms___Conditions_IDL=1_IDT=1952_ID=11733_.html

 

Check out Indigenous Trails for tours in ALL New Zealand ports. Their website (http://www.itrails.co.nz) will give detailed information on the tours (under Cruise Ship tours). They recently changed their cancellation policy for cruise ship guests and it is much better! Ask for Des...he is great!