New Zealand Sounds Cruises

The summer months (December, January, and February) are the most ideal time to see the New Zealand Sounds, when the weather is warm and the waterfalls are at their peak. The driest month is February while you can expect cool weather and slight rainfall in December and January.

Several cruise lines offer sailings through the majestic sounds of New Zealand, including the Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Princess Cruises and more.

There are no shore excursions for New Zealand Sound cruises and passengers stay on board, so you can marvel at the sounds while cruising on the ship. Announcements and updates are made in the common areas for the schedule, so be sure to head to the top deck for uninterrupted views as you navigate through the narrow fjords! You can enjoy a plethora of activities on board, with endless dining and entertainment amenities available.

Milford Sound is arguably the most popular sound among the fifteen sounds making up the Fiordland National Park. This sound is unique and magical, especially during rainy days. It’s one of the wettest places on Earth, so sightings of exotic wildlife and marine life are highly possible here.

A sound is typically described as wider than a fjord and does not necessarily have to be glacier-made, but fjords are commonly interchangeably used to call the New Zealand Sounds as they’re geographically considered a fjord but were mistakenly labelled as sound by British explorers.