6 Night Cruise sailing from Doubtful Sound to Milford Sound aboard Pacific Passage. Hotel stay pre-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 & 2 - Queenstown
On arrival in Queenstown please make your own way to the Heritage Hotel where we have your room booked. 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 3 - Nancy Sound
Today we are introduced to the beauty of Nancy Sound with trips to explore the shoreline of the fiord, where just a mere few have walked before you. The First Officer has a planned crayfish-gathering outing in the afternoon. On our short sea passages between each fiord, you will see many sea birds, including albatross, and there could be the possibility to have a pod of dolphins visit the ship and on rare occasions even whales.

Day 4 - Charles Sound
After breakfast we move the ship north to Charles Sound for more exploring. This is one of our favourite fiords, with two beautiful arms. The Second Officer conducts a landing craft trip to push up the Irene River off the Emelius Arm. The natural beauty is amazing and we spend the evening at the top of the sound and enjoy these spectacular views and discuss more of the fascinating local history.

Day 5 - Caswell Sound
We enter Caswell Sound where we trace the remnants of a 1905 and 1945 US-NZ scientific expedition that released 18 wapiti deer into the wild. These were a gift from President Roosevelt. The views are superb and the fishing even better. You may like to join the 1st officer for a crayfish and blue cod hunting trip to the head of the fiord to restock our fresh dinner supplies. We spend the night here at anchor.

Day 6 - George Sound
Tracking north we enter George Sound where we have access to the beautiful Alice waterfalls. Then there is the option of a hike up to the lakes above for those who are keen for the challenging walk. Anchorage Cove is another favourite with hot water springs, then a trip in the George River mouth and a stroll along the deserted foreshore. On clear evenings the unpolluted sky is full of stars and the top deck is your perfect viewing platform with the sounds of waterfalls in the background.

Day 7 - Bligh Sound
Bligh Sound is a Z-shaped fiord and named after William Bligh, the then Governor of New South Wales. We usually lunch and go ashore at beautiful Amazon Cove. Later, we anchor up in the secluded Bounty Haven and hear the fascinating history and stories of the lost tribe and the Wild Natives River. The taste of the ocean and abundant fresh air makes us hungry. Chef will prepare another gourmet dinner this evening.

Day 8 - Milford Sound
We enter the magnificent Milford Sound and leisurely cruise the entire length while stopping for a fresh water shower at waterfalls along the way. We view the world-famous Mitre Peak and Harrison Cove before having you disembark at 12:30 pm. The plan is to fly directly to Queenstown. The backup is a private coach ride to Te Anau and then fly to Queenstown. You can expect to be at the Heritage Hotel by 5:30pm where your room is booked for the Saturday night. The evening is free to explore Queenstown. Perhaps have dinner at a local vineyard or take the steamer boat across the lake to dine at Walter Peak Sheep Station and gain a glimpse of life at a high country station.

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.