Wine Tasting Plus Cruise Combo

Marlborough Icons Tour - Wine Tasting + Cruise

★ 4.7 81 reviews

from $183.91 per person

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Duration: 6 hours 30 minutes
Meeting point: Blenheim (Picton pickup at extra cost)
Cancellation: Every tour here can be cancelled free
Run by: Marlborough Tour Company

Overview

This tour pairs two of the region's main draws in a single day: cellar door tastings in the Marlborough wine region, then a seafood cruise on the Marlborough Sounds. Marlborough Tour Company runs it over 6.5 hours, with roughly three hours given to each half. Travellers are driven between stops in an air conditioned vehicle, so there is no need to self drive between the wineries and the water.

The morning is built around wine. Reviews describe stops at two Marlborough wineries, though the exact line up on any given day is not fixed by the listing. Cellar door staff pour a range of wines to taste and reviewers describe them as helpful and willing to answer questions. A light lunch is included partway through the day, before the tour heads to the water.

The afternoon cruise is the seafood half. Reviewers also say the skipper explains the mussel farming industry along the way. With wine, lunch and a boat trip in one booking, it suits visitors who want a taste of both sides of the region without organising each piece separately.

A cellar door veranda with a table of tasting glasses and a plate of cheese, vines beyond a low fence, two people seen from behind, warm afternoon light.

What's Included

Included

Wine tasting
Air-conditioned vehicle
Local taxes
Seafood Cruise
Lunch (Light lunch)

Not Included

Food and drinks beyond the wine tastings, light lunch and seafood tastings specified

Itinerary

Wine region morningThree hours in the Marlborough region visiting cellar doors, with tastings included. Winery line ups vary between departures.
Light lunchA light lunch is included partway through the day, before the drive to the Sounds.
Marlborough Sounds cruiseThree hours on the Marlborough Sounds, with a seafood cruise serving mussels and salmon. This part joins a larger group and runs subject to favourable weather.
Optional extrasPickup and drop off from Picton can be arranged in advance, subject to availability, with surcharges applying. One reviewer also mentioned a chocolate factory stop after the cruise, though this is not promised by the listing.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this day goes, from the group size to the weather dependency of the cruise.

How this price compares with 8 other tours in the same category (from-price per person, USD, the 8 lowest shown)

Winemakers Tour, Tasting Fees Included$143.68
Beyond the Vines Small Group$143.68
5 to 6 Hour Full-Day Tour$154
Day of Wine, Hotel Pickup$162.07
Wine Tasting Plus Cruise Combo (this tour)$183.91
Gourmet and Scenic, Blenheim Start$186.78
Full-Day From Blenheim, Lunch Included$218.39
Jimmy's Classic Full-Day Tour$227.01

Small land group. The booking caps the land portion at 15 travellers and needs a minimum of 6 to run. Reviews mention the group staying fairly small, and one solo traveller reported it made the day sociable. Larger groups can be arranged with the operator directly.
Bigger boat crowd. The afternoon Seafood Odyssea cruise merges with another group, which can reach 40 people in peak season. Expect the water half to feel less intimate than the winery half. One reviewer found it difficult to hear the commentary on board.
Tastings and lunch. Wine tastings and the light lunch are also included. Any other food or drinks you buy are at your own cost.

Minivan parked at the edge of Marlborough vine rows under late sun.

Weather matters. The afternoon cruise only runs in favourable conditions. If weather forces a cancellation, the operator offers a different date or a full refund. One reviewer ended up with an all day wine tour instead when the cruise could not sail.
Winery line up varies. Reviews name different wineries on different days, and no specific cellar doors are promised. One reviewer said their guide added extra stops when the schedule allowed.
No wheelchair access. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, though most travellers can participate. Children must come with an adult. If anyone in your party wants to swim, the operator asks that you review and acknowledge the swimming waiver on its website beforehand.

Ready To BookCheck availability →

Common issues. The tour needs a minimum of 6 travellers and will be cancelled if that is not met, with a different date, experience or refund offered. The cruise depends on good weather, and one reviewer ended up with an all day wine tour instead when the boat could not sail. Cruise ship passengers should be careful: the timing may not align with callback times, so confirm before booking. One reviewer was left waiting at a custom pickup point after a mix up, and another wished for a third winery stop. Picton pickup and drop off carries a surcharge and depends on availability.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

Wine tastings, a light lunch, the seafood cruise, travel in an air conditioned vehicle and local taxes are all included. Mussels and salmon served on the cruise are part of the seafood experience. Any other food or drinks beyond those items are not included.

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

The listing does not state that pickup is included as standard. It does say pickup and drop off from Picton can be arranged in advance, subject to availability, with surcharges applying. Check the booking page for the meeting point that applies to your booking.

How Long Is The Tour And What Is The Pace?

The full experience runs 6.5 hours, split roughly evenly between three hours in the wine region and three hours on the Marlborough Sounds. One reviewer described the cruise as relaxing, and another praised the itinerary. The day combines cellar door visits, lunch and the boat cruise into a single booking.

Is The Tour Suitable For Children And People With Limited Mobility?

Children can join but must be accompanied by an adult, and most travellers can participate. However, the tour is not wheelchair accessible. Anyone planning to swim must acknowledge the operator's swimming waiver on its website first.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window, no refund is given and changes are not accepted. If the operator cancels for poor weather or because the minimum group size of 6 is not reached, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.

Is This Tour Suitable For Cruise Ship Passengers?

It may not be, because the cruise timing may not align with your callback time to the ship. Confirm your callback time with your ship before booking.