Cruise Day 7 - Fiordland National Park, South Island, New Zealand - Friday, December 29, 2023

Our gloomy weather continues today: rainy, foggy, and 59° F. We are seeing three "sounds" today: Milford, Doubtful, and Dusky. In NCL's "Freestyle Daily" newsletter, we learned that a true "sound" is a river valley that has been drowned due to the land sinking below sea level. Fiords are created by glacial action that produces U-shaped valleys with steep cliffs. Although the famous Sounds continue with this misnomer, the region was renamed Fiordland to recognize this error. [Note: In North America, we use the spelling fjord.]

According to the captain's schedule, we were to arrive at Milford Sound at 8 am. I woke up at 7:50 am, looked outside and we were at the entrance to the fjord! Bob and I quickly dressed for the weather and joined the crowds of people clamoring to get photos.

When we pushed open the door to the 13th-floor outside deck, we were met with strong winds and a downpour. Bob and I took a few quick pictures and ran inside! New plan, go to a lower deck that is under cover. Good plan!

No shelter from the storm on the top deck!

We weren't in Milford Sound long, but saw tall waterfalls in the misty rain. Milford Sound is located in the southwest of New Zealand's South Island. It is known for Mitre Peak, plus rainforests and towering waterfalls like Stirling and Bowen Falls which plummet down its sheer sides. This fiord is home to fur seal colonies, penguins, and dolphins. [Note: We didn't see any wildlife except birds, but it wasn't for lack of trying!] 

After returning to the Tasman Sea, we went to breakfast. I'll tell you what, we never go hungry or thirsty on this ship!

Breakfast this morning was in the Garden Café. I had a pancake with berry compote, scrambled eggs, and orange slices. Bob had French toast, sausage, a cheese omelet, shakshuka, a cinnamon roll, and oatmeal with raisins.

Pancake with warm berry compote, scrambled
eggs, and orange slices.

Bob's brekky: oatmeal, French toast with 
warm berry compote, cinnamon roll, shakshuka,
cheese omelet, and sausage.

Next, we entered Doubtful Sound around 1 pm. In this sound, there were spectacular waterfalls. However, there was pouring rain (going sideways), thunder, and lightning! Clouds were hanging low, blocking the tops of mountains. These conditions were not conducive to taking photos. I did the best I could. Doubtful Sound is in the shape of a horseshoe so the ship continued forward to go back to the sea.

At 1,400 ft. deep, Doubtful is the deepest of the fiords and is long and winding with three distinct "arms." 

Doubtful Sound.

We all figured out that it's best to take 
photos from under cover in this weather!

Doubtful Sound.

Leaving Doubtful Sound, heading into the 
Tasman Sea.

Last, we traveled through Dusky Sound, another horseshoe-shaped sound. We arrived here at 4 pm. 

With no roads leading to it, Dusky Sound is isolated and one of New Zealand's most remote fiords. We had better weather here. The clouds lifted and only spritzes of rain came down. Dusky Sound didn't have as many waterfalls.

Dusky Sound, South Island, 
New Zealand.

Bob couldn't keep his nose in the book.
We are out of the fiords and on our 
way to Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand.

We had dinner at Taste Restaurant and ended our evening at the "DALA Illusions" magic and dance show.

Tomorrow, we will be in Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand.