Milford Sound Business Class From Queenstown & Gourmet Cruise

It was a long day but the scenery was stunning. The meal on the ship was lovely and very fancy. Our guide was very informative and an excellent driver. We had planned to fly home but the weather didn’t cooperate.

I couldn’t imagine a more perfect trip to Milford Sound from Queenstown. We were picked up from our hotel at 7:10 am by our guide Do. She’s from the Netherlands and was so warm, welcoming and knowledgeable. The Business Class experience was first class all the way. We had multiple stops along the way to take pictures of some of the most amazing scenery. Coffee and a quick bite at Te Anau in a very elegant setting. Words can’t describe the beauty of the scenery on the way to Milford Sound. Then 20 of us had a private cruise around the Sound, accompanied by an amazing 5 star food tasting experience. And the scenery - truly stunning. Our ride back to Queenstown was smooth and pleasant. Do provided a first rate, first class experience. It was truly a trip we will remember forever.

We very much looked forward to this adventure and did enjoy ourselves. Milford Sound is breathtaking. However, the meal, while delicious, had at least 5 courses, and took more than an hour to fully serve, taking much time away from viewing the main attraction. The cruise portion of the day was only two hours long. We found ourselves leaving the table to run outside and then run back to eat the next course. It was rather confusing and not well received by us or some of the other passengers we spoke to. I suggest fewer courses served closer together.

We went on the Business ClassTour of Milford Sound with Altitude Tours. I’d highly recommend this tour! It’s a long drive, 4 hours each way mostly through windy roads. Our wonderful guide Ali safely navigated the road and offered information along the way. When we boarded the MV Sinbad it was more spectacular than we could have imagined. The scenery was out of this world and the skipper was able to come alongside the waterfalls for us to take in the magic. We dined on local cuisine which was presented beautifully. It’s a long drive and I’m so thankful that we chose to go with Altitude Tours. If you want to travel in style this is definitely the tour for you.

A very gorgeous tour of Milford “Sound”. It involved a long but lovely drive from Queenston (4hrs) even in the rain which was made better by our driver/guide Mairi who tended us well and was an accomplished storyteller. She did a remarkable job of pacing her explanations so it was never too much or too little but always just right. 10 stars.

It was an amazing day. Such a beautiful trip. Will, our guide was so great. Wonderful driver and guide. He made a long trip very comfortable and memorable. I would highly recommend this tour. He suggested we call him amazing and handsome too. Lol! Thanks for a terrific day.

My husband and I did the milford sound business class tour and were blown away by our experience. Our tour guide Mairi (pronounced Marry), was amazing, she tailored to all our needs and wishes to make sure we got out of the tour what we wanted. She was the perfect balance of informative/whilst giving us space to rest. The bus was very comfortable, to see the beautiful scenery. The ferry was really comfortable and very special, with a lovely 5 course meal included. We were initially due to fly to milford, but due to bad weather the helicopters were cancelled. But despite this, I am very glad we did this business class tour to see some of the incredible sites along the way and enjoy a 5 course meal (instead of the pie and salad we were due to have). Despite bad weather, Mairi was able to get us out at inportant view points to absorb the view. And of course the waterfalls were incredible! Can't recommend this tour enough!

Everything was exceptional about this experience, from picking up at our hotel door, the van and most importantly our tour guide/driver Andy, super knowledgeable about the history and involvement we really enjoyed listening to him and we definitely learnt a lot about the nature and how the roads were built from Queenstown to the Milford Sound. The cruise, their care and food added to this amazing experience. HIGHLY RECOMMEND

This is a great tour. Long day but worth it. The cruise was nice , although I found the lunch a dissapontment . More of a appetiser than actual lunch.

Great trip - we enjoyed the private atmosphere, friendly and experienced guide/driver and good exciting food on bord. The nature of Milford Sound ist very much worth the long trip, which didn't seem so endlessly with VIP-pick up and parking directly before the sights on the way down - and right in front of the boat terminal. We wanted both to enjoy the views on the way down/back - without one of us having to concentrate on the driving. That was a very good choice. #1 Recommodation from us.

Such an exciting adventure! Our pilot was terrific and thoughtful and made game-day decisions about where to stop on the way, and it was magnificent. We will remember our experience forever, and we highly recommend this company.

Wonderful day with very knowledge Nicole. Thanks for a lovely day

Due to weather and maintanence repairs on the boat taking longer than expected our helicopter ride was cancelled and our gourmet cruise downgraded but we had a lovely guide Nicole and the coach trip great.

We had an absolutely fantastic time on this tour and loved every second. The service was next level and our driver / guide for the day, Mairi, was phenomenal. She was so knowledgeable and kind. Would highly recommend.

Best experience to Milford Sound. From pick up to drop off everything was very well thought of. Staff were great and knowledgeable making the experience more fun!

Nicole was an excellent guide and driver. Appreciated the small group and comfortable ride. She planned excellent stops along the way for drinks/snacks, bathroom breaks, stretching and scenery. Gave outstanding history and information. Was extremely patient and kind with all in the group. The cruise was lovely and so was the crew. Appreciated the towels to dry off after experiencing the falls and the blankets to keep warm. Loved the tasting menu. Would absolutely recommend this operator and trip.

This was an absolutely incredible experience, truly once in a lifetime! We were incredibly lucky to be the only ones on both the bus and boat tours. Nicole was incredible - knowledgeable, accomodating and so passionate! She looked after us the whole way and tailored the tour according to what we were interested in. The inclusions were incredibly thoughtful, from the pillows and blankets in the bus, the morning tea, the ginger immunity shots and snacks for the journey. The boat was absolutely beautiful, very comfortable journey and the food was amazing. We managed to see some of the first snow fall in Milford Sound of the year as well! Highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants that extra special experience, definitely something for a special occasion and one that you will remember forever!

Our Milford Sound Business Class from Queenstown & Gourmet Cruise was an absolutely beautiful experience and, in many ways, unforgettable. The tour company communicated with us the day before to confirm our pickup time, arrived exactly when promised, and got our day off to a smooth start. The vehicle itself was exceptional, with thoughtful touches like pillows, blankets, drinks, and menus that made the experience feel truly premium. Breakfast was fantastic, featuring delicious pastries, fresh fruit, and hot drinks waiting for each passenger. Our guide, Andy, was knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely funny throughout the day. He kept everyone informed about drive times, made plenty of restroom stops, and shared fascinating information about the region. The scenic stops along the way were breathtaking, and Andy happily served as everyone's photographer, making every guest feel welcome and well cared for. Of course, Milford Sound itself was the highlight of the tour. The scenery is simply spectacular and is something everyone should experience at least once. Between the incredible landscapes, the comfortable vehicle, and Andy's outstanding service, this was a wonderful day overall. Unfortunately, the biggest disappointment of the tour was the so-called "gourmet" lunch. I enjoy trying local cuisine and have no issue with adventurous or unfamiliar foods. The problem wasn't that the menu was different—it was that the food simply wasn't enjoyable. The flavors were bland, several dishes were unappetizing, and there wasn't a single familiar option for guests who preferred something more approachable. For a tour that specifically advertises a **Gourmet Cruise**, the meal fell far below expectations. The portion sizes were equally disappointing. At one point, our family of four adults was served one small bowl of potato chips to share. On a premium Business Class tour at this price point, I expected each guest to receive their own serving rather than sharing such a small portion. By the end of lunch, my family was still hungry. After spending the entire day traveling, we were looking forward to a memorable meal that matched the quality of the rest of the experience. Instead, it felt like an afterthought. Thankfully, Andy's exceptional service, the luxurious vehicle, and the breathtaking beauty of Milford Sound made up for what was otherwise a very disappointing dining experience. Had the food matched the quality of everything else, this easily would have been a five-star tour. While we thoroughly enjoyed the guide, the scenery, and the comfort of the tour, I don't feel the overall experience justified the premium price. Sadly, I wouldn't book this tour again unless the food is significantly improved. A tour that markets itself as a Business Class experience with a Gourmet Cruise should deliver a meal that is every bit as memorable as the destination itself.

What a day! Full day of sheer amazement! Small sized group in very comfortable van. Nicole picked us up right at our hotel. She made a long 4 hour trip to the fjord, pass by like nothing by having comfy pillows and beautiful NZ wool blankets ready on our seats for us on arrival, with bottles of water and an interesting immune boosting beverage😁 She planned and scheduled bathroom breaks and photo op stops along the way to the Milford Sound. We stopped in Te Anau for a warm beverage and treats. Despite the constant rain, the beauty was magnificent! Nicole told us that we were actually lucky to have rain, so there would be many waterfalls and she was right! Nicole shared so much knowledge about the flora and wildlife we saw on our trip and in that region. Once at Milford, we were lucky to still be able to go out on the boat—it was very windy and rainy—the helicopters and planes tours were canceled and some smaller boats did not go out. We were switched to the Milford Haven ship. Despite the wind and rain we had a successful journey out and back through the fjord. The rain and wind added a bit of drama! Once out past the last narrow gap, the weather cleared up and we had some magnificent views of the many waterfalls and fjord! We also had a delightful tasting of Southland dishes on board, all using local ingredients. On our way back Queenstown we were even fortunate to see one of the local birds, the Kia bird. And Nicole had more goodies awaiting us when we returned to the van—chocolate and chips😁 What a fantastic day! And thank you to Nicole for her excellent driving and knowledge of the area !

This was an incredible way to see Milford Sound. Our driving guide, Andy, was absolutely fantastic - personable, knowledgeable, and engaging. The boat ride itself is incredibly luxurious, with terrific service and amazing food. I cannot recommend this experience highly enough!

We had an incredible Milford Sound Business Class tour with Altitude Tours, and our guide Sinchan was exceptional. He shared such a wide variety of knowledge about the area, including the history, local people, plants, wildlife, and landscape, and presented everything in such a fun and interesting way. We travelled as a family of six with our two teenagers and my parents, and every one of us loved the experience. The drive to and from Milford Sound was honestly breathtaking, with spectacular views the entire way. The boat tour through Milford Sound was amazing. The scenery was unforgettable, and the food was great, with very unique and delicious tasting plates. This was such a special experience for our whole family, and we would highly recommend Altitude Tours and Sinchan to anyone visiting Milford Sound.

Had a beautiful time visiting Milford Sound for the first time. The guides were incredibly knowledgable, friendly and were open to answering any and all questions. Stopping along the way for us to stretch our legs and take photos while providing fun facts and information on the areas we were exploring. The team were very attentive to dietary requirements and everyones needs though I definitely recommend bringing snacks as the morning tea and tasting menu are a little small and there is no cafe on board. I did however appreciate the little touches with the morning booster drink upon pick-up, water and juice available on the drive down, and the chocolate bar and chips after the cruise for the ride home. My main recommendation would be providing non-wool blankets as an option in case of wool allergies or skin irritation as it got quite chilly on the drive back (was glad I had my warmest jacket with me!). The pillows were very comfortable 10/10, had a great nap. Overall the experience was quite peaceful and I was amazed to see the beauty of New Zealand first hand. I am forever greatful to the team for providing this experience.

This was absolutely one of the most luxe magical experiences of my life. Alee took care of us from the very beginning. There was soo much attention to detail and being treated like royalty the whole journey. We witnessed pristine weather, gorgeous landscapes, Dolphins, rainbows and more magic than we could have ever have dreamt of! Thank you for this most memorable day!!

A wonderful experience and a special thank you to Stuart for being such an excellent guide. Friendly, knowledgeable, and professional throughout the day. He truly made an amazing experience even better. Highly recommended!

Have a best experience. Driver/ tour guide Ali is full of sence of humor. We have morning tea, lunch, been well looked after.

This tour was one of the highlights of my time in New Zealand. The small group size created a much more personal and relaxed atmosphere. Our guide was engaging and shared fascinating information about the region while making sure everyone felt well looked after. The scenic stops along the way were beautiful and added so much to the experience. The cruise itself was spectacular, with stunning scenery, waterfalls, and wildlife. But the gourmet food and thoughtful touches throughout the day elevated the experience even further. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a comfortable, more intimate and memorable Milford Sound experience. 100% would do it again!

Without a doubt, the Business Class Milford Sound experience with Altitude and RealNZ is the best way I could ever imagine visiting Milford Sound. From the very beginning, everything feels personalised and thoughtfully designed. The journey starts in a small private van with comfortable seats, creating an intimate and relaxing atmosphere. One of the loveliest touches was the merino wool throw provided for each guest, making the trip to Milford Sound extra cozy and comfortable. The attention to detail continues throughout the journey. Breakfast is beautifully presented, with delicious treats and excellent coffee, setting the tone for a truly premium experience. Every member of the team is incredibly friendly, attentive, and genuinely committed to making guests feel comfortable and special. Once at Milford Sound, you board what is, in my opinion, the best boat imaginable for exploring the fiord. The experience feels exclusive and uncrowded, allowing you to fully appreciate the breathtaking scenery. A particular highlight is the outstanding tasting menu. Every dish is beautifully presented, showcasing exceptional quality and creativity. The food is as memorable as the spectacular landscapes surrounding you. What truly sets this experience apart is the personalised service. The team goes above and beyond to ensure every guest feels welcomed, cared for, and valued throughout the day. If you're looking for the most comfortable, luxurious, and unforgettable way to experience Milford Sound, I cannot recommend this tour highly enough. It exceeded all expectations and created memories that will last a lifetime. Absolutely worth every moment.

Good experience to Milford Sound.

Stuart was the best!! He’s super funny and knowledgeable and made the long drive to Milford very entertaining and fun.

Stuart was a pleasure to have as a guide, so knowledgeable! Bless the Dutch man, he’s legendary. Guide aside, the drive was so smooth, the cruise with RealNZ was exceptional. Thank you team. I’ll be back

An absolutely outstanding experience from start to finish. The Milford Sound Business Class tour exceeded all expectations and felt like a truly premium way to experience one of New Zealand's most spectacular destinations. The small group size made the journey feel personal and relaxed, while the luxury coach travel, knowledgeable guides, and lovely add ons meant we could simply sit back and enjoy the incredible scenery. The cruise itself was exceptional, with stunning views of the comfort of a beautifully designed vessel which felt like a floating 5 star restaurant. The five-course tasting menu and attentive service elevated the experience even further and made the day feel very special. What really stood out was the attention to detail throughout the entire trip. Every aspect felt thoughtfully curated, from the storytelling and local insights to the food and onboard hospitality. The combination of luxury, comfort, and natural beauty made this a must do. If the weather allows, I would highly recommend upgrading to fly back to Queenstown. Seeing Fiordland and the Southern Alps from the air adds a completely different perspective and is the perfect way to finish an already incredible day. Highly recommended for anyone wanting a more intimate, comfortable, and memorable Milford Sound experience.

Absolutely wonderful experience, Ash was a fantastic guide very relatable and knowledgeable. The vehicle was comfortable and the huge windows were great for all the beautiful views. Wonderful sightseeing along the way. I’ve been to Milford many times before and the cruise was the BEST I’ve been on here, it’s uncrowded and there were many occasions where we were the only ones on the top deck (which if you’ve been to Milford you’ll know the cruises are usually packed!). If you’re visiting Milford you 100% need to book this tour!

Amazing experience ❤️ Milford Sound is absolutely incredible, and this tour makes you feel special from the very first moment. The groups are small, the food is delicious, and the team is seriously the best. Highly recommended!

Ash was an incredible, knowledgeable guide who kept the energy high with a rocking playlist! The food was absolutely lovely—a true treat for the taste buds. Despite some early morning rain, the weather cleared up into an unusually beautiful, sunny day. We were so grateful to experience the stunning waterfalls under perfect, bluebird skies!

Ash was such a great guide! Educational, passionate, friendly. The vehicles were luxury and being in the small group we got to know everyone. The cruise was boujee! Felt very fine luxe, with fine dinning food and delicious cloudy bay sparkling wine. HIGHLY RECOMMEND

An incredible experience if your looking to Milford Sound away from the crowds, good food, great commentary from Ash our guide!!

Extremely amazing experience

The Milford Sound Tour from Queenstown was just incredible. Our tour guide from Altitude Tours, Stu, was so knowledgeable about the drive, the wildlife, and the history of New Zealand. He was so kind, personal, and he encouraged all of our questions. We had stops along the way to experience more tucked-away beauty, and our breakfast was wonderful. We enjoyed gourmet food on the ship and had such amazing views of the Sound. The tour was well worth the price we paid for such a remarkable trip. Thank you, Stu and Altitude Tours.

The trip was out of this world. From the moment we stepped in the lovely Mercedes we were looked after. The trip with Gina as our guide was great. She gave great insights into the 5 hour drive to Milford. We got onto the boat and were greeted with a glass of bubbles and our own pod for a 5 course lunch with a massive window. There were only 12 of us on the boat and the food was so amazing. We also treated ourselves to an extra couple of glasses of wine on the 2 hour cruise. We saw baby seal pups and amazing views of the waterfalls. The staff on board the boat were so lovely and looked after us really well. They even gave us a bit of cake and a note for my husband’s birthday. Our flight home was cancelled, but Gina helped us arrange a helicopter to get us back to Queenstown. It was expensive, but worth it. The views and commentary from the pilot were awesome and we even stopped over Queenstown lakes near Glenorchy on a mountain for photo ops and take in the views. I wouldn’t have changed anything from the day. Outstanding.

Milford Sound Business Class from Queenstown and Gourmet Cruise was a most memorable experience. Right from the time we were picked up from our hotel, to the time we were dropped back, it was an experience to savour. Our wonderful hostess Ashleigh Simpson is Google on Legs! Ask her anything, and she knows - right down to why black is the most popular colour with New Zealanders :)! We were thinking of taking the scenic flight back from Milford Sound to Queenstown but with the weather being not the best for the flight to be scenic enough, we decided to stay on the bus - and Ashleigh made the return journey just as exciting as the one to Milford Sound. We're glad we stayed on the bus. The bus itself was most comfortable - just the right number of passengers, to make an intimate and affable group. MV Sinbad, the exclusive boat for the cruise and the food thereon were astounding, making the whole trip absolutely worthwhile. Would certainly do more trips with Altitude Tours.

This was a first class experience. Although it's a long drive there and back, the coach is comfortable and the driver/guide - Ashleigh - was fantastic, making the trip easy. The cruise on a private boat was serene, Milford Sound is spectacular, and the lunch was unbelievably good. I cannot recommend this trip highly enough.

What a fabulous day out this was! We were collected by our lovely guide, Mairi, from our hotel in a Mercedes minibus. There were about 10 other people plus my hubby and myself. The minibus was very nice and we were provided with a fruit shot, water, blankets, pillows, NZ chocolate and crisps. The drive from Queenstown was long - we were picked up about 7.15am and got to our boat in Milford sound about 1pm. We did make several scenic stops and comfort breaks including the stunning Mirror Lakes and a very pleasant stop for complimentary breakfast at Te Anau. Breakfast was delicious….scones, cakes, fresh fruit, coffee etc. The boat trip was fantastic! It was a bit of a dismal day but Milford sound was very beautiful and atmospheric, some very pretty waterfalls. We were greeted on the boat by lovely staff and seats were allocated with name settings. There was plenty of space to move around the boat and the food was really special! The portions were not huge but the quality was exceptional and created to complement the Sound. I especially loved the Flat White dessert and the caviar. Really interesting flavours and local ingredients. Overall, Mairi was amazing, very knowledgeable and interesting, there was a lot of road travel and the minibus seats were not huge but every effort was made to make us as comfy as possible. There was an option to fly back if you were not keen on the road travel although this is weather dependent and was can elles the day of our trip. We thoroughly enjoyed the whole day, it was nice to have someone else do the driving and just admire the stunning scenery.

Our guide, Gina, helped make this a memorable trip. The information she shared brought the region alive for us. We were amazed by the hundreds of waterfalls that the rain created. We especially appreciated the small group experience.

Very professional and engaging driver Thomas made the drive to Milford very relaxing. Stops for coffee much appreciated plus viewing points along the way. The boat trip was wonderful… not crowded.. two relaxing hours of camera clicking

The tour was lovely. We stopped with an appropriate frequency to make it to Milford Sound. The cruise around the sound was indescribably beautiful. The service was great and food was delicious. Ash was an entertaining driver.

We took the Milford Sound Business Class with a cruise! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Travel in absolute luxury, small-group, and comfort. With a pick-up from your hotel to picture-perfect rest-stops, enjoy inspirational views in style! The cruise was wonderful, fine-dining New Zealand local farm-to-table foods. We got up-close views throughout both the bus and cruise. Everything was pleasant and clean. It’s a long ride from Queenstown but it is SO worth it. There are a few options for returning to include helicopter, plane, and bus. The bus ride back is a bit long, but it is manageable. Ask for Stuart, who was an excellent tour-guide, deserving 10 stars. Offered incredible facts, stories throughout the tour. Made just the right amount of stops for picturesque sights. Additionally, pointed out wild life, stopped at the national park (also a UNESCO site), and spoke on history. Good playlist as well which really made the long drive go by. A safe driver and extremely knowledgeable and friendly to all. Appreciated the true luxury, world-class tour experience.

If you've seen mountains before, but still want to see the Milford Sound scenery, save your money and go for one of the much less expensive tours. Food on the boat was meh and not much more than an appetizer at best. The only real benefit is a smaller van.

Wonderful experience which I would highly recommend. The guide for the day, Mairi, was skilled at looking after all the guests, ensuring everyone was comfortable and she was very knowledgeable giving us lots of interesting information (as well as some light hearted chat and jokes :-) ) along the way. There were plenty of comfort stops which was important for me on such a long day of travel. The views were stunning, I really cannot put this into words and would highly recommend going for yourself to experience the awe of this incredible place! On the return trip Mairi spotted a Kea and stopped to let us off to take photographs and she even checked the bird's tag, looked it up and told us what his name is - such a lovely touch. I returned safely to Queenstown having had an amazing experience where I felt very well looked after and a day I will never forget.

Seamless pick up at hotel. Coach was comfy and the ginger shots were a great morning starter. Our driver, Chase, was fantastic - friendly and knowledgeable. Plenty of stops for photos and breaks on the trip down to Milford Sound. Morning tea was lovely, freshly baked scones and orange cake, with barista coffees waiting for us. The boat cruise was great. Delicious champagne as we boarded and 5 (small) courses for lunch were lovely. The skipper stopped at waterfalls and for seal spotting during the 2 hour journey. The small details really made this a great experience. Highly recommend.