New Zealand Excursions!
By Linda Johnson
I have spent time researching the most popular things to do in the ports and have vetted several tour operators. I have also had the pleasure of cruising around New Zealand and have been able to experience some of the tours personally. Below is a description of the tours that have already been arranged and the pricing. CPC may be adding more private excursions in a few other ports, but I didn’t want to hold up getting the current information to you while waiting for other tours to be arranged. Seating for these private CPC tours is extremely limited so if you want to book, please follow the instructions at the end of this email so you don’t get shut out.
Excursion #1: Bay of Islands– December 1 with Linda and Jan **SOLD OUT**
Card Player Cruises has chartered a vessel to take our passengers on a personalized and interactive 5-hour tour around the beautiful Bay of Islands. The Captain will provide commentary and point out areas of interest as we cruise among the 144 islands that make up the Bay of Islands.
We will depart from Paihia and cruise toward the township of Russell and then follow the sheltered coastline out into the open. Along the way, we can expect to see some wild life including dolphins and perhaps even an eagle ray or penguins! Because of the boat size, we will have the ability to land on the beaches. Access in and out of the boat is easy…simply walk up the ramp (no stepping over anything or climbing). We will likely stop at Roberton Island with its twin lagoons or Moturua Island where guests will disembark and have the option of taking one of the short walks to the viewpoints over the bay. After the 10-minute walk, we will have a beachside morning tea before getting back on board and cruising further into the islands. We will make a second island stop at an island suitable for snorkeling and swimming (snorkeling gear is provided). Paddleboards will be available for our adventurous guests. :)
A prepacked lunch will be provided which everyone can enjoy at the beach (beach blankets provided). We might even get to taste some Kina (seafood) fresh from the ocean! Once we have finished lunch and our activities, we will begin our cruise back through the islands to Paihia.
The price of this trip is $125 per person. Availability is limited to the first 20 people who sign up.
Excursion #2: Bay of Islands– December 1 with Mark and Tina **SOLD OUT**
We have also chartered a 33ft performance catamaran for a 5 hour cruise around the Bay of Islands. The day will include:
SNORKEL – SWIM – PADDLE BOARD – PICNIC – HIKE – WILDLIFE
All aboard!
Departing from Paihia beachfront at 10am. The boat pulls right up to the beach where we can step aboard from the shore line. We set sail for our day’s adventure – wherever that may take us! With 144 islands, we really are spoilt for choice as to spectacular destinations for our day sailing adventure, the Captain has his favourite spots of course! Either Urupukapuka, Motuarahia, Moturua, Waewaetoria to name a few.
Island adventures
There’s nothing better than exploring a remote island after sailing into a beautiful bay – it’s all part of the adventure!
The boat anchors right up close to the beach where you can step off and enjoy a delicious packed lunch at a stunning picnic spot of your choice. There are short walking trails which you can follow to find picturesque views wherever you look, soak up the sounds of the bird song. Also enjoy a refreshing swim or simply dig your toes into the sand and relax – the choice is yours!
Spot the wildlife!
There’s a wealth of wildlife to see when sailing in the Bay of Islands. You never know which animals might appear next! From the deck of our catamaran for the day we may get the chance to see a range of seabirds, stingrays, seals playing and penguins are often popping up. Of course, there’s a chance that we might see some dolphins too!
Homeward bound
Once we’ve finished our island adventures we set sail again, making the most of the beautiful sea breezes on the home run. So watch the wind fill the sails, kick back, relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility – a perfect end to our day in the Bay of Islands.
The price of this trip is $125 per person. Availability is limited to the first 16 people who sign up.
Excursion #3 Tauranga/ Rotorua – December 3 **SOLD OUT **
This will be an AMAZING day. This 8-hour tour will begin at 8:00 a.m. as we meet our experienced tour guide and board our private bus. We will drive by some lovely beaches and stop for photos at Mount Maunganui beach. The next stop will be at a Kiwi fruit orchard where you will view the vines and taste the fruit and juices. Next, we are off to Rotorua. We will drive through Government Gardens and then arrive at Kuirau Park to see the mud pools and hot springs. After a short foot soak in the mineral baths (participation is optional), we will go to the Agrodome, one of the largest sheep farms in the area. We will get to see the farm show which includes meeting 19 varieties of sheep and seeing a sheep shearing demonstration. After the show, we will visit the Farmyard Nursery where we will be able to hold and feed some baby sheep and other farm animals. We will also get to witness the sheep dogs exhibition in which the dogs show off their skills in obeying commands and herding the sheep.
Next we will go to the Skyline Rotorua. You will take a scenic ride about 3,000 feet up in an 8-passenger enclosed gondola (not scary). From the top, you will have views of Lake Rotorua, the city, and steaming geothermal vistas. We will have reserved seats at the Stratosfare Restaurant lunch buffet. This award-winning buffet features a soup and salad bar, seafood, meat station, hot and cold dishes, and a dessert and ice cream station. Following lunch, we will make our way down the mountain…you will have the choice of riding the gondola down or taking the luge.
This is a picture of the gondola and the luge. If you choose the luge, there are three tracks you can choose from based on your skill level (beginner’s, intermediate, advanced - I chose the beginner’s hill.).
You drive the luge down along a track that has some twists and turns and even a tunnel if I remember correctly. The luge is a vehicle/cart that is open on all sides (see photo to the right) and has a steering feature. The brake allows you to go as fast or as slow as you want. Only one adult will fit on the luge, though a small child could ride with an adult.
I am a complete WUSS so I was hesitant and nervous to ride the luge but Jan talked me into it. Here is the way I remember my experience: I was 58 at the time. After receiving a brief lesson on how to drive the luge. I got on. I rode the brake all the way down the hill, so I wasn’t scared and I really enjoyed the adventure and the scenery along the way. Our 72-year old friend tried it and loved it! Quite frankly, the hardest part is getting down low enough to get on the luge and then standing up again when you get to the bottom. I don’t recommend it for anyone with back issues or mobility problems.
I will probably take the luge option again, but I’m not committing! Or I might decide to ride the gondola back down the hill if you promise you won’t make fun of me!:) Note: it’s perfectly okay to ride the gondola down the hill instead of driving the luge but we will need to know your preference when you book this excursion so we can buy the correct tickets.
Unfortunately when we finish at the Skyline, we will have to leave Rotorua and head back to the ship. Along the way, we will drive through some beautiful gorges and will stop at the Manuka Honey store to learn about the honey-making process and taste some samples if we have time. The cost for this all day excursion is $205 per person and includes your transportation, guide, all entrance fees, and a buffet lunch.
Excursion #4 Napier– December 5 **SOLD OUT **
We booked a 5-hour bus tour in Napier and its surroundings. We will meet our guide at 10am and get a brief tour of Napier and Hawkes Bay and see the highlights of the local art deco scene.
Our first stop will be at the Mission Estate Winery. As New Zealand’s oldest winery, Mission Estate has a long standing reputation for producing quality, award winning wines. For $7 US, you will have the opportunity to taste 5-7 wines and take home a souvenir glass. Note: the price of the tasting isn’t included in the price since some people don’t drink.
If you prefer to meander while others are “tasting,” the building in which the winery is located is worth a look. The surrounding gardens are beautiful and are worth exploring. The next stop will be at the Silk Oak Chocolate Factory where you can sample some yummy chocolate and taste some fudge. After the chocolate factory, we will go to the Havelock North Village where you will have free time to wander around. There will be plenty of options for lunch and shopping in Havelock. While in Havelock, we will stop at the Havelock Figgery and learn about the common fig and taste some of the products this firm produces. We will then take a scenic drive to Craggy Range. If time permits, we will stop at a local market before returning to the port.
The cost for this excursion is $75 per person, not including the wine tasting fee or lunch.
Excursion #5 Wellington, NZ– December 6 **ONLY A FEW PLACES LEFT**
We booked a 4-hour bus tour of Wellington’s Highlights. We will meet our guide at 10 a.m. and head up to Mt. Victoria for a 360 degree lookout of Wellington City. Next we will have a scenic drive around Wellington’s rugged coastline with a few photo stops and then a drive by Oriental Bay (the most popular beach in the area).
We will stop at the Welling Cable car and ride it from the central business district to the hilltop suburb of Kelburn. After a stop for ice cream, we will drive by and/or stop at many other of the city’s major attractions including the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, the Parliament buildings, and Old St. Paul’s Cathedral before returning to the cruise ship terminal.
The price of this excursion is $89 per person
Note regarding tours: Seating is limited on these tours and reservations will be made based on the order in which we receive your completed booking forms. Your reservation isn’t guaranteed until you receive a confirmation. Although it is unlikely, please be aware that the itineraries could change slightly due to weather conditions, traffic or other delays.
Note: Walking is limited on these tours, but you must be able to walk a few blocks and climb a few stairs.
To sign up and reserve a spot on these tours click "BOOK NOW" below and fill out the booking form.
