During the overland excursion after Queenstown, we drove to Middlemarch to board the Taieri Gorge train.  We were told that we probably saw about 1 million sheep during this excursion, and I believe it.  In addition, there were a number of ranches that also raise herds of deer for food, which was interesting to see.  Although we ran into rain on the drive to Middlemarch, it was beautiful when we arrived for the train trip down to Dunedin.  We had a box lunch on the train, which was nothing special.  However, the trip itself was beautiful.  Graham, our guide, was in a bit of panic because we were running late on our way to Middlemarch, however, it turned out that the train was waiting for us because Radisson (this was in 2005) passengers had the train completely to themselves—it wasn’t a very big train.  We arrived at the Dunedin Railway Station and went on a brief sightseeing tour of the city.  Dunedin is known as the “Edinburgh of the South,”—apparently it’s laid out like Edinburgh, Scotland.  We saw what is said to be the steepest street in the world, and Otago University.  We arrived at Port Chalmers to reboard the Mariner at about 5:30 PM. 

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Eugene

I don't think this year's overland trip includes the train trip, too bad because it sound great. I do see that the train is listed separately as an excursion from Dunedin.

Olivia, I like your idea of finding a less expensive tour company but I'm not sure how we would get off the ship in Milford Sound. Only those on the overland tour are tendered off. I think the shotover boat trip is offered from another port (Christchurch) and I really want to do that too.

Lauri

I would suggest you do this extension. YES it is expensive and it is a long time on a bus but to miss Queenstown is to miss the best of New Zealand.

Finding a local operator is probably not that the best option in this situation. It is along way in a bus and quite a distance from Milford into Queenstown. If your local guide does not show up in Milford you are doomed. There is absolutely nothing there but the old Milford Hotel. I think a private situation could end up being more expensive in this scenario and would advise against this option. This is not Asia and locals are expensive particularly for something like this.

SHOTOVER JET BOAT
Any free time you have the hotel you are staying at will set up the shotover jet excursion. They run constantly, pick you up at your hotel or a meeting place in town and bring you back. Easy to do this on your own. Any jet boat excursions will be fun so it is not necessary to do this in Queenstown.

ARROWTOWN
I did not remember them including Arrowtown before, they may have I just did not remember that. It is a quaint place and I think you will enjoy that.

This tour hits the highlights and I would do it.

Ngaire

Sounds good, I'm in!!!

I've been reading that that road from Milford Sound to Te Anau is considered one of the most beautiful routes in the world. Plus, this excursion would get us into the area where Lord of the Rings was filmed, a plus for the geek element among us (my hand is up to claim membership in that group). My main question is, how much of Milford Sound would we be missing?

NONE - Milford Sound you sail in from the Tasman and then go to the end - turn around and sail out. You will go all the way in for the tender to take you ashore. You will not miss a thing!

Personally I would not call this one of the most beautiful routes in the world. It is very dramatic when you first leave Milford before you go through the Homer Tunnel. Then the rest is great in places not as great in others. As you near Queenstown it gets really beautiful again. No slouch but I think "most beautiful in the world" is stretching it a bit.

If the ship makes a trip into DOUBTFUL SOUND that you would miss and this is quite different from Milford. A beautiful Fjord but not as dramatic. I think the trip to Queenstown is preferable.

Thanks,Ngaire. Two books described it that way, but guidebooks do have a way of overstating sometimes.

I'm glad we wouldn't miss Milford Sound. Now it's a question of whether that rather steep price is worth it.

Bit the bullet and booked Milford Sound to Dunedin!!

Is there anyone on DINGO who will be taking a very large empty suitcase? I so wish I could join y'all. Lee

We also booked the Milford Sound to Dunedin tour. It will give us a taste of NZ, since we will not be able to stay after the cruise.

Carolyn, Looks like LCTers will be taking in the Fjordland scenery. We'll need to take some POOCH cards along, too.

Lee, maybe someone will have an extra luggage tag for you!!! hee~hee :D

We did the Milford Sound to Dunedin in 2006 and loved it. Do the Jet Boat ride - it is really fun!

Lee, maybe I can smuggle you on, it's just me in my room!

Thanks, Jan. I am thinking it will be quite scenic. Where do you take the jet boat ride... in Queenstown? I've found a few videos of some rides. Wondering if they used music to cover up the screams!!! Not sure if we have time in Queenstown to take this ride in the daytime.

I think the jet boat used to be part of the tour. Now, I'm not sure. In the printed catalog it describes it as being included but online it doesn't. If not, I hope we have enough free time in Queenstown to do ourselves.

Just reading up on the Shotover Jetboat. On the webpage they state that reservations are essential. Wonder if we can find out for sure if it is included for our trip?

I guess we could either call RSSC or have one of the agents at B&K do some research for us.

I'll email Susan W.

It was included in our tour, but that was in 2006! It was the Shotover Tour. They broke the group in two groups; one group did the ride while the other did some site seeing.

Thanks, Jan. I hope it's included on our tour, too. Susan Walsh is looking into it for us.

Keeping my fingers crossed that we get to do it!

Hi folks...the Milford sound to Dunedin and Shotover boat...are those post cruise trips?

Andi, We are asking if it is included in the overnight land trip. Look here for the two day trip. Susan Walsh has a message into Regent to see if the Shotover jet boat ride is included. Everyone says it's great. Will post here when I get the reply from Susan.

Thanks Beth

Susan Walsh got back to me and found out that the jet boat ride is not included in the land tour this year in Queenstown.

The time frame may be a bit tight to fit the Jet Boat in. Sometimes they have offered an extra day on that tour and have joined the ship again in Lyttleton, Christchurch, but then you miss out on Dunedin.

Bummer. Too bad because everyone said it was a highlight of the tour. I know there is an excursion out of Christchurch that offers a jetboat experience. Maybe we can find a way to fit it in.

If you have ANY FREE TIME I still think you may be able to fit this in. They will pick you up and take you and the boats go out about every 15 - 30 minutes or so. The hotel can call for you once you get there if you decide to try and do this. It takes no longer than 15 minutes from town to the river. The ride only lasts about 10 - 15 minutes. The actual jet boat is where the experience lies not necessarily doing it on the Shotover River in Queenstown, that is just where it started I believe and therefore the most well known. So any N.Z. jet boat will be basically the same experience. It is about the speed in just inches of water, proximity to the banks, and the quick turns. In particular the Hamilton Turn which is a 360 degree turn is what is so much fun.

I am sure before it is over anyone who wants to do a jet boat will get a chance. If there is one in Christchurch that would be a good place to do it. The town is quaint and very English and perhaps I have been there one too many times but if you want to do the jet boat take that excursion instead you will not be missing anything major in Christchurch.

Having been to Christchurch and on the jet boat ride during our overland excursion to Queenstown, I second Ngaire's idea. (I may be a little biased because our day in Christchurch was accompanied by somewhat dreary weather.) But we sure had fun on the jet boat ride the day we did it; I was all ready to do it again.

I did a quick Google search and saw several jet boat excursions around Christchurch.

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Eugene

Reading on the Regent website today, I found that DINGO is a Spotlight on Food and Wine cruise.

I've always wondered what that really means. The food and wine is usually excellent anyway. Maybe they emphasize more locally produced products? Or do they just have more cooking demonstrations and wine tastings?

Whatever it means, I can't wait to be onboard!

Lauri,

Usually there are speakers, food demos and wine tasting events on sea days. Regent has sent a special chef on board to assist in the galley with special menus. At one time, there was a special group you could join (for a fee prior to the cruise) that would take you on private excursions geared toward vineyards and markets. Guess your B&K TA could tell you more.

I have been on three Spotlight on Food and Wine cruises. They usually have a theme with guest a chef or winemaker. Sometimes there is a special menu. All three cruises where there was a Cordon Bleu class WEre food and wine spotlight cruises. This would be a first time that there isn't a CB class on board.

I did the Cordon Bleu cooking class once. It was fun but not sure I'd want to do it again. Some food related shore excursions would be fun. I love seeing what and how people eat in other places. One of my very favorite things to do in any place I travel to is go to the local grocery store (or market).

You're right, Kathy. The Navigator just doesn't have the space for the CB cooking classes.

I should have put for me in my thread.

Regardless, I love that theme....and I love going to the food markets. My favorite is Harrods, but Nice has a good one, La Boqueteria in Barcelona and there was one if Venice that was interesting too.

I'm being so indecisive about where to stay in Auckland! I have a reservation at the Hyatt for $244NZD and one at SkyCity for $169NZD. I had one for a B&B in Devonport but decided that I'd rather stay in the CBD and maybe just take the ferry to Devonport to look around if I have time. Obviously SkyCity is less expensive...but I've read variable reviews of it. HELP!!

114 Days until we sail
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Prime 7 reservations are up on the Regent website. Just made our reservations! :3smile: