about Island Escape Cruises (NZ) Limited

On your dream-come-true voyage around the Bay of Islets, you’ll discover uninhabited sanctuary islets, watch dolphins at play, visit fascinating major places, and enjoy the finest culinary cuisine served with endless ocean views. Life on board Islet Passage delivers equal amounts of luxury, fun, and adventure. You’ll get the rest and relaxation you’ve been  staying for, accompanied by your choice of mild or wild outdoor activities fishing, kayaking, hiking, and swimming. A helpful, fascinating crew will ensure that every moment is pure pleasure.

Island Escape Cruises (NZ) Limited

Island Escape Cruises (NZ) Limited was a New Zealand-based luxury expedition cruise operator known for offering ultra-premium, small-ship yacht experiences across some of the most scenic coastal destinations in New Zealand and Australia. The company targeted high-end travellers seeking privacy, exclusivity, and immersive nature-based exploration rather than large commercial cruise experiences.

Company Background

Island Escape Cruises positioned itself in the luxury tourism segment with a focus on boutique expedition cruising. The business model was built around a single high-end vessel and a limited number of passengers per voyage, creating a highly personalised and exclusive travel experience. It aimed to attract affluent travellers interested in remote destinations, wildlife encounters, and luxury hospitality at sea.

The Superyacht “Island Escape”

The company operated one main vessel called Island Escape, a modern superyacht built in 2021. It accommodated approximately 30–32 guests, offering a private yacht-style cruising experience. The vessel included luxury suites, fine dining facilities, spacious lounges, and high-end service standards.

For exploration, the yacht was equipped with Zodiac boats for shore landings, allowing guests to access remote beaches and coastal regions. A helicopter landing pad further enhanced the luxury experience, enabling scenic flights and transfers. The design combined comfort with expedition capability, making it suitable for remote and rugged destinations.

Cruise Destinations and Experience

Island Escape Cruises operated curated itineraries in premium natural locations. In New Zealand, voyages included Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, and the Bay of Islands. In Australia, the company offered expeditions along the Kimberley Coast, known for its dramatic cliffs and untouched wilderness.

The onboard experience included kayaking, guided nature walks, wildlife viewing, fishing, and Zodiac shore excursions. Guests experienced a combination of luxury hospitality and adventure exploration, with all-inclusive services and personalised attention throughout the journey.

 Business Model and Positioning

The company operated in the ultra-luxury cruise segment, with high per-person pricing and low passenger capacity. It focused on exclusivity rather than volume, relying heavily on fully booked voyages to sustain revenue. The model required strong financial stability due to high operational costs, including vessel maintenance, fuel, crew salaries, and expedition logistics.

Financial Difficulties and Collapse

Despite its luxury positioning, the company faced significant financial challenges. High operating costs, combined with limited revenue flexibility and external disruptions in the tourism industry, created cash flow pressure. In 2022, Island Escape Cruises (NZ) Limited entered receivership after failing to meet financial obligations.

This led to the cancellation of scheduled voyages, particularly during peak expedition seasons. Many customers who had prepaid for cruises were affected and faced difficulties recovering refunds due to insolvency proceedings.

Receivership and Legal Actions

Following the collapse, the company was placed under receivership, and legal proceedings were initiated to recover debts owed to creditors. The vessel Island Escape was arrested in Australia under maritime legal processes. Eventually, the yacht was sold through a court-supervised process to repay outstanding liabilities.

The sale significantly marked the end of the company’s operational control and business activities.

Fate of the Vessel

The Island Escape yacht was later sold at a reduced value compared to its estimated market worth. After the sale, ownership transferred to new parties, and the vessel was removed from Island Escape Cruises’ operations. The company itself ceased functioning as a cruise operator following this process.

What other Aucklanders are saying about Island Escape Cruises (NZ) Limited.

Christopher Lyons: The management of this company has shown no interest in working with their clients since the company collapsed. If it were possible to give zero stars, then that would be too many.

Kellie Robinson: Do not book this boat. They have gone into receivership. This cruise was a faulty towers from start to end. You could not eat the food. The ship itself is lovely. I feel it started operating to early before they got full staff. The CEO will not reply to any more emails. Get your money back and book another ship. This boat is currently grounded. No one knows why.

Murrie Taylor : DO NOT HAVE ANY INVOLVEMENT WITH THIS COMPANY!!!!!
We parted with $30,000 for their Kimberley cruise in Western Australia. Departure date 03/07/22. When the bus collecting us from our accommodation did not show up, I contacted Broome Transit to be told the cruise had been cancelled. When going back through our emails, we found a notification the day before 02/07/22 that the cruise had been cancelled.
The company is not contactable with all phones disconnected, and the emergency phone number starts with area code +65 (Singapore), and the number does not exist. We have not been contacted by anybody to explain, and no refund was offered as per the contract in the event of cancellation.

Trina Stoddart : My father went on this cruise from Broome at the end of June. Described it as 1 star at the most. Faulty towers from beginning to end. Is considering suing for breach of contract. STAY AWAY