Cruise Excursion, 5 To 6 Hours

Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Picton Marlborough Wine Tour 5-6 hrs

★ 4.9 38 reviews

from $163.79 per person

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Duration: 5 hours
Meeting point: Picton i-SITE
Cancellation: Every tour here can be cancelled free
Run by: Discovery Wine Tours

Overview

This five-hour shore excursion picks up cruise passengers in Picton and drives them into Marlborough wine country, with tastings at several wineries, and reviewers describe a lunch stop along the way. The meeting point is the Picton i-SITE Visitor Information Centre on The Foreshore, where tour hosts meet disembarking passengers who follow the blue line to the yellow flag. The itinerary is adjusted daily around each ship's port schedule, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Tasting fees at the wineries visited are included in the price, along with transport, GST, an air-conditioned vehicle and a tour host who talks through both wine and local Marlborough history. Lunch is not included; food choices and costs on the day are the traveller's own. Groups are capped at 13 travellers, and one reviewer described the group size as not too big and just right.

Reviewers mention stops at a range of wineries, including Gibson Bridge, along with lunch venues attached to vineyards. One reviewer noted the wines were mostly whites, and another said no wine expertise was needed to enjoy the day.

Hands seen from behind rest on a wooden cellar door bench beside a water jug, a plate of bread and cheese and empty tasting glasses, vine rows through the open door.

What's Included

Included

All standard cellar door tasting fees at wineries visited
GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Air-conditioned vehicle
Tour Host with a passion for wine and Marlborough local history

Not Included

Lunch or food choices are at guests care on the day

Itinerary

Meet in PictonDisembark, follow the blue line to the yellow flag and take the free cruise ship shuttle bus to the Picton i-SITE Visitor Information Centre on The Foreshore, where the tour hosts meet passengers.
Drive to Marlborough wine regionTravel by air-conditioned vehicle into the Marlborough Region for the day's winery visits. The route and stops are updated daily around the ship's port schedule.
Winery tastingsStandard cellar door tasting fees at the wineries visited are included. The exact number of stops varies, and reviewers report different counts.
Lunch stop, at own costLunch is not included; food choices and payment are handled individually on the day. Several reviewers describe vineyard lunch stops, with options varying by venue.
Return to PictonThe tour ends back at the Picton i-SITE meeting point. Total duration is 5 hours.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the listing and from what travellers report below.

How this price compares with 4 other tours in the same category (from-price per person, USD)

Half-Day From Picton, 3 Hours$114.37
Cruise Ship Shore Excursion$149.43
Full-Day From Picton, Pickup$158.05
Cruise Excursion, 5 to 6 Hours (this tour)$163.79
Port of Picton Highlights Tour$186.78

Getting to the meeting point. The free cruise ship shuttle drops passengers at the Picton i-SITE. After disembarking, follow the blue line to the yellow flag and the tour hosts will be waiting there.
Group size and pace. The maximum group is 13 travellers. One reviewer described the group as not too big and the size as just right.
Food and drink. Tasting fees are included but lunch is not, so budget for your own meal. Several travellers mention vineyard lunches, and one notes a chocolate shop stop with samples, though venues vary.
What you will taste. Reviewers report tastings across a range of Marlborough wineries. One noted the wines were mostly whites, and another said you did not need to be a wine expert to enjoy the tour.
Weather and comfort. The experience requires good weather, and poor-weather cancellations come with an alternative date or a full refund.
Booking confirmation. Confirmation is received at the time of booking. Travellers with specific requirements are asked to contact the operator directly, and private or family group tours with group discounts are available on request.

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Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, though the operator says most travellers can participate and can be catered for if contacted directly. The exact winery line-up varies by day, and one reviewer reported sitting at the back of the minibus on bumpy roads, unable to hear the driver's commentary because there was no microphone. Another felt the lunch venue was overpriced with limited menu options. Lunch and any food on the day are paid separately, and the tour can be cancelled or rescheduled if weather is poor.

Common Questions

Where Does The Tour Meet In Picton?

At the Picton i-SITE Visitor Information Centre on The Foreshore. The free cruise ship shuttle bus drops passengers there; follow the blue line after disembarking to the yellow flag and the tour hosts will meet you. The tour ends back at the same point.

What Is Included In The Price?

All standard cellar door tasting fees at the wineries visited, transportation, GST, an air-conditioned vehicle and a tour host. Lunch is not included; food choices are at guests' care on the day.

How Long Is The Tour?

The duration is 5 hours, timed around your cruise ship's port schedule, with itineraries updated daily. The tour starts and finishes at the Picton i-SITE meeting point.

Can Children Join The Tour?

Children are allowed on private tours, and family group tours are available. For specific requirements, including group bookings and discounts, contact the operator directly before the day.

Is The Tour Wheelchair Accessible?

No, it is not wheelchair accessible. It also notes that most travellers can participate and that guests with specific requirements should contact the operator directly.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours of the start time are not refunded or accepted, and cut-off times are based on local time. If the tour is cancelled due to poor weather, a different date or a full refund is offered.