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If you’re debating whether to do the day or overnight cruise of Milford Sound, then I get it! I’ve had to make the same choice since I’ve visited Milford Sound a lot while living in New Zealand.
The overnight cruise was on my bucket list for years before I took the plunge, so now that I’ve done it, I’m here to help you decide which experience is right for you.
Honestly, my quick answer would be that you should definitely book the overnight cruise. It was one of the best experiences of my life! But I get that everyone has different needs, so let’s take a deep dive into the different options to ensure you make the right decision.
About the Milford Sound Day Cruise
The Milford Sound Day Cruise lasts for just under 2 hours, so it’s an ideal way to see Milford Sound if you’re short on time. As it’s a shorter cruise, there are multiple departures per day, from 10:45 am to 2:45 pm, so you get plenty of flexibility in terms of timing.
There’s interesting commentary on board and you’ll get to see the famous Mitre Peak, as well as plenty of waterfalls and wildlife. I’ve seen Fiordland-crested penguins, fur seals, and dolphins while on a Milford Sound day cruise, so it packs a punch in terms of wildlife! You also get free tea, coffee, and biscuits throughout.
I also really enjoy this cruise because it’s on a small boat that allows you to get much closer to the waterfalls and the shore. This is great in terms of spotting wildlife, and the boat is only filled to half of its capacity, so it feels very personal and relaxing. It’s also VERY popular and well-loved – just check out the 2,000+ 5-star reviews!
Plus, doing this Milford Sound day cruise gives you flexibility in terms of transport, as you can book the standalone cruise for $169 NZD and drive yourself from Queenstown, which is ideal for those renting a car or campervan. However, you can also do the cruise as part of this full-day tour from Queenstown, which includes return transport and plenty of fun stops along the way for $289 NZD.
Book the spectacular day cruise here or choose to add on transport from Queenstown with this tour!
About the Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
I did this overnight cruise of Milford Sound, and it was absolutely epic.
There’s no transport included for overnight cruises, so I drove myself to Milford Sound and checked in at around 3:15 pm, half an hour before my boarding time of 3:45 pm. This was plenty of time to get up and out of Queenstown and stop off at some of the beautiful spots along the way. It’s also worth noting that the overnight cruise only operates from November to April, so this is a summer activity!
Passenger numbers are capped at just 22, so this is a super peaceful experience and everyone enjoys plenty of space. Milford Sound is already such a remote and tranquil place, and doing the overnight cruise really lets you feel the full impact of that serenity.
This is not just because the boat itself is quiet, either. While lots of cruises operate during the day, if you do an overnight cruise you will quite literally have Milford Sound all to yourself! If you ask me, there’s no better feeling.
My cabin on the overnight cruise was absolutely amazing, with huge windows that allowed me to take in all of the incredible scenery and wildlife around. I could literally see penguins and seals from my bed – it was amazing!
I also enjoyed using the hot tub on the outdoor deck, and since the boat didn’t have a ton of passengers on board, I could pretty much enjoy using it as much as I wanted! I also got to go kayaking through the fiord which allowed me to get even closer to nature, and there were tender boat rides on offer, too.
The onboard dinner was fantastic too. It was a 3-course plated meal, and we got to watch underwater film footage from the boat after dessert! Breakfast in the morning was included, too. I have even more details in my review of the Milford Sound overnight cruise.
The overnight cruise costs $1,199 NZD. It includes everything I just mentioned, except for transport, but as I mentioned, it’s easy to drive here from either Queenstown or Te Anau. The cruise doesn’t start until mid-afternoon, and you don’t need to worry about driving back the same day.
It sells out quickly, so book the overnight cruise in Milford Sound here!
Pros and Cons
Day Cruise
Pros:
- Only 2 hours – the day cruise won’t take up a ton of your time, which is ideal if you’re short on time in New Zealand!
- Other activities included if you drive from Queenstown – if you drive or take a tour from the city, you’ll get to stop at multiple scenic viewpoints (check out my road trip guide here!) on the way.
- Easy to fit into a busy schedule – if your South Island itinerary is already looking pretty busy, a day cruise in Milford Sound is easier to fit in than the overnight option.
- Transportation from Queenstown can be arranged – it’s easy to book a tour from Queenstown and to be honest, I enjoyed letting someone else take care of the driving.
- Free cancellation 24 hours before you go – this day cruise comes with a super generous cancellation policy when you book through Viator, which gives you flexibility with your travel plans, and peace of mind that you won’t lose money!
Cons:
- Shorter cruise – Milford Sound is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and so longer is always better! Sadly, 2 hours is the longest daytime cruise you can do.
- You don’t get to spend nearly as much time in Milford Sound – Milford Sound is very remote and it’s the kind of place you might only ever visit once, so I highly suggest spending as much time here as you can.
- Makes for a very long travel day – it takes almost 4 hours to drive one-way from Queenstown to Milford Sound, so going there and back on the same day involves a lot of travel time. You will spend longer on the road than you will on the boat!
Related Read: If you are looking for a tour with transport, these are my 7 favorite Milford Sound tours from Queenstown!
Overnight Cruise
Pros:
- Overnight accommodation – while the overnight cruise may seem pricey at first, it’s not as bad when you consider it includes accommodation for the night! You would easily spend a good chunk of the price of the cruise on a nice hotel in Queenstown.
- Two gourmet meals are included – I was so impressed by how good the meals were on the Milford Sound overnight cruise! The 3-course dinner was delicious and included an amazing cheese board, and lobster scrambled eggs were on the menu at breakfast.
- Get more time in Milford Sound – the overnight cruise gives you so much more time so enjoy this stunningly beautiful fiord. You also get to enjoy it at its quietest and most serene.
- Once-in-a-lifetime experience – if you only ever visit Milford Sound once, this cruise will make sure you do it right. I think it’s the perfect way to appreciate the magic of Milford Sound and make memories that will last a lifetime in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
Cons:
Honestly, I really don’t have many cons to doing the overnight cruise in Milford Sound. It’s one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had and personally, I can’t fault it! However, there are a few reasons why it may not be the perfect fit for your trip:
- You’ll have to drive there – unlike with the daytime cruise, there are no overnight cruises in Milford Sound that include transport from Queenstown, so you will have to drive yourself.
- Takes up a whole night – if you’re on a tight schedule, it may be difficult to fit in an overnight cruise.
- It’s expensive – an overnight cruise definitely isn’t for those on a shoestring budget, but although it’s expensive, I do think it’s good value for money. The inclusions are very generous, and they make up for the higher price.
Cost Comparison of the Milford Sound Day and Night Cruise
The Milford Sound day cruise costs $169 NZD for the cruise alone, or $289 NZD as part of this tour with transport from Queenstown and lunch.
Meanwhile, the overnight cruise costs $1,199 NZD. However, although the day cruise is clearly a lot cheaper, I think that the overnight cruise wins out in terms of value for money.
While the overnight cruise is expensive, it includes overnight accommodation, two meals, and the cruise itself. If you factor in all of that and the fact that you get about 18 hours in Milford Sound, I think it works out as a pretty good deal.
I mean, the day cruise is cheaper but you only get 2 hours to spend in the fiord. You’ll then pay extra for meals and accommodation, and you’ll spend about 8 hours of your day on the road if you drive from Queenstown. You really only get a fraction of the experience. So if you’ve got room in your budget, I really do think that the overnight cruise is a much better option.
Related Read: If you choose the day cruise, I recommend staying near Milford Sound – here are my top hotel and campground picks!
Which cruise would I choose?
In case it’s not already obvious, I would 100% choose the overnight cruise!
You get so much more time in Milford Sound than you do with the daytime cruise, and you get to enjoy it all to yourself, without lots of other boats and tourists around! Plus, if you factor in all of the inclusions and break down the cost by the amount of time you get to actually be in the fiord, it gives you a lot of bang for your buck. I would do it again in a heartbeat!
Book the epic overnight cruise here or opt for the day cruise of Milford Sound instead!
Renting a Car, Campervan, or Motorhome in New Zealand
Let’s face it, you’re going to need wheels to get around New Zealand. Although a small country, buses between destinations are infrequent and expensive. Plus, some of the best experiences you can have in NZ are on road trips!
You have three options when it comes to getting wheels in New Zealand; a car, a campervan, or a motorhome. Here’s what you need to know about each and where to get them:
- Car – A normal car is the cheapest rental vehicle you can get in New Zealand. It’ll get you around to all of the best destinations with ease. The only downside to a car is that you will need to stay in hotels or Airbnbs during your travels (no camping.) The easiest place to rent a car in New Zealand is on Discover Cars where you can compare cars, companies, prices, features, and more very easily.
- Campervan – A Campervan is a large van that has a bed and a small kitchen in the back. It’s what most budget travelers use for traveling around New Zealand since it allows you to camp comfortably and for free (most) nights. Campervans are best for couples or solo travelers who are happy to live in a small space. You should also love the outdoors and camping…and be prepared for an adventure of a lifetime! My favorite campervan rental company is JUCY because they have a huge selection of campervans to choose from, plus multiple pick-up/drop-off locations. You can browse JUCY’s campervan selection online here. Alternatively, you can easily compare all campervans available in NZ on Motorhome Republic here.
- Motorhome – A motorhome is larger and more comfortable than a campervan. Many motorhomes will comfortably sleep 6 or more people – perfect for a family visiting New Zealand. Motorhomes are the most expensive option, but with one you won’t ever need to stay in a hotel and you’ll save money that way. My top choice for a motorhome company is Star RV because they have beautiful motorhomes at affordable prices. You can check prices and availability for Star RV motorhomes online here. Alternatively, you can use Motorhome Republic to search all motorhomes in NZ. For more detailed info, read my complete guide to renting a motorhome in New Zealand!
EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT CODE: I’ve managed to snag a discount code for 5% off for my readers if you book your campervan or motorhome through JUCY or Star RV! Simply click here to select your JUCY campervan, or click here to select your Star RV motorhome, and then use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off – it’s that easy!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, I currently use and recommend SafetyWing. I’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had my back when I needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference I’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. I’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum and you get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped me out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given me peace of mind. Read my full review on if you should get travel insurance in NZ for more info!
Thanks for reading!
No matter what cruise you choose in Milford Sound, you’re in for an incredible experience. This is one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand and a cruise gives you a front-row seat. Let me know in the comments below what cruise you decided to do!
Before your visit, have a look through all my blogs on Milford Sound or about the South Island. I’ve lived here for a long time now and love sharing tips and hidden gems so you can plan the best trip!
1 Week South Island New Zealand Itinerary – 4 Tried and Tested Itinerary Ideas!
15 Things to KNOW Before Visiting Milford Sound, New Zealand