celebrity cruises reviews australia

Celebrity Cruises reviews

Celebrity’s New Ship Goes Above and Beyond for Edge Class

When Celebrity launched its new Edge Class in late 2018 with Celebrity Edge, the line set a new standard for premium cruise experiences among the big ship options. The 2,900-passenger ship was joined by its […]

Luxury brand Celebrity Cruises has a large fleet of small ships as well as expedition vessels offering itineraries around Australia and New Zealand, Asia, South Pacific, South and Central America, the Galapagos and more. Celebrity Edge , the most anticipated ship to launch in 2018, is unlike any seen before, with the look and feel of a space-age vessel. Celebrity Solstice regularly sails around Australia and is even better since its makeover in 2016. Read our Celebrity Cruises reviews to hear from  Cruise Passenger  experts on their experiences.

How Celebrity Millennium carried on cruising, despite two cases of COVID among the guests

The eyes of the world were on Celebrity Millennium, the first big cruise ship to sail again in the Caribbean since the pandemic shut down the industry in March 2020. Leaving from St. Maarten, the […]

Celebrity Edge Ship

Possibly the most hotly anticipated – and hyped – ship of 2018, Celebrity Edge ship delivers everything that was promised – and more. Features that could have been gimmicks on the 2,918-passenger Edge are real […]

Celebrity Silhouette

Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice-Class ships set a new benchmark for mid-range cruising. Brian Johnston boards Celebrity Silhouette to see whether it retains the premium edge. I take an immediate fancy to Celebrity Silhouette when I spot […]

Celebrity Reflection

Seeing a new ship for the first time is a thrilling experience. Celebrity Reflection towers majestically above the Eemshaven Sugar Terminal in Holland, surrounded by turbine windmills, cranes, containers and gantries. There is a palpable […]

Come onboard the Celebrity Century with Cruise Passenger

Now heading Down Under for her first ever season, Celebrity Century is an elegant, traditional vessel...

Celebrity Eclipse

What sets Eclipse apart from her sisters? Celebrity Eclipse is the third of five sister ships in Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice Class fleet, but a brace of brand-new features sets her apart from her siblings. Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice Class ships are large but their design and décor are elegant; intimate rather than overtly sumptuous. Colours are never garish but there’s lots of ‘wow factor’, especially in areas such as the Tuscan Grille, The Lawn Club and AquaSpa by Elemis.

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Here’s what to expect on Celebrity Edge in Australia

Celebrity Edge is heading to Australia and New Zealand for the local summer cruise season. As the first ship in the Celebrity Edge class, Celebrity Edge has loads of new features that will excite (and may occasionally confuse) Australian and Kiwi passengers. To guide you through the ship, here’s our expert Celebrity Edge review for local cruisers.

The Celebrity Edge deck plan is different

As with any new ship, the Edge Class designers wanted to do something new. This is precisely what happened on Celebrity Edge, as we and all our fellow passengers found out when we got onboard. On embarkation, you will generally arrive on Deck 5 but don’t be surprised if you get lost from here, as the flow to get from forward to aft is not so simple as you often have to transit via multiple decks. Even if you have been on loads of other Celebrity ships like Celebrity Solstice before and usually know your way around, you will probably get lost on this ship several times early in your cruise.

Spending some time before you get onboard checking out the deck plan and working out where your favourite Celebrity venues are on Celebrity Edge will help a lot but it’s not foolproof as some of the deck plans that are available online aren’t as clear as they could be. Nothing beats going for a wander on embarkation day to find spots like Eden or a particular restaurant so you can get there again easily if you need to. On the upside, it’s fun finding amazing art, bars, restaurants and cafes by accident.

Better technology and an improved Celebrity Edge app

Celebrity Edge is a much newer ship than the ones we’ve previously seen in our region, and it shows when it comes to onboard technology. Let’s start with the Celebrity Cruises app, which simplifies checking in and boarding the ship, making restaurant bookings, checking the daily program, booking excursions and more.

In the cabins, there is a charging station on the desk that keeps all your cords tidy. Sadly, there are no local power points, but several more USB chargers are next to the bed. Remember to bring an adapter or two if you need to use a plug rather than a USB to charge your devices.

The ship also uses Starlink Wi-Fi, with a choice of Basic and Premium packages. The latter was so fast that it was better than our Wi-Fi back home. The basic package? Not so much. The basic will let look at social media and emails and do some basic surfing, but that’s about it. Remember to be careful when using your mobile phone at sea if you could end up with a huge bill!

Cabins reimagined with an infinite veranda

The infinite veranda concept that debuted on Celebrity Edge is best described as a traditional balcony reimagined into an enclosed space with an adjustable window. If you’ve ever sailed on a river ship, the concept will seem very familiar.

The window is opened and closed using push button controls, bi-fold glass doors seal off the area for added privacy, and electronic black-out blinds can be raised and lowered to keep out light. The latter are so effective that you’ll need to set your alarm.

The new design takes a little getting used to but the additional floor space created by the infinite veranda and the streamlined design that made the room feel bigger won us over. You’ll find a few regular staterooms on Celebrity Edge but we thought the infinite balcony concept was a winner.

We also loved the larger bathrooms on this ship, with a generous shower cubicle and so no silly curtain. One downside of the cabins is the lack of storage space with a small wardrobe and not enough drawers, plus some of the available drawers are very small. There are a few clever hidey holes but be warned these are areas are easy to forget. Don’t be surprised if you leave stuff behind when you depart, like we almost did.

Celebrity Edge dining features multiple main restaurants

A significant change in cruising on Celebrity Edge is the creation of multiple main dining rooms that are incorporated into the 15 dining venues available onboard Celebrity Edge. They are all complimentary and you can either walk in when it suits or make a booking using the app.

These four themed main dining rooms have different menus and styles: Cosmopolitan (American), Cyprus (Greek), Tuscan (Italian), or Normandie (French). Each restaurant features Classic dishes available at each venue, plus multiple options specific to the restaurant’s theme.

The dining rooms are upmarket with a classy design that makes it feel like you’re going to a different specialty restaurant each night rather than a complimentary main dining room. We felt the quality of the MDR food had gone up compared to our previous Celebrity sailings in Australia or New Zealand.

Are the Celebrity Edge specialty restaurants worth it?

Of course, there are multiple specialty dining options onboard Celebrity Edge if you feel like a treat, with options including the Fine Cut Steakhouse, Le Grand Bistro, Raw on 5, Rooftop Garden Grill and the standout, Eden Restaurant.

As food and wine lovers, we often spend up big on these for-a-fee restaurants when we cruise, but the choice of multiple high-quality main dining rooms on this ship meant there was no need to. However, we still tried two to satisfy our curiosity and appetite for good food.

We had a good time at Le Petit Chef which happens in the Le Grand Bistro restaurant but it’s not something we would pay for again. This high-tech experience was more about the fun than the food, but it’s worth doing once if you haven’t tried it before.

Another standout venue is The Magic Carpet “Dinner On The Edge” dining, where you sit out from the ship in the ultimate al fresco dining area. For this dining experience, the majority of the food comes from the Raw on 5 sushi bar, so it’s best suited to seafood and sushi lovers.

If you want to try just one place, Eden Restaurant is the place to go for an authentic specialty dining experience, with each dish prepared to order in an open kitchen. We thought the quality of the food here was exceptional, the service was excellent and we enjoyed the sweeping ocean views.

While all of the specialties offer a step up from the four main dining rooms, the downside is the extra expense in US dollars, which may sour the taste of these delicious dining venues for Australians and New Zealanders (at least until our dollar picks up).

Finding your chi at sea

The SEA Thermal Suite on Celebrity Edge might be a little hard to find, but it is no ordinary spa experience and a must if you’re after some pampering. With eight separate spaces that come together to create a DIY spa journey, AquaClass guests can enjoy this area as much as they wish at no extra charge, making it worth considering upgrading to an AquaClass cabin.

Start by working your way around the facilities like a hammam, the rainfall room, crystal atrium, salt room, steam room, infrared sauna, and float room with swing seats. To finish, relax on one of the heated lounges that have the same view as the captain on the bridge deck below. You can do any or all of these experiences while in the spa, making it excellent value for the Aqua Class cabins.

Welcome to Eden on Celebrity Edge

Celebrity Edge has a number of new-to-Australia restaurants, bars and experiences, including Eden which encapsulates all three of these things. The space spans multiple levels and has loads of nooks and crannies to discover and great floor-to-ceiling views from Eden’s large windows.

Curl up with a book on a comfy seat, catch a live band in the evening or enjoy a fine dining experience in Eden Restaurant, the choice is yours. The Eden Café is also open on sea days and mornings for light meals, coffee, and juice with stunning indoor and outdoor seating.

One secret venue most people miss

One secret venue is Eden Café, which is open on sea days and in the morning. This stylish café inside Eden offers complimentary light breakfast and lunch options for those in the know. This spot also has some of the best seating with a great choice of stylish indoor and outdoor spots with views to enjoy your food.

The Retreat for the suite

Offerings for suite passengers on Celebrity Edge are impressive with an expanded version of The Retreat, a ship-within-a-ship area that takes up a large part of the ship. This is an area you won’t want to leave, and the good news is you don’t have to with everything available at your fingertips.

There’s a separate pool deck which has a dedicated swimming area, sun loungers, a pool bar and a hot tub. The Retreat Lounge is more modern, and the Luminae suite restaurant on Celebrity Edge is much larger compared to other ships that have previously sailed in our region.

Celebrity Edge tender boarding from the Magic Carpet

Boarding tenders on Celebrity Edge is easy thanks to the dedicated air-conditioned area and platform created by the Magic Carpet. A platform on the side of the ship can be raised and lowered which makes it easy to get on and off the tenders for parents travelling with young children and travellers of all abilities. It makes a much-needed change from trying to navigate steep metal stairways.

The exchange rate is a killer

This isn’t the fault of the ship, but the combination of onboard expenses being charged in US dollars, a poor exchange rate and an increase in prices for everything means you might need to brace yourself for a hit to your hip pocket. Especially, after you add the extra 20% service fee when you buy a drink (Top tip: if you purchase a drinks package, this is included in the cost).

If keeping to a tight budget is important to you, you may like to to stay out of the bars, for-a-fee restaurants, high-end shops like Bulgari and the casino and focus on enjoying the complimentary dining, welcoming public spaces and entertainment included in the cost of your fare.

Service on Celebrity Edge

We noticed a change in service on this Celebrity cruise, our first after the pandemic. It is noticeably more understated and relaxed (i.e. slow). This is not just on Edge but on ships in general, so you need some patience and also respect for the people who work so hard to make sure you have a great holiday to make the most of your cruise experience.

Celebrity Edge entertainment

As for entertainment, you can look forward to big theatre shows and great live music throughout the ship with multiple venue styles and genres. The best music venues included Eden and the Grand Plaza if you want to catch a band.

Celebrity Edge coffee options

If you love coffee as much as we do, head to Café Al Bacio on Level 5 with its stylish ocean view seating and great people-watching. Oceanview Café and Secondo Bacio are where you will get your coffee for breakfast, lunch or dinner to accompany the buffet-style dining. The espresso style coffee made by a barista at all of these venues isn’t complimentary but it’s very good.

The overall Celebrity Edge package

Technological innovations, new main dining restaurants, the magic carpet, and a spa area to die for are all the things that will excite you about getting on board Celebrity Edge. You also have surprises like Eden, the specialty restaurants, and The Retreat for suite guests.

While the onboard US dollar currency and automatic 20 per cent gratuity for all beverage and mini-bar purchases (18% for spa and salon services) make the ship’s water and free dining look appealing, this won’t bother you if you don’t spend too much at the bars or at the spa.

Celebrity Edge offers an excellent cruising experience and is well worth trying when the ship is in our region. Save up or wait for an all-inclusive deal and get onboard this great ship. Throwing caution to the wind and blowing the budget on a suite with lots of extras included would be even more fun.

Disclosure: The writers travelled as guests of Celebrity Cruises.

Want more great cruise advice? Check out our tips for choosing the perfect cruise , cruising with grandchildren , cruising with tweens and cruising with kids of all ages , solo cruising , the best activities on Ovation of the Seas , doing a Transatlantic cruise with kids , cruising in Australia or Papua New Guinea , Iceland cruise tips , cruising on a megaship , scoring a bargain cruise fare , cruising the Mediterranean , making the most of a cruise ship kids club , luxury cruising with kids , and the Byron Beach Club onboard P&O Cruises . We have also reviewed Disney Wonder , Pacific Adventure , Celebrity Edge , Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas , Pacific Encounter , Carnival Splendor , Voyager of the Seas , Nieuw Statendam , Viking Helgrim , Pride of America , Coral Expeditions in Tasmania and the Great Barrier Reef , Celebrity Solstice , and Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth .

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Trevor Templeman

Trevor Templeman is a photographer and writer who travels the world capturing the essence of locations through their landscape, architecture and people. His words and photographs are published in magazines, newspapers and online around the world.

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9 Night Australia Wine Cruise

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Discover the Wonders of Australia & New Zealand With Celebrity

Immerse yourself in spectacular diversity on a cruise to Australia and New Zealand, home to some of the world’s oldest cultures and most extraordinary natural beauty. Let Celebrity introduce you to landscapes that range from emerald-green rainforests to rainbow-colored coral reefs and rolling vineyards. 

You’ll find a genuinely friendly welcome, a world-class arts and cultural scene, and a whole new world of culinary adventures, whether you’re feasting on fresh seafood with a view of Sydney Harbour, sampling Hobart’s artisanal cheeses, or exploring New Zealand’s famous coffee culture. 

Featured Australia & New Zealand Cruises

Explore the astonishing natural beauty of dual-island New Zealand, where jade-green mountains plunge into the sea and forest-fringed beaches stretch for miles. You’ll discover enchanting cities like cool Auckland, Scottish-influenced Dunedin, and art deco Napier. Add to the mix the ancient Māori culture and a sophisticated food and wine scene for an unforgettable vacation.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Discover an underwater world like no other, where corals in every color of the rainbow teem with life, from shoals of dazzling tropical fish to graceful sea turtles. Fly by light aircraft over perfectly formed Heart Reef, or gaze at the marbled swirls of white sand and aquamarine water of Whitehaven Beach. From Cairns, you can even sleep under the stars on an offshore pontoon for the ultimate experience of communing with nature.

Hobart’s atmospheric waterfront area buzzes with activity, from craft beer bars to historic pubs, cool coffee shops, and museums. Out of town, explore Tasmania’s wild natural beauty with a trip up craggy Mount Wellington for magnificent views and a free-wheeling cycle ride down, or a boat ride along the shady green Derwent River, where you can spot penguins on Betsey Island.

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Explore Australia and New Zealand with Celebrity and you’ll enjoy the best of all worlds, from cultural immersion and culinary adventures ashore to relaxation on our contemporary, design-led ships. Unwind in The Spa, relax by the shimmering pool, and toast the end of another perfect day at the Sunset Bar as the light fades to dusk.  

On Celebrity’s ships, you can enjoy a different restaurant for every meal, with menus designed by a Michelin-starred chef. Don’t miss Dinner on the Edge® on Celebrity Edge, with dining under the stars on The Magic Carpet, high above the ocean, with uninterrupted views. Elevate your experience to the next level at The Retreat®, with suite accommodation, access to a tranquil lounge, and dining at the exclusive Luminae at The Retreat.  

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Top Australia & New Zealand FAQs

When is the best time to cruise to Australia and New Zealand?

The seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere, so the best time to cruise is from October to April. New Zealand has a shorter summer than Australia as it’s further south, so is best visited between December and March, when the days are long and sunny.

What should I pack?

Australia and New Zealand cover a vast area, so pack according to the climate zones you are visiting. Generally speaking, New Zealand is cooler than Australia. In Australia, the north is humid and tropical, and the south is more temperate, generally speaking.

Pack sunblock and a sun hat as the sun is strong here. Good walking shoes are important if you want to take advantage of the wonderful hiking in both countries.

Throughout the ship, casual resort wear, sundresses, shorts, polos, or button-downs are appropriate, paired with sandals, low heels, and loafers. In main and specialty dining, we ask guests to refrain from wearing swimsuits, see-through cover-ups or robes, bare feet, tank tops, T-shirts, and baseball caps. 

Smart Casual attire is required for entry to main dining, specialty dining, and the Celebrity Theatre. Smart Casual means you look comfortable yet tasteful in a dress, skirt, long pants, or jeans with a stylish top or button-down. Shorts and flip-flops are not considered Smart Casual. 

Each itinerary features one to two “formal” nights that we call Evening Chic. Evening Chic means you dress to impress, glamorous and sophisticated in your own way, with a cocktail dress, skirt, slacks, or designer jeans, an elegant dress top, or blazer—some guests even pack a tuxedo or gown for onboard photos. 

The daily program, delivered to your stateroom and available at the Guest Relations Desk, will be your guide to the correct attire each evening. If you do not wish to participate in Evening Chic, Smart Casual attire is acceptable for dining and attending the theater.

Do I need a visa or any other documentation to visit Australia and New Zealand?

You will need a valid passport to visit Australia and New Zealand. It is the responsibility of each guest to identify and obtain all required travel documents and have them available at the pier when necessary. Before leaving home, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the required travel documents you will be asked to provide prior to boarding the ship. You’ll find more information here . 

Most visitors to Australia and New Zealand need an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), an electronic, label-free visa obtainable for a small fee. You must apply for this in advance of travel.

What types of itineraries are available?

We offer a wide range of itineraries to Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. You could try a short three- or four-night cruise from Sydney, or a six-night voyage that gives you an overnight in artsy, outdoorsy Hobart, the capital of Tasmania. Australia wine cruises take you to some of the country’s top wine-growing areas, including Melbourne’s Yarra Valley and the Barossa Valley outside Adelaide.

Some Sydney cruises head north to the spectacular Great Barrier Reef , with stops at Airlie Beach and Cairns, as well as Brisbane and Port Douglas.

We also offer several itineraries that take in both Australia and New Zealand. A 10- or 11-night cruise between Auckland and Sydney visits eight or more different locations in New Zealand, including Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, and the serene Milford Sound. You could also opt for a 12-night cruise round-trip from Sydney that almost circumnavigates New Zealand.

You can sail from Australia and New Zealand to the dreamy South Pacific, too, visiting New Caledonia and Vanuatu on the state-of-the-art Celebrity Edge from Sydney. Cruises from Auckland, meanwhile, take you to Fiji and Samoa, with a day in the beautiful Bay of Islands on the way.

Finally, one-way cruises between Singapore and Sydney visit Bali, Darwin, Cairns, and Airlie Beach, giving you a taste of Asia as well as different Australian ports.

Are there specific health or quarantine regulations I should be aware of?

Both Australia and New Zealand have strict rules about the import of certain items, including seeds, plants, and some foods. While you are unlikely to be bringing such items on a cruise, it’s worth checking if in doubt.

There are no compulsory vaccines required for Australia and New Zealand unless you are coming from an area where yellow fever is prevalent, in which case you will need an inoculation certificate. If you are planning to extend your travels beyond either country, check with your physician if anything else is required.

How do I handle currency exchange between the two countries and on the ship?

Australia and New Zealand both use their own dollars (AU$ and NZD$) as currency. The two are not tied to one another and do not have the same exchange rate, so make sure you understand the value of each before traveling.

Australian dollars are not accepted in New Zealand, or vice versa, so you will need a small supply of each if you are visiting both countries. Credit cards are widely accepted in both, so you really only need cash for small purchases from market stalls or souvenir vendors.

You can change money at the Guest Services Desk on board your ship, or use an ATM in port.

What types of wildlife and natural sights can I expect to see on excursions?

Wildlife and nature are two of the primary reasons for visiting Australia and New Zealand. Depending on where you go in Australia, you could spot kangaroos and koalas. You’ll also most likely see wallabies, which are like smaller kangaroos, and wombats, a cute-faced marsupial.

Tasmanian devils are difficult to spot in the wild, but you can visit a sanctuary on an excursion in Hobart where injured or orphaned animals are rehabilitated. If you want to see penguins, Phillip Island, near Melbourne, is the place.

On the Great Barrier Reef, the coral teems with tropical marine life in dazzling colors, from clownfish to butterfly fish and surgeonfish. Sea turtles, manta rays, and marine mammals like whales and dolphins are a regular sight.

New Zealand’s wildlife includes the kiwi, the national bird, and a spectacular array of seabirds and marine mammals. 

As for natural wonders, you couldn’t be in a better part of the world. From the gorgeous vistas of Sydney Harbour to the extraordinary beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, and the pure white beaches of the Whitsundays, there are unforgettable vistas at every turn. Join a tour from Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road to see the dramatic sea stacks of the Twelve Apostles. In New Zealand, admire the serene beauty of Fiordland, where green mountains plunge straight into the glassy water, and the steaming geothermal pools around Tauranga.

What else is there to do in the region?

Both Australia and New Zealand are packed with activities, whether your interest is Aboriginal culture, art, food, or wine. In Hobart, learn about Port Arthur’s dark history as a penal colony, and explore the extraordinary Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). In Melbourne, see Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal art at the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, or join a walking tour to admire vibrant street art. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of Sydney’s famous Opera House, and brave the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb.

In New Zealand, learn about the Scottish heritage of Dunedin, or visit the snow-capped mountains and dense forests of “Middle Earth”, the famous movie location. Learn about Maori culture and history at the fabulous Te Papa Museum in Wellington. You can also see how kiwi fruits are produced, or even spend a day on a sheep farm.

Is cruising a good way to see Australia and New Zealand?

Cruising is an excellent way to see Australia and New Zealand. Distances are long here, but on a cruise, you can use the travel time to relax into the luxurious surroundings of your ship, waking up refreshed for a new port of call each day. 

In Australia, many of the most interesting places are around the coast, so you’re well-positioned on a cruise for easy access to dynamic Sydney, foodie Melbourne, or the dreamy coastal scenery around Airlie Beach.

New Zealand, too, is a great place to explore by ship, especially as you sail through the stunning Fiordland and the exquisite Bay of Islands. 

How long are Australia and New Zealand cruises?

We offer a wide range of cruises in Australia and New Zealand, from short getaways to longer voyages that visit both countries. Cruises range from 3, 4, and 6 nights to 9 to 15 nights.

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• Celebrity Cruises

New-Zealand Excursions by Celebrity: Reviews, suggestions or opinions

By cachouonacruise , January 24, 2023 in Celebrity Cruises

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cachouonacruise

Once again, I am hoping to enhance our Australia/New-Zealand trip, by asking travellers who have experienced it, their feed-back. Your reviews, suggestions and opinions, of Celebrity Excursions will be very much appreciated! 

We are booked on the Edge for the February 4, 2024, Australia, New-Zealand cruise. It will be our first, and likely last opportunity to travel to that area.

Prior to open this thread, I have done my homework, using Googles, Cruise-Critics including the search engine and the Ports Reviews, without finding as much details as I hoped.

DW and I, without being athletics, are fully mobile and able to walk long distances and climb steps.

What we enjoy: Hands-on experiences with food, culture, sceneries. We're not looking in something too "thrilling" nor too "passive". For example, we have passed the age of going bunjee jumping, yet, we don't enjoy too much sitting on long bus rides, where we only stop for a few photo ops. We're not too interested in museums or "castles" either having had the chance to visit quite a few; unless there is something absolutely unique to discover in that building.  

I am trying to mix our experiences a bit to enjoy this trip as much as possible. Our budget is not unlimited, yet, for a unique experience, it can be stretched a bit. This said, I am nervous about some of our selections, and I am concerned to miss something really fabulous.

I have done a preliminary selection of possible excursions. Please, feel free to comment, if you have done these excursions or believe there is something better to do in that port.  

Of note, the Celebrity web site is not specific on excursion descriptions regarding the amount of time spent in a bus, a train versus time spent at a specific location. So, this may contribute to my uneasiness. 

Dunedin:  Speights Brewery and Dunedin Panorama Tour.

Christchurch: Willowbank Wildlife and Kotane Maori Experience.

Wellington: Zealandia Sanctuary and Cable Car Experience.

Napier: Hawkes Bay Panorama.

Bay of Islands: Glow Worm Caves and Kauri Forest.

Thank-you very much in advance, for your time, support and experience sharing.

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CalTexCruiser

you can google the Celebrity tour descriptions and often similar or the same tours offered by third parties (e.g., Viator) will pop up and you can read more detailed descriptions and more importantly customer reviews.

That's helped me pass on many Celebrity tours, which are more expensive anyway.

One tour that appears to be Celebrity exclusive is the Taieri Gorge Train in Dunedin which we booked when Celebrity offered it at 35% off on their recent sale.

dreams_of_travel

The only excursion I have done from your list is the Bay of Islands, Glow worm/forest tour.  It was an enjoyable trip.  Walking up to and through the glow worms caves was good.  I liked the forest part as well as getting to walk through the forest.   I don't know what else to add to describe this excursion.  I think it is a good choice based on your requirements.

If there is a tour to Queenstown from Dunedin, I recommend that! Pricey, but worth it!

We did not take any ship tours on our 14 day cruise from Auckland to Sydney except for the above. In Wellington we booked a private walking tour.

I loved our glow worm experiences that happened on our pre-cruise North Island visit! Our B&B, Te Tiro, had its own private glow worm cave and we also took a cave tour in Waitomo through Spellbound.

1 hour ago, TMLAalum said: If there is a tour to Queenstown from Dunedin, I recommend that! Pricey, but worth it!

Thank-you very much for the suggestion TMLAalum, I will keep it in mind, since it does not yet seem to be offered by Celebrity at this time. We're still 13 months away from the cruise, may be more options will be posted in the future.

I am doing the cruise starting tomorrow, so I have not experienced these excursions, however, Celebrity excursions are very expensive and in Wellington, the cable car and Zealandia can be easily done on your own. The shuttle will drop you off right near the cable car, which you can take to the top, and then there is a free shuttle to Zelandia, so that is one I would, for sure do on my own, rather than pay their exorbitant costs.

1 hour ago, Peteymil said: I am doing the cruise starting tomorrow, so I have not experienced these excursions, however, Celebrity excursions are very expensive and in Wellington, the cable car and Zealandia can be easily done on your own. The shuttle will drop you off right near the cable car, which you can take to the top, and then there is a free shuttle to Zelandia, so that is one I would, for sure do on my own, rather than pay their exorbitant costs.

Thank-you very much for the insight! I really appreciate it! 

NMTraveller

Well the highlight of our trip was getting off the ship at Milford sound, taking a boat to shore/small airport and doing an overnight excursion starting at Milford Sound.  I would highly recommend this excursion.  It is a bit pricey, but Milford Sound and area is the most beautiful IMHO.

Wellington: Zealandia Sanctuary and Cable Car Experience was also good.

5 hours ago, CalTexCruiser said: One tour that appears to be Celebrity exclusive is the Taieri Gorge Train in Dunedin which we booked when Celebrity offered it at 35% off on their recent sale.

When we were over in Dunedin in 2020, we booked the Taieri Gorge Train independently (some hundreds of AUD$ cheaper!), directly with the operator - though on this occasion it was departing from Dunedin Railway Station, and not Port Otago where the ship docks.

5 hours ago, CalTexCruiser said: you can google the Celebrity tour descriptions and often similar or the same tours offered by third parties (e.g., Viator) will pop up and you can read more detailed descriptions and more importantly customer reviews.   That's helped me pass on many Celebrity tours, which are more expensive anyway.   One tour that appears to be Celebrity exclusive is the Taieri Gorge Train in Dunedin which we booked when Celebrity offered it at 35% off on their recent sale.

We took this tour.  It was very nice.  I would recommend.

30 minutes ago, NMTraveller said: Well the highlight of our trip was getting off the ship at Milford sound, taking a boat to shore/small airport and doing an overnight excursion starting at Milford Sound.  I would highly recommend this excursion.  It is a bit pricey, but Milford Sound and area is the most beautiful IMHO.   Wellington: Zealandia Sanctuary and Cable Car Experience was also good.

Yes, Milford sound is so beautiful. I loved our boating experience and hotel stay too. We actually hiked the zigzag up the mountains and down along the Fork River to reach the sound.  The ruggedness, along with the 4 day trek was awesome.  I actually sprained my ankle on day 3; got to take the helicopter out the last day along with many backpacks.  Now that was a very unique experience and worth the pain from my ankle.  We have NZ, AUS and TP booked for March/April/May of '24, but who knows what will happen by then.

4 hours ago, cachouonacruise said: Thank-you very much for the suggestion TMLAalum, I will keep it in mind, since it does not yet seem to be offered by Celebrity at this time. We're still 13 months away from the cruise, may be more options will be posted in the future.

I just got off of a Sydney to Auckland with Celebrity, and they offered the Queenstown overnight etc, leaving from Milford Sound since that was where we entered New Zealand.  I think they offer that going either way around NZ. 

On 1/24/2023 at 9:20 PM, nchpmn said:   When we were over in Dunedin in 2020, we booked the Taieri Gorge Train independently (some hundreds of AUD$ cheaper!), directly with the operator - though on this occasion it was departing from Dunedin Railway Station, and not Port Otago where the ship docks.

We also took this train independently.  There was a shuttle from the port into Dunedin.  Locally run and as I recall, for a small fee.  We booked the Seasider train in advance.  Took a few hours to walk around Dunedin.  There was a farmers market at the train station and the station is a must see.  The interior is Royal Doulton tiles.  The train ride passes the port And hugs the coast for a scenic ride.  It turns around and stops at the port on the return, so you may exit there.  It was an easy downhill walk back to the ship.  We ended up missing the Speights Brewery doing this, but they sold the beer on the train, so we did get to taste it.

Enjoy your trip.

If you don't like sitting in a bus, I'd skip anything that says it's a "panoramic" tour. Are you active enough to enjoy bike riding? I can't recall the name of the bike rental company (it's easily googleable), but in Napier we rented bikes from a shop in town, took a gorgeous ride by the water and through the countryside, then did some "winery hopping" by bike. The rental company picked us up at the wineries at the end so no need to bike all the way back. It was simple and one of my favorite excursions I've ever done. 

Thank-you very much every one for the very interesting suggestions! Lots of ideas to consider! I really appreciate the feedback! 

FYI ...The "sand flies" at the sound are huge and they can bite.  We were there in the month of February!

30 minutes ago, Lastdance said: FYI ...The "sand flies" at the sound are huge and they can bite.  We were there in the month of February!

Thank-you very much for the warning! Are the flies only ashore or also able to get to you on deck? ( My wife is a bit phobic about insects, so I am just trying to assess where in the Sounds is the risk to encounter the flies.).

Thanks again for the warning! 

On 1/24/2023 at 6:39 PM, Lastdance said: Yes, Milford sound is so beautiful. I loved our boating experience and hotel stay too. We actually hiked the zigzag up the mountains and down along the Fork River to reach the sound.  The ruggedness, along with the 4 day trek was awesome.  I actually sprained my ankle on day 3; got to take the helicopter out the last day along with many backpacks.  Now that was a very unique experience and worth the pain from my ankle.  We have NZ, AUS and TP booked for March/April/May of '24, but who knows what will happen by then.

How did you do 4 day? You must not have been on a cruise.

On 1/24/2023 at 6:13 PM, NMTraveller said: Well the highlight of our trip was getting off the ship at Milford sound, taking a boat to shore/small airport and doing an overnight excursion starting at Milford Sound.  I would highly recommend this excursion.  It is a bit pricey, but Milford Sound and area is the most beautiful IMHO.   Wellington: Zealandia Sanctuary and Cable Car Experience was also good.

When did you go? I am trying to figure out what I would miss by going & not staying on cruise. …plus, how many actual nights OFF the ship.

why was it so worth it? It sounds like a lot of moving around, not sure we would like that….not young anymore.

1 minute ago, CU64 said: How did you do 4 day? You must not have been on a cruise.  

No, I wasn't on a cruise.  My DH and I were hiking into Milford Sound, about 34 miles total.  The rugged terrain and beautiful scenery was absolutely wonderful.  Then, we got to the sound...so worth it, even with the avalanche day 3, causing me to twist my ankle.  The oldest person on the hike was 82 and lived on South Island.  Maybe I did not explain this very well in another post...sorry!

• 1 year later...

We are tossing up between the Tauranga Maori Cultural Highlights tour and Kai at Te Pa Tu Maori Village tour. Does anyone have any experience with either of these tours. We would like to experience them doing the HAKA if possible.

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