What To Expect

What‘s Included

Reviews

• Not to be missed!

  Mary F,Mar 31, 2026

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  It was an amazing experience. From start to finish very well organised. We were well looked after. Great information from Gabe. Amazing food. Great scenery. Not to be missed!

• Wow a NZ "must do", see my "hindsights"

  breta2015,Mar 30, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Wow...traveled the last 5 weeks from Cape Reinga to here....unbelievable!!! Gabe our host was terrific...food was great, beds were great, service was awesome. Below are my hindsights from a 1st timer. 1. Bring a bathing suit...kayaking, boat touring, or just jumping in to warm water....did not know these options so were left "high n dry" 2. Bring cash for tips...charges are card only so we did not bring cash with us and felt bed the crew put out a much deserved tip jar at the end of the trip. 3. For older folks like us, the parking lot is .5 mile away from the departure area so wear good shoes...on a hill..... 4. Bring waterproof, not water resistant clothes, regardless of what the weather forecast is. 5. Find a seat on the side of the boat crossing lake Manapouri facing front. 6. Sit in the front of the bus to Doubtful Sound. 7. Sandflies are bad everywhere EXCEPT on the cruise. 8. The cautionary advice about bringing snacks, we feel, are unwarranted because they have so much food!!!! 9. Have a water proof cover for your phone as the photography is best when it is wettest! 10. There are several live maps on the boat so you can see exactly where you are. 11. There is a dry room to hang your clothes.

  

  

  

  

• Magical

  tanyafB3823OJ,Mar 28, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  This was absolutely amazing words can’t express the beauty and photos just don’t do it justice Heaven on Earth 🥰🥰

• Doubtful sound cruise

  Megan A,Mar 21, 2026

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  What a great crew and an incredible experience! The views were stunning, the food was amazing and we saw some dolphins!

• Cruise with beautiful scenery and endless photographic opportunities, BUT bring your luggage in backpacks!!

  Daniel B,Mar 9, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  4.00

  We did the overnight cruise on the Navigator. The weather was dry and fine, with light winds, not the pouring rain that is more common in Fiordland, so we were very lucky. The vessel was quite old and full of vintage character, but apparently fairly recently modernized. I wouldn’t describe it as luxury, but modestly comfortable. Seating in the main saloon was limited with no couples tables. Sometimes you only get a small stool to sit on. The food was buffet only (family style). Dinner was basic fare, but OK. Breakfast could have been a lot better, with limited choices. The bar was reasonably well stocked. Our twin cabin was comfortable and whilst not luxurious was quite satisfactory. The staff were friendly and energetic. The one important thing RealNZ failed to communicate is that you need to bring your baggage as one backpack per person, not in a wheeled bag or suitcase. Unlike a normal cruise there is no luggage check-in and you will be expected to haul your luggage off and on buses, boats, and up and down many flights of stairs! Such an easy piece of information to provide - don’t know why they don’t! It would have made the start and end of the trip much more relaxing if we had known. Anyway we got hundreds of amazing photos of breathtaking scenery, seals, and the dark night sky, including an incredible total lunar eclipse. We were the only ones on the boat to stay up to midnight to witness this spectacular event!!

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Far better than we even hoped!

  L1159HOpatriciaj,Mar 8, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  The best thing we did in a three week NZ trip! From the beginning to the end they used every minute to share the beauty of the area and the delight of being alone on the majestic sound. Accommodations and food were outstanding, the crew was cheerful and available, and the special delights of kayaking, cruising to the ocean, and experiencing the silence of a world apart were exceptional. We were particularly lucky to get a clear night for stargazing- what a treat!

• Not to be missed

  Sharron W,Mar 6, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  What a superb trip. We were picked up in Te Anau and taken to the catamaran. Our coach driver was knowledgeable and pointed out things of interest along the route and explained where to pick up our pre ordered lunch before boarding the catamaran. The journey on the catamaran, approx 45 mins, didn't disappoint either. There was also commentary along the route. We were then picked up by another coach to travel along the Wilmot Pass. Beautiful scenery and another very knowledgeable and very witty coach driver. We then arrived at the Fiordland Navigator our boat for the night. Wow. What an experience. Fabulous and very attentive staff, great activities, wonderful food and superb scenery. Everything ran like clockwork. I cannot recommend it highly enough. I can assure you you will not be disappointed.

  

  

  

• Once in a lifetime..just do it

  I9878LNjaninew,Mar 3, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  A delightful day, evening and morning. The views are spectacular. The Wanderer is a slightly smaller boat than others but this means everyone chats and shares their feelings about the experience, which is charming. Dinner and food in general was good quality and plentiful. Do it you won't regret.

  

• Stunning scenery

  CreatureComforts40,Mar 2, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Overnight cruise on board the Fiordland Navigator. We need not have worried - we were in safe hands with RealNZ. From the pick up in Te Anau, the boat ride across Lake Manipouri, the coach ride across the pass to Deep Cove and the actual cruise itself, all worked like clockwork. Our coach driver Tony was a hoot!! The accommodation (twin rooms with en-suite as the doubles were sold out) also exceeded expectations, with comfortable beds and lashings of hot water. Your cabins are pre-assigned (I don’t know how they do it) so there’s no need to rush to get your room number. We were assigned 24 - right at the bottom with a small porthole just above the water line. Don’t worry about the engine noise as they cut the engines overnight. Some of the higher cabins have better views but are also far less private. They serve a tapas platter just after you board, followed by afternoon tea. During this time you sail to the Tasman Sea and then turn around to anchor in a still cove. You then have the option to kayak or go on a boat ride. We took the boat ride and to be frank it wasn’t really worth it. Once all the kayaks are back, you can swim. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this. The water was 16C on the last day of February - probably warmer than the English Channel in the summer. Dinner is served at 7:30, followed by a talk and the opportunity to star gaze, which like others I would recommend. The food is generous and is solid home cooking. Wouldn’t say vegetarians are particularly well catered for at dinner looking at the options. Engines start at 6:30 in the morning, with breakfast served between 7-8. You are asked to take all belongings off your beds before you go to breakfast so they can change the beds for the next set of guests. The cabins are yours to use until about 9 though. The scenery is stunning but we were disappointed not to see more wildlife - hey ho it’s not a theme park and so you have to take what nature gives. Day 1 was sunny and warm but we woke to low cloud and mist on Day 2 and actually thought that suited the place better. Must takes: insect repellent, swimming costume plus plastic bag for wet clothing, gloves and hat - we had superb weather but the wind makes it very cold

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• You have to do the overnight trip - and don't miss the star gazing unless you have no soul!

  ALH2025,Mar 1, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  An amazing adventure that ticks so many boxes. Getting to the Fiordland Navigator by bus once off the initial catamaran transfer is a pain (and make sure you have plenty of insect spray as you will get eaten alive on the transfer bus if not), but it is a small price to pay for what comes next. Once on board you are in for a treat. The cabins are compact but adequate (though who thought to put the sink tap so close to the sink itself in such a small bathroom should really have a word with themselves). And do pack light as space is at a premium but not ridiculously so. The crew are great. Super friendly and with an infectious young vibe yet still exuding the professionalism that you need when you consider that your safety is in their very capable hands. The cruise out towards open sea is a great introduction to "life" on board. Brilliant 360 degree views and excellent nature commentary (accompanied by a glass of something) make for a relaxing afternoon. The seal colony is only viewed at a distance but is still worth the experience. So back inside the sound for a trip either in a kayak or a tender to pootle around for a while whilst learning a little more about our environment (well it would be rude to be in amongst it without getting properly immersed - right?). Then back on board to prepare for an excellent dinner served by the crew. Great food and plenty of it - and the bar prices are sensible considering they have a captive audience. After dinner just relax in the wonder of it all until for me, the main event begins. Pray for clear weather because star gazing once the majority of the passengers have retired was for me the highlight of this trip and certainly one of the highlights of the whole New Zealand experience. Almost silent conditions and just you (or one or two other hardy souls) lying on the deck seats gazing at the enormity of space - soul cleansing (and there is no Wi-Fi on board which once you get used to the fact is also a welcome disconnect from the every day). In fact it was so good that I was up again at 05:00 for a repeat experience when I was completely alone except for the chief making early preparations for our excellent breakfast to come. And with the morning experience, I was also treated to dozens of jumping fish that surrounded the boat - truly magical. After breakfast we settled in for the cruise back to the harbour and were treated to the brief but amazing company of a pod of bottlenose dolphin that call the sound their home - what a way to round off an incredible overnight trip - an absolute must have unless you don't possess a soul! Excellent trip - well done to all involved.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  
• Load more reviews