6 Night Cruise sailing from Fiordland to Doubtful Sound aboard Pacific Passage. Hotel stays pre and post-cruise in Queenstown.

These are incredible voyages through the New Zealand Fiordland National Park. With like-minded travellers, we share a world class scenery seldom visited that will often take your breath away. All the while enjoying fine gourmet dinners under the stars, the discovery of stunning beauty while paddling a kayak on the fiords, wander unexplored foreshores or simply relax on deck enjoying cocktails as you take in these outstanding world heritage site surroundings inside Fiordland.

Day 1 - Queenstown
On arrival in Queenstown please make your own way to the Heritage Hotel where we have booked your room for you. You have time enough to fall in love with this fabulous alpine village. Dinner at one of the many restaurants beside the lake is just one of the numerous options available in this beautiful town.

Day 2 - Te Anau / Fiordland
We collect you at 8am for a private charter coach to Lake Te Anau. You are free to explore the town before the helicopters depart for your 20-minute scenic flight that will have you landing on the ship's helideck. Our crew acquaint you with the ship and safety systems before starting our cruise through world-famous Breaksea Sound to our dinner anchorage for the evening.

Day 3 - Dusky Sound
We depart after breakfast from Supper Cove with visits to Cascade Cove, Cook Channel, Fanny Bay and Nine Fathom Passage. 
A history talk over lunch as a lead in to planned activities. This is the beginning of the Moose story that will flow through to the next day. We do a tender trip ashore with the First Officer to visit the Seaforth Hut and if possible push further up the Seaforth River by tender or on foot.

Day 4 - Dusky Sound
Departing after breakfast we proceed to Sportsman’s Cove for morning tea with a history talk. The focus for the day is to complete the Moose story and look at some more Cook history. We continue on to Wet Jacket Arm with lunch served underway and arrive at Pickersgill Harbour where a history and orientation talk is given over lunch. The plan for the day is to understand the work and impact of Captain Cook with a contrasting return to the present. We will accompany guests ashore in Pickersgill for a short walk to explore the area. Captain Cook careened the ‘Resolution’ here in 1773 and much evidence still exists of his crews work in this bay. This is adjacent to Astronomers Point where Cook completed historical navigation work.

Day 5 - Dusky Sound
We depart for Disappointment Cove after breakfast to arrive in time for lunch. The focus for this day is on conservation and the history, impact and efforts to mitigate the impact of introduced fauna on Fiordland. After lunch we continue to Sunday Cove where over afternoon tea 
we hear the history of the venison industry in Dusky Sound. We cruise on to Third Cove in Vancouver Arm where we will spend the night.

Day - 6 Dusky Sound
After breakfast we explore Vancouver and Broughton arms. For those that wish, the Second Officer is available to take them fishing throughout the day. A walk ashore is also available with the Guide for those wishing to explore an intertidal area and bush at a creek on the SW corner of Broughton Arm.

Day 7 - Dagg Sound
Wake to the aroma of a hearty breakfast as we get to delve further into the Fiordland early history. We explore Dagg Sound and move north to arrive at the world-famous Doubtful Sound. This evening is the Captain’s farewell dinner and you have time to reflect on your adventure with the crew and fellow guests.

Day 9 - Queenstown
Your itinerary with us concludes after breakfast. We wish you safe onward travels and look forward to welcoming you back onboard with us again soon.

To celebrate our 12th anniversary, we have our new-build ship PACIFIC PASSAGE being delivered in early 2020. Measuring 44 metres in length, she has been meticulously designed for just 18 passengers to cruise New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands in superb comfort. She is purpose designed for coastal cruising and island hopping to explore where the larger ships simply cannot access.

She represents a beautiful eco-friendly ship designed to over-deliver experiences whilst providing the highest standards of safety, comfort and enjoyment for guests while they are exploring our part of the Pacific.

PACIFIC PASSAGE is an ocean-going ship designed and classified for travel to the corners of the world in safety and comfort. Onboard we silently convert salt water to make 8 tons of pure fresh water each day, endlessly recycle waste water to a level above 99% purity before harmlessly discharging this overboard away from the coast, discretely recharge numerous working batteries from an array of solar panels above the bridge, neatly compact our rubbish to minute proportions and generally do as much as we possibly can to leave a minimal footprint of our activity.

Spacious and indulgent, yet intimate enough to feel totally exclusive, PACIFIC PASSAGE is beautifully designed and decorated in a classical modern theme. The spacious lounge, dining room and aft deck define our ship. Bi-fold doors allow the opportunity to expand and integrate the dining and saloon area into the open wide aft-deck to create an alfresco entertaining area of an enormous almost 190 square metres for your relaxation onboard.

Those wishing to keep up with the world beyond our intimate destinations will appreciate wireless internet, i-pod docking stations and satellite telephones on the bridge for regional and international calls.

Two 7-metre aluminium landing craft are each equipped for 10 guests. Snorkel and fishing equipment, twin and single kayaks and standup paddle boards are carried onboard. Our mainly New Zealand officers and crew are professionally trained to ensure your safety and comfort. Our housekeeping team aim to present the ship as if you are the first guests ever to step on board. We trust you will enjoy the experience and relaxed days onboard PACIFIC PASSAGE.

From the six delicious Pacific Suites with lovely verandas to the abundance of amenities in our three spacious Horizon Suites, there’s no finer way to cruise. Whichever you do choose, you’ll find it beautifully designed in an Island Escape understated elegance for your comfort and enjoyment.

NB: Island Passage has been sold and a new-build ship PACIFIC PASSAGE will be delivered in early 2020. New cruise bookings will open from 4th April 2019.

Island Escape Cruises is a luxurious small ship cruise experience. In New Zealand we own 20-year permits from the Government to explore the entire World Heritage Fiordland National Park. Virtually isolated with access by sea and helicopter, this region is beyond sensational and often described as the ultimate nature lovers paradise. We also cruise the beautiful Bay of Islands Marine Park region over Christmas and New Year during the NZ summer season. Hot and sunny days of pure relaxation.

For six months each year, during the New Zealand winter, we move to the Pacific Islands where we call Tahiti our home. There is sensational small ship cruising within a tropical paradise with her French influence. First class activities and amenities, Tahiti and the South Pacific are favourite small ship cruise destinations and loved by our guests for their relaxed tropical atmosphere.

Our original ship, Island Passage, has been sold after a dozen years of wonderful service. And to celebrate our 12th anniversary, we have our new-build ship PACIFIC PASSAGE being delivered in early 2020. Measuring 44 metres in length, she has been meticulously designed for just 18 passengers to cruise New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands in superb comfort. She is purpose designed for coastal cruising and island hopping to explore where the larger ships simply cannot access.