Akaroa Tranz-Alpine Train Ride w/ Jetboat Tour

[We Go Cruise Brah]

We are interested in this excursion, but wonder if its worth the expense and the fact that the train ride might seem long, although we know the scenery will be beautiful. We realize we'll have to take the ship's excursion due to time constraints, does anyone know how the transportation works? I've heard this excursion is a private charter train different from the one that leaves from Christchurch.

[Desert Cruizers]

We are doing during our March 19th NZ cruise, the Willowbank Ko Tane & Maori Cultural Experience.