Tell me about excursions on the New Zealand/Australia Millennium

[jewel queen]

We've never been to this part of the world before. The excursions seem very expensive. What are some you recommend that are worth the money? Does anyone know of trustworthy guides at each port that might be less expensive? Are cabs expensive to take to a particular site?

Thanks

[corbes]

You can probably find a wealth of information from your fellow travellers on your cruise roll call, and maybe even find others to share cabs with ahead of time. We used a couple of local companies at ports, and took the celebrity option only once.

 

In Tauranga we used http://www.mctours.co.nz, took a helicopter tour to White Island which was amazing.

In Napier we used: http://www.baytours.co.nz and had a private car and driver and the tour was catered just for us.

In Wellington we walked to the city centre and around town.

In Christchurch (Lyttleton) we used the local buses to take us into town and to the Gondola.

In Akoroa we used http://www.akaroadolphins.co.nz which was about a third of the price of the ship tour and a more intimate (fun) experience.

In Dunedin we took the ship tour on the Taieri Gorge Railway.

In Melbourne we made our own way by the local trams into the city centre and in Sydney we also made our own way by foot.

 

Hope you have a great cruise.

[jewel queen]

You can probably find a wealth of information from your fellow travellers on your cruise roll call, and maybe even find others to share cabs with ahead of time. We used a couple of local companies at ports, and took the celebrity option only once.

 

In Tauranga we used www.mctours.co.nz, took a helicopter tour to White Island which was amazing.

In Napier we used: www.baytours.co.nz and had a private car and driver and the tour was catered just for us.

In Wellington we walked to the city centre and around town.

In Christchurch (Lyttleton) we used the local buses to take us into town and to the Gondola.

In Akoroa we used www.akaroadolphins.co.nz which was about a third of the price of the ship tour and a more intimate (fun) experience.

In Dunedin we took the ship tour on the Taieri Gorge Railway.

In Melbourne we made our own way by the local trams into the city centre and in Sydney we also made our own way by foot.

 

Hope you have a great cruise.

 

Thanks so much! We can't wait to go.

Jewel Queen

[Dowunder]

In Melbourne the tram stop is about 500metres from the pier (abt. 2 mins walk) It then takes about 20 mins. to the city. The free City Circle tourist tram can then take you to most of the important sights so you can easily do Melbourne on your own. There is a new display of Anarctic penguins at the Aquarium or the Southern Star Observation Wheel ( similar to London Eye) or Skydeck in Eureka Tower for great views. (google)

In Sydney the ship is walking distance from the city. Take the ferry to Taronga Zoo ( leaves from Circular Quay near ship) for Koalas & Kangaroos or the Manly Ferry (also Circular Quay) for inexpensive cruise across harbour, walk to beach and then return by ferry to cruise ship.

[rholbrook]

In Auckland we used http://www.finewinetours.co.nz for a 5 hour food and wine tour. Less expensive and more personal than any of X's choices.

[Lynnees]

We've just returned from the Mille today. You can get any kind of excursions yu wnat as soon as you walk off the ship. The only city this was difficult in was Melborne. Every other place was walk off and book. Most were a lot cheaper than ship excursions as well and every bit as good.

[jewel queen]

In Melbourne the tram stop is about 500metres from the pier (abt. 2 mins walk) It then takes about 20 mins. to the city. The free City Circle tourist tram can then take you to most of the important sights so you can easily do Melbourne on your own. There is a new display of Anarctic penguins at the Aquarium or the Southern Star Observation Wheel ( similar to London Eye) or Skydeck in Eureka Tower for great views. (google)

In Sydney the ship is walking distance from the city. Take the ferry to Taronga Zoo ( leaves from Circular Quay near ship) for Koalas & Kangaroos or the Manly Ferry (also Circular Quay) for inexpensive cruise across harbour, walk to beach and then return by ferry to cruise ship.

 

Thanks so much!

[jewel queen]

In Auckland we used www.finewinetours.co.nz for a 5 hour food and wine tour. Less expensive and more personal than any of X's choices.

 

That's great news. We're foodies and winos!:p

[Aussie One]

We've never been to this part of the world before. The excursions seem very expensive. What are some you recommend that are worth the money? Does anyone know of trustworthy guides at each port that might be less expensive? Are cabs expensive to take to a particular site?

Thanks

 

Go into boards click on Australian New Zeeland ports of call this will take you into the Aussie and Kiwi forum heaps of infomation there. Grumphy

[jewel queen]

We've just returned from the Mille today. You can get any kind of excursions yu wnat as soon as you walk off the ship. The only city this was difficult in was Melborne. Every other place was walk off and book. Most were a lot cheaper than ship excursions as well and every bit as good.

 

Thank you.

[jewel queen]

Go into boards click on Australian New Zeeland ports of call this will take you into the Aussie and Kiwi forum heaps of infomation there. Grumphy

 

Thanks!

[SCdocs]

Are US $$$ widely accepted in Oz and NZ or do we need to convert to their currency? Thanks, SC doc

[The_Big_M]

No, you definitely need to convert to currency if you want to pay cash in AU/NZ, but you can also use credit cards at many venues.

[Dowunder]

If you wanted a food & wine tour out of Melbourne, this company is excellent. http://www.epicureantours.com.au/index.html

[knightgrad03]

Do not, I repeat DO NOT use celebrity excursions. Book your own through private tours. Carlton tours in Tauranga, Discovery Travel in Christchurch, and Back to Nature tours in Dunedin are excellent.

 

We had a HORRIBLE tour experience with Celebrity, the tour was nothing like what they had posted and when we brought it up to the desk, heard nothing but excuses.

 

Australia and New Zealand are amazing. Celebrity Cruiselines, not so much (more issues than just the shore excursion). I will be posting more on a review about the Millenium on the correct board.

[uktog]

The only places you might want to use Celebrity excursions are

Dunedin - if you want to go on the Taeri Gorge Train excursion which I would recommend. The ship charters out the train, (the train comes shipside) once on board it is a wonderful excursion run by volunteers - stunning views and excelent service

Christchurch - if you want to go whale watching up at Kaikoura which again we did. Its a bit of a drive each way through beautiful countryside but the timings are tight and that excursion is often late back I am told - not sure if there is time to hire a car and drive up and back yourself

Otherwise as everyone says NZ is so easy to do on your own, they always have local tourist info ambassadors on the docks and also as in Napier in the town walking around to point you in the right direction. I was very impressed by the army of volunteer ambassadors in each port who were really keen to show you anything you wanted in their town and answer any questions you had

Go and enjoy!!

[jewel queen]

We've just returned from the Mille today. You can get any kind of excursions yu wnat as soon as you walk off the ship. The only city this was difficult in was Melborne. Every other place was walk off and book. Most were a lot cheaper than ship excursions as well and every bit as good.

 

Hi. I'm assuming you mentioned this knowing that the offers as you get off of the boat are selling what they say they are selling!

Which ones did you take that you'd recommend?

J.W.

[EmsMom]

I was able to book the Taieri Gorge train ride (Dunnedin) on our own by contacting the railroad directly. I have a confirmation back from them...it is the same train the cruise line books. It cost $144NZ for two which is a fraction of what the cruise excursion charges. I know the cruise excursion gets you to the train and back and gives you lunch so if that is worth another $156 US per person, then you would want to use the cruise excursion. I have found the private tour groups in Australia and New Zealand to be very prompt in replying to our inquiries about excursions....Of course it helps that they speak English. We are saving lots of money by booking our own excursions and I think they are going to be superior to the cruise's excursions in most cases. We will be on the March 29 Sydney to Auckland cruise. In some of the cities, we are just going on our own using our guide books.

[Val S]

HI. We just returned from RCI Rhapsody of the Seas, we booked all of our excursions online-ourselves. each was excellent & I would highly recommend them. DO not book with Celebrity or RCI they are so overpriced & you pay in US $$. I could not believe how many people did not know about cruisecritic or that they could book tours themselves. email me rowval@hotmail.com if you would like specific companies etc

[Napi's Mom]

Do Not use the Ships tours, they charge double what the locals do...for 50 passenger buses...and in US$$, which means you are paying at least TRIPLE the cost of local tours in NZ and not quite that bad in AU. Remember the exchange rate.... $.55US to buy a $1 NZ or $.69US to AU$. For example our Canterbury Explorer tour to Akaroa and Black Cat Harbor tour while there...cost US 165$ NZpp (Approx. $90 US) while people sharing the harbor cruise with us from the ships tour, paid 275$ US pp. Perhaps lunch was included with that (we paid 7$ NZ pp for a fine lunch- less than $10 total!) Yes you can get tours at the dock many places...but NOT these longer inland type...City tours are easy to pick up. Our tour of the Great Ocean Rd. in Melbourne...a private van was 120$ AU for the day (85$US) 10 hrs ~ships tour...OVER $200US. As previously stated go to the PORTS message board for NZ/Aust. and type tours for each city or check various roll calls for already taken or soon to go cruises. You will be able to glean NAMES of tour Co. and web addresses that aren't allowed here!

[Lynnees]

Do Not use the Ships tours' date=' they charge double what the locals do...for 50 passenger buses...and in US$$, which means you are paying at least TRIPLE the cost of local tours in NZ and not quite that bad in AU. Remember the exchange rate.... $.55US to buy a $1 NZ or $.69US to AU$. For example our Canterbury Explorer tour to Akaroa and Black Cat Harbor tour while there...cost US 165$ NZpp (Approx. $90 US) while people sharing the harbor cruise with us from the ships tour, paid 275$ US pp. Perhaps lunch was included with that (we paid 7$ NZ pp for a fine lunch- less than $10 total!) Yes you can get tours at the dock many places...but NOT these longer inland type...City tours are easy to pick up. Our tour of the Great Ocean Rd. in Melbourne...a private van was 120$ AU for the day (85$US) 10 hrs ~ships tour...OVER $200US. As previously stated go to the PORTS message board for NZ/Aust. and type tours for each city or check various roll calls for already taken or soon to go cruises. You will be able to glean NAMES of tour Co. and web addresses that aren't allowed here![/quote']

 

Not to argue with you but you can pick up the longer tours at the dock/center of town. You just have to be sure you are off early. There were several different tours of the Great Ocean Road available that were within ships hours. There goal was to pick up unbooked passengers from the ship therefore they make sure they are back in plenty of time.