Milford Sound Tours
Milford Sound Overnight Cruise Fiordland Jewel
5

Milford Sound Overnight Cruise Fiordland Jewel

By Fiordland Discovery
Recommended by 95% of travelers
95% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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Ages 18-99, max of 22 per group
Duration: 17h 30m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More


  • 3-course dinner
  • Breakfast
  • All taxes, fees and handling charges
  • Coffee and/or Tea
  • Kayaking
  • Tender boat excursion
  • Use of top-deck hot tub following dinner
What's not included
  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
  • Transportation to/from Milford Sound
  • Overnight Cruise parking in Car Park C - $ NZD 30


Start:
  • Milford Sound 9679, New Zealand
    Our crew will meet guests at the Milford Sound Terminal at the Fiordland Discovery Desk. If self-driving into Milford, parking is available in the Overnight Cruise parking zone within the coach park close to the terminal building. The rate is NZD $30 overnight. Payment unit inside the terminal
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Near public transportation
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 68873P1

    • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
    • Not suitable for children 5 years and under. We are unable to supply additional beds/cots. Children 6+ years are charged at full fare.
    • Most travelers can participate
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 22 travelers

    • All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 68873P1

    From
    $752.73
    per adult
    Select date and travelers

    Similar experiences

    Itinerary
    • Milford Sound 9679, New Zealand
      Our crew will meet guests at the Milford Sound Terminal at the Fiordland Discovery Desk. If self-driving into Milford, parking is available in the Overnight Cruise parking zone within the coach park close to the terminal building. The rate is NZD $30 overnight. Payment unit inside the terminal
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    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • Fiordland Discovery
      176
      New Zealand
    • O3189OTmichellep
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Amazing and Brilliant
      Highly recommend going on this luxury lunch cruise on the Fiordland Jewel. Beautiful luxury boat with amazing crew and the meals were devine. 10 out of 10 for Service, knowledge of the Milford and the food. Fantastic crew 😃
      Written January 3, 2025
    • jessesM5839IK
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      EXPERIENCE IT IF YOU CAN
      The standouts in this tour are everything. The meal prepared was as good as any I have had anywhere. Great Blue Cod.The captain was so welcoming and informative as we toured the sound, I would go down the list of the entire crew if I remembered everyone's name. Suffice it to say that everyone cared that we enjoyed the experience. This private tour had lots value even when considering the cost. EXPERIENCE IT IF YOU CAN.
      Written December 17, 2024
    • Trevor S
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Fiordland Jewel 7 Day Southern Cruise
      We took the 7 day Southern Fiords Cruise from Deep Cove. The whole experience was one of sheer pleasure, with superb accommodation, excellent crew, unbelievable quality of meals from a top chef and the opportunity to visit done truly historical sites in New Zealand’s early history. The knowledge imparted by the Skipper (Jimmy) was from someone who both knew his subject and thoroughly enjoyed sharing it with his 18 passengers
      Written September 18, 2024
    • Icychick
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Fabulous experience
      So glad we decided to take the overnight cruise through Milford Sound. A beautiful boat, welcoming staff, great local food and wine. The cabins are well designed, with comfortable beds, powerful shower ( I would agree the loo needs a shelf) nice linens and beautiful views from your cabin A great experience to cruise through the sound, see the waterfalls, kayak, have a hot tub on the upper deck and all so leisurely. The staff went out of their way to make this a very special trip. Thank you Jimmy, Liv, Leish and Chris, ( sorry for the crew I have not mentioned). It was a very memorable trip and highly recommended. We will be singing your praises.
      Written February 5, 2024
    • 242bernardl
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      An Awesome Trip. Ticked off the bucket list!
      This 6 day trip of from Doubtful Sound down to Preservation inlet is an absolute treat. Our crew were knowledgeable, friendly, engaged and helpful, and the food absolutely top notch all trip. The boat is comfortable and fit for purpose. And then the scenery, the environment and the history. . Fiordland is a beautiful place, with lots to see. Regular trips and walks off the boat are interesting too. A real adventure and getting to and from the boat is part of it with the boat ride on Lake Manapouri, the bus ride over the Wilmont pass and a helicopter ride back to Te Anau to finish.
      Written April 29, 2023
    • K1W1958
      0 contributions
      2.0 of 5 bubbles
      Don't waste your money
      Actually serve fresh Crayfish and Cod and decent portions. This trip is advertised as luxurious but is actually pretty average.
      Written January 18, 2023
    • GeorgeNZ44
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Incredible Fiordland on MV Jewel
      We recently completed the Fiordland Discovery 6 night southern Fiords trip on the MV Jewel. We did this with 6 friends and another 6 passengers. We left from Te Anau joining the boat at Doubtful Sound and returning by Helicopter from Preservation inlet 7 days later. The weather was predominantly inclement with rain, wind and cold however this did not spoil the trip as these conditions tend to show Fiordland at its best. Our group were well experienced with boats and found the Jewel to be perfect for the conditions. The boat was dry, warm and handled the rough sea conditions comfortably. All the crew were outstanding and contributed greatly to our wonderful experience. Rob (owner and skipper) and Dave were brilliant hosts with great senses of humour and knowledge of the the flora, fauna, geography and history of the area. The cuisine provided by Mateus (Chef) and the service and guiding from Kiahani (Raratonga) and Allie (Sweden) were all outstanding. Particularly the seafood meals harvested from the boat. The 7 days on Jewel passed very quickly. This was capped off by an outstanding Helicopter ride from Preservation Inlet to Te Anau captained by Sir Richard (Hannibal) Hayes who flew over beautiful parts of Western Southland for added interest. We have been very fortunate to do several land and sea trips but this was probably the best trip of its kind we had ever done.
      Written October 3, 2021
    • cfma2000
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Doubtful to Milford Sound 6 night Cruise
      Can only say – just do it. I don’t know where to begin after such an amazing adventure. A week spent travelling through fiords from Doubtful to Milford Sound. Loved kayaking in the Sounds then having a warm dry room on the boat to return to. Three exceptional meals each day with a wonderful array of fresh seafood throughout the week. Experienced crew to make you feel safe at all times. Lots of fun and humour from our pick-up in Queenstown till we returned. Loved every minute of it. Thankyou Rob, Dave, Matt, Jack, Juan and Hal for making it an unforgettable week. Hope to be back.
      Written July 5, 2021
    • nzp0ppy
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Stunning Fiordland
      We did the 7 day six night fiordland trip. As others have said - this isnt a luxury trip, but the ship is comfortable. There is no daily servicing of cabins. in fact, crew dont come into your cabins at all during the trip. Unfortunately as others have said, the food is nice, but there isnt enough. We went eight hours between breakfast and lunch one day and no morning tea provided, So be warned - take peanuts, crackers, cheese and snacks with you. I feel serving alcohol and having no snacks is wrong. And i will always never under appreciate my beer with snacks in the future. commercial processed biscuits for afternoon tea was poor. Id like to see some morning and afternoon teas. Fruit was available, but it doesnt fill you up. Some of the males on our trip didnt have enough to eat. I even felt dizzy and hungry. However, the boat is comfortable (especially the top cabin and definitely go for that with the wonderful views if you can). The scenery is amazing, the wildlife awesome. We enjoyed the kayking and walks. It would be five stars if little things were improved, Four crew for 18 passengers werent enough. And 8 kayaks for 18 passengers werent enough either. Would I recommend the trip - yes. But take your own snacks.
      Written October 21, 2020
    • B3743LVlisad
      0 contributions
      1.0 of 5 bubbles
      Mediocre at best
      Don’t waste your money!!! Take a day trip instead you’ll see just as much. This overnight cruise was very expensive so was expecting boutique type boat but it was very simply decorated and plain. It was clean. Captain very controlling. Was told to watch video after meal BEFORE he’d open hot tub! Then when a few of us did get in hot tub not one crew member checked on us to see if we needed more towels, water or another beer. Hot tub closed at 10pm and the bar. Weather very choppy. Ok when we anchored captain said we’d stay at anchor to have breakfast so it was semi calm but that didn’t happen he left then told us to all go to breakfast, by that time it was very rough. Sick people. Could wait to get off. Capt made announcement when we got off boat to make reviews if we liked it but not to say anything if we didn’t!!!!! Huge waste of money nothing special. Only good thing was chef did a good evening meal!!!! That was it
      Written December 3, 2019
    • nesswil1
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Highly Recommend - AMAZING!!
      What a place! Recommend overnight cruise to get the full experience. Not rushed, cruised, watched the landscape change, a kayak and very (very) quick swim (cold). Very enjoyable dinner with wine and woke from a comfortable sleep to the impressive Milford Sound and view of the mountains in the morning. If you are lucky like we were, a little rain meant plenty of waterfalls during our cruise and snow overnight ensured picturesque snow capped peaks surrounded us. Enjoyed the hot tub and the general ambience and friendliness of all aboard. Book it and Enjoy! Thanks to Carl, Jack, Drew and Damien for ensuring our stay was incredible. AMAZING!!
      Written November 29, 2019
    • Stuartaizenberg
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Outstanding overnight excursion
      Just did the overnight stay on the Jewel. It’s an intimate experience for 20 people. Gourmet food and service. Staff is fun and very knowledgeable. The Sound is about a 4 hour trip from Queenstown so this overnight experience is a stress free way to visit.
      Written November 18, 2019
    • rosieross56
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Milford at its Best
      My daughter and I have just experienced this over night trip on the Fiordland Jewel - What an awesome trip. Weather was moody so great for photography. Boat is extremely comfortable, warm and well set up for this over night trip. Our room - the Captain Cook was spacious and very clean with nice shower. The skipper Rob and his crew couldn't have been more helpful and very knowledgeable with the family having lived in the Fiordland area for many years. Food was excellent. Fresh lobster and blue cod were on the menu. This remote area of New Zealand is well worth the effort to explore. The road trip in from Te Anau very scenic but allow plenty of time to stop along the way as beautiful water falls, walks etc. Would highly recommend. A trip not to be missed.
      Written October 19, 2019
    • WarwickR18
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Walking in the footsteps of Cook
      My wife and I and two friends decided that we needed to see Fiordland before we passed over. It was left to me to book a suitable tour for four. Fiordland Discovery seemed to fill our requirements. What a wonderful surprise to have such a welcome and to be able to participate in six days of discovery , in an area of NZ few have had the privilege to enjoy. Rob , the skipper and owner, along with his sons and crew, gave us an experience we could not fault.The weather in that part of NZ is always variable and as we had selected to travel in winter, we thought we may suffer from the cold. Not so, it was cosy and the accommodation was every thing we could ask for.If you love nature and want to experience firsthand what NZ was like in Captain Cook's day, take the plunge and book as soon as you can to make sure you can see and feel what we did.Rob is a legend. Thanks so much ! !
      Written June 9, 2019
    • AMMeyers84
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      The only way to see Magical Milford Sound!
      We stayed on the Jewel, which truly was a gem for one evening and it was the highlight of our two week trip in New Zealand. I would highly recommend the Fiordland Discovery. The luxury is having magical Milford sound to yourself - a truly once in a lifetime experience. The service and food was wonderful. The boat and cabin was comfortable and it felt like home. So relaxing. Enjoyed the kayaking, hot tubing and star gazing and meeting other travelers onboard. The crew was amazing and knowledgeable, especially Jack who made every effort to make sure we were all comfortable and enjoying our time. A MUST DO!!
      Written March 24, 2019
    See all 176 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

    Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

    Popular mentions

    5.0
    5.0 of 5 bubbles111 reviews
    Excellent
    101
    Very good
    5
    Average
    3
    Poor
    0
    Terrible
    2

    Ineedatrain
    Clearwater, FL84 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    When I saw the hordes of people getting on and off the other boats at Milford Sound, I figured we made the right choice. Everything from welcoming to clear, actually audible and expert commentary from the skipper, two cruises of the sound, one from 3-6 the first afternoon and another morning cruise , to friendly service, to two really excellent meals and a nice cabin, this was a first class, perhaps once in a lifetime experience, and we were not the only ones to think so. It rained the first afternoon which meant dozens of spectacular extra waterfalls and then in the morning we were accompanied by ~8 botttlenose dolphin, saw numerous seals, and again cruised the now clear, sunny fiord/sound. The other guests were polite and laid back and appreciative of the personal attention we received. But what made the trip even more enjoyable is we were the only couple to take advantage of the van transport from and back to Queensland. Our driver Ross was interesting, knowledgeable and patient and we stopped at least a fifteen times in each direction to see wildlife, photograph countless spectacular views, learn about local farming, etc. Those ~5 hours each way were every bit as memorable as the boat trip and while this may not be the cheapest option to experience Milford Sound, it’s hard to imagine anything comparable.
    Written November 26, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Many thanks for taking the time to leave us this lovely review. We are thrilled to hear of your enjoyment of our Skipper's commentary and service from our crew on board. Milford in the rain is a spectacular sight, followed by clear skies and also accompanied by the wildlife you were able to witness. The drive into/from Milford Sound is truly remarkable and it is wonderful to hear of your experience with our driver Ross. We will pass on your kind words to our crew, and to Ross also. From all of us at Fiordland Discovery - thank you.
    Written December 1, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Fenella K
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mar 2024 • Couples
    The overnight cruise on Milford Sound was just fantastic. It was really special. The limited number of cabins for around 20 passengers meant it is not crowded and a much better experience than the packed day cruises we saw. The weather was wet and misty on the first day but the crew were very cheerful and encouraging - as they explained the more rain the bigger the waterfalls! They gave a commentary as we went so that we were able to observe a number of special things. We saw seals on the rocks, a number of spectacular waterfalls and even had an opportunity to kayak from the boat. I was able to go on the tender (small boat) which was run by one of the crew. My partner was keen to jump from the helideck and was counted down by staff as he leapt! The 3 course dinner was delicious and they were very careful to cater for our dietary needs which was much appreciated. My partner proposed during dinner!! which made it even more special and they helped us celebrate with a glass of bubbly and then asked permission to announce it to our fellow travellers. A very special moment for us both. After dinner we were able to soak in the hot tub on the roof with a couple of other cruisers :)
    Our cabin was warm and compact (its a boat!) with a large comfortable bed and big windows to display the magnificent views over the water. We woke early when the engine started and were able to see the spectacular sunrise over the mountains on what was a clear day. Breakfast was to order and was beautifully done. We ate on the back deck and took in the views with blankets provided! As we headed back to the wharf, we saw dolphins surfing our bow wave.
    A final comment: the staff went above and beyond to assist us when my partner left his crucial medication behind on the boat. They contacted us and let us know that they had flown it to Queenstown where we were able to easily pick it up.

    THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!
    Fenella and Peter
    Written March 14, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Robin S
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Feb 2024 • Couples
    The crew were fun, friendly and knowledgeable. Skipper Jimmy was very knowledgeable and smiley! Chris cooked us a tasty 3 course dinner. You get two cruises of Milford Sound: one late afternoon and then another early morning. We were lucky with dry conditions on one for good visibility and another when pouring down which showed the waterfalls at their best. We also saw seals basking on the rocks and dolphins swimming by the boat. Bedroom very comfy. I particularly liked jumping into a chilly Milford Sound after dinner and then relaxing in the hot tub on deck.
    Written March 5, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    momof2wildchilds
    Denver, CO837 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We are a family of 4 traveling with our 20 & 19 yr old children after our son completed a semester @UoAuckland. The check in at 2:45pm was easy. Park your car in lot C then pay @ the ferry terminal. $30 for overnight. Right as we boarded we enjoyed the cozy cabins, cheese board, glasses of rose & cruise throughout the Milford Sound. The waterfalls, penguins, dolphins were putting on a big show for those of us on board. The entire crew was exceptional with knowledge of the area, history. Chef Chris made a delectable dinner after we kayaked, swam, jumped off boat & toured the harbor in a tinder with Jack. Stella was outstanding assisting with our family. Her cheery disposition made us all feel super comfortable on board.
    Thanks to our skipper for all the information, facts & narrating the movie after dinner that has us all wanting to come back for an extended tour to Stewart island or any other destination. The moon was full so star viewing was reduced but there was not any rain or wind on our journey. We will be back to your on the Jewel soon.
    It all ended way too fast after a delicious breakfast on Sun AM.
    Written November 16, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Many thanks for taking the time to leave us this lovely review. We are delighted to hear of the range of wildlife you witnessed whilst on board and were able to experience while in Milford Sound. I will pass on your kind words to our crew and we do hope to welcome you back on board the Fiordland Jewel in future. From all of us at Fiordland Discovery - thank you.
    Written December 1, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Satish425
    New York City, NY86 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Apr 2023 • Couples
    The 6 day cruise is a very good way to see the Southern Fiords in the South Island. The itinerary is quite good and they have an excellent 4 person crew. The boat is spacious, the cabins are quite good, and the chef makes all three meals. Although this cruise is well worth doing, it is overpriced. And they are forced to offer huge discounts to fill up the rooms. It is quite annoying to discover that they are offering 40% discounts to customers who book later. My suggestion is to wait for the 40% discount if you would like to take this cruise.
    Written May 18, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you Satish, for taking the time to review your recent cruise with us and we're so pleased to hear how much you enjoyed exploring the southern fiords with our wonderful crew. As we explained in our communication with you after your cruise, we do understand your comments regarding our pricing and would like to reiterate that our decision to adjust our rates is not something that we did without careful consideration. New Zealand tourism has changed dramatically in the past few months since our international borders reopened and whilst it may take a while to regain some balance, our commitment is to continue to share this spectacular corner of New Zealand with our valued guests. We genuinely hope that you can understand our position and also that you have some special and unique memories of your time in Fiordland with us to take home with you.
    Written May 19, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Oscar L
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Thank you to Rob and his amazing team for an absolutely fabulous overnight cruise aboard the Fiordland Jewel.

    Our three teenagers were ecstatic to experience the luxury of the cruise as well as the water activities which included jumping off the top deck into the pristine cool waters, kayaking and the speedboat ride. Stargazing till the early hours of the morning was also an absolute highlight! The 3-course dinner (venison, blue cod and panna cotta) created by Firmin was decadent, fresh and absolutely delicious.

    A huge shout out to Lance who shared many hilarious stories during dinner and listened with an open heart - we quickly became friends.

    We will take these incredible memories back to Australia and recommend Fiordland Discoveries to all our family and friends.

    Oscar and Anna.
    Sydney Australia
    Written February 5, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Many thanks for your wonderful review and we loved having you and your family on board! It always adds so much to the trip when our guests embrace all the opportunities on board - jumping off the top deck, stargazing etc - and we're delighted to pass on your fabulous comments to Lance and our crew. Many thanks once again from the Fiordland Discovery team
    Written March 18, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    My_Lady_of_England
    Irvine, CA72 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mar 2023
    While the cruise itself was great the accommodation was very small and claustrophobic. It was very difficult to sleep without any circulating air and no windows. The food was OK but not great and they ran out of wine glasses.
    Would not do it again but would definitely do a day cruise. In our opinion not worth the money and the crew appeared to have the better rooms while we were on the lower level next to the engine.
    Written March 17, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you for taking the time to give your feedback and we're pleased to hear you enjoyed your cruise with us. We are a little confused however, regarding your comments about the accommodation, as all of our cabins have individual air conditioning and/or heating, plus large windows to enjoy the spectacular views. (As can be seen in some of the photos posted on TripAdvisor by previous guests). Our crew cabins are also on the same deck as the guest cabins and are far smaller, without private ensuites, so would like to respectfully point out that your comments are incorrect. (Our skipper's cabin is the only exception to this and is located on the main saloon deck for operational purposes) We value all feedback so that we can continue to ensure we offer the best possible experience for all our guests and hope that you don't mind us clarifying some of your statements to provide fair information for our other valued guests.
    Written March 18, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    whliu2001
    San Francisco, CA275 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Several groups of dolphins are swimming along the boat in the morning for 45 mins. Amazingly lucky. The overall experience is ok. Food is good and room is clean. A peaceful and enjoyable tour.
    Written January 25, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Jeremy M
    Greater Sydney, Australia2 contributions
    1.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mar 2020
    Apparently trip advisor would like more "detail" about my personal experience with this company. I can personally attest this tour operator has several more 1 star reviews, some with very similar experiences to my own; however, they ask trip advisor to remove them for less than compelling reasons and get away with it. Nonetheless, if it is more detail they want, then that is what they will receive.

    Milford Sound Overnight Cruise, and more specifically Fiordland Jewel, was something my son and I were greatly looking forward to. Marshall is a 13 year old cancer survivor with additional radiation treatment coming his way. We purchased the tickets in November 2019 and then traveled to Sydney, Australia on March 15, 2020. Anyone within earshot of a news station may understand how ill fated this trip was. New Zealand closed it's borders to everyone just 8 hours before we were to leave Sydey for Christchurch, New Zealand. 8 days of our 10 day trip were slated for New Zealand so you can imagine the chaos that ensued. We contacted all tour operators, hotels and vendors that we held reservations for and this is where the shameful behavior of Fiordland Discovery begins. Their employee "Debbie" stated without hesitation that we would be refunded in the face of COVID-19 disruption. We were headed to them when this happened. We didn't just change our mind. Sadly, Kate later decided that her employees statements meant nothing and the integrity of their company meant nothing. I made repeated attempts to organize a future trip and allow holding of a "future deposit" but that Debbie's promise of a refund should be honored. They did not. They have kept my money (and several other families too, whose reviews here on Trip Advisor were conveniently removed as well). Doing the math, they kept many thousands of dollars from families who did nothing wrong and, at least in our case, were promised a refund. Their word means nothing.

    They fall back on "oh poor us" and our family yacht, we couldn't possibly afford to refund folks. It should be noted that EVERY other reservation we had from big or small operators, big or small amounts, were ALL refunded, except this one. We were prepared to cruise later, perhaps doubling our committment to this company in the process. Fiordland Discovery refused. This is shameful behavior, not worthy of the Kiwi spirit. I've lived in New Zealand in the past. They are better than these folks at Fiordland Discovery. Our recommendation, from our personal experience, is to stay clear of this operator. They do not represent Kiwi hospitality, only enormous greed.

    Trip advisor, this is based on my own experience and is my genuine opinion of this establishment. I went to your link for how to post a review and the link is broken, saying "This page is on vacation…" However, I expect if you want honest reviews of tour operators you will leave this alone; otherwise, it says a lot about you too.
    Written April 14, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Fiordland Discovery has refunded this customer in full and strongly refutes any claims of dishonesty. In an extraordinarily challenging time, we were doing our utmost for our valued guests and staff alike, and all of our guests were initially provided with a credit for future travel with us. As time went on and the global situation became clearer, we then offered a full refund for anyone unable to travel to NZ. We are extremely sorry, Jeremy, that you feel your experience with us was so negative and tried our best to communicate as honestly and openly as possible. We also wish you and your family all the best for your son's recovery.
    Written April 22, 2021
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    JudyFD
    Melbourne, Australia117 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mar 2023
    From our road journey with Lance (Queenstown- Milford Sound return) to the stunning overnight Milford Sound cruise, this was a five-star experience! The boat is tastefully fitted out, comfortable and cosy. Ed’s cuisine was beautifully presented, and perfectly prepared….. delicious 3 courses! Kate the ever charming host, along with informative Captain John and capable first-hand Shawn, completed a memorable experience of the might and majesty of Milford Sound.
    Written March 8, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Many thanks Judy for your wonderful feedback. We all loved having you and your group on board and particularly enjoyed your singing, accompanied by Lance! Hopefully see you all back again one day.
    Written March 18, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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    Milford Sound Overnight Cruise Fiordland Jewel provided by Fiordland Discovery

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