Dunedin Day Tours are great way to see our fantastic city if you are only here for a limited amount of time. For cruise ship passengers this is an ideal option and Rams Bottom Tours provides solutions for this, and as we know, getting the best out of your short stay in Dunedin is important.
We are very lucky in that when visitors participate in Dunedin Day Tours, they can be out in the countryside from either Port Chalmers (Dunedin’s Port) or Dunedin city center within a few short minutes, giving more time to explore the city and surrounding areas.
Some key things to consider when choosing your Dunedin Day Tours:
If you are on cruise ship stop in Dunedin or perhaps here for just a day, then you want to try and make the most of it. So, let’s look into the above questions a bit more.
So, what is important to you when it comes to sights and attractions?
Choose something that interests you not other passengers. Often people think that ‘heck we are only here for a short time’ so we better choose one of the standard day tour packages that every other man and his dog offers. Just because you are visiting Dunedin for the day does not mean that you can’t see the attractions that you want to.
As mentioned at the start, we are lucky in Dunedin that within just a few short minutes we can be in the countryside. Dunedin doesn’t have the same restrictions as a bigger city or port may have with traffic congestion or driving for miles just to get to an attraction or sights. That’s what sets our Dunedin Day Tours apart!
Do I choose a large or small tour group?
For me an easy answer, a small group tour all day long! Small group Dunedin Day Tours generally do not cost any more than a larger group tour, especially if you book directly with the tour company. Having been on a few cruises myself I find booking with a smaller tour company which operates smaller groups (vans vs buses) is such a more pleasurable experience. Quicker from one attraction to the other, quicker loading/unloading passengers, vehicles that can access more places and let’s not forget a more personalised experience!
What’s included in your tour, lunch, entry fees etc.?
Make sure you read any fine print when booking a tour to see what is and what is not included.
At Rams Bottom Tours we offer Dunedin Day Tours that are fully inclusive! Not saying tour companies hide charges from you, but just check that you are comparing apples with apples when booking a tour. A decent lunch these days can cost anywhere between $25 and $40. As with any product, not all tours are created equal.
Are there any hidden costs?
Well, I certainly hope not! It’s not uncommon for companies to perhaps, should we say…… put things in small print or not disclose them upfront. Again, it comes to what is and isn’t included. Generally, there are credit card/booking fees which is done through a third party and on-charged to the customer. These shouldn’t be hidden; however, these are sometimes added at the end at checkout time when booking online. Moving forward I believe that companies now have to show this additional fee prior to check out.
Are the sights and attractions going to be packed with other cruise ship passengers or tourists?
If you are travelling during peak season, then the answer to this is most likely yes. How do you avoid this whilst still wanting to visit the sights and attractions that Dunedin Day Tours offer? Well, this can come down to the right choices. Unfortunately, if you have chosen a large group tour or maybe a cruise ships own tour, which a company may operate multiple buses, then there is a good chance it’s going to be overcrowded.
A small group tour option maybe the best option, as unlike a larger tour operator, a small tour company has more flexibility as to where and when they visit attractions. A good tour operator should know this, and after all it’s another reason why you should choose a small group tour.
Group tour or private tour?
What’s even better than a small group tour? Your very own private tour! Private Dunedin Day Tours are often not that more expensive than a small group tour, or even the same price depending on the number in your group. Then, you really can see what you want to when it comes to sights and attractions. As we say at Rams Bottom Tours, Your Tour Your Way.
Again, based on my personal experience when travelling overseas, booking a private tour where possible, is definitely the way to go. You beat the crowds, not jammed in a bus with 60 other people you don’t know and can visit more exclusive sights and attractions. A great way to spend the day with personalised service. Rams Bottom Tours offer a private tour option HERE
Is it a reputable tour company?
Always important to choose a reputable company when spending your hard-earned cash. Whilst it is always good practice to check out reviews on trip advisor and other platforms, in New Zealand we are lucky enough to have a tourism quality standard. This is Qualmark, New Zealand’s tourism’s official mark of quality, check out Qualmark HERE.
Any reputable tour company should be a member. How do I know if they are? Most will clearly and proudly show that they are a member and whether they are bronze, silver or gold status, usually with a Qualmark sign and a link you can click on.
At Rams Bottom Tours we are proudly a Qualmark member.
Will I be back to the ship or drop off point on time?
I certainly hope so, and in plenty of time. All tour operators should 100% know what time their customers need to be back at the port or at their destination. Always a good thing at the start of the tour to ensure your guide/driver is aware of this.
As previously mentioned, Dunedin Day Tours, no matter which company you are with should have you back in plenty of time due to the close proximity we are to the city (majority of the time), no excuses.
From my experience on the cruises I have been on, some cruise companies will put the fear into you by suggesting if you book a tour through them, you are guaranteed to be back to the ship on time.
You have to ask yourself why would any tour operator large or small not want to get you back to the ship on time? So, they can get a bad review and loose future business? I think not! With the exception of an incident or breakdown which could happen to any tour operator, simple answer is all tour operators are going to have you back on time.
And if there was an incident or breakdown, I’m sure that it would be easier to transport smaller groups of people back to their ship!
At the end of the day, whatever Dunedin Day Tours you pick, choose the one that works for you, the paying customer. If it’s a large group bus tour, then great, or if you are after a small group or private tour then that’s great to. And at Rams Bottom Tours we can certainly help with small group or private tours.
