I am planning a trip to NZ next spring with my son. My son who is 24 wants to do the overnight cruise of Milford Sound. There are two ships the Mariner, which is more expensive and has private rooms, and the Wanderer, which has quad bunk rooms and is less expensive. Because of budgeting the Wanderer is more in our price range. Being a 55 year old woman I'm wondering if I will be uncomfortable and feel out of place. I have read on other websites that mostly backpackers and younger people travel on this cruise. Any suggestions or ideas?

I did an overnight on the Wanderer a few years ago and it was a pretty mixed crowd: quite a few young people, but also parents with adult children (I shared a table with one such family at dinner) and retirees. I was 55 at the time and didn't feel out of place. The boat was not very full and I was assigned to a room by myself, which I certainly appreciated.

The best sightseeing is the next day, when the boat sails out into the Tasman sea and then back to Milford in the morning light. I found the experience very enjoyable, and it's also a very efficient use of time (and money). However, I wouldn't plan anything ambitious the next day, since it's certainly not like sleeping in a comfortable bed on land.

Thanks someotherguy. I was also worried about sharing a room with strange men! I guess I was worried about what to do with wallets and all while you are sleeping. I'm just a worry wart! By looking at different forums it seems like if they can put you in a room without strangers they do. I think we might have to try it. It certainly seems like a once in a lifetime experience.

My wife and I, who are in our sixties, are also planning a two-week trip to New Zealand, but our two weeks will be the first two weeks in April, and we anticipate taking this cruise during the week following the Easter weekend. According to another thread on this forum, that period coincides with New Zealand school holidays. Under such circumstances, would you anticipate that the Wanderer cruise be heavily booked? Further, we plan to take only a minimum amount of stuff with us on the ship, leaving most of our luggage in our rented car at the pier. Is that safe?

<Under such circumstances, would you anticipate that the Wanderer cruise be heavily booked?>

Absolutely.

<Further, we plan to take only a minimum amount of stuff with us on the ship, leaving most of our luggage in our rented car at the pier. Is that safe??

That's what we do. We left our belongings concealed in the trunk when we took the ferry to Stewart Island for three days and a water taxi into the Marlborough Sounds for three nights (twice). We didn't have any problems, but be sure to conceal everything - out of sight is out of mind.

If you're concerned, I'd suggest checking with the cruise staff as they routinely deal with this sort of thing and they might offer a better solution.

We did both the Milford and Doubtful Sounds by using the quad share on both, we are both in our 60,s.We work on the basis that wherever we can save money it means more holidays. On holidays you only need the bed to sleep in (at our age anyway). You will be extremely safe,safer than in a room on your own.
I usually sleep with my valuables on me in those situations.I usually go in track suit pants (helps to keep the bugs off on deck at night)sleep in them and then change with my shower in the morning. Maybe not for everybody.We also stayed in en-suite private rooms in YHA hostels which I can also recommend.Do enjoy Milford,and hope you get some rain overnight to make the waterfalls flow.

Thanks Jamesexton. I agree that sometimes you have to watch the budget and then we can go more places. We will probably try the quad room but I am still not thrilled about it.