Terms & Conditions

MULTI-DAY PUBLIC & PRIVATE CHARTERS

PAYMENT POLICY | Direct Bookings, Wholesale & Travel Agents
A 20% non-refundable deposit is required to book our multi-day public & private charters.  
Public Charters 6 & 9 nights: Full payment must be received 6 weeks prior to trip departure date, unless stated otherwise.
Private Charters - any length: Full payment must be received 12 weeks prior to trip departure date, unless stated otherwise. 
 
CANCELLATION POLICY | Public Charters 6 & 9 nights
If we receive written notice of your cancellation via email to bookings@fiordlanddiscovery.co.nz 6 weeks or more from the trip departure date, we will refund 80% of the full price payment. Reservations may be amended to another date up until 6 weeks prior to departure, subject to space and availability. No charge is made for this amendment but any difference in price will need to be paid by the passenger.
If we receive written notice of your cancellation via email to bookings@fiordlanddiscovery.co.nz less than 6 weeks from the trip departure date then you will forfeit the full price payment and your deposit.
 
CANCELLATION POLICY | Private Charters - any length
We realise circumstances can change. If we receive written notice of your cancellation via email to bookings@fiordlanddiscovery.co.nz 12 weeks or more from the trip departure date, we will refund 80% of the full price payment. 
Reservations may be amended to another date up until 12 weeks prior to departure, subject to space and availability. No charge is made for this amendment, but any difference in price will need to be paid by the passenger.
If we receive written notice of your cancellation via email to bookings@fiordlanddiscovery.co.nz less than 12 weeks from the trip departure date then you will forfeit the full price payment and your deposit.
 
COVID-19 l CANCELLATION POLICY l  ALL Multi-day Public & Private Charters  
With all restrictions now removed in NZ, travel is now unrestricted, and our usual Terms and Conditions will apply. Fiordland Discovery recommends guests should always have private travel insurance.

MILFORD SOUND OVERNIGHT CRUISES (NON EXCLUSIVE)

PAYMENT POLICY | Direct Bookings
Prepayment by credit card and subsequent confirmation by Fiordland Discovery Ltd is accepted as confirmation of your Milford Sound Overnight Cruise booking. We accept MasterCard and Visa. 2% credit card surcharge applies.

CANCELLATION POLICY | Direct Bookings & On-line Travel Agents | 2024-2025 Summer Season
In the event of a cancellation or amendment to your Milford Sound Overnight Cruise booking, refunds will only be granted when Fiordland Discovery receives notification in writing at least 28 days prior to departure. For bookings of 5 our more cabins & OTA bookings, the cancellation policy is 42 days prior to departure (6 weeks). 
Reservations may be amended to another date or time up until 28 days prior to departure, subject to space and availability. No charge is made for this amendment but any difference in price will need to be paid by the passenger. Please always quote the booking confirmation number when amending a booking.

CUSTOMER CANCELLATION | Wholesale & Travel Agents 2024-2025 Season
Booking request via e-mail and subsequent confirmation by Fiordland Discovery Ltd is accepted as confirmation of the booking. In the event of a cancellation or amendment to the booking, cancellation without charge will only be granted when Fiordland Discovery receives notification in writing at least 28 days prior to departure. For bookings of 5 our more cabins, the cancellation policy is 42 days prior to departure (6 weeks) 
Reservations may be amended to another date or time up until 28 days prior to departure, subject to space and availability. No charge is made for this amendment but any difference in price will need to be paid by the passenger. Please always quote the Fiordland Discovery booking confirmation number when amending a booking.

MILFORD SOUND LUNCH CRUISES (NON EXCLUSIVE)

PAYMENT POLICY | Direct Bookings
Prepayment by credit card and subsequent confirmation by Fiordland Discovery Ltd is accepted as confirmation of your Milford Sound Lunch Cruise booking. 

CANCELLATION POLICY | Direct Bookings & On-line Travel Agents | 2024-2025 Summer Season
In the event of a cancellation or amendment to your Milford Sound Lunch Cruise booking, refunds will only be granted when Fiordland Discovery receives notification in writing at least 7 days prior to departure.
Reservations may be amended to another date or time up until 7 days prior to departure, subject to space and availability. No charge is made for this amendment but any difference in price will need to be paid by the passenger. Please always quote the booking confirmation number when amending a booking.

CUSTOMER CANCELLATION | Wholesale & Travel Agents | 2024-2025 Season
Booking request via e-mail or via Fareharbor and subsequent confirmation by Fiordland Discovery Ltd is accepted as confirmation of the booking. In the event of a cancellation or amendment to the booking, cancellation without charge will only be granted when Fiordland Discovery receives notification in writing at least 7 days prior to departure.
Reservations may be amended to another date or time up until 7 days prior to departure, subject to space and availability. No charge is made for this amendment but any difference in price will need to be paid by the passenger. Please always quote the Fiordland Discovery booking confirmation number when amending a booking.

For arrival and departure by helicopter or fixed wing aircraft return back up ground transfers are required in the event that the flight is cancelled due to bad weather or conditions on the day.

MILFORD SOUND LUNCH CRUISES (EXCLUSIVE)

CUSTOMER CANCELLATION | Direct, Wholesale & Travel Agents
Private booking requests via e-mail requires a 20% non-refundable deposit. Then a subsequent confirmation by Fiordland Discovery Ltd is accepted as confirmation of the booking. In the event of a cancellation or amendment to the booking, cancellation without further charges will only be granted when Fiordland Discovery receives notification in writing at least 6 weeks prior to departure.
Reservations may be amended to another date or time up until 6 weeks prior to departure, subject to space and availability. No charge is made for this amendment but any difference in price will need to be paid by the passenger. Please always quote the Fiordland Discovery booking confirmation number when amending a booking.

For arrival and departure by helicopter or fixed wing aircraft return back up ground transfers are required in the event that the flight is cancelled due to bad weather or conditions on the day.

MILFORD ROAD CLOSURE STATE HIGHWAY 94
The Milford Road is an alpine pass and can be closed with little to no warning by New Zealand's Land Transport Authority. This can happen at any time of year due to the alpine climate.
Fiordland Discovery accepts no responsibility for disrupted travel plans as a result of a road closure. The Milford Road status is available at 7.30am each morning and can be found on the below link.
Link to NZTA and Current SH94 Milford Road conditions.
 
Fiordland Discovery recommends guests should always have private travel insurance.
 
MILFORD SOUND OVERNIGHT CRUISES AND MULTI-DAY PUBLIC CHARTERS 
CHILDREN AND INFANTS

Milford Sound Overnight & Lunch Cruises
We welcome children 6 years and older (adult fares apply), Not suitable for children 5 years and under. We are unable to supply additional beds/cots. 

Public Charters 6 nights 
We welcome children 9 years and older (adult fares apply), Not suitable for children 8 years and under. We are unable to supply additional beds/cots.

We ask that all children are identified (name and age) to Fiordland Discovery at time of booking.  Children aboard the Fiordland Jewel must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
Please contact us, if you would like further information or have any questions regarding children on board the Fiordland Jewel. We welcome your enquiry.
 
MILFORD SOUND OVERNIGHT CRUISES AND MULTI-DAY PUBLIC & PRIVATE CHARTERS 

FIORDLAND DISCOVERY CANCELLATION OR POSTPONEMENT
Fiordland Discovery reserves the right to amend timetables, cancel cruise departures and substitute vessels at any time for safety or operational reasons including due to unsafe weather conditions, road closures or vessel maintenance.
 
Due to variability of weather and other conditions beyond our control, Fiordland Discovery cannot guarantee certain activities will be available or that all locations of interest will be visited. The actual route, activities and anchorages may vary.
 
In the event of a cruise being cancelled by Fiordland Discovery prior to departure, passengers will be given the option of an alternative sailing or a full refund on the cruise portion only (i.e. excluding transport already taken).  If there is a delayed start due to adverse weather, conditions or situations beyond our control no refunds will be given.
 
If a cruise is cancelled during a sailing due to unforeseen circumstances, adverse weather affecting passenger safety and comfort, conditions or situations beyond our control no refunds will be given.  

Fiordland Discovery recommends guests should always have private travel insurance.
 
LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY
Passengers travel at their own risk (to the extent permitted by law) and Fiordland Discovery is not responsible for any loss, damage, cost, expense or injury suffered by passengers or loss or damage to a passenger’s property.
Without limiting the foregoing, the following conditions apply:

In respect of all passengers, Fiordland Discovery is not liable for any loss, damage or delay caused by or arising from an event beyond the control of Fiordland Discovery, including any act of God, inevitable accident, riot, civil commotion, strike, lock-out, stoppage or restraint of labour, regardless of the cause and whether partial or general.

Fiordland Discovery does not warrant that Fiordland Discovery’s services are available at any particular time or at all. Fiordland Discovery is not liable to a passenger or any other person:

For any consequences arising from any variation or delay in the time of arrival or departure from any stop of any vehicle;

For any loss or damage as a result of a cancellation or any variation of the time of arrival or departure from any stop of any vehicle;

For damage to any property of a passenger; or

For the death of any passenger or other person or for injury, harm, disease or damage to health, whether physical, mental or otherwise (including mental or nervous shock or distress) suffered by a passenger or any other person.
If there is contributory negligence on the part of a passenger or other person,

Fiordland Discovery’s liability is subject to the law relating to contributory negligence.

Fiordland Discovery may vary or cancel wholly or in part the scheduled services shown in Fiordland Discovery timetable or may vary the point at which Fiordland Discovery will pick up and set down passengers.

The passenger indemnifies Fiordland Discovery at all times against any loss, damage or cost suffered or incurred by Fiordland Discovery as a direct or indirect result of a breach by the passenger of its obligations under these terms and conditions.
 
HEALTH & SAFETY
Our passengers health, safety and comfort is foremost for Fiordland Discovery.
Prior to every cruise departure, the skipper gives clear safety instructions over the public address system or direct to passengers. Passengers should listen carefully to these messages and comply with all aspects of safety advice. In the unlikely event of an emergency, passengers must obey all instructions from the Fiordland Discovery fully trained skipper and crew.

New Zealand has a ‘no-fault’ government-backed medical injury treatment scheme, administered by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC).
Under ACC legislation, passengers are prevented from suing the operator for any mishap or misadventure. Should there be a medical incident or injury Fiordland Discovery will do everything in its power to organise prompt medical assistance. In the case of injury, the cost of that assistance will be borne by the ACC scheme. For example, the nearest medical centre to Dusky Sound is located in Te Anau (over 45 minutes by helicopter).

All passengers while in an area controlled by Fiordland Discovery must:

- Act in a safe and reasonable manner. Any inappropriate behaviour (verbal or physical)  towards staff, crew and/or other guests will not be tolerated and may lead to removal from the vessel at own cost
- Cooperate with, and observe all instructions from Fiordland Discovery staff
- Follow all signs and notices
- Not smoke
- Not consume alcohol unless available on Fiordland Discovery service
- Not interfere with or use emergency equipment or emergency exits except in an emergency
- Not behave in an unsafe, noisy, violent or antisocial manner
- Not litter or tamper with or damage any property of Fiordland Discovery
 
MILFORD SOUND OVERNIGHT CRUISES AND MULTI-DAY PUBLIC & PRIVATE CHARTERS 

Fiordland Discovery cruises are suitable for people of all ages, with the exception of children of certain ages (refer to CHILDREN & INFANTS section above).  If you are 70+ years of age or pregnant, we ask that you consult your personal doctor (General Practitioner), to verify your current physical wellbeing and suitability to join our cruises.

Cruise activities, and desired locations, are not guaranteed by Fiordland Discovery, they remain at all times at the discretion of the Skipper.
In order to transfer our vessel to different locations within New Zealand, we require clear and safe weather passage on both inbound and outbound journeys. If this is not possible Fiordland Discovery reserves the right to alter the location, without warning and without recompense to clients and their agents.
These decisions are made in the interest of safety for our guests, crew and vessel, and are not taken lightly. They are not grounds for pricing alteration, discount, or compensation.
 
FIORDLAND DISCOVERY ACTIVITIES
KAYAKING
All passengers must be able to swim and wear an approved life jacket in accordance with weight.

Kayaking is subject to weather conditions. Kayaks are only available for adult passengers, not children. Fiordland Discovery reserves the right to cancel or modify any kayaking trip due to unsafe weather conditions or not meeting the minimum number requirements. Detailed risk management and strict safety procedures are observed, however there still remains an element of risk. Risks include extreme weather and water conditions which can change rapidly, cold water and limited kayaking landing sites. Fiordland Discovery accepts its legal responsibilities but cannot be held responsible for personal injury or loss, theft or damage to passenger belongings outside of any legal liability.

Fiordland Discovery cannot absolutely guarantee passenger safety. Passengers on kayaking trips must follow guide instructions and adhere to safety requirements.
 
WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS
Fiordland and Stewart Island are remote parts of New Zealand and a natural environment, Fiordland Discovery cannot guarantee wildlife sightings while cruising with us.
 
FISHING/DIVING EXTRACTION POLICY (PRIVATE CHARTERS ONLY)
We are passionate about Fiordland and protecting our children's ability to fish, for generations to come. The taking of sea-life (Paua, scallops, crayfish, mussels and fishes), as well as being within the fisheries regulations, will only be taken to supplement meals for passengers whilst aboard the Fiordland Jewel. The amount of fish taken for this purpose, and the locations fished from, is solely at the Skipper's discretion. Our aim as a company is to protect the local fisheries, and also to ensure sustainable practice, whilst sharing this stunning location with our guests.
 
FIORDLAND DIVING (PRIVATE CHARTERS ONLY)
Due to the new adventure activity regulations, we can only offer diving from the vessel under special new rules.  Please contact us for further information and you will be required to sign and complete a liability release and assumption of risk form. While Fiordland Discovery supplies weights, tanks, and carries emergency oxygen equipment, our charters are not ‘guided’ diving trips. All divers must have a current diving ticket, and accept that they are completely responsible for their own actions.
 
FIORDLAND HUNTING (PRIVATE CHARTERS ONLY)
Hunters must supply their own gun, and have their gun licence and a valid hunting permit, from the Department of Conservation (DOC). Please contact us for further information.
 
OTHER ACTIVITIES
No refunds will be given in the event that activities cannot be undertaken, such as ROV, fishing, tender boat excursions and kayaking.

TRANSACTIONS, AMENDMENTS AND CONTRACTS
All transactions are conducted in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Due to exchange rate fluctuations, at times there may be some variance in the amounts refunded compared to the amount initially charged. Fiordland Discovery Ltd does not accept any liability for these variances or any subsequent credit card/bank charges relating to these transfers to customers’ accounts.

All agreements/contracts are subject solely to New Zealand (NZ) Law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the New Zealand Courts.

In the event of a cancellation or amendment to your booking, notification period is in NZ time (NZST).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT US