How Early Can You Get of RCL Ships in Port

We are finalizing our plans for New Zealand but am a bit concern with how early you can get off the ship when you arrive in port. Is there a difference between those ports we dock at vs tendering. We arrive @ 8:00am for Dunedin, Akaroa and Wellington. Then 7:00am in Tauranga, Auckland and Bay of Islands. Tenders are scheduled at Akaroa and Bay of Islands. We have a mixture of ship vs private tours. Obviously we don't have to worry about the ship tours, but what about private tours in Dunedin @ 9:20a (8:000am dock), Wellington @ 9:00am (8:00am dock) and @ 9:00am (7:00am tender) in Bay of Islands.

The ship doesn't offer tours we want in Dunedin or Wellington and they're charging $159 for the same private tour we can get for $74.

Any help is appreciated.

We are finalizing our plans for New Zealand but am a bit concern with how early you can get off the ship when you arrive in port. Is there a difference between those ports we dock at vs tendering. We arrive @ 8:00am for Dunedin, Akaroa and Wellington. Then 7:00am in Tauranga, Auckland and Bay of Islands. Tenders are scheduled at Akaroa and Bay of Islands. We have a mixture of ship vs private tours. Obviously we don't have to worry about the ship tours, but what about private tours in Dunedin @ 9:20a (8:000am dock), Wellington @ 9:00am (8:00am dock) and @ 9:00am (7:00am tender) in Bay of Islands.

 

The ship doesn't offer tours we want in Dunedin or Wellington and they're charging $159 for the same private tour we can get for $74.

 

Any help is appreciated.

Assuming you are on Radiance. Docked ports are no problem as you will be off the ship within 15-30 minutes. At tender ports, ship's tours get priority but we didn't have to wait very long for the next tenders. Just be lined up for your tickets near Cafe Latte as soon as you anchor. An announcement will be made as to what time tender tickets will be available from.

At Dunedin the ship is docked at Port Chalmers - shuttles are available into Dunedin. Where does your tour depart from?

At Wellington, Radiance docks at the Cruise Terminal opposite the NZ Stadium. Walk off the ship straight into the terminal. Your tour either leaves from there or in town (10 min shuttle).

Akaroa tender is a 15-20 minute ride.

Don't know about Bay of Islands but might depend on where the tenders go to. Others will know.