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Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise

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Highlights & inclusions

Private cabins with ensuite bathrooms or shared, bunk-style compartments.

Generous buffet dinner including dessert, with a cooked and continental breakfast the following morning.

Water activities: explore the fiord by kayak or tender boat, guided by a specialist guide (weather permitting).

Nature guide: onboard to share stories of the fiord's history, geology and wildlife.

Wildlife spotting opportunities: watch for seals, dolphins, tawaki (Fiordland crested penguins), native birds and seabirds.

Stay aboard a traditional scow-style vessel.

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From

$779.00NZD

Free cancellation up to 14 days prior to experience

1. Select date

Hot Deal

Last minute deal

2. Select participants

Adult • Single

Adult • Twin/Double

Children • Twin-Share Cabin Ages 2-15

Quad Share Cabin (Per Adult)

Quad Share (Per Child)

What you can expect

Experience the magic of Milford Sound with an overnight cruise that lets you truly connect with the untouched beauty of Fiordland. As evening settles over the fiord, you’ll be surrounded by peaceful grandeur, towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and mirror-like waters. Enjoy the rare tranquillity of this World Heritage landscape with onboard accommodation, freshly prepared meals, and guided nature experiences under a canopy of stars.

As you relax on the deck, keep your eyes peeled to spot some of the fiord's unique wildlife including dolphins, penguins and seals, while admiring the fiord's many spectacular waterfalls, lush rainforests, rugged mountains and more. As day turns to evening, you'll be able to enjoy a delicious carvery lunch in the ship's dining saloon, before relaxing in the company of your fellow travellers or indulge in some stargazing before retiring to your private cabin.

Location

Milford Sound Visitor Terminal, Milford Sound, Southland 9679

What you need to know

Note

All food and beverage purchases aboard the vessels in Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Queenstown, and Te Anau, as well as at Walter Peak and the Manapouri Café, do not accept cash. A cashless system will provide a smoother, more efficient experience for both guests and staff
Payment terminals accept all major credit cards and debit cards, including AMEX, WeChat Pay, AliPay and Union Pay, as well as contactless payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
RealNZ is going cashless on all food and beverage purchases in experience.
This means that all food and beverage purchases aboard our vessels in Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Queenstown, and Te Anau, as well as at Walter Peak and the Manapouri Café, will no longer accept cash. A cashless system will provide a smoother, more efficient experience for both our guests and staff.
Our payment terminals accept all major credit cards and debit cards, including AMEX, WeChat Pay, AliPay and Union Pay, as well as contactless payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Note: Fee of 1.5% applies to food and beverage purchases by credit card only. The fee does not apply to purchases in Retail Store at Walter Peak, or merchandise purchased from our Visitor Centres.

Inclusions

Spacious viewing decks, dining saloon/fully licensed bar and observation lounge
Private cabins with ensuite bathrooms (twin, double or single occupancy)
Four-course evening buffet meal including appetisers, soups, salads, hot dishes, carvery meats and a selection of desserts (vegetarian options available on request)
Cooked and continental breakfast
Specialist nature guide on board
Leisurely, extended full-length cruise of Milford Sound
Wildlife viewing opportunities including seals, penguins, and dolphins
English only commentary
Interpretation hand-out sheets (eight languages: English, German, Spanish, French, Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Thai).
Kayaking and exploring by tender craft

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

Time

Cruises depart at 4.00pm (day 1)
Returns at 9.15am (day 2)
Check-in is required 30 minutes prior to departure

Departure Location

Milford Sound Visitor Terminal, 9679

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.

Additional Information

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
Peak season: November - March - prices are dynamic, from price will show for low season.

Cancellation Policy

Change your booking up to 14 days before the start time of your experience
Changes are not permitted within 14 days of your experience
Late arrivals or no shows may result in you forfeiting your experience

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