Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
Board the Fiordland Navigator for a special dinner, bed and breakfast wilderness experience. Cruise across the crystal waters of Lake Manapouri to West Arm, take a coach across the dense rainforest of Wilmot Pass then stay overnight on this traditional heritage vessel.
Tour Info
| Tour Name: | Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise |
| From: | Queenstown, Te Anau or Manapouri |
| Cruise Type: | Overnight Cruise |
| Price: |
From (NZD) $465 per person
|
| Tour Operator: | Real Journeys |
| Duration: | Overnight |
| Tour Code: | RJDO |
Inclusions
| Lake Manapouri catamaran cruise |
| Coach across Wilmot Pass |
| Doubtful Sound cruise on the Fiordland Navigator |
| Spacious viewing decks |
| Dining saloon/fully licensed bar and observation lounge |
| Kayaking and tender craft/small boat activities |
| Accommodation is in private cabins with ensuite bathrooms and quad share bunk style compartments with shared bathrooms |
| Picnic lunch options can be pre-ordered (day 1) |
| Three-course buffet dinner with a selection of mains, including a vegetarian option |
| Breakfast includes a choice of cooked and continental |
| Nature guide on board |
| Coach connections from Queenstown or Te Anau with courtesy transfers from most accommodation |
| Suitable for all ages with exception of infants in quad share |
| Not suitable for wheelchair passengers due to steep stairs |
Book Your Overnight Cruise this Month and Receive Our Exclusive Relaxing Journeys Discount of 5% Off the Retail Prices Shown Below.
* Note: Prices shown are per person (based on two people travelling). Solo traveller prices available on request.
TOUR DEPARTURES
This cruise departs daily & offers three departure points :
- Self Drive passengers can depart from Manapouri at 12 noon (Summer months depart half an hour later)
- If you are staying in Queenstown a luxury coach leaves at 8:30am
- Or passengers can leave by luxury coach from Te Anau at 11:00am (Summer months depart half an hour later)
Complimentary hotel pick-up and drop-off service is available from inner city Queenstown or Te Anau hotels. Pick-up and drop-off details must be advised at the time of booking.
Your Overnight Experience
With nature guides on board, the Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise offers a close-up experience of Doubtful Sound’s waterfalls, abundant wildlife, rainforest and mountains. Throughout the cruise, the guides share stories of the fiord’s history and are happy to answer your questions.
Cruises have a flexible itinerary that allows plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and to pause to view highlights.
Complimentary Activities
Fiordland Navigator offers a relaxed environment, where you can do as much or as little as you like. The following activities are complimentary and are available to all guests:
- Kayaking
- Tender craft (small boat) excursions
If relaxation is more your style, then you can choose to soak up the views from the deck, read a book, or interact with our knowledgeable crew.
As evening falls, enjoy a lavish three course buffet carvery in the dining saloon (vegetarian option available – please advise if required at the time of booking). Then relax in the company of fellow travellers or indulge in some star-gazing before retiring to your private cabin. In the morning enjoy a cooked breakfast, served in the dinning saloon.
Onboard Accommodation
The Fiordland Navigator has 18 cabins with ensuite bathroom (12 cabins with twin single beds, 6 cabins with double beds). 9 quad-share bunk style compartments with shared bathroom facilities. Bed linen, duvet, towel and pillow are provided for both cabins and bunkrooms.
What to bring
One overnight bag only to be brought on board for passenger convenience and safety reasons. Limited lock-up storage facilities are available at the Visitor Centre in Manapouri. It is advisable to bring non-slip shoes/boots, waterproof jacket, warm sweater/fleece jacket, change of clothes for kayaking, sunscreen/sunglasses, insect repellent, swimwear (optional), camera, cash for bar and snacks.
The Vessel’s Specifications
Fiordland Navigator is a purpose built motor vessel, designed along the lines of a traditional New Zealand coastal trading scow. The vessel is also equipped with kayaks and two shore tender vessels.
- Length/Beam/Draft: 40m/10m/2.75m
- Max Displacement: 693 Gross tonnage
- Engines: 2 x 485KW Yanmar aye
- Cruising Speed: 11 knots
- Overnight Capacity: 70 passengers
- Spacious Viewing Decks: Three
- Sails: Three masted staysail schooner
TRIP NOTES
Itinerary and inclusions shown apply to departures from November 2016 onwards. Itinerary and inclusions may vary for earlier departures.
Day by Day Tour Itinerary
Day
1
Doubtful Sound
| 8.30am | For those departing from Queenstown a coach will pick you up from your Queenstown hotel |
| 9.45am | After boarding a luxury coach in Queenstown, travel along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through rolling countryside to Manapouri |
| 11.00am | For those departing from Te Anau a coach will pick you up from your Te Anau hotel (Summer months depart half an hour later).For those travelling from Queenstown, stop in Te Anau for a break |
| 11.30pm | From Te Anau, travel by luxury coach for a short trip through the rolling countryside to Manapouri |
| 12.00pm | Board the luxury catamaran and cross Lake Manapouri (Self Drive passengers may join the cruise here. Summer months depart half an hour later) |
| 2.00pm | Board the Fiordland Navigator |
| 7.30pm | Buffet Dinner is served in the dining saloon |
| 9.00pm | Dinner complete. Relax, unwind, view the stars and take in the stillness of staying overnight on a luxury vessel anchored in a sheltered bay |
Day
2
Doubtful Sound
| 7.00am | Breakfast to be served in the dining saloon |
| 8.30am | Retrace journey back towards Lake Manapouri |
| 10.00am | Disembark Navigator |
| 11.45am | Arrive at Manapouri |
| 12.45pm | Te Anau passengers leave the coach |
| 3.30pm | Queenstown passengers leave the coach |
4.7/5.0
There are 87 reviews of this tour from past clients of Relaxing Journeys, averaging 4.7 out of 5.
Overall Tour Rating
Value For Money
Accommodation
Tour Pace
Relaxing Journeys Experience
Tour Reviews
5
Derick Markram (New Zealand)
13/05/2018
An amazing tour a must do! Friendly staff, food was great. Even though the bunk beds were small it was neat and tidy. Overall one of the highlights of our trip!!! We had perfect weather but the staff and other travellers who came back a second time told us if it rains it is more spectacular so we cant wait to come back again! Thanks for an amazing experience. Will highly recommend this cruise to family and friends.
5
David Moore (New Zealand)
08/05/2018
Amazing scenery. Staff were very welcoming. Food was great and the cabin was very well appointed.
5
Roger Harradence (Australia)
09/04/2018
Tour was extremely well organised - launch and bus transfer to ship. The ship itself was very well designed and suitable for the experience. Our cabin was ideal and well appointed. The crew were extremely able, helpful, happy and eager to help. I have marine engineering background and Glen (skipper) was very happy to engage my interests in the ship. The food via Philip was high quality and generously prepared. Carol, the naturalist, was a charming lady and very knowledgeable. We thoroughly enjoyed the cruise, all experiences and meeting the other passengers. We cannot recommend this cruise highly enough.
5
Nils Simansky (Denmark )
03/03/2018
In short it was amazing. Couldn't get enough of it.
5
Eric Sprokkereef (Netherlands)
01/03/2018
This was the best thing we did in New Zealand. Everything was perfectly organized and we ha an absolute wonderful time.
5
Susette Weisheit (United States)
02/02/2018
My husband and I traveled from the US to vacation in New Zealand for a month. During our 2800 kilometer journey of the South Island, we took the advice of friends and we booked a 2-night cruise on the Fiordland Navigator into Doubtful Sound. It turned out to be the highlight of our trip. Besides being stunned by the sheer beauty of the sound, we saw an albatross, seals, dolphins, a Fiordland Penguin and numerous water birds. We thoroughly enjoyed our outing along the shore of the sound in sea kayaks. The staff were well organized, safety conscious and courteous. Our on board naturalist did talks about history, geology and the animals of the sound while the on board chef and his staff created delicious meals. We couldn't have asked for a more enjoyable interlude in our travels and we both highly recommend this tour to everyone traveling in Fiordland National Park.
5
Laura Andersen (United States)
27/01/2018
The Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise was a magical experience! We spent 8 weeks in New Zealand and this was the thing I was most excited about...it did not disappoint! The staff, though small, was efficient very friendly and knowledgeable. The food was wonderful! The scenery is simply stunning and I loved kayaking and swimming. We were greeted in the morning by a pod of very playful dolphins. Just delightful. I would highly recommend taking this cruise!
5
Catherine Powell (United Kingdom)
23/01/2018
We thought this trip would probably be the highlight of our five week trip away and it certainly was, and we haven't finished yet! It was just spectacular and so well organised and the whole trip went like clockwork, we loved the tranquility and the sound of silence we experienced on the morning after was just so moving and so special. The staff were so accommodating and versatile and the food was excellent. Would love to do this again. Couldn't recommend highly enough. It's a must!
5
Yoke-Ying Chin (Singapore)
27/11/2017
The sceneries were breathtaking and simply glorious. Thank you for getting the whales, penguins and seals out for us :) The food was excellent., was wowed by the lamb and beef. Even the salad was very well done. The accommodation were clean and comfortable. Could have some air freshener on board for the quad share in case of smelly feet and shoes! The bathing place was very clean too and toilets were cleaned at night making it more comfortable to use in the morning. The crew were polite and could be more friendly/personable, esp the Skipper (Dave / Steve - can't remember his name). Nick, our guide, was very knowledgeable. Mike the coach driver was very knowledgeable , friendly, entertaining and so hilarious which set us up for the amazing experience ahead. The 10 mins silence with the engine and generators switched off and no photos taking policy is an excellent idea and eat to end the cruise! Thank you for a truly stupendous experience.
5
Ces Bell (New Zealand)
15/09/2017
Absolutely the most wonderful trip we have enjoyed with so much jammed into one day. We would seriously love to do this or another one of the Sounds.
5
Kalpak Shah (India)
20/05/2017
Words aren't enough to describe my experience. We were lucky to have clear & sunny weather on 20th & 21st as well with snow fallen just a day before. The crew of Real Journeys absolutely deserve an appreciation for their sincere hospitality.
5
John Cashman (Australia)
16/05/2017
So good to come so close to an unspoiled part of the earth. Very comfortable and welcoming cruising people, good food, especially the NZ lamb, and super talks by the guide who's name I didn't get. Loved it all, thank you! And good to hear that some of our ticket goes to conservation.
3
Seng Chor Koh (Singapore)
27/04/2017
The weather was bad especially the following day. It affected the experience. We were hoping to have a taste of NZ crayfish as that would be the best place to eat it but we were disappointed that it was not part of the menu.
3
Richard Moon (United Kingdom)
25/04/2017
Loved the tour. It wasn't quite as relaxing as it might have been given the large group of school kids. Although they were generally well behaved, there must have been 40 children moving round in groups which took the edge off what was an amazing (but expensive) experience. It would have been good to have been notified in advance as we would have chosen another date. The staff and food were fantastic.
5
Terence Gilogley (Australia)
20/04/2017
Great staff, very helpful, always on the lookout to make your trip more enjoyable.
5
Linda Millikin (United States)
03/04/2017
It was wonderful. Carol our naturalist was very informative. She really knew about the sound.
5
Wilhelmima Schuurmans (Australia)
03/04/2017
Absolutely fantastic, from start to finish.
5
Catherine White (United Kingdom)
24/03/2017
Everything was very well organised right from the beginning. Staff were welcoming friendly and knowledgeable, nothing was too much trouble. Food was superb. The whole experience was fantastic from the wildness of the scenery, the roughness of the Tasman Sea to the peacefulness when all motors were turned off for us to enjoy the silence, just the birdsong. An amazing experience and excellent value for money.
5
Steve Makin (United Kingdom)
23/03/2017
This has been the highlight of our time in New Zealand, we couldnt have asked for better weather, better companions or better staff, the fact that we saw dolphins within five minutes of setting off just topped the whole cruise off perfectly.
5
Doug Freede (United States)
07/03/2017
The trip was everything we expected. The ship was very clean and comfortable. The crew and staff were very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. The food was very good, and we especially enjoyed the \"soup service\" in the early afternoon. We would recommend this trip to our friends who may visit NZ.
4
Kevin Beardmore (Australia)
27/02/2017
A very relaxing and memorable tour. If you want the double rooms book very early as they are popular. The food was top class.
5
Janet Carmichael (Australia)
17/01/2017
Outstanding in every regard. Can't really say anything more that would make it any more splendid. Except...I thought I heard it rain, then I heard it again and again. And when I looked to check for sure, there, it rained some more! The rain just added to the splendour and the pod of bottleneck dolphins that guided the ship, well what more can I say? I think you get the message. Tell anyone undecided, just go!
5
Bruce Modglin (United States)
17/01/2017
We had a great time on the cruise The crew made the trip along with the beautiful scenery. Spent some time on the bridge with the captain and nature guide and they were both very professional and fun to engage with. The only thing that would be nice to change is have a little more time at departure. Understand time is limited but it would nice to have an extra 1/2 hour to settle in to our cabin before leaving the dock so we could be outside during that time. Other then that a great trip and very good food.
5
Pamela Jeans (United Kingdom)
12/01/2017
Thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Even the less than brilliant weather could not spoil our trip. In fact we were treated to spectacular waterfalls and atmospheric scenery. The crew were extremely friendly and expert multi-taskers. The meals were superb. Our cabin was very comfortable and clean. Thoroughly recommend this trip.
0
JJ Seiler (United States)
01/01/2017
Very nice!! I wish we knew that the bus would pick us up at our hotels!! We would have stayed further out of town.
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5
Christine Straumann (Switzerland)
29/12/2016
Everything was so wonderful. The crew, the ship and our cabin were awesome, and Doubtful Sound was so beautiful; we saw a lot of dolphins. It was one of the best trips in the whole of New Zealand.
5
Nils Enrum (Denmark)
29/12/2016
Very well planned tour. Efficient and knowledgeable staff. Ship's layout and plan really well thought out. We were very happy and impressed!
4
Richard Laslett (Australia)
26/12/2016
The cruise is a great idea and Doubtful Sound is better than Milford (Sound). It was actually good that it rained and we saw spectacular scenery. The quad room is a bit tight but comfortable. Food is great especially for carnivores who had five extra dishes than us vegetarians, (felt a bit of what about us!). The carnivores also ate a significant amount of the lentils. Same happened at breakfast. Wine is costly so we gave it a miss but spirits are well priced. Free coffee at all times a bonus. Staff were excellent. Would like to see toilet floors wiped over a bit more often as the showers are.
5
Michelle Glen (Australia)
25/12/2016
Amazing scenic cruise. Very well organised and the weather gods were shining on us.
5
Lay Ching Ong (Singapore)
30/11/2016
My husband and 2 boys (we are from Singapore) took the overnight cruise to Doubtful Sound and it was the best ever nature cruise we had taken. Amazing close-up to the fjord, to wildlife such as bottlenose dolphins, fur seal colony and Fiordland crested penguins. Excellent crew, nature guide - Carol - and food on board. A top notch experience not to be missed!
5
Clarisse Schrimpf (Singapore)
28/10/2016
Amazing. No other word can describe the experience. My only regret: to discover once on board that quad accommodation was so basic (no doors, rather short beds, cold). We didn't sleep well. But that doesn't take away the fact that the cruise has been the highlight of our holidays in NZ. The guide, captain, staff was incredibly friendly and we were very lucky with the weather. A lifetime experience!
5
Malcolm McDonald (Australia)
21/10/2016
Absolutely the best tour experience my wife & I have ever had. Words escape me. Extremely well organised, friendly staff, first class coaches & the \"Fiordland Navigator\" ship on Doubtful Sound was immaculate. Excellent food & more than enough! We booked a private double cabin .expensive but worth every cent. We thought this would be a once in a lifetime trip but we are coming back, God willing as soon as life permits!
5
Neal McLary (Australia)
13/10/2016
Crew and staff were excellent..polite, attentive, knowledgeable. Skipper Dave and nature guide Carol were great. We had a fabulous time! While it didn't impact on our enjoyment, the linen stripping of beds at 8am was a bit weird.
5
Suzanna Matla (Australia)
23/04/2016
The Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise was just so amazing, good service, wonderful crew from start to finish, amazing food and most of all the location and awe inspiring scenery and wildlife...What a treat, well worth the time and every dollar spent. Would do it again in a heartbeat.
5
Stephen Vautier (New Zealand)
19/04/2016
A most enjoyable experience
5
Nancy Huber (United States)
19/04/2016
The overnight cruise was one of the highlights of our trip to NZ. The ability to see and experience the solitude of the fiords would not be possible just from the shore. It also kept us away from the crowds that go to Milford Sound. The food was excellent and the crew was available to answer questions and chat with.
5
Jennifer Brady (Canada)
12/03/2016
Beautiful, dramatic scenery on the Doubtful Sound overnight cruise.......all 4 of us enjoyed it. The dinner was scrumptious and breakfast hot and fresh. No complaints even though we were in 'steerage' for the night lol. Probably a cabin would be a better choice for many people! Highly recommend this trip.
5
Neil Haycraft (Australia)
12/02/2016
A fantastic experience staying on Doubtful Sound. Would highly recommend to everyone to do it. With perfect weather a nice clean safe boat and friendly staff our time aboard could not of been better. Thank you Neil and Jo
4
Carol Cunningham (New Zealand)
01/01/2016
Outstanding area of natural beauty, very calming trip.
4
Julia Swann (New Zealand)
31/12/2015
Thoroughly enjoyed our time on Doubtful. The whole trip was very well planned although we would have enjoyed also kayaking as well as going out on the small boat. That was our only complaint really. The food was excellent, the timings were great and it must have been amazing for our American travelling companions to be able to experience more than American football! Mmmm......The sound of silence and Milky Way will be lasting memories of a fabulous new year.
5
Nathalie Beenen (Netherlands)
15/12/2015
Great cruise, excellent service and delicious food!
5
Claire Mattiussi (Netherlands)
29/11/2015
High quality tour on a comfortable boat with a relatively small number of participants. The staff was friendly and efficient, the food was great and the nature guide on board provided very interesting information about the wildlife, the nature and the history of the Doubtful sound. We saw loads of seals, penguins and dolphins and had a very time.
5
Ruud Pikaar (Netherlands)
16/09/2015
Excellent trip, though this time a bit rainy and cold. The nature guide was very good and highly appreciated.
5
Denise Jacobsson (Australia)
04/09/2015
Our overnight Doubtful Sound trip was excellent!Ian our coach driver was friendly, knowledgeable and interesting to listen to. He was a good driver and worked hard to ensure that all was right for us. Even when there was a small problem with the coach on the way back. The trip across Lake Manapouri was also brilliant and very comfortable. I love the overhead windows on the boat. The coach trip up through the Wilmot pass on the first day was brilliant and we really appreciated the stop at the top to have a play and take some photos in the snow. It is just a pity that the driver on the way back was not as friendly or as accommodating as the driver on the way over! The ship was great. Really quite big and even in a quadshare room it was comfortable. All of the crew were extremely approachable, friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable. Carol the nature guide was a delight and really made our trip interesting and enjoyable.
Ray the captain was also interesting, very accommodating and I enjoyed visiting his pilot house to see what he does. The food was bountiful and very tasty. The always available coffee, tea and hot chocolate was excellent. My sister and I really appreciated our elderly father being upgraded from the quadshare room we had booked to a single cabin on a higher deck (meaning less stairs and less walking). Thank you so much for that thoughtful and kind gesture. Naturally Doubtful Sound itself was fascinating and interesting and we thoroughly enjoyed seeing it, even in the rain and cold. When we planned our 8 day trip to NZ Fiordland country, we expected the overnight Doubtful Sound trip to be the highlight. You certainly did not let us down. Thank you.
Ray the captain was also interesting, very accommodating and I enjoyed visiting his pilot house to see what he does. The food was bountiful and very tasty. The always available coffee, tea and hot chocolate was excellent. My sister and I really appreciated our elderly father being upgraded from the quadshare room we had booked to a single cabin on a higher deck (meaning less stairs and less walking). Thank you so much for that thoughtful and kind gesture. Naturally Doubtful Sound itself was fascinating and interesting and we thoroughly enjoyed seeing it, even in the rain and cold. When we planned our 8 day trip to NZ Fiordland country, we expected the overnight Doubtful Sound trip to be the highlight. You certainly did not let us down. Thank you.
5
Geoff Bullen (Australia)
06/05/2015
It was a wonderful overnight cruise. We saw some wonderful things and met some great people. The crew was great, very helpful. The food was delicious and plentiful, and the cabins very comfortable. A great unforgettable experience and I thoroughly recommend it. A great memory.
5
Robert Mangan (Australia)
09/04/2015
1st class tour, extremely well organised, excellent facilities, expert tour guides, great food, stunning views. Best in class anywhere in the world.
5
Kathryn (New Zealand)
03/04/2015
The overnight Doubtful Sound cruise was amazing. The crew were incredibly friendly and didn't for a second make you feel as if 'they'd been there done that' which of course they have many times! The food was delicious and plenty of it - you will not need to take any extra! The day/night is busy without being overdone, lots of time to admire the scenery and never feels boring. The kayaking/tender boat is a special experience. Highly Recommend!
5
Paula Orr (United States)
29/03/2015
The tour was wonderful. I don't know a better way to see the absolute beauty of such a remote location and am thankful that we could experience such beauty. The staff were excellent at their individual roles. The food was absolutely delicious! I didn't expect that on an overnight sightseeing excursion.
5
Julia Cleaver (Australia)
26/03/2015
Everything was perfect, the food, activities, staff and accommodation. I would especially like to thank Carole for her enthusiasm and informative commentary. We were lucky the weather was also perfect. Thank you for a great trip. Very proud to be a New Zealand tourist!
5
Dianna McCormick (Australia)
17/03/2015
Every thing about it was wonderful, and excellent weather to top it off. A Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise is a must for all visitors to NZ.
5
Malcolm Baird (United States)
14/03/2015
The best part of our trip! So enchanting and we loved the moments of silence as we returned. We spent hours with the captain because my husband drove submarines for the US Navy and they enjoyed telling their stories to each other. What a sweet guy he is. His 'assistant' was also great and did a wonderful job driving the ship. We will recommend this journey to all who go to NZ.
4
Matthew Cetrone (Australia)
03/03/2015
Well organised and great experience. Plenty of food and great accommodations. Very happy we went on your cruise. Wildlife is used as a marketing tool, but felt fortunate I saw any wildlife at all.
5
Geoff Anderson (Australia)
01/03/2015
After the heavy rain the waterfalls were amazing and the number of them even more amazing. Our cabin was very comfortable and the meals were excellent.
5
Christine Middleton (United Kingdom)
27/02/2015
Our trip to the Doubtful Sound was wonderful. All the staff were helpful and very informative. The food was excellent . We had plenty of time on the Sound and enjoyed the chance to kayak or tasks a small boat on the water. We also really valued the period of silence in the morning. The Doubtful Sound is a very beautiful place, quite unique.
5
Christine Toose (Australia)
04/02/2015
This tour was one of the best experiences ever! The visit to the pristine wilderness of Doubtful Sound was something I'd never before experienced. The staff on board the boat could not have tried harder to make the whole experience for each passenger the very best it could be. We were all amazed how everyone went the extra mile. The food was exceptional, and a great chance to taste the very best of NZ local cuisine and wines. The cabins were clean and comfortable.
5
Natasha Kuznetsov (New Zealand)
31/01/2015
The trip was great. The staff onboard were wonderful and work hard to make everyone comfortable. The food was amazing and the scenery was spectacular! Everything was perfect. I would highly recommend it to anyone considering to to it!
5
Christine Mckenzie (Australia)
28/01/2015
My husband and I loved the Doubtful Sound overnight cruise. The staff were fantastic and extremely informative, our accommodation was very comfortable and the food was great. We were fortunate enough to have a swim in the fiord and although we didn't kayak, the trip in the tender boat was brilliant. It was so quiet out on the Sound and we only spotted one other smaller boat. Highly recommended and well worth the expense!
4
William Block (United Kingdom)
16/12/2014
Very well organised; coach driver and guide from Queensstown was most helpful and informative. Wilmot Pass was spectacular and the overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound was truly magnificent with very helpful crew and guide.
5
Kathy Saunders (Canada)
19/11/2014
We had some New Zealanders who actually recommended this tour to us and we were not disappointed. Even though the weather was rainy, there were positives about this! The mountains in the fiords were lush and we got to see both Little Blue Penguins (which is apparently very rare as they are hard to see) and Fiordland Crested Penguins. From the onset of the tour to the end, the instructions were clear (as we had to go on a bus, then boat, then bus, then the Navigator); the drivers of all modes of transportation were funny, witty and knowledgeable; the crew on the Navigator were very friendly and professional. Carol, the nature expert of sorts, was really enjoyable to listen to as she knew so much about the flora and fauna in the area. The food was fantastic - I was really surprised actually because it is a boat! I thought the facilities would not be conducive to providing great food, but I was wrong! It was really excellent and vegetarian options as well which I appreciated. The cabins were super comfortable and you would never even know you were on a boat! It was a completely uninterrupted sleep! The people we met on the boat were all lovely and there was a nice mix of people from Scandinavia, UK, Australia, USA, and other parts of Europe which we were really appreciative of.
5
Martin Taulu (Canada)
26/10/2014
Staff were great and were very informative. The first day a little cool and windy but the next morning was great. We saw penguins, dolphins, and the Sound were very impressive.
5
Keith Poole (United Kingdom)
22/10/2014
Was a fantastic trip for us, great to spend time in a place without the crowds like Milford. Best Dolphin experience we either had. Meet some great people on the boat and the staff were fun and helpful the whole trip.
5
Leonard Fishler (United States)
06/10/2014
This Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise was absolutely first class. The sights were magical. The crew on board were friendly and helpful and delivered excellent service. The nature guide, Sim was very nice and informative. The chef was amazing, providing us with gourmet healthy food with many choices including vegetarian. The desserts chef was also excellent. The chef even shared some recipes. I highly recommend this tour! The cabins were small but quite comfortable. The guided coach trips through the forest passes were also excellent. A far better choice than Milford Sound IMHO.
4
Paul Evans (Australia)
11/09/2014
I am very pleased that I did this trip. With only 17 passengers, and 12 crew we almost had 1 to 1 ratio! Weather excellent-no rain for a month! A cabin to one's self was a bonus. No complaints from me. Well done, and many thanks for a great experience.
5
Sandy Wood (Australia)
10/09/2014
Everything worked seamlessly from the booking through to the trip. We thoroughly enjoyed it. In hindsight I probably would have booked a cheaper cabin....would have been just as enjoyable.
4
Christopher Cost (United States)
01/09/2014
I thought that everything was very good. Things were well run and went very smoothly. The meals were excellent. I have no regrets regarding the booking.
5
Val, David, Colin & Judy Peaker (Australia)
23/04/2014
Our overnight trip to Doubtful Sound will always remain a highlight in our thoughts. Efficient, friendly courteous staff. A cruising art gallery with a changing display by the minute. Generous, delicious meals presented beautifully. A kaleidoscope of reflections to the sound of rushing waterfalls and distant bird calls. Wafting white clouds clinging closely to the mountains set in the remote wilderness of Doubtful Sound makes this a must do for every traveller. Thank you Relaxing Journeys.
4
Peter Briggs (Australia)
16/04/2014
Thanks Mani, I appreciated your assistance and the small discount you were able to provide compared with Real Journey's own pricing. We had a great time and enjoyed the cruise, which was very much in line with my expectations as I have done it before. I will be happy to recommend booking Real Journeys trips through you as it was quite seamless.
5
Carly Danne (Australia)
16/04/2014
Loved Doubtful Sound overnight cruise. Was everything we expected and more. Staff were awesome, food was fantastic, the scenery was spectacular. I would do this again!
5
Linda Barry (Australia)
06/04/2014
The cruise was the highlight of our holiday. The scenery was spectacular and we were very fortunate to have beautiful weather. The Tasman sea was unusually calm which meant we could venture out into the ocean longer than usual. My husband was one of 3 brave passengers to swim in the sound...exhilarating... he said. He also loved the kayaking. The food was great and the service faultless. It struck me how much the staff really loved what they were doing and were eager to share their knowledge with the passengers. The cruise was my birthday gift to my husband and he was absolutely thrilled with it. So a BIG thank you to all. PS. I was also pleased to find out that Relaxing Journeys is a family owned New Zealand company.
5
LINDA MASON (Australia)
04/03/2014
This was a fantastic trip and my husband, mother and father and myself enjoyed every minute of it. The accommodation was great (we had separate rooms with a double bed), the food was great and all the activities were fantastic. Excellent trip and would readily recommend to others.
5
Alex Robertson (United Kingdom)
11/01/2014
Real Journeys staff were excellent and made the tour memorable. Everything was well organised . Facilities and food were good. Would recommend it and also your company, Relaxing Journeys, as well.
4
Judith Judge (Australia)
06/01/2014
Such a unique tour. I loved every minute. It felt like a fantastic adventure into a wild area. Staff were extremely friendly from the bus drivers to the cruise crew. The cruise crew were particularly friendly, helpful, entertaining and seemed to love people. (helpful in their jobs!) The food was amazing in its' quality and variety. The accommodation was good, and even though the quad share was tiny it was comfy and clean. My only suggestion for improvement was to have a lockable locker somewhere for use. There were good gluten-free choices which I appreciated. I recommend this tour to everyone.
5
James Parrington (Australia)
05/01/2014
The scenery was breathtaking and the service and efficiency of the crew was outstanding. Please pass on our compliments to everyone in the team than were very 'slick', efficient, friendly and professional.
5
Janelle Massey (Australia)
07/10/2013
The cruise on Doubtful Sound was the highlight of our trip, it was better than we could have imagined, beautiful place, fantastic cruise, crew were outstanding, Everything was perfect, thanks for a great experience. Can't wait to come back and go again.
4
Alison Jameson (United Kingdom)
02/04/2013
We had a fantastic time, the team were friendly and helpful and the place was magical. Have highly recommended to family and friends :)
5
Roger & Kathie Guthrie (United Kingdom)
14/02/2013
The trip was magical! The organisation excellent. Everything was at the right pace. The days were varied and filled well. I particularly enjoyed the 'sound of silence'. The boat was very clean and of a high standard & the staff were professional, knowledgeable and very welcoming. I would just welcome better seating in the centre of the dining space - backs to the stools or even benches with backs.
5
Clare Manning (United Kingdom)
04/01/2013
Fantastic time was had by all, very friendly coach driver and crew on the boat. Saw lots of seals and a pod of dolphins, only one lonely penguin though. All in all a very worthwhile experience and I would definately reccomend it to any one looking for some real peace and quiet and beauty in New Zealand. P.S: bunks in quad share very comfortable too.
5
Martin Hayden (United Kingdom)
01/12/2012
This cruise was a highlight of our time in NZ. First day, torrential rain! All part of the experience: waterfalls everywhere, great atmosphere. Even went out in a small boat in pouring rain! Carol in charge, very very good, both in handling the boat, and giving us a guided tour or flora and fauna on the shore. We saw a Fiordland Crested Penguin hidden away from the rain. Rescued a capsized kayaker! Wonderful meal in evening. next day, cleared up, super views of forested cliffs, hanging valleys, more penguins...excellent commentary from Carol. We were allowed on the bridge too, a great feeling to be up there. Lovely comfortable boat.
5
Marina Bacher (Russia)
05/10/2012
My husband and I went to the Doubtful Sound on October 5. It was a very nice adventure for us and it was my birthday present (I had a cake from the crew and Happy Birthday song), we learned a lot and we saw a lot. he organization was on a high level: boat, bus, food, sport activities. The captain was the best, very knowledgeable. I had a chat with the captain before breakfast while everyone was still sleeping. Only he and I got up so early. Also he said that not many Russian (I am Russian) tourists on the boat he meets. When we were leaving the boat he said 'good bye' personally to us. One more thing: we got upgraded with accommodation! Thank you so much!
5
David & Terrie Griffith (United States)
06/04/2012
Our Doubtful Sound overnight cruise was the highlight of our trip to New Zealand. Great scenery, fun activities, good food and the staff was knowledgeable and attentive. We highly recommend this trip!
5
Sandra Fancourt (Australia)
29/02/2012
The Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise was wonderful.
5
Lisa Smart (United Kingdom)
07/04/2011
One of the best trips we did in New Zealand, crew and the boat was wonderful. This is one of the most peaceful and beautiful places that I have visite. Amazing and would recommend to everyone that goes to New Zealand.
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4
Raymond & Amy Lederman (United States)
25/03/2011
Absolutely stunning beauty. The ship was cozy and comfortable and the food great. The 5 minutes of silence was terrific. Thanks for a wonderful time.
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4
Mike & Donna Churchland (Australia)
23/03/2011
We were thoroughly impressed with this tour. The ship was very comfortable, the food was great and the crew were wonderful. But more importantly, the ecological experience was one of the best we have ever had. This is truely one of the last great wildernesses left in the world. Our Wild Life Officer, Carol, was brilliant. We came away with a much clearer understanding of the area and the wildlife. The fact that we were able to share it with a large pod of dolphin and Pilot whales was an unexpected bonus.
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4
Pauline Downing (Australia)
17/03/2011
I took the tour while my partner and friend were walking the Milford. Although they raved about the best walk in the world, they were envious of the Doubtlful Sound journey that I took. Now we have another trip to NZ in the pipeline for them to kayak on Doubtful Sound. One special feature of the sound, beauty, solitude and grandeur aside was that there was but one or two boats there, it was not like being in the hustle and bustle of Milford Sound with a line of cruisers like taxis at a rank. Also thank you for not having one of those 'Magic Memories' photographers jamming a camera in your face everytime you board a boat to enveigle you to purchase photos & DVDs ad nauseum. I loved my trip and Relaxing Journey's representative Jarrod, booked fine weather for my days on the Sound, well one out of two was excellent and the clouds and mist gave the place even more character and waterfalls.
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4
Dennis & Monica Martin (United States)
14/03/2011
My wife & I had a fabulous time on the cruise, despite the rain on the first day. We were still able to kayak and enjoy the sights. Food was excellent & the staff was first rate, very friendly & helpful. Would recommend to friends & family.
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5
Laraine Machin (Australia)
08/04/2010
Absolutely beautiful, excellent staff, food and activities. Couldn't have had a better trip, will be going back again.
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Enquire about our Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
Luxury Cruise
Tour Code: RJDO
From (NZD)
$465 per person
87 reviews
(4.7/5)
Board the Fiordland Navigator for a special dinner, bed and breakfast wilderness experience. Cruise across the crystal waters of Lake Manapouri to Wes... Read More
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