Fiordland vrs Dusky, Doubtful, Milford Sound

[ocean hilton]

Greetings All,

I am trying to decide on an Australia/New Zealand Cruise this winter. Some cruise the Dusky, Doubtful and Milford Sounds while others cruise only the Fiordland National park. Not sure which would be the best experience. We have never been to either country and want to have the best experience possible so any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks form California! Judy

[MMDown Under]

3 hours ago, ocean hilton said:

Greetings All,

I am trying to decide on an Australia/New Zealand Cruise this winter. Some cruise the Dusky, Doubtful and Milford Sounds while others cruise only the Fiordland National park. Not sure which would be the best experience. We have never been to either country and want to have the best experience possible so any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks form California! Judy

They are the same place.  Milford Sound is the most well known of the three fjords.

[OzKiwiJJ]

Fiordland is the name of that region of NZ, which has all three sounds (although they are actually fiords) that are cruised plus a few more. Some cruise lines list them separately, which has caused confusion in the past when people who haven't read the itinerary properly think they are cruised on separate days. Other cruiselines just use the region name.

[MicCanberra]

As mentioned, the Dusky, Doubtful and Milford Sounds are all in the Fiordland National Park, along with many others.

Going from Australia to NZ, the main route is to go all the way into Milford Sound (unload any overland excursion takers) and return back out.

Then sailing down the coast past numerous other sounds like, Poison Bay, Sutherland Sound, Bligh Sound, George Sound, Caswell Sound, Charles Sound, and Nancy Sound.

Then it will enter Thompson Sound going past Bradshaw Sound before leaving by Doubtful Sound.

Cruising down the coast past Dagg Sound and entering Breaksea Sound, going through the Acheron Passage and into Dusky Sound before passing many other sounds like Edwardson, Cunaris, Isthmus and Long Sounds.

There are Arms to many of these sounds as well, but not enough time to explore them all.

It is normally reversed going coming from Port Chalmers (Dunedin).

[ocean hilton]

Thank you everyone!