blairknill

http://www.wotif.co.nz

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I’m coming to this thread late sorry - as an Australian who absolutely adores everything about the South Island of NZ (I haven’t ventured to the north island yet) the only bit of advice I have is to plan your driving times carefully. My big mistake was to think ‘oh that’s only 50km away so it won’t take very long to get there’ but it takes ages to drive anywhere because of the winding roads. Not something we’re used to here. Places less than 100km away as the crow flies can take 4-6 hours to drive to in NZ.

Um Suzie try 1 hour for 59km distance and two hours for 100 kms distance. Stretching things a bout saying 4-6 hours

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You are crazy to go that far just to do this! 3-4 hour drive either way, with a huge risk of major traffic delays heading back. Too risky for a Auckand based cruise guys!!!

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Coverage around NZ will be extremely limited due to low population base around coastline. However if you do need one they are readily available anywhere close to the port. Why not use Viber or Skype whilst in the ship

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We used Good Company tours in Dunedin and did the city and Larnach Castle Tour and Ship Trips and Tours in Tauranga to go to Hobbiton.

Recommend both companies.

Nothing to see in Dunedin. Could be a great stay on the shop day.

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HiThere will be four us with an overnight in Tauranga so just thinking we will desemabark ad walk around for a while after during or catch a bite in town. We do have an offer to take us to the geo-therma, Rotorua and up the lift for lunch and passing thru tow on the way back. Sounds this sound like a gun day to you? Trying not to oveplan wanting to see that important though. Your thoughts are most welcome

 

Robin

Having a look through one of the thermal parks would be well worth it and if you have time head up and try your hand on the Rotorua luge track. Food at the cafe on the hill is good. Don’t arrange any more than this as it’s about a 90 minute drive one way from

Tauranga

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I'm thinking about cruising Australia/New Zealand in November (11/9 to 11/23). Is this a good time of year to cruise there? Don't want to go when it's Summer - too hot, looking for a little cooler weather but not freezing cold. Advice?

NZ unlike OZ doesn’t get that hot. November nice but not warm

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Thanks to all who replied!

 

 

 

I got the seasons wrong, still trying to wrap my mind around opposites than in US.

 

 

 

Sounds like April may not be the best choice. I need to do more general research about Australia & NZ, but CC is always my first stop.

 

 

 

Thanks again!!

Weather starts to get cold in New Zealand from April. Can be ok but rain and chilly nights are the order of the day.

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Try checking your flights in Google flights

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Hello everyone,

 

First time poster here, hope you lovely people can help.

 

 

 

We’re booked for our first cruise with our two young kids and my parents (6 in total) to NZ in November with Princess.

 

 

 

We had wanted to book their shore excursion to see the Glow Worms which goes from Auckland, but it seems it’s booked out already so now we’re looking for other tour companies that would depart from auckland.

 

 

 

The majority I found depart from Tauranga, however we plan to visit the Geothermal areas from that port.

 

 

 

Can anyone recommend any tours that will depart from Auckland?

 

 

 

Thanks in advance!

A bloody long time to spend on a bus from Auckalnd guys. With traffic 3 hours could be a bit lite in timings also. A great site to see but not for at least 6 hours of bus travel. Better sights to see in and around Auckland perhaps

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For those of you who might know, what will we see on New Year's Eve from our ship in Auckland? Will there be fireworks?

A fireworks display that usually launches from the sky tower. Don’t expect anything as big as the US though. Bands at most of the public places that will be playing. Check out this site

https://www.heartofthecity.co.nz/

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We are headed to Waiheke on our extra day in Auckland. Can you tell me if you can walk from the where the ferry lands into the little town area. We'd just like to spend the day walking around, have coffee and lunch, rather than doing anything formal. Does this seem possible there?

Call a taxi or take the bus both are there when the ferry arrives

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Are the glow worm caves better in Waitomo cave vs the one accessible from Bay of Islands? The second cave is just a half hour from where we tender so the tour is much cheaper.

Waitomo is 1 million billion times better!!!

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Google “Pineapple Lumps” world famous in NZ

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Thanks again. Exactly what we're planning. We'll do Mt. Maunganui and then have some beach time. February is dead winter in New York, where we live, so the beach and a nice hike is very appealing and, as you pointed out, it's free too. If it's a rainy day we'll go to Rotorua.

February and March in Tauranga has the best weather so you should be fine, school is back after summer holidays so it will be quit. Enjoy your trip to NZ. Let me know if you have any other questions re your other ports whilst you are down under, happy to guide you through

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Thanks for the responses. This question has been posed on other forums and Blairknill's is far and away the majority opinion. Yellowstone is huge so perhaps the overly polite tourists did not see very much of it. From what I read, though, Wai-O-Taupo is very well recommended.

If you guys are fit try climbing up Mt Maunganui. Close to the port and the best views of Tauranga and it’s free! Great cafes at the base of this small mount or large hill

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What a great suggestion. We will be there in February. I'll check them out. As long as they're not like Uber I'm happy to try them. I'm very anti-Uber as I see it as unfair to registered taxi companies/owners who pay a small fortune for their taxi plates.

New Zealand has a deregulated taxi industry so no real costs for taxi licence. As a local and flying from AKL multiple times per week please be careful of discount cabs as it can be a lottery most of the time. Uber is best in AKL

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We are from New Zealand and have taken our overseas visitors to Rotorua many a time, On our last visit we struck up conversation with some Amercians who had been to Yellowstone and they thought Rotorua was far superior. Which particular place in Rotorua would you likely be visiting, The wonderland of Waiatapu is the place to go.

I respectively disagree having done both Yellowstone is miles ahead. Perhaps you had very polite tourists ???

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Beaches and swimming = Islands.

Natural beauty, quaint towns, history, fiords = NZ

Concur!!

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We are trying to figure out best option for our Tauranga day. We are considering doing the white water rafting trip (through the ship since I can't find any other takers to split transportation) vs the Waiotapu thermal park. Has anyone been to both Waiotapu and Yellowstone National Park? We had several days at Yellowstone and are likely to return. Does Waitoapu compare or are we better off going for a bit of an adrenaline fix? (We are also planning on white water rafting in Queenstown pre-cruise)

Go the white water rafting. The thermal grounds of NZ are good but not as good as Yellowstone.

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We are sailing on Radiance of the Seas to New Zealand next month, and have not booked a tour for our stop in Dunedin. Last night I went on the RCCL website and noticed a new tour offering that is intriguing (but also on the expensive-side). I am wondering if anyone has done this tour (info below), and could provide feedback on the experience. Thanks in advance.

 

 

 

Multi Day Adventures – Queenstown – Milford/Dunedin

 

 

 

Day 1: Milford Sound – Queenstown

 

Venture to one of the most beautiful destinations on the face of the earth, Fiordland National Park. The mountain scenery is spectacular and waterfalls are counted by the hundreds. Rushing rivers, alpine lakes, towering mountains and the deep valleys of the Southern Alps. One of the nice features of your trip is the food. You’ll find the lakeside resort community of Te Anau a perfect place to relax and enjoy lunch.

 

 

Once you check into your hotel at Queenstown the rest of the afternoon is yours. This is a delightful town, a nice place to shop for souvenirs and stroll by the lake.

 

 

Your wonderful evening takes you aboard a vintage steamship and cruises across Lake Wakatipu. An elegant dinner will be served at the Walter Peak HighCountry sheep station, and an amazing sheep-dog demonstration.

 

 

 

Day 2: Queenstown – Dunedin

 

Arrowtown is a former gold-mining community on the Arrow River. As you strollaround the lovely community, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back to 1860s. TheLakes District Centennial Museum reveals the history of the area. You might recognize the Kawarau Suspension Bridge, which was built across a beautifully rugged gorge. It is where bungee-jumping was born. You may watch as a jumper dives into the gorge.

 

 

The Gibbston Valley Winery is the southernmost winery in the world, renowned for its unique caves which provide a near perfect underground storage environment. You’ll have an opportunity to taste the distinct and highlyregarded wines.

 

 

The small Victorian mountain village of Clyde is a perfect stop for lunch before continuing through New Zealand’s gold mining country and on to Dunedinand your ship.

Guys if you can afford it, do it!! These locations are some of the best that NZ has to offer!!

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FAR FEWER KIDS!

 

 

 

Second week of a B2B. Hard to say how many less kids but I'd guess maybe 1/3 fewer.

 

 

 

Still a lot more than we originally thought we'd see when we booked this. As many have said it is because of the features of the ship (anticipated and factored into our decision) and I guess many U.S. parents have no issues taking kids out of school for a vacation (not anticipated and not factored into our decision). This would not have happened in my wildest dreams as a child!

Hi mate, doing a B2B in December on Harmony. How did they transition you from one cruise to the next? Did you stay on board or did you have to get off for a while? Any complementary lunch ?? Any heads up would be appreciated. Cheers!

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Fly to NZ rent a car, other than it is on the wrong side, it is all good. You will have to fly to see both islands, but should not be a problem. They might even have car ferries. Hotels in NZ are no more expensive than in the states.

 

 

 

Have fun.

 

 

 

JC

Two very large car ferries run between the north and South Island

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Wendy - we have not found anything yet. I am trying to find a motorcycle tour for one of the earlier ports, and think we may look for a snorkel tour for Bay of Islands, as we love to be in the water and think this port may be the best option for this cruise.

 

 

 

We appreciate your husband posting the train tour information.

Re snorkelling, definitely the best base for this activity

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Hi Again:

 

I'm trying to get info on WHAT we need (papers,photos,etc) to get our Visas for our upcoming trip on the NOORDAM this November. Our PASS PORTS are up to date so that's not our problem. What does Holland America need and when do they need it.

 

I hope we still have time to get all this stuff done so we can pass thru customs in Australia.

 

I understand that I DON'T NEED a visa for New Zealand. Is there anything I need for New Zealand other than our passports?

 

 

 

Any help sure would be appreciated.

 

Again , sorry for all these questions.

 

AncientMarinerJoe

Re New Zealand, just bring your camera and try the local cuisine and do a bungy jump!

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