New Zealand excursions

[Jane Hallett]

Hi
I am unclear as to how we pay for the optional excursions. I have already paid for 3 up front when I paid my final bill last week and was told that if I were to pay in New Zealand I would have to pay in cash. i.e New Zealand dollars.
Is this correct or can I use my Visa debit card or credit card?

Can you make it clearer for me as to what I can pay for now before I leave and if I decide later what is the latest to arrange this.....if I could not decide until I get there how do I pay please.

Also is there any guidance as to how much cash I will need to take if this is the case.

Thank you

Jane

[Moderator2]

Hi Jane,

Hopefully I can provide a bit more information for you….

Before you leave the UK, you can pre-book the following trips:

Hobbiton movie set
Walter Peak cruise and dinner in Queenstown
Dart River excursion
Stargazing and dinner

Then, while you are away you can book the following in resort, I have explained in brackets why this is in resort only, where you can pay by credit card and the from price (based on 2017 departures);

The Rainbow Springs (may clash with a pre-bookable excursion, price from £56)
Walter Peak cruise (may clash with a pre-bookable excursion, price from £33)
Jet Boat ride (recommended that traveller speaks with Tour Manager before booking this excursion, price from £72)
Mt Tarawera Floatplane/Helicopter (weather dependent, can be paid by credit card, price from £132/£221)
Glacier Helicopter (weather dependent, can be paid by credit card, price from £177)
Mount Cook Flight (weather dependent, can be paid by credit card, price from £236)

I have been advised that if there are any excursions that you would like to take that are bookable in resort, there are plenty of ATMs if you would prefer to withdraw cash while you are overseas rather than taking it with you.

I hope this information helps,

Kindest regards,
Amy

[nixon]

When I did NZ a few years ago I took a large amount of cash, I am not a lover of trying to locate ATMS while away.

I wanted to do many of the flights and as Amy does say they weather dependant and the weather was NOT in my favour the only flight I managed was the Franz Josef helicopter flight..

The jet ride I did was very gentle unless it has changed, I was told this was due to the age range if the travellers!!! TBH at £72 for me it wasn't worth it. If you want a fast jet ride source your own ride out while there.

Rainbow Springs is OK but more for children I would say.

Walter Peak cruise was OK

You of course have to make up your own mind.

Cindy

[janib]

Thank you Jane, Amy and Cindy for all the information. Looks like my credit card will get a battering as I want to do all the flights- as Cindy says depending on weather. I know that I want to do Hobbiton and the Walter Peak trips and I would love to do the Star gazing except that is on the same night as Walter Peak A friend wanted to go stargazing except for the weather Been up a mountain in Finland to see the Northern Lights- had a snow storm, could not see 20 feet in front

Jan

[Dyuti]

(18/08/2017, 03:49 PM)Moderator2 Wrote: Hi Jane,

Hopefully I can provide a bit more information for you….

Before you leave the UK, you can pre-book the following trips:

Hobbiton movie set
Walter Peak cruise and dinner in Queenstown
Dart River excursion
Stargazing and dinner

Then, while you are away you can book the following in resort, I have explained in brackets why this is in resort only, where you can pay by credit card and the from price (based on 2017 departures);

The Rainbow Springs (may clash with a pre-bookable excursion, price from £56)
Walter Peak cruise (may clash with a pre-bookable excursion, price from £33)
Jet Boat ride (recommended that traveller speaks with Tour Manager before booking this excursion, price from £72)
Mt Tarawera Floatplane/Helicopter (weather dependent, can be paid by credit card, price from £132/£221)
Glacier Helicopter (weather dependent, can be paid by credit card, price from £177)
Mount Cook Flight (weather dependent, can be paid by credit card, price from £236)

I have been advised that if there are any excursions that you would like to take that are bookable in resort, there are plenty of ATMs if you would prefer to withdraw cash while you are overseas rather than taking it with you.

I hope this information helps,

Kindest regards,
Amy

Hello Amy,

It is not possible to pay online for the excursions that need paying for before the departure. When we are able to make the payment for the tour online, to me, it would make sense and easier if we could do the same for the excursions. I am sure this would be appreciated by most of us.


Dyuti