Milford Sound Overnight Cruise

Inclusions

• Enjoy accommodation in private cabins with ensuite bathrooms or shared, bunk-style compartments
• Canapés inspired by local ingredients, a wide dinner buffet selection including dessert options, prepared by our on-board chef. Continental and buffet breakfast the following morning
• Choose to explore the shoreline by kayak or small boat
• Specialist nature guide on board
• Wildlife sighting opportunities – seals, penguins and dolphins
• Kayaking and tender craft (small boat) activities included
• Coach connections available from Te Anau and Queenstown
• Duvets, sheets and towels provided
• Suitable for all ages, with the exception of infants in double cabins and quad share rooms
• Complimentary tea and filter coffee is available

Itinerary

• An overnight cruise on the Milford Mariner is the ultimate dinner, bed and breakfast experience
• Depart from the Milford Sound wharf in the late afternoon and cruise the full length of Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea accompanied by a specialist nature guide. The cruise style is relaxed, allowing plenty of time to view the fiord’s spectacular waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife
• The Milford Mariner then anchors in a sheltered cove, where you can join the nature guide and explore in the vessel’s tender craft (small boat) and kayaks. Or, if you prefer, you can simply relax on deck
• As evening falls, enjoy a carvery buffet in the dining saloon

Highlights

• Experience the magnitude of Milford Sound all to yourself when day visitors depart
• An extended cruise means a longer time visiting the habitats of native marine life, such as seals, penguins and dolphins
• Dedicated nature guide onboard, with specialist knowledge about the region’s history, flora and fauna, and conservation, ensuring an informative trip for your clients
• Explore the fiord up close by kayak or tender boat
• Fly-back Options from Milford Sound to Queenstown after the overnight cruise
• Our dining experience offers a wide selection of locally sourced appetisers, salads, condiments, main courses, carved meats, house-made desserts and cheeses (dietary options available)
• There is a licensed bar on board

Seasons

December: 16, 17, 18 and 30 January: 10, 11, 12, 15 and 21

Time

Ex Milford Sound

• The trip leaves from the Milford Sound Terminal at 4.00pm and returns by 9.15am the following day.
• You are required to check-in at the RealNZ counter 30 minutes prior to departure. Please be mindful that check-in closes 15 minutes before departure.

Duration

• The trip duration is for 1 night

Departure Location

• The journey to Milford Sound is just as spectacular as the destination itself. Milford Sound is around 5-6 hours (one-way) from Queenstown and around 3 hours from Te Anau by road.

FAQs

How long does it take to travel to Milford?

If you are travelling from Queenstown it will take around 5hrs to reach Milford. Te Anau to Milford is around 2hrs 20mins. This timing allows for stops along the way for photos or short walks to places of interest. If driving, make sure you fill your vehicle with petrol in Te Anau before travelling to Milford (there are no petrol stations at Milford Sound or en route).

At Milford where do you park and go to check in?

Check in for your cruise at the Milford Sound Visitor Terminal. Check in is required 20 minutes prior to departure. Overnight Cruise passengers should park in the coach carpark after 3.30pm, which will not be charged.

Passengers are advised to allow 45 minutes prior to their cruise check-in time to find a carpark and make their way to the terminal.

What is the difference between Milford and Doubtful Sounds?

Milford Sound at the mountainous north end of Fiordland National Park is the classic fiord - a deep water inlet between steep sided high mountains. Milford Sound is a middle-sized fiord at around 13 kms in length and it is famous for its dramatic scenery, especially Mitre Peak. Doubtful Sound is located in the heart of Fiordland National Park where the mountains are still very impressive but not as high as Milford Sound. Doubtful Sound is three times longer and has a sea surface area roughly ten times larger than Milford Sound. Its three arms are Hall, Crooked and First Arm.

What To Bring

Only one carry-on bag is recommended for passenger convenience and for safety reasons. Don't forget the following:

• Non-slip walking shoes/boots

• Waterproof jacket ^

• Warm sweater/fleece jacket

• Change of clothes ^

• Sunscreen/sunglasses

• Insect repellent ^

• Swimwear (optional)

• Camera

• Personal medication, including for asthma and allergies

• ^ Essential items if you are doing any water activities

Additional Information

• Pricing is based on a per person rate
• Child rates apply for 1 - 14 years
• Infants (0 - 4 years) may travel in twin/double cabins only. Infants (0 - 12 months) carried free of charge if sleeping in a cot, otherwise child rates apply. * Passengers to provide their own cot, unless by prior arrangement
• The Milford Mariner is a purpose-built vessel designed to replicate a traditional trading scow and is perfectly suited to cruising the fiords
• Accommodation onboard the Milford Mariner (sleeps 64)
• Private cabins with ensuite bathrooms - twin, double or single occupancy (a single passenger must pay sole occupancy rate)
• Quad share bunk-style compartments with ensuites - please note that quad share cabins are mixed gender and you may be sharing with other guests. Alternatively, you could choose to pay for the entire quad cabin, or two double cabins, to ensure privacy
• Spacious viewing decks and observation lounge
• Dining saloon and licensed bar
• Carries 20 kayaks and 2 tender craft onboard
• Family bunk rooms available - please contact us directly on 0800 65 65 01 or contact@realnz.com to privatise our shared cabins

Parking:

• Overnight parking is available in the Realnz coach area outside of the Milford Terminal for $30, from 3.30pm until 11am the following morning. This can be paid by card or paywave inside the terminal building.
• Free parking is available at Deep Water Basin Road. Guests have the ability to drop luggage and other passengers off, head to Deep Water Basin Road and park there (free of charge), walking down to the terminal after doing so and joining their overnight cruise. This walk takes approximately 20 minutes and is marked.
• Guests should always allow extra time for themselves to check in and board their vessels.

Booking Information

• Confirmation in the form of a tour voucher will be received at time of booking
• Upon completion of purchase, please print the voucher and present on day of the experience
• For your information, complete Tour Operator Information including contact details is included on your tour voucher
• Availability was accurate at the time of booking, however, is subject to change due to circumstances out of our control. We strongly suggest reconfirming your booking with the tour operator within 24 hours of making your booking and prior to making other travel arrangements
• Prices are seasonal and are constantly changing. The from price displayed may not always be the price you are going to pay, as once you click on your specified date, the price will change to reflect the price for that date/season. Please note that in some cases where you cannot click on a date to obtain the price, please call us so we can assist you
• Mobile Vouchers are accepted! - Vouchers can also be presented on your mobile device for this attraction
• Cruise vessel subject to change without notice