The pilot's onboard! Onboard Sootychaser that is!

A limited edition cruise, one of its kind!

This very special cruise is scheduled around the departure of a large cruise ship, so we can get as close as possible to the ship as it goes right past us, as it leaves Port Chalmers! We'll be looking up at the ship as the passengers look down on us!

Wave to the 1000's of passengers and crew, as they sail out of Port Chalmers.

We will have a professional former Harbour Pilot onboard with us, to talk to us about what it's really like to be the pilot of a large ship.

It's the pilots job to board (often climbing up a rope ladder on the side of the ship), to join the captain and help them navigate their way down the winding Otago Harbour Channel. 

With years of experience under their belts and full of charm, the former harbour pilots we have onboard, will share their experiences and answer your questions, one on one!

How big is the 'steering wheel'? Is it hard to stay in the channel? Does the pilot actually steer the ship? What is the coffee like onboard?! What happens when there is a storm?!

A once in a lifetime opportunity, to find out the inside story!

You'll be amazed by the sight of the huge cruise ship going past and you'll leave with a new insight and maybe even inspiration of what its like to be the captain of large ships!

We will also see the pilot boats, on their berths or underway, or both, that the harbour pilots are transported on, to meet the ships before and after they transit the harbour.

And we may also be able to see a historic pilot boat, the oldest pilot launch in New Zealand (1901).

See how pilot boats have changed since then!

We DO NOT go out to sea for this product, we stay in the usually sheltered harbour.

Bathroom onboard, heated cabin.

This product is specially timed to be around the departure times of the cruise ships.

Please expect that cruise ship departure times may change slightly as the date nears, and so the tour time might too. 

 If the cruise ship departure schedule changes, we will do our best to give plenty of notice of any changes. If we do need to change the time from when you make the booking, you are able to be fully refunded if the new time does not suit you. 

We will keep in close contact including the day of the cruise to check you are ok with any changes and update you, if that happends. Usually any changes are by around 30 minutes, if at all.

This tour is a special limited edition cruise.

Suitable to all ages, but best for ages 5 years to adults.

This product is from Port Chalmers, by default, please write in your booking notes if you'd like a Portobello departure.