New Zealand Cruise: Milford Sound and Fiordland

Early in the morning the ship glides into Milford Sound, and you stand at the railing quite unable to close your mouth. To left and right the rock walls rise sheer from the black water, Mitre Peak towers more than one thousand six hundred metres above, and after the night's rain waterfalls come tumbling down the cliffs on every side. It is utterly still, only the rush of water and, somewhere on a rock, a seal. This is how New Zealand welcomes you at the end of the world.

For many, New Zealand is the journey of a lifetime, and it reveals itself most beautifully from the water. At its heart is Fiordland in the south-west: Milford Sound and the quieter Doubtful Sound, deeply cut fjords between rainforest and rock, reached only from the sea or after a long overland journey. A small ship sails in early in the morning, when the walls still stand in mist, and lingers long after the day boats are back in harbour.

Added to this are the coasts of both islands: Dunedin with its Scottish heritage and the wildlife of the Otago Peninsula, playful Art Deco Napier, Tauranga as the gateway to the volcanic world of Rotorua, the capital Wellington, sunny Gisborne and wild Stewart Island in the south, where the southern lights stand over the sky at night. Many routes cross the Tasman Sea and link New Zealand with Australia, with Sydney, Melbourne or the Great Barrier Reef off Cairns, so that a single voyage opens up two countries at once.

You travel aboard small premium ships that come close to the cliffs and waterfalls within the fjords: the Silver Moon by Silversea and the yacht-like Le Soléal by Ponant. The season is the southern summer, when Fiordland is green and the days are long. Voyages usually last around a fortnight.

Why book with ivent-sailing

Good advice costs you nothing and makes all the difference.

Fair prices

You pay not a single euro more than with the cruise line. We have agreed a commission with our partners.

Independent advice

We recommend the voyage that suits you, because we have no ship of our own to fill. In our consultation we can go into the small differences that make the experience yours.

Travel-security certificate under German law

With us you receive a travel-security certificate and book with insolvency and consumer protection under German travel law.

All-round package

If you wish, we arrange the whole experience including travel there and back.

Tell us what you dream of

Which route, which cruise line, which season, we settle that best in conversation. Without obligation and free of charge, and you book secured by the travel-security certificate under German law.

Your expert

Kristina Karg

Good to know

When is the best time for a New Zealand cruise?

In the southern summer, above all from December to February. Fiordland is then at its most accessible, the days are long and the coasts show their mildest side.

Which highlights and ports will I see?

Above all Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound in Fiordland, together with Dunedin, Auckland, Wellington, Napier, Tauranga, Gisborne and wild Stewart Island.

Which ships sail there?

Small premium ships that enter the narrow sounds: the Silver Moon by Silversea and the Le Soléal by Ponant.

How long does a voyage last?

Usually around a fortnight. Many voyages cross the Tasman Sea and link New Zealand with Australia.

What does a New Zealand cruise cost?

From around EUR 1,710 per person, depending on ship, cabin and route.

Can I combine New Zealand with Australia?

Yes, in fact that is the norm. Most routes cross the Tasman Sea, so you will find the very same voyages in our Australia world as in New Zealand.

New Zealand Cruise