2025Doubtful vs Milford, honestly
We sent two planners on both overnight cruises in the same week. The comparison notes now shape every Fiordland quote.
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The small Dunedin agency behind 4 200+ trips
Blissriva is eight people, one office on Anzac Avenue, and an unhealthy obsession with South Island logistics. Here's who we are, how we got here, and what we actually believe about travel.
Our story
Started because the big agencies kept getting it wrong
In 2017 our founder Dan was booking Fiordland trips for mates and watching online agencies send people to the wrong side of the sound, on the wrong boats, at the wrong time of day. He figured a local could do better — turned out he was right.
Nine years on, we're still a small shop on purpose. Every planner here drives the routes we sell, eats at the restaurants we recommend, and can tell you which Milford cruise leaves before the crowds. That first-hand knowledge is the whole product — the booking part is easy.
Come say hi
Milestones
Nine years, a few highlights
Slow growth on purpose — we'd rather be good than big.
2017
The kitchen-table phase
Dan books his first paid trip — a Dunedin-to-Milford loop for a Sydney couple. It's still the route we're proudest of.
2019
Anzac Avenue office opens
Four desks, one very good coffee machine, and our first direct contracts with Fiordland cruise operators.
2021
Casino hotel partnerships
We sign direct allocation deals with premium properties in Dunedin and Queenstown — the weekend packages become a bestseller.
2023
Qualmark Silver certification
Independent proof that our operations meet NZ tourism's quality and sustainability standard.
2025
4 000th trip
A family of five from Wellington doing the full South Island loop. They sent us a postcard from Stewart Island.
How we think
Three rules we don't break
Every trip we plan runs through the same filter.
Honest over shiny
If a lodge is overrated, we say so — even when it pays us more. Long-term trust beats one-off commission.
Slower is better
Two nights minimum per stop. Rushed itineraries produce photos; slow ones produce memories.
Leave it better
We prioritise operators with real conservation programmes — the fiords are our office, after all.
4.9
avg review score
120+
partner operators
96%
rebooking rate
18k
km driven yearly
NZ Tourism Awards finalist 2024
Qualmark Silver certified
Featured in Otago Daily Times
The team
People who'll answer your email
No bots, no offshore support — these are the humans behind your trip.
Daniel Reeves
Founder & lead planner
Drove the Milford road 40+ times. Still argues about which cruise boat is best.
Sophie Marlowe
Operations
The reason your booking confirmations arrive on time. Queenstown specialist.
Wiremu Taylor
Partnerships
Knows every lodge owner between Te Anau and the Catlins by first name.
Anna Chen
Client care
Your on-trip lifeline. Famous for rebuilding itineraries mid-storm.
Field work
Projects & route research
Between client trips, we're usually out testing something. A few recent pieces of homework.
20252024Mackenzie dark-sky audit
Nine nights across the reserve rating stargazing operators. Two made our list; three didn't — we'll tell you why.
2024Winter roads project
Three weeks of June driving to map which rental grades actually handle the Crown Range in snow. Spoiler: mid-size 4WD, always.
Nice to meet you
Come plan something with us
Drop into the office on Anzac Avenue or send us a message — the coffee's always on.