Have you taken the Doubtful Sound Overnite with RealJourneys? We are booked for 1 on our 25th anniversary trip. I am wondering how much sleep you got on the boat? I need to plan how many hours we can safely drive the next day...after "sleeping" on a boat.

I've never slept on a boat before. We have a twin cabin.

Thank you! Do you think we will be well-rested enough to drive from Manapouri to Queenstown or Glenorchy after the Doubtful Sound Overnite Cruise is over?

We did the trip a few weeks ago. My husband slept like a log and never woke once. I woke up a few times, heard engine or generator sounds and the rain outside - but that isn't unusual for me, I tend to wake up in the night, especially when away from home. We had a double en-suite, which was compact but comfortable. We didn't go to bed late (about 10pm) - the fresh air and good food knocked us out and we were up for breakfast at 7 (served 7 to 8). Next day we drove to Riverton but felt we could have gone further. You shouldn't have any problems.

We took this trip 3 years ago and loved it! They will anchor in a protected area for the night. The Ship won't rock at all, and it is very quiet on board.

If you are lucky the sky will be clear and you may find yourself staying up enjoying the view of the Southern Sky anyway

Cheers

Steve

We both slept just fine.

Kayaking from the boat was great.

We had no problem driving from TA to Invercargill that afternoon.

BTW, if you can, consider seeing the glowworm caves there if you are not seeing them elsewhere.

Melissaa5: when will you be on the cruise? We are going too and will be on the boat overnight on Sun. Nov. 26. Will we meet you? This is our 30th anniversary trip.
Frank and Judy

We both slept like a log in beautiful snug cove...just the boat and the dolphins and seals.

Now if you were doing the overnight in halong bay in vietnam its another story.

You guys are great! I'm glad that everyone slept well. That is reassuring. Plus my husband just informed me that he will NOT be getting off the boat and taking a nap. So if I don't plan to put him behind the wheel for a drive, he will just go hiking! What a man!

This is the kind of practical info that you can't get from a guidebook. Thanks for the benefit of your experience. My husband is a sound sleeper and will probably sleep well on the boat it sounds like...and he is the driver on this trip.

I sure am looking forward to seeing those stars if the night is clear!

Frank & Judy, happy anniversary and tell us all about it when you return! Well, okay, don't tell us everything, just what is printable! We're going in February 2007 so you will be ahead of us.

Another tip for this cruise - on the other side of Lake Manapouri, you stop for about 10 minutes at the visitor centre before taking the bus to your cruise. We saw more sand-flies here that anywhere and both ended up with itchy bites. Make sure you have some insect repellant with you!

Maria H, thanks, I will remember the INSECT REPELLANT. Is DEET necessary for sand-flies or is there an alternate insect repellant which keeps them away? Should we just buy some in New Zealand?

Nowadays you can only take 3 ounces of liquid on the plane with you...so I'm not sure if I want a big bottle of DEET liquid spilling in my luggage!

The highest rated insect repellant, according to Consumer Reports (June 2006) is Off Deep Woods Sportsman 1, which comes in a 1 oz pump spray and is 98% DEET.

http://www.offprotects.com/sportsman.aspx

Of course, everyone has their favorite product.

If you have an REI near you, JUngle Juic is 100% Deet and effective. Don't bring an aerosol spray with you, either in luggage packed or carry on. Pump spray is okay.

Jed and mlgb, thanks for the DEET tips. How bad are those sandflies when hiking? Are they on the walking trails off the Milford Road? Is their bite similar to mosquito bites? Are they worse at any particular time of day?

I brought DEET to Costa Rica. Dutifully put it on all exposed skin, as directions indicate. However the one darn mosquito which managed to bite me actually managed to find its way underneath my clothes, therefore he escaped the DEET! Do you think insects are fighting back by holding classes in DEET evasion techniques?