Picton Cruise Ship Shore Excursions
Silver Wing Limousines offer private Marlborough wine tours from Picton for all visiting cruise ships. Our former NZ Government BMW limousines are a perfect way to travel in style and comfort at a time and pace to suit you. Although ideal for two, our limousines are licenced to carry up to four passengers - plus our driver/guide - so are also a great way for a few friends to experience New Zealand's best wine region in style together. If four people are sharing a limousine three are required to sit across the back row of seats, with one passenger in a front seat adjacent to the driver.
Silver Wing's Picton cruise ship shore excursions can take you to the best wineries, cellar doors and breweries that the Marlborough region has to offer. Many cruise ship passengers choose a range of other sightseeing options around Picton and Blenheim too, with our Picton cruise ship shore excursions the choice is yours.
When your ship arrives into Picton you will dock at one of two wharfs - Waimahara or Waitohi West. Both of these wharfs are within restricted Port Marlborough commercial zones used for timber exports so cruise ship passengers are transferred to the nearby Picton i-Site Information centre by Port Marlborough shuttle buses. Your driver/guide will meet you in the i-Site information centre courtyard adjacent to the carpark.
Our standard time for meeting and departure is 10:00am but if you get off your ship earlier that's great. Port Marlborough shuttle buses often start running early in the morning (depending on your ships docking time) so it's a great opportunity to come in and grab a coffee or walk around the Picton village shops before your tour begins. If your ship is due to dock later we will email you a suggested meeting time after booking based on the Port Marlborough online cruise ship schedule.
Picton has a great range of specialty shops and cafes, most of which will be open at the times cruise ships are in port. The village shops/cafes are a short 50 meter or 1-2 minute walk from the Picton i-Site information centre.
After meeting your driver/guide at the i-Site you'll be offered a range of suggestions for your tour of the Marlborough region if you haven't already got ideas of your own.
We are famous for our wine industry but also have some amazing craft breweries, gin tasting distilleries and other attractions. If you're choosing to go straight towards the vineyards we will travel south from Picton past Blenheim to the Wairau Valley - heart of the Marlborough wine region. You may want to visit multiple wineries and taste multiple wines at each or you may prefer a glass or two at a nice winery with a light lunch. Or perhaps visit a craft brewery garden bar and have a few beers with friends. With your own limousine the choice is yours and we are able to visit smaller boutique wineries that don't cater to large van or bus tour groups.
Our cruise ship special Marlborough tours don't have any wine tastings, restaurants or brewery visits pre-booked due to the uncertainty of exact arrival times so your driver/guide will work with you on the day to come up with a tour that matches your tastes and preferences.
You may wish to taste a range of local wines at various wineries, decide to share a bottle of your favourite wine with a cheese platter or simply visit a craft brewery garden bar and have a few refreshing beers in our famous Marlborough sunshine.
Our Picton Cruise Ship Shore Excursion tours allow up to 6 hours from Picton back to Picton depending on arrival and departure times of your cruise ship. We aim to have you back at the Picton i-Site shuttle point at least 90 minutes prior to the final shuttle back to your ship. Traffic delays on State Highway 1 between Picton and the Marlborough wine district do occur so this will usually also give you time to explore the nearby Picton town centre by foot.
Our Picton cruise ship special tours are priced on a vehicle charter with driver/guide rate only - allowing you to choose your own sightseeing attractions, beer, wine and food along the way. You will only pay for what you want to eat or drink. You may also wish to visit other Marlborough attractions as well as our wineries and breweries. The world famous Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre is an awesome experience for everyone, not just aviation enthusiasts. You may prefer to stretch your legs with a walk through the Pollard Park flower gardens or go shopping in the Blenheim town centre. Your driver/guide will be happy to assist with suggestions on the day if required.
Cruise ships are often delayed coming into Picton and exact timings of disembarkation are hard to estimate. Many cruise ships have staggered disembarkation policies to avoid congestion. Your private tour will wait for you no matter how late you are and have you back to the ship on time. Our standard time for departure from Picton is 10:00am but is subject to cruise ship timings. You will be emailed a confirmation pick up time within 24 hours of booking. In the event the cruise ship does not berth in Picton due to adverse weather or other event, we offer full refunds (less any credit card/booking fees).
Tour code: PCS1 Cost per limousine (maximum 4 passengers) : $595 (does not include any wine tasting fees, food or other beverage expenses).
Maximum time 6 hours from Picton to Picton. Vehicle must stay within the Picton, Blenheim and Renwick/Wairau Valley areas (where the vast majority of Marlborough vineyards, breweries and restaurants are located).