Milford Wanderer Doing Overnight Cruises after Major Refit

10 November 2011

Milford Wanderer Back Doing Overnight Cruises after Major Refit

The Milford Wanderer is back doing overnight cruises, after a major refit that saw it transformed from open dorm style accommodation carrying over 60 overnight passengers, into mainly twin/double cabins with a maximum of just 36.

Real Journeys General Manager of Maintenance and Engineering Brian Humphrey, who oversaw the refit, won’t reveal how much it cost, (a few million), but says it has turned the Wanderer into what he would consider four star accommodation. “The only reason it’s not five-star is because you share bathroom facilities, but even the bathrooms are of a very high quality, like the rest of the fittings. And the cabins have all been insulated making them very warm and very quiet,” said Brian.

The saloon has been extended to provide more space and more luxurious seating inside, and the interior has been re-designed with extensive use of wood panelling and brass light fittings in keeping with the traditional character of the Wanderer. There’s also more deck space and under cover viewing for passengers.

Operating systems including plumbing and lighting have been revamped to make the vessel quieter and even more environmentally friendly.

The refit took six months and was carried out by Q-West Boat Builders in Wanganui.

Milford Wanderer Skipper Royden Vick was involved in the refit and said even he was surprised by the end result.

“The finish is exceptional, from a customer point of view it’s tenfold better than what it was. We’ve been doing trials and I’m now just looking forward to taking passengers out there to enjoy it,” said Royden.

The Milford Wanderer will do its first Nature Cruise today, joining the more luxurious Milford Mariner which has twin share cabins with ensuite bathrooms.

Additional facts about Milford Wanderer:

• Purpose built motor vessel designed along the lines of a traditional New Zealand coastal trading scow.
• Ketch rigged fore and aft sails, jib and flying jib.
• Commenced service 1 October 1992.
• Overnight capacity 36 passengers, daytime capacity 90 passengers.
• Overnight cruises run from November to April and include dinner cooked breakfast and activities like wildlife viewing, kayaking and exploring in the vessel’s tender craft.
• Discovery (multi-day) Cruises with a specialist nature guide are back for the winter (2012) season.

ENDS

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