[Velma]

Finally got my ITA after five months waiting - hurrah! and am sending it in this week.
Just returned from a two week recce to NZ (I had been before three years ago) and spent time in Auckland and the north and Christchurch visiting my brother.
Had a great time but the flight was awful, even though we broke the journey in HK.
Does anyone know a good way to get to NZ by land or by sea that doesn't cost the earth or involve travelling through a very dodgy area? - I've driven through Syria and Jordan before and that was ok.

[gpbenton]

You can get a cabin on a cargo ship. It costs GBP3000+ and takes 5-6 weeks, but you do get to see some places on the way.

I've never done it, but I did I consider it.

See
http://www.strandtravel.co.uk/index.aspx
for some possibilites

[Milliemoo]

Hi there,

Have you considered upgrading on your flight. I don't think you'll find any other options which work out better value for money (or even cheaper) than a reasonably priced business class fare, if you can't face another 24hr flight in economy.

Have a look at EVA Air and Cathay Pacific have some good fares every now and again.

Milliemoo

[JohnandCathy]

Hi Velma,

Not much choice I'm afraid, flying will probably be the only sensible option.
I agree with upgrading the flight perhaps but be prepared to spend anything up to £2,500-£3,000 for a return ticket and about 70% of this for a one-way.

Emirates Airlines is a good option, you can take a few stops along the way.
The following route,

UK-Dubai 7hrs
Dubai-Bangkok 7hrs
Bangkok-Sydney 7hrs
Sydney-NZ 3hrs

I have mentioned this idea on another post this week, the only thing to bear in mind you will only recieve 20kg of luggage, normally when emmigrating on PR Visa you will recieve double baggage so 40kg, but you cannot stopover en-route it has to be straight though.

Hope this helps,

Cathy

[billiewinz]

Erm, it costs the earth, but there is an annual trip from Southampton to New Zealand on the QE2, i think that you even take your belongings and even your car free of charge !
Yes there are many cargo vessels that take you from England to NZ, they are not cheap ! Most have small swimming pools even, and the food is supposed to be very good . THis time of year the choice is between braving the North Atlantic storms/Panama route and the Suez/Persian gulf and keep your fingers crossed route .