Milford Sound, New Zealand cruise port guide
Milford Sound, or Piopiotahi (its name in Maori), sits on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island and was first called the Eighth Wonder of the World by none other than Rudyard Kipling, who had seen some pretty wonderful places. As you sail up the 15-kilometer-long (nine-mile-long) sound, with soaring snow-topped peaks looming above—the tallest reaches an altitude of 1,517 meters (4,977 feet)—you'll understand Kipling's enthusiasm. Although it is called a sound, it is technically a fjord—a narrow inlet created by glacial erosion over thousands of years. While its geological history is long, its human history is not. It is believed that the Maori first explored the sound, and the rest of the area that is now part of Fiordland National Park, around 1,000 years ago; Captain Cook followed in 1770. But neither Maori nor Europeans created permanent settlements of any significance, and the land was pristine when Fiordland National Park, New Zealand's largest national park, was established in 1952. While many walking trails cross the park, the most breathtaking views are arguably those from the water, with the sheer rock faces looming above your ship as you sail through this majestic landscape.
About Milford Sound, New Zealand
Milford Sound is a spectacular fiord in Fiordland National Park on New Zealand's South Island, renowned for its dramatic scenery of sheer cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and mirror-like waters. Cruise ships typically arrive by tender to allow passengers to experience this UNESCO World Heritage wilderness area. The sound stretches 15 km inland from the Tasman Sea and is one of the most visited destinations in New Zealand.
Quick facts
Cruises visiting Milford Sound, New Zealand
Prices per person · incl. taxes & fees.
Sailing soonest
11 Night New Zealand Cruise
Celebrity Edge · Australia · 11 nights
from $1,863
$169 / night
13 Night Best Of New Zealand Cruise
Celebrity Solstice · Australia · 13 nights
from $1,644
$126 / night
12 Night New Zealand Cruise
Celebrity Edge · Australia · 12 nights
from $2,058
$171 / night
9 Night New Zealand Cruise
Anthem of the Seas · Oceania · 9 nights
from $2,009
$223 / night
12 Night New Zealand Cruise
Celebrity Edge · Oceania · 12 nights
from $2,343
$195 / night
28-Day South Australia & New Zealand Holiday
Noordam · Oceania · 28 nights
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