Grand Pacific Tour Reviews
The 259 Grand Pacific Tour reviews listed below are from past clients of Global Journeys that have traveled with Grand Pacific. Each review has been individually verified by our team.
The 259 Grand Pacific Tour reviews listed below are from past clients of Global Journeys that have traveled with Grand Pacific. Each review has been individually verified by our team.
An amazing coach tour, beautiful country , not to be missed! 2
Signature South Island Solo Travellers
Evelyn, WA, Australia, Feb 2018
Grand Pacific tour guide Tony, and driver Andrew, were excellent. So entertaining and knowledgeable. The
coach was very comfortable as was the hotel accommodation. Global Journeys were very efficient with the booking. It was an awesome holiday.
coach was very comfortable as was the hotel accommodation. Global Journeys were very efficient with the booking. It was an awesome holiday.
Overall, excellent. Our first visit to the South Island and we loved all the natural beauty. The accommodation was very good to excellent, as was the food they provided (with one exception: our 2nd dinner in Christchurch seemed to be all their leftovers!).
This was an unescorted tour, meaning that our driver needed to do double-duty - but it WAS read more promoted as an economy tour! Our driver was Maori so we learnt a LOT about Maori history and customs. On the whole, the stories were good but several travellers felt it was too much!
This was also a 9-day tour AND a 16-day tour: those who booked the 16-day version shared their first 9 days with us, then went on to Picton for several days on the North Island. We weren't told about this upfront and found out only after we joined the tour. Would it have made a difference? No, but it would have been nice to know in advance.
The one thing that we would have liked more of was photo stops. We did have them but, due to time constraints, we also missed many, many opportunities to create photo memories and had to content ourselves with a quick snap through the coach windows.
The other thing worth mentioning is that we only had the one 2-night stop on this tour (Queenstown). We understand that it was deliberately a short tour with a lot of ground to cover but it made us think that next time we'll book a slightly longer tour that includes more than the one 2-night stop.
This was an unescorted tour, meaning that our driver needed to do double-duty - but it WAS read more promoted as an economy tour! Our driver was Maori so we learnt a LOT about Maori history and customs. On the whole, the stories were good but several travellers felt it was too much!
This was also a 9-day tour AND a 16-day tour: those who booked the 16-day version shared their first 9 days with us, then went on to Picton for several days on the North Island. We weren't told about this upfront and found out only after we joined the tour. Would it have made a difference? No, but it would have been nice to know in advance.
The one thing that we would have liked more of was photo stops. We did have them but, due to time constraints, we also missed many, many opportunities to create photo memories and had to content ourselves with a quick snap through the coach windows.
The other thing worth mentioning is that we only had the one 2-night stop on this tour (Queenstown). We understand that it was deliberately a short tour with a lot of ground to cover but it made us think that next time we'll book a slightly longer tour that includes more than the one 2-night stop.
We really enjoyed our trip. The two bus drivers were excellent. Capable and informative, good natured and friendly. The accommodation was very good and the food excellent in all cases.
Apart from being a bit rushed on the South Island leg I cannot fault the trip. I would like to have had more two night stops, particularly in Christchurch. Beautiful place.
Apart from being a bit rushed on the South Island leg I cannot fault the trip. I would like to have had more two night stops, particularly in Christchurch. Beautiful place.
New Zealand is certainly a beautiful country, and a great way to see it is with Grand Pacific. The accommodation and food were all excellent and so much of the countryside we travelled was quite spectacular.
The mornings were a little early (6am), sometimes after late dinners. This made things a bit difficult when many on the coach became sick, read more including our guide, who carried on regardless and did her best for all of us. Some of us found the coach on the north island too cold, particularly if we were sitting towards the back. Overall, a good trip.
We found booking with Global Journeys very easy, and Juliet was a delight to deal with. She answered any queries immediately and making the process worry free, as well as saving quite a lot of money. Thank you to Global Journeys.
The mornings were a little early (6am), sometimes after late dinners. This made things a bit difficult when many on the coach became sick, read more including our guide, who carried on regardless and did her best for all of us. Some of us found the coach on the north island too cold, particularly if we were sitting towards the back. Overall, a good trip.
We found booking with Global Journeys very easy, and Juliet was a delight to deal with. She answered any queries immediately and making the process worry free, as well as saving quite a lot of money. Thank you to Global Journeys.
I would suggest that all accommodation should have a separate shower as I found it onerous to climb into a bath tub to shower. I would have liked the Maori experience in Rotorua to have been in a Maori village; however the concert was very good.
Our bus family were all very good, we all got along very well and everyone was prompt and punctual in read more making the arranged bus departure times. Our Coach Captains were very professional and excellent drivers. They were nice people, easy to get along with and very knowledgeable and informative guides.
The itinerary covered was very good and we got to see and experience a lot of New Zealand in a short period of time. The tour was very well arranged and organised by Global Journeys and I would have no reservations in recommending Global journeys to family and friends.
Our bus family were all very good, we all got along very well and everyone was prompt and punctual in read more making the arranged bus departure times. Our Coach Captains were very professional and excellent drivers. They were nice people, easy to get along with and very knowledgeable and informative guides.
The itinerary covered was very good and we got to see and experience a lot of New Zealand in a short period of time. The tour was very well arranged and organised by Global Journeys and I would have no reservations in recommending Global journeys to family and friends.
Had a fantastic time in both the south and north of New Zealand. Hit rain, but when on holidays what does a bit of rain do? Accommodation was good, just keep an open mind. Drivers on both islands were exceptional drivers and very informative.
An excellent shared travel experience through the South Island 1
Signature South Island
Jenni, VIC, Australia, Feb 2018
We have never taken a coach tour prior to this experience and were impressed with the Coach Captain's knowledge, cleanliness of the coach and his apparent enjoyment in sharing his favourite stops (including some not on the Itinerary) and very bad NZ dad jokes! (ha ha).
He read the clientele well and was accommodating to all on board. We had a great read more group of fellow travelers.
Accommodation overall was pleasant (not five star however clean and restful) and we enjoyed a variety and an over abundance of food. Albeit we were not prepared for the hectic pace and early morning starts, but as our captain explained we were on tour not holiday and it soon became the norm.
Sights and travel itinerary were well planned with some favourites being the coach drive into Milford Sound & the Sound itself, an unexpected lock down at Fox Glacier due to land slides, Helicopter ride over Fox Glacier, Larnach Castle, Penguin and Seal wildlife enclosure (we actually saw Penguin chicks) and fell in love with Christchurch.
Thank-you Global Journeys for a hassle free booking and holiday, we met and made many new friends.
He read the clientele well and was accommodating to all on board. We had a great read more group of fellow travelers.
Accommodation overall was pleasant (not five star however clean and restful) and we enjoyed a variety and an over abundance of food. Albeit we were not prepared for the hectic pace and early morning starts, but as our captain explained we were on tour not holiday and it soon became the norm.
Sights and travel itinerary were well planned with some favourites being the coach drive into Milford Sound & the Sound itself, an unexpected lock down at Fox Glacier due to land slides, Helicopter ride over Fox Glacier, Larnach Castle, Penguin and Seal wildlife enclosure (we actually saw Penguin chicks) and fell in love with Christchurch.
Thank-you Global Journeys for a hassle free booking and holiday, we met and made many new friends.
New Zealand Vista 1
Phil & Audrey, USA, Feb 2018
Great trip but me maybe we are getting too old to get on and off the coaches. The one non-air conditioned hotel was a real bummer. Chris did a good job.
This was our fifth tour through Global Journeys, as always all went smoothly, will gladly use GJ again and highly recommend. Jemma, is a "gem" worked to get the fairest price for us and to help with any query.
The tour, our second one with Grand Pacific Tours of NZ was 14 days cruise and 5 days land and all went without a hitch. This was our first read more long ocean cruise, we were on the Celebrity Solstice and not sure what to expect. From the online profile to being greeted at Sydney Cruise Terminal among a vast crowd, we were still treated like a welcome guest.
For first time cruisers it was mind blowing. The whole experience was basking in opulence. The whole ship worked so smoothly from dining to resting to being entertained, and to the food (especially desserts!). All onshore excursions were great to get to whether at dock or over water in a tender, they were all an adventure. To see so many capital cities from the water made for great photos. And the sounds on the South Island, breathtaking.
The land tour involved a flight back to the South Island where we met Mike our local driver and a fount of knowledge. The accommodation was superb, nice rooms with good views, well positioned to walk around the areas.
The only downside is we didn't get to go on the Trans Alpine Train. There was a weather warning for a small cyclone approaching, helicopters were grounded and the train was cancelled. With this weather and Mikes know how he suggested we leave a bit earlier than due, good job! Saw what occurred and the damage caused to buses where we were a short time earlier. All grateful, however the train operators reimbursed us our fares on the same night for a storm out of their control. All in all a great tour to do again in winter.
The tour, our second one with Grand Pacific Tours of NZ was 14 days cruise and 5 days land and all went without a hitch. This was our first read more long ocean cruise, we were on the Celebrity Solstice and not sure what to expect. From the online profile to being greeted at Sydney Cruise Terminal among a vast crowd, we were still treated like a welcome guest.
For first time cruisers it was mind blowing. The whole experience was basking in opulence. The whole ship worked so smoothly from dining to resting to being entertained, and to the food (especially desserts!). All onshore excursions were great to get to whether at dock or over water in a tender, they were all an adventure. To see so many capital cities from the water made for great photos. And the sounds on the South Island, breathtaking.
The land tour involved a flight back to the South Island where we met Mike our local driver and a fount of knowledge. The accommodation was superb, nice rooms with good views, well positioned to walk around the areas.
The only downside is we didn't get to go on the Trans Alpine Train. There was a weather warning for a small cyclone approaching, helicopters were grounded and the train was cancelled. With this weather and Mikes know how he suggested we leave a bit earlier than due, good job! Saw what occurred and the damage caused to buses where we were a short time earlier. All grateful, however the train operators reimbursed us our fares on the same night for a storm out of their control. All in all a great tour to do again in winter.
Very good coach trip through both Islands of New Zealand 2
Signature Highlights
Michael, NSW, Australia, Jan 2018
We really enjoyed the whole trip, both Islands but especially the South Island. Hectic and early starts but that is typical of all bus tours we have done. We had a full coach of 48 for the south but some left on the north. If you drove yourself you wouldn't see a quarter of we did and saw. We had 2 excellent drivers, one for each island, also one being read more Maori which helped with the history and culture. Most of the hotels were good, there are always some minor issues. All the included meals where very good, with plenty to eat. We were very lucky with great weather, low to mid 30's in the south.
We were very lucky when the massive storms hit most of NZ we were heading north on the North Island and missed it.
Grand Pacific is a very good company, very organised. Only minor issue, for the first six days we had twin beds as requested, but then changed to a double bed. I was told we were lucky for those days because we had a double room booking which isn't twin beds. However it was corrected and all OK. Thanks for your help, and will look at booking again with you in the future.
We were very lucky when the massive storms hit most of NZ we were heading north on the North Island and missed it.
Grand Pacific is a very good company, very organised. Only minor issue, for the first six days we had twin beds as requested, but then changed to a double bed. I was told we were lucky for those days because we had a double room booking which isn't twin beds. However it was corrected and all OK. Thanks for your help, and will look at booking again with you in the future.
This was an excellent tour. Grand pacific were outstanding in their professional and courteous operation throughout the 19 day holiday. The drivers were great , helpful, very knowledge about the country they were driving through. the tour guide was exceptional in the way he kept the whole trip running smoothly. Very friendly. The other people on the read more tour were a good group to travel with. No one was late and everyone got along really well and we mixed well with each other.
Really appreciated the guidance given when determining extra tours on the days that we were free to do what we wanted. Accommodation was very good and the food was a feast. We would highly recommend Grand Pacific Tours and Global Journeys as the agent. They organised it all and we didn't have to worry about a thing.
Really appreciated the guidance given when determining extra tours on the days that we were free to do what we wanted. Accommodation was very good and the food was a feast. We would highly recommend Grand Pacific Tours and Global Journeys as the agent. They organised it all and we didn't have to worry about a thing.
Best holiday ever. It was fantastic having everything organised and the Tour Guide, both drivers and coach were superb. Can't fault anything. Hotels were of a high standard and the food was excellent. Really loved our first experience with an organised tour. Would do it again and will highly recommend Grand Pacific Tours.
A really enjoyable holiday. Very well organised and a great tour guide who had a great wealth of knowledge and made the whole tour really entertaining. Food was amazing (now the hard part starts to work it all off!!) and the accommodation was more than adequate although there was a mix up with who I was sharing (which worked out in my favour for the read more rest of the tour), The only difficulty was the early morning starts but that's to be expected when it's a scheduled tour. We had a full house on the tour and the people were really nice and friendly and easy to get along with. The view you get when you are in the coach or at the hotels are amazing. It's a photographer's dream. Overall very pleased with the holiday.
We thoroughly enjoyed our 16-day trip to New Zealand with Grand Pacific. The organisation was excellent, the hotels were excellent and so was the food! The coaches were comfortable and the drivers took every opportunity to tell us about the sights and local history. They were good-humoured and made sure we knew what was happening each day and sorted read more out any queries. The trip included many extras and took us to places we may not have explored had we been on our own. Highly recommended.
Wonderful trip around the rugged scenery and history of the South Island 6
Signature South Island
Maureen & Tony, VIC, Australia, Apr 2017
We felt that the trip covered everything which we wanted to see in the South Island. It was a well organised tour and the Tour guide was amazing. As well as being very knowledgeable and interesting he told us lots of personal stories which were very enjoyable. Our trip was near the end of the Season which meant that the places and the accommodation read more were not too crowded and this was a bonus. We had excellent weather which was great as we spent alot of time outdoors sight seeing when not on the coach. The coach was clean and comfortable and all the accommodation was of a good standard.
The food was also very good with buffet style menus in some of the hotels and happy hour drinks were essential although a little extension of the time would have been useful. We found that our group were all very friendly and everyone mixed well. Of the optional activities we went to Olveston House and Skippers Canyon both of which were excellent. We did book our trip online with Global Journeys and on the whole it was very good, our only complaint was with the flights. The outgoing flight was with Air New Zealand and it was great we had breakfast and a movie whereas the flight back to Melbourne was with Virgin and was cramped, crowded and we had no food which was a very disappointing way to finish our holiday. (GJ: We agree Maureen & Tony that Virgin definitely have work to do on their Tran-Tasman flights. We will relay this information back to Grand Pacific who are responsible for flight bookings that accompany their tours.)
The food was also very good with buffet style menus in some of the hotels and happy hour drinks were essential although a little extension of the time would have been useful. We found that our group were all very friendly and everyone mixed well. Of the optional activities we went to Olveston House and Skippers Canyon both of which were excellent. We did book our trip online with Global Journeys and on the whole it was very good, our only complaint was with the flights. The outgoing flight was with Air New Zealand and it was great we had breakfast and a movie whereas the flight back to Melbourne was with Virgin and was cramped, crowded and we had no food which was a very disappointing way to finish our holiday. (GJ: We agree Maureen & Tony that Virgin definitely have work to do on their Tran-Tasman flights. We will relay this information back to Grand Pacific who are responsible for flight bookings that accompany their tours.)
What a wonderful trip so far! We are really enjoying this tour from South to North islands with Grand Pacific. Well organised and worth of money. Thank you Ritcky and Chris, drivers and director for this beautiful journey! Thanks Hannah of Global Journey. Without you we would not make this dream come true.
The trip was memorable and well organised. Our tour guide also coach driver was incredible. His sense of humour and excellent knowledge and experience provided us a wonderful trip. April and May was a good time to visit, with nothing else besides the blues of the lakes and golden autumn leafs in beautiful Queenstown. People on the trip - very lovely read more and friendly, easy to get along with. Must say I really enjoyed the trip, loved NZ and would come back for another visit. Thank you to Global Journeys and Grand Pacific!
This is the first time touring with Grand Pacific and it was the best coach touring experience we have had. The whole tour went like clockwork, which I am sure was largely due to the excellent management and organization of the coach driver and tour guide. The scenery was stunning and the Optionals we chose were of good value. What we found to be good read more was the daily variety of visits and activities.. The hotels were all excellent as was the food. Thanks again to Yvonne whose organization at the Global Journeys was again extremely efficient.
Thank you Grand Pacific for a very well organised tour of the South Island of New Zealand. My 89 year old mother and I had a wonderful, stress-free holiday. The accommodation and meals were good quality, although the Twizel accommodation needs updating of the rooms. Autumn turned out to be the best time to travel as the weather was stable and the read more leaves were turning. Our tour guide, Nick, and tour driver, Alex, did an amazing job of looking after us. In particular, Alex was a very safe driver! We appreciated hearing about the Maori culture, as well as the history and geography of the stunning scenery we passed through. Both Nick and Alex were knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their country and heritage. I have no hesitation in recommending Grand Pacific - in fact, we loved it so much, we are thinking of doing the North Island some time in the future. Thank you Madeline at Global Journeys for answering all our questions promptly and courteously. All in all, a holiday to remember!
Scenic worry free coach tour 8
Signature South Island
John & Jennifer Banks, QLD, Australia, Apr 2017
Overall is was a great trip and a wonderful experience. We would like to have seen a little more content and we would like to have had some different dinners other than the hotel buffets. The buffets were nice but became tiresome. Some specialty restaurants offering local foods for the areas would have been better. Grand Pacific is a good operator. read more We were well looked after all the way. Mostly the hotels were very good but the one at Teizel did not meet expectations. An extra day in the tour (if it were possible) may have relaxed the pace just enough.
