This was a tender port. We picked up our tender tickets out by the pool right before heading into the buffet for breakfast. The timing was perfect as our number was called just as we finished eating. Cruisers who have booked an excursion ...
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This was a tender port. We picked up our tender tickets out by the pool right before heading into the buffet for breakfast. The timing was perfect as our number was called just as we finished eating. Cruisers who have booked an excursion through NCL or were at Gold Level or above did not need tender tickets.
Even though the tender boat ride was under 20 minutes, the total time from when our number was called to when we set foot on Akaroa spanned about 45 minutes. Take that into consideration if you make an independent excursion arrangement. By the way, there were many vendors offering tours at the pier. They were very casual (unlike the in-your-face pestering we have encountered at numerous other ports).
We opted to do things on our own again and walked to Newton’s Waterfall first. The distance was under 2 miles but all uphill. Note that you will have to go pass two fences. The first can be opened but the second had to be stepped over. The waterfall was just a small one. There are other walks to take. I saw a sign in town encouraging visitors to access www.bpwalk.co.nz. After coming back down, we paid a short visit to the lighthouse.
For lunch, we had meat pies and baguette from Akaroa Butchery and Deli per the recommendation of the Cruise Critic community. The crusts were super flaky. The beef pie was very good. The lamb pie could use some more seasoning. Nonetheless, these were the best meat pies we had on the whole trip. We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping. The artisan markets had much to offer.
By the way, we saw a sign for a laundromat at the corner of Rue Lavaud and Rue Brittan in case you need it.
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