Celebrity Solstice Sydney to New Zealand Nov 14th, 2016 Sailing -Private Tours

[azcruisers4ever]

My wife and I are interested in joining private tours for this cruise and would like to hear from groups or our fellow passengers on availability.

 

Thanks,

 

Ben

[villauk]

Ben,

 

You need to post this on the particular roll call for your sailing. Here's the link: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2212300 - it appears to be a very active roll call :).

 

Enjoy your cruise; we did the same itinerary a few years ago over Christmas ;).

Edited June 26, 2016 by villauk

[azcruisers4ever]

Thank you for your reply Villauk.

[AntjeG]

I did this cruise last year and loved it. I did a review and a blog. The blog has lots of information about private tours in the pre-cruise posts. Sorry the blog is in German but it has a translate button. The review is in English and on page 3 has some of the information from the blog translated into English as well. Here is the review: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2167007

Feel free to ask questions in the review thread or as a comment in the blog.

[TLCOhio]

My wife and I are interested in joining private tours for this cruise and would like to hear from groups or our fellow passengers on availability. Thanks, Ben

 

Yes, Ben, agree on posting to your roll call. Below is the link to my live-blog that might offer lots of ideas and options to consider for your various tours and options. Lots of pictures to help build excitement for your upcoming trip. Below are a few examples. Have you looked at the Queenstown over-night excursion option?

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 146,316 views for this posting.

 

 

From our group's Bay of Islands water fun, we got to do real sailing, including going out into the nearby Pacific Ocean! See the proof and success below. It was both a perfect weather day and such fun sampling this great region of northern NZ. One of the options for those in our Central Ohio group on this custom, private sailing was to help to do as much (or as little as desired) in helping make this sail experience happen. Here you can see Captain Murray guiding the ship from this great vantage point on the back of the Zindabar. Was this exciting and scenic for our group?:

 

 

 

Here is one of my visuals in connection with this steamship sailing leading to the dinner at the sheep station at the other end of this scenic lake near Queenstown. This was during our two-day Solstice excursion to explore so much for the scenic interior of NZ’s South Island. You will see lots of scenic mountains and areas during this sailing that is a key part of this evening fun. And, there was food!! Also on this two-day trip, we did a winery, an old gold-rush town, where bungee jumping started, a rainforest, etc.:

 

 

 

This is Old St. Paul's church in Wellington. It is the former cathedral in the Diocese of Wellington for the Anglican Church. As an example of 19th-century Gothic Revival architecture, they adapted to colonial conditions and materials. It is at 34 Mulgrave Street, close to the New Zealand Parliament. Its construction was completed in June 1866. After a significant battle to prevent its demolition, Old St. Paul's was purchased by the New Zealand Government in 1967 and restored. Although not a parish church, it remains consecrated and is a popular for weddings, funerals and other services. It is constructed from native NZ timbers. The interior has been likened to the upturned hull of an Elizabethan galleon with its exposed curving trusses and roof sacking. The flags displayed in the nave include the Royal Navy, NZ Merchant Navy and US Marine Corps. Many of our Marines were stationed in Wellington during World War II. My wife is in yellow walking down the center aisle as she absorb the building details. This was a very important and "moving" site to experience. :

 

 

 

At Te Puia near Rotorua in northern New Zealand during the Tauranga port stop, this Maori performance starts its ceremonies outside and then we entered the Wahiao Meeting House. Fortunately (with some skill), I was in a prime front row seat to be able to get great pictures, video, etc. Plus, experience the quality for how these members share these cultural traditions.:

 

 

 

Here is a picture from our New Zealand South Island JetBoat ride that my wife loved so much. From Akaroa, we did a combination ship excursion that included both the rail trip to the mountains/National Park, plus JetBoat. Notice her hands and those of others in our row super tightly gripping the safety bar? That says so much about the speed and thrills while roaring up and down this amazing stretch of scenic river. We've had lots of great moments on this trip, but one was a unique and special ride in a location that is spectacularly world-class near the NZ Southern Alps. And, perfect weather with good friends adds to the great joy!!: