ACROSS THE GLOBE, the words ‘Business Class’ have become synonymous with a higher level of comfort and service, a more elevated and efficient travel experience often catering to corporate travellers or those willing to pay a premium. However, RealNZ’s Milford Sound Business Class is not just a new way to see Fiordland, it’s a way to feel it from the ground up in an iconic journey that has been cleverly redesigned to take Business Class way beyond comfort.
In the heart of Fiordland National Park, where ancient rainforests meet dramatic, glacier-carved fiords, lies an experience that transcends the conventional. Milford Sound Business Class offers an immersive journey into the very essence of New Zealand’s Piopiotahi (Milford Sound), where every aspect of the adventure is meticulously crafted to connect you to the land, its stories and its flavours. As you embark on this journey the landscape unfolds like a living tapestry, inviting you to glide through its majestic vistas. Here, ancient Māori stories find resonance in modern times and flavours are redefined by the wild character of the surroundings. This is a space where design and detail elevate every moment, providing a sophisticated, sensory experience that speaks to the heart of the land.
A New zealand Culinary & Nature Experience Like No Other
Behind the menu of this extraordinary voyage is Tom Hishon (pictured above right), one of New Zealand’s leading chefs, renowned for his commitment to flavour and sustainability and his fierce passion for this unique landscape. Milford Sound Business Class honours the principles of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and manaakitanga (hospitality) through every crafted detail. Cultural immersion is not just an aspect of this journey, it is fundamental to understanding and experiencing Piopiotahi. Through authentic partnerships and storytelling, guests are offered a perspective that goes beyond the surface, allowing them to connect deeply with the land and its rich cultural heritage and redefining service through care-led rituals, while small group sizes ensure intimacy and the opportunity to be fully present in the moment.
TO BEGIN
Start with Altitude Tours’ transfer by glass-roofed Mercedes Sprinter, where scenic storytelling and carefully timed breaks build anticipation for what’s to come. Wool blankets, Te Anau barista coffee and fresh pastries accompany the journey, providing comfort as the narrative of the landscape unfolds. Upon reaching the water, you will board the newly remodelled MV Sinbad, which has been transformed into an intimate floating restaurant set against the dramatic backdrop of Fiordland National Park, and where the meal that follows from award-winning chef Tom Hishon will be truly unforgettable. With a menu inspired by the untamed beauty of Fiordland, Hishon’s five-course tasting menu mirrors your surroundings, with the ‘Taste of Murihiku’ reading like a map of the region’s ecosystems, drawing from land, sea and freshwater sources across Fiordland and the broader Southland: taste mutton birds from the Tītī Islands seasonally caught by families honouring tradition and care for this species; try tender pāua from the NZ Abalone Co, a future-focussed fishery based in Bluff; sample wapiti venison from WithWild, whose conservation-led harvest of these introduced deer restores native habitats. Each bite is a living chapter of the region, narrating tales of the wild with ingredients that are as seasonally delicious as they are story-rich. The culinary journey begins with a welcome glass of Cloudy Bay Pelorus, setting the tone for the exclusive experience ahead. As each course unfolds, optional pairings of curated New Zealand wines complement the dishes, enhancing the flavours and deepening the connection to the land. This isn’t dining with a view; it’s cuisine born from place, where every dish is an invitation to experience Fiordland’s essence. Whether you choose to return by road, scenic flight or helicopter, each option offers a unique perspective on one of the world’s most dramatic landscapes, changing not just how you travel through Fiordland, but how you see and feel it.
The Setting
Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, remains one of the most remote and awe-inspiring landscapes on earth. Piopiotahi is where the ancient rainforest meets near-vertical peaks that plunge into dark, glacier-carved waters. Milford Sound Business Class is a full-day immersive journey, offering more than a rushed cruise. It invites you to engage with the land, to feel its pulse and to leave with a deeper understanding and appreciation of this extraordinary part of the world where manaakitanga guides every moment, care becomes ceremony and each guest is welcomed by name. Hungry for more? View the full Milford Sound Business JOSH GRIGGS Class menu and experience here realnz.com/businessclass
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