Royal Caribbean Multi-Day Adventures - Queenstown - Milford/Dunedin, New Zealand - has anybody done it and is it worth it

[billyboy41]

We are considering the Royal Caribbean Multi-Day Adventures - Queenstown - Milford/Dunedin on our upcoming New Zealand cruise and were wondering if anybody has done this, and what the experience was, and is it worth it.  This is a 2 day adventure where we are dropped off at Milford Sound and see the sound, go to Queenstown overnight, and end up in Dunedin to catch up with the ship.  We appreciate your thoughts.  Note - I am crossposting this into the Australia / New Zealand thread as well.   Thanks in advance

[John&LaLa]

I'd do an overnight if I could go Zorbing

[PIC33]

We did exactly this shore excursion with Royal back in Dec 2015. It was excellent. A terrific way to see so much more of that beautiful part of NZ than on day trips.

[shipgeeks]

I haven't done it from a ship, but I've been to all those areas (a long time ago) and they were wonderful.

[billyboy41]

Thanks all for your comments.  We decided to book the excursion and are looking forward to it.  

[SydneyCruisingFamily]

 

We have just returned from our New Zealand Cruise and we took this shore tour:

Day 1:

 We had 22 passengers in our group on this tour.

Getting off the ship in Milford Sound is spectacular- sit out the back of the transfer boat to take some amazing photos.

Then at the Milford Sound dock you meet your tour guide and driver and board a coach to drive towards Queenstown. Stopping along the way for comfort stops and photo opportunities. Also the lunch stop is a small pub called The Ranch - the food and included drink were good. There’s also some time to take a quick look around.

We arrived in Queenstown around 3pm and went straight into our accommodation for the night at the Ramada. Our room had a water view. We walked into the centre of town (about 10 minutes downhill) and had time to explore the shops and have a beverage at one of the many restaurants around the waters edge.

At 5pm we boarded the TSS Earnslaw (a long line formed about 30 minutes prior to this) for our sail to the Sheep Station for dinner.

The dinner was buffet style and delicious - and was followed by a sheep shearing and sheep herding demonstration. You can explore the area if these don’t interest you.

Returning to Queenstown the coach was waiting for us - avoiding an uphill walk or you can stay in town and enjoy the nightlife.

 

Day 2:

7am breakfast at the Ramada and an 8am departure on the coach headed to Arrowtown. The only problem being mostly everything is still closed including the included museum which eventually did  open before our scheduled departure time. The museum is very interesting for a history of the area.

Wine tasting is next - maybe a bit early in the day for some but it was very good and they have a wine club which some in our group joined.

Next stop was the famous Kawarau Suspension Bridge - we went inside to view the bungee jumpers but there was not enough time to participate in any of the activities offered - some of our group were keen so that was unfortunate.

Lunch at The Packing Shed followed. It was very relaxing sitting outdoors in the garden under the trees. The food was great here too.

 

Next was a drive through the ever changing countryside on our way to Dunedin.

There was a brief city tour of the city included and a stop at a lookout before we made our way back to the ship.

 

Overall a great Shore excursion showing much more of the New Zealand National Park and countryside. Maybe the timing of a couple of activities could be reviewed but it was still worthwhile.

[billyboy41]

SydneyCruisingFamily - Thank you very much for your write-up and pictures.  It gave us a lot more info on the tour and we are really excited.   A couple questions..

 

• Did you have (or feel the need to have) hiking gear, poles, etc or was the walking portion easy enough to handle?
• About what time did you return to the ship in Dunedin.  Is there any time to wander there?

 

Thank again!

[Biker19]

1 hour ago, billyboy41 said:

A couple questions..

If you want to improve your chances of a reply use the @SydneyCruisingFamily call out.

[SydneyCruisingFamily]

Hi billyboy41

There was no need for any hiking gear as all walking was on pavement or level surfaces. Nothing really like a hike. Most people just used a backpack or small overnight bag for their luggage - so packed the minimum.
At the end there was no time to explore Dunedin ( except for the quick city tour on the coach with a photo stop - the tour guide did talk about the city). We had to arrive back at the port between 5pm and 5.30pm - the tour guide said Royal Carribean are strict on that time - for the 6.30pm all aboard at Port Chalmers which is around 14 kilometres (20 minutes drive) from Dunedin

Most of the ports are working cargo ports and need a shuttle or bus transfer to enter and exit the

port.

If you have any more questions please ask

 

 

[billyboy41]

@SydneyCruisingFamily Thanks again for the great info.  We have a couple additional questions...

 

We realize that the second day of the tour will be Easter Sunday, and I am reading that many shops and other attractions in Dunedin (and NZ in general) may/will be closed, and there are some laws about what can be open on Easter.   Given this, do you think places the tour stops at on the second day would be open or closed.  

 

Also, do you know or remember the name of the tour company that provided the tour.  I asked Royal and they would not provide it.  If possible, I would like to reach out to them to get their input.   

 

If many of the second day places are going to be closed, and it becomes mostly just a long bus ride, we may opt to cancel out of the tour.   

 

Again, thank you for your help and the info you have provided.  

[SydneyCruisingFamily]

On Easter Sunday I would think that some shops might be closed or have reduced trading hours.

Tourist attractions would probably still operate as normal. New Zealand does have some strict rules about Easter Sunday trading 

The bus operator was Pacific Tourways. I think the tour operator could have been Leisure Tours New Zealand. It would be a good idea to try and obtain definite information about what would be open.

Otherwise I agree with you about cancelling.

Hopefully Royal wouldn’t operate the tour if they realize that most attractions would be closed - maybe not thinking that far in advance though.

Good luck and I hope you find some answers.

[billyboy41]

@SydneyCruisingFamily Thank you for all the information you provided for this tour.  We did indeed take the tour and all the normal stops were open on Easter.   It was great experience, and our guide - John Wellington, was absolutely fabulous.  He provided great commentary for the tour, and kept it all fun and interesting for all of us.   The sights were unbelievable.   

 

We also got some extra time on the tour, as the ship could not make port in Dunedin.   Our tour was redirected to Christchurch to meet the ship the next day.  Our tour guide, John, was fantastic with the issue, and arranged a more scenic ride to Christchurch, and great accommodations and dinner once we arrived.  We also got a brief tour of Christchurch CBD prior to returning to the ship.  

 

I just noticed you had a post in the Ovation Apr 15th repositioning thread.  We are also on that cruise.  Hope you are having a great time - we are.  Perhaps we can meet up?   

 

Thanks again!

 

 

[SE fla]

New Zealand 🇳🇿 is the best. Just do it!