I've recently read reports that Milford Sound might be a disappointment for anyone who has done extensive traveling in Alaska. We are planning a trip to New Zealand in February and had a tour to Milford Sound from Queenstown planned--coach, cruise, fly option. Do you think this is wise given the time involved and the expense, if we've been to Alaska and done the same there?

I've been to both and I thought Milford was excellent. I took an overnight cruise and highly recommend it. I've not done the fly out option.

Destinations that will disappoint you if you are familiar with Alaska are the Fox and Franz glaciers. However, the rest of the trip down the west coast is still very attractive and a worthwhile.

In general, New Zealand is very pleasant, attractive, and relaxing, but the scenery is not as spectacular as the Alps or Alaska. I've particularly enjoyed the lower-key destinations (e.g., the northern parts of both islands). But Milford is very definitely worth seeing (and the road there is part of the fun).

Well I would say that you would be disappointed with Milford Sound, particularly if you are there on one of the three out of four days that you cannot see anything because of the mist/fog. Having said that I think they are different and you cannot compare them i.e. I think that there is no comparison between Antarctica and Alaska with Antarctica being the most dramatic of the two but in many ways those two places are different as well and both are worth seeing because of that. Although Antarctica is fantastic you do not have the little towns that you have on the western seaboard of Alaska which I think are lovely and in Alaska you do not have the wild-life in abundance that you have in Antarctica and so on and so forth. Leave yourself time when you get there but I have to say that the coach trip, if you are doing that from Queenstown there and back in one day, is very tiresome because of the distances.

I appreciate this question because I have been trying to assess the uniqueness of Milford Sound. Can we add cruising the Norwegian fjords to the mix of comparisons? If somone has cruised Sonjefjord and Geiringer fjords, will Milford Sound be a bit redundant?

I've been to both. I loved both, and would go back to either in an instant.
You will never be disappointed with Milford Sound! I especially recommend an overnight cruise on the sound. It's a magnificent place.
Also, I did not find the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers at all disappointing. The glaciers themselves (as in the ice face) are not as spectacular as some of the Alaskan glaciers, but I haven't been to another place where you can hike through what can only be described as a tropical rain forest almost right up to the glacier.
Travel reports are as individual as the person reporting. Have a look for yourself - you won't be disappointed.

I've cruised through Alaska's Misty Fjords, Endicott and Tracy Arms, College Fjord, and Muir/Tarr Inlets at Glacier Bay; as well as Milford and Doubtful Sounds. Probably the NZ Sounds are most similar to Misty Fjords, but I would still consider it worthwhile to visit at least one of the Sounds if you can get a decent weather day. The vistas are spectacular even if you have been all around Alaska.

I'd vote for an overnight Doubtful Sound cruise. There is nothing like taking an early morning kayak run from your boat, with not another vessel in sight, and the mountains reflecting off the smooth-as-glass water.

Thanks to all of you who took the time to answer. I will consider all opinions carefully, I can assure you.

As Milford Sound is in my local area I feel I should make some comment. Unfortunately never having been to either Alaska of Norway I am at somewhat of a disadvantage, and at serious risk of either offending someone, or putting my foot right in the poop.
Firsly I don't think anyone would be disapointed with Milford Sound. It is spectacular in it's own right, and comparisons with other places of equal beauty are rather pointless. You can always find some points of difference, which may appeal to you, but not to your nieghbour (sp? see the post on English
I pulled up a few photos of both the fiords of Norway, and of Misty Fiord in Alaska. From these it apears to me that the main differences are that the Norwegian Fiords are settled. There apears to be small settlements nestled along the sides of the fiord. Milford Sound (fiord) is absolute wilderness. The only habitation is right at the head, and this is kept to an absolute minimum. It also appears that Milford Sound is far steeper. Glacial valleys have a U shape, with very steep sides. In Milford the clifs rise sheer out of the water to over 2000 feet, and continue below the water for another 1000 feet or so. It appears that the sea in the Norwegian fiords has filled the valley, and most of the sheer walls are below the water. They look more like Doubtful Sound in this respect.
I don't think there are enough similarities between Alaska and New Zealand to make a meaningful comparison, but the photos of Misty Fiord looked a bit like Doubtful Sound without the bush.
I concede that Fox and Franz Joseph glaciers pall in comparison to Alaska's glaciers.
Now I wait. I can hear the knives being sharpened

A lot of you are commending an overnight cruise on Milford Sound. Is there any particular cruise comapany you recommend? Thanks so much.

Hello All,

Comparison shopping as it were, hmm?

This is a tough one as it's so subjective to everyone's own personal taste, but several people made some very very good points!

To give clients a rough idea, I've compared The Great Ocean Road drive to Big Sur in California (minus the sad sight of a dead kangaroo on the side of the road, of course) and last month when the road was closed and my clients' Milford cruise was cancelled, they shrugged it off saying "we've seen fjords in Norway before".

Someotherguy's seen both, and liked Milford; and Les makes a really good point about the differences between hiking through the bush into a glacier setting and he also makes a good observation about individual travel reports and seeing it for yourself (let's face it, if you don't go, you're always going to wonder if you've missed something)!

Vcba's worrying about soiling his shoes, but makes an excellent point about the area in Norway being inhabited by small fishing villages as opposed to Milford and Doubtful, which are in a total wilderness area. In my opinion, that makes it quite unique and worth visiting.

ALF's done the overnight to Doubtful, and I've done the overnight to Milford - I think the overnight option is wonderful (and it's not just because of the amazing rolls they have at dinner on the boat...although that does factor in)!

Buzz...as far as company's go, you can't go wrong with Real Journey's.

Hope this is helpful!

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Kiwi Specialist

I have cruised many times Alaska, and was in Milford Sound in November- also sailed Doubtful and Dusky Sounds via cruiseships.

My opinion only, it wasn't a "disappointment" very scenic sailing, but Alaska beats it by a mile for me. The port cities, was definately the highlight in New Zealand, with every city very unique and worthwhile. It wasn't for the sailing- for me.

eve123, We have traveled to Milford Sound 4 times and Doubtful Sound 3 times. They are incredible, in my opinion, regardless of the weather. They are breathtaking. We have taken the boat trips as well as kayaked with Roscoe's at Milford. We have also used Trips and Tramps to hike part of the Milford track. We took a flight over Dusky Sound from Te Anau. It was stunning. I think you will be disappointed if you limit your time to the Fiords to a day trip from Queenstown if you are real nature lovers. We also took a float plane in Alaska over Mystic National Monument. That was stunning as well. I can not wait to go back there. IMHO, both places are very special. I do agree with the comment about being disappointed in the glaciers in NZ, but there is a lot of good "defense" of these areas as well if you search the boards. We plan to give the glacier area another view on our fifth trip, using the insights of fellow Fodor friends.

I don't think anyone's mentioned the vegetation in NZ's Fiordland, which I think is unique.

Eve123 - every country is different, and each country has its own spectacular scenery. Personally, I wouldn't try to compare both places, they are both beautiful in their own way.
A few weeks ago, I was in Milford Sound, and guess what, no rain, just slight mist, but it did rain the next day I believe. You must remember, that all the rain comes in from the ocean on the western side of NZ, and because of the high peaks (actually the highest sea cliffs in the world at Milford)the rain gets dumped on Milford.
The mist that we had made it more eerie and beautiful in its own way.
We thought the drive down to Milford Sound(or should we say fiord)is just as spectacular at the Sound itself.