Ultimate Rail, Cruise and Coach Reviews

The whole trip was amazing but in particular, beautiful Bay of Islands, geysers of Rotorua, Te Papa Museum in Wellington, the Coastal Pacific Rail Journey from Picton, the Tranzalpine train journey, Queenstown, Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise, viewing magnificent snow covered alps, Larnarch Castle at Dunedin. We would definitely travel with Grand Pacific ...read more again and book online with Global Journeys again as our booking was handled well with no hiccups and a very comprehensive itinerary. Tips for future travellers? I would have liked to have experienced the optional extra Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa and the luge ride which was included in our itinerary in Rotorua. (Was worried about my arthritic back but should not have been concerned as the way down was bump free!!). Accommodation was very good as most hotels were situated in the centre of the city and very comfortable. We travelled in September-October and had good weather. Our fellow travellers were very easy to get on with. We really enjoyed their company.

We were looking at another classy coach trip having been on 2 previous, one in South Africa and the other in UK. We chose New Zealand and Grand Pacific because of the itinerary, being able to spend 2 days in one place, majority meals and a lot of extras were included, hence saving on extra excursions. Having the coach driver organizing numbers for ...read more the tours and the participants paying direct to the vendor, we thought was terrific as the UK trip the guide was charging a fee for organizing. This trip ticked all the boxes. The only downfall was that twice we had to stay at accommodation in Christchurch which was below the standard that other accommodation facilities we had visited. Hopefully Grand Pacific will take note of the reviews and look for a better place.

We usually book our own trips and were told that we had to go through Global Journeys in Australia or New Zealand. We chose Australia. I believe when you use a Travel Agent, they do everything for you. No problems, no stress. I had noticed that there was an irregularity in the departure from Christchurch to Perth. Our transport was organised for the day we were suppose to fly out, yet our fly out day was the next day. There was a bit of confusion and a "typo" was blamed for the error and yet we had to pay for the alteration to the booking. My husband was fuming and a verbal altercation ensued. He wanted to speak to the Manager and was told that the agent was the Manager. It was a bit of a bad taste left in the mouth. Time passed and we were asked to change departure time from Christchurch due to the connecting flight (so there was plenty of time), no problems didn't cost anything that was a bonus. I was looking at the booking again and noticed that there was a error in the departure time from Perth, the booking was reflecting a time of 29:50 hours. I asked the agent to check and after a few emails to clarify the typo. The agent has since been made up to Managing Director, thought she owned the Company. Another agent was assigned to our booking and there was no problems.

(CEO. Thanks for your feedback Bernard and Tracey, and we're really happy you enjoyed your journey through NZ - Grand Pacific are fantastic operators as can be seen with the other reviews we receive. We've taken onboard your feedback regarding your flight timing issue. In a perfect world we'd all have no problems and no stress and hopefully next time that's the case! Cheers Campbell)

Have just returned from the most fantastic trip with Grand Pacific and I can honestly say that it more than exceeded my expectations. I had been very uncertain about coach travel, but as a single traveller, there are not too many options and the small group tour coach operated by GPT was so comfortable with only 20 seats on a full size vehicle. My travel ...read more companions turned out to be a delight and we had some great experiences together.

The tour itself was extremely well coordinated and organised and our coach captain kept us all in order and took very good care of all our wants and needs. He was patient and knowledgeable and kept us amused and entertained during the sometimes necessarily long journeys, and we felt very safe and secure in his care.

There was a good choice of excursions at the various tour stops and the standard of hotels used was generally extremely high, with good locations with the overnight stay on the boat through Doubtful Sound being one of the highlights of the whole trip for me, along with the helicopter flight from Fox Glacier. The only comment I would make is that the trip could have been improved if we had stayed 3 nights and not 2 at most of the towns. With the excursions taking up the free time it would have been great to have more free time to explore each place, as fort the majority of tourists this will be the only time they get to visit NZ given the distances most had travelled to get there.

Thoroughly enjoyed our 19-day ultimate tour of New Zealand being driven on the ultimate coach with just 20 guests. We had the best group of touring companions and were on time every time with all our departures. Having a free day on Day 2 of the trip was questionable and it would have been better placed after the long drive from Rotorua to Wellington ...read more on day 8. This drive was made worse as we had to detour via the western side of Lake Taupo due to road works on the Eastern route.

Our highlight was the overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound, having just 47 other passengers as company on the overnight trip to this secluded and beautiful region of New Zealand. WOW a special place. This trip could be improved with a few additional days and a visit to a winery will top it off. Well done Grand Pacific and thank you. A special thank you to Georgie from Global Journeys who arranged our trip and kept us up-to-date with our booking.

Great tour of NZ highlights. Luxury coach with excellent driver/guide who went the extra mile for guests. Visited lots of wonderful places & planned & optional activities were excellent, including Bay of Islands, Rotarua Skyline Ride & Luge, Franz Josef Glacier & helicopter, Haast River jet, Wildlife & Cultural tours, old steam trains & Larnach Castle. ...read more Doubtful Sound Cruise was one of many memories we will treasure. Majority of accommodation of a high standard with welcoming staff. Well organised & would highly recommend.

We just returned from NZ after being on the Ultimate tour run by Grand Pacific Tours which was booked by the wonderful Jemma and Hannah from Global Journeys. We were the first tour back for over 2 years after Covid and it was a great holiday. The Tour Leader who doubled as the Coach Driver, Paul, loved his job and was terrific person as well. The hotels ...read more were all excellent and the meals were great. The included attractions such as Doubtful Sound overnight cruise, TSS Earnslaw Cruise to Walter Peak, Te Puia Maroi Hangi and Concert, International Antarctic Centre just to name a few were some of our favourites. Every detail about the tour was first class and the scenery of New Zealand was absolutely beautiful. We would highly recommend this tour.

Thoroughly enjoyed this well organised, extremely comfortable and interesting tour. Group size was perfect and the Ultimate coach made travelling a breeze. Of the optional tours, we particularly enjoyed Skippers Canyon, but everything we did and saw was enjoyable.

We have just returned from a Business Class on Wheels NZ holiday which was fantastic. The coach was extremely comfortable. Accommodation was very good but do tell them on booking that you want a separate shower as many of the hotels just have a shower over the bath and no hand rails. Highlight was certainly Doubtful Sound. Unfortunately we were rained ...read more out in Bay of Islands and didn't get to see the Hole in the Rock. Having only 20 on the trip made the whole experience great. Would certainly recommend.

Thoroughly enjoyed our Ultimate tour. Great driver/Tour Director and we were thoroughly spoilt by the luxurious coach - I don’t think you would find any other tour company in the world that provides such luxury. All excursions, both included and optional, were first class. Great hotels and meals. Our fellow travellers were all great company and ...read more this added to the overall experience. New Zealand is truely an amazing country and well worth a visit. The service provided by Yvonne Brooks at Global Journeys was first class and we will not hesitate in booking future holidays through them.

Would most definitely travel with Global Journeys and Grand Pacific again. Coach 10 out of 10, our driver’s knowledge and the way we were looked after was exceptional. Nothing was too much trouble for him. All our travelling companions were great. Accommodation and food was excellent, only downside was the showers over bath.

Grand Pacific were great they pay great attention to detail so our tour went without a hitch. They changed our room bookings when we realized climbing into the bath for a shower was going to be a problem which was greatly appreciated. Paul our bus driver was very knowledgeable and supplied details about towns countryside while we were travelling. All ...read more the inclusions were good and as one couple remarked you really don't need to do the extras. Your help along the way with the booking was appreciated and we would certainly use you & and your agency again.

Our Ultimate New Zealand tour was Ultimate all the way! The coach is very comfortable and the envy of other coach passengers. This has spoilt us for future coach travel with other companies! Hopefully other companies will consider this style. Our small group (20) were fun & happy, always on time departing etc. Our coach & tour guide Paul was excellent, ...read more full of knowledge and a very safe driver. All the hotels were excellent quality, though personally did not like the Millennium Hotel in Queenstown. Found the customer service lacking in a number of areas & a very busy buffet breakfast area. The staff at Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands went out of their way to provide great customer service, as did The George in Christchurch. The highlight of our trip was the optional helicopter ride to the Fox Glacier - spectacular! Would love to do another Ultimate tour with Grand Pacific. Special mention goes to Michelle from Global Journeys for her exceptional customer service. It has been a pleasure to deal with Michelle and will certainly be in contact with her for future holidays. Our questions were all answered promptly and prices are very competitive! Will certainly recommend friends & family contact Global Journeys.

The trip was well organised and the guides were informative and very helpful. The food and accommodations provided were excellent!

Our NZ trip was well organised from beginning to end and both my wife and I would thoroughly recommend this Ultimate tour to any prospective traveller to NZ.