Frequently Asked Questions on Luxury New Zealand Travel with New Zealand Luxury Escapes
Read on for general information about luxury New Zealand travel and specifics about what we offer at New Zealand Luxury Escapes.
Q) What type of accommodation do you offer?
A) Luxury Lodges, Luxury Homes and Villas, Luxury Hotels and Resorts, Wilderness Lodges and Wellness Retreats.
Q) How much do your luxury vacations cost?
A) We book the most extravagant New Zealand vacations through to catering for people wanting a luxury experience but have a budget in mind. Whatever your budget, your personal consultant will tailor your vacation to suit.
Q) Do you offer personal guides and chauffeurs?
A) Yes, we can arrange a meet and greet chauffeur at your chosen airport, who can be at your service to chauffeur you around New Zealand.
We can also arrange a private tour guide, who can be at your service as much or as little as you want. Tour guides collect clients from the airport on arrival and guide them throughout New Zealand, the guide also takes care of all driving and will deliver clients to the airport for their departure flight.
Q) Do we need to do any driving?
A) We offer luxury rental cars if you would like to discover New Zealand by road, see here. We also offer heli transfers between all destinations and accommodations. Chauffeurs can be arranged as can a personal New Zealand guide, who also acts as your driver.
Q) How many people can you cater for?
A) We cater for single travellers wanting a unique and personal vacation around New Zealand, through to couples, families, family groups, groups of friends, corporates and small groups. Larger groups (20+ people) can be catered for, please ask.
Q) How does payment work?
A) We take a 20% deposit to book your full holiday, with the balance due 60 days before your tour begins, unless otherwise specified within your luxury travel quote.
Q) What is your cancellation and refund policy?
We try our best to minimise cancellation costs as much as possible if cancellation does arise. As there is a considerable amount of administration involved in booking a luxury vacation, plus cancellation costs involved in terms of operator charges, there is a small charge if cancellation does arise. To view our full terms and conditions see here.
We also recommend all of our clients take out travel insurance in case of cancellation or other unforeseen circumstances.
Q) Is travel insurance included in the vacation?
A) New Zealand Luxury Holidays does not provide travel insurance. We recommend that you obtain travel insurance for the duration of your vacation.
Q) Do I need a passport or visa to enter New Zealand?
A) All visitors to New Zealand must carry a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date you intend to leave the country.
You may need to apply for a Visitor’s Visa, depending on your country of origin. Please read the full guidelines on the Immigration New Zealand website.
Q) Is there a minimum/maximum age for your vacations?
A) No, we are able to fully customise your vacation to suit any age of traveler, from the very young to the very wise!
Q) Are there any “hidden costs”?
A) Costs not included in our New Zealand vacations are as follows:
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal spending money (shopping, drinks, e.g.)
These exclusions are clearly outlined in each vacation package – there are no hidden costs whatsoever.
Q) When is the best time of year to visit New Zealand?
A) It depends on what you want to see while you’re here!
If you want to take advantage of our fantastic summer weather, the best months to travel are December – April.
If you want to see snow, you can expect it to cover the mountain tops in the months of June, July, and August.
If you want settled weather, however also want to visit New Zealand during a quieter period, April, October and November are great months to visit New Zealand.
And if you want to travel over the Christmas/New Year’s holidays, we can certainly make that happen, though be sure to book at least nine months in advance.
Q) What’s the climate like?
A) New Zealand’s seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere. This means that the warmest months are December, January, and February, while the coldest months are June, July, and August.
Don’t let the cold months put you off, though – winters tend to be short and fairly mild.
Q) What clothes will I need to take?
A) Dress is informal and relaxed on most occasions. Smart casual clothes are acceptable.
In summer, a light jacket or sweater should be included in your luggage should the weather turn cooler. You can expect some rain, so don’t forget a light waterproof jacket or coat.
Pack warm winter clothing and plenty of layers if you will be visiting between May and September.
Q) Can I use my credit cards/ATM cards in New Zealand?
A) All major international credit cards can be used in New Zealand. If your credit card is encoded with a PIN number, you will be able to withdraw cash from ATMs.
You can pay for your New Zealand Luxury Holiday/Vacation online using Visa or MasterCard via our secure credit card payment portal, or via international bank transfer.
Q) Do your vacation packages include flights?
A) As it is almost always more cost effective to book flights directly through the airline, we do not include international flights.
However, we would be happy to help book your flights if you require.
Q) Can you cater for dietary restrictions/allergies?
A) Yes, we absolutely can cater for all dietary restrictions and allergies. Please advise at the time of booking what your requirements are, so that we may book your vacation accordingly.
Additional FAQs on Luxury New Zealand Travel
If you are planning a special interest New Zealand vacation, you may wish to read additional answers to frequently asked questions at the following links:
