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zakruti.com » Travels » Jeb Brooks
What's it like to take New Zealand's WORLD FAMOUS Ferry?

What's it like to take New Zealand's WORLD FAMOUS Ferry?

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Rating: 4.0; Vote: 1
Watch this New Zealand Travel Guide to get a sense of what its like to travel the 58 miles over three+ hours from New Zealands South Island to the North Island in the comfort of New Zealands Interislander Ferry, the Kaitaki. Join us as we travel across the Cook Strait from the Picton at the top of the South Island to New Zealands bustling capital of Wellington on the North Island aboard the Kaitaki ferry! This is only the second time weve made a video highlighting a ferry and it was incredible! Kiwirail runs this ferry as part of its Great Journeys of New Zealand brand, which is an apt name. They also run the TranzAlpine, Coastal Pacific, and Great Northern trains. The schedules line up to make it possible to travel by rail and ferry all the way from Christchurch to Auckland and back using these services. We splurged for the lounge access to make this a luxury travel experience. That means you get to see the Kaitaki Plus Lounge where we indulged in the range of food and drinks they make available. Youll have to be the judge of whether its worth the increased price for you. For the latest pricing and schedules
Date: 2023-08-28

Comments and reviews: 30


You want to ride on a ship that, when it springs a leak in its cooling system, shuts down all 4 engines (and the generator for electricity) leaving the ship to wallow in the waves as it gets pushed towards the sharp hard bitey bits of RED ROCKS on the Wellington coastline.
Yeah, nah, think I'll stick to flying where I don't get seasick, delayed for 7 bloody hours, or drown.
Oh, and, funnily enough, not much worse, they are talking about building a tunnel under the Cook Straight!
You know, the Cook Straight, thats about 45 kilometres from the epicentre of them earthquakes we had what, 2 years ago? Yeah, lets build a tunnel under a whole lot of water inbetween the two SHAKY ISLANDS.
Sometimes I think it is only me that has a working brain.

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5: 08
Sure, must be a breathtaking experience to watch all these look-a-like black vehicles roll onto the ferry.
Reminds me of my cruise upon the Dnjepr river, when all these cow-faced pensioneer tourists assembled in the front of the ship, to watch the dull concrete installations of the sleuces endlessly.
But when we spent several hours at the city of Saparosche, I was the only one to leave the ship for the adjoining beach, where the young people were bathing and enjoying themselves, me too.

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I've done 4 crossings in the last four months. and two ferries have broken down and lost power in that time too. Many facilities on board ferries closed and overcrowded because of trying to accommodate people from broken ferries, short staffed, and as for the private lounges, well they hiked the price of that up severely in the last few months. I hope they spend buckets of money on these ferries as NZ needs them working efficiently and fully staffed.
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As a kiwi, I have traveled many times on the Interislander mainly when it was operated by NZ Rail. The seats were hard, there was a very small gift shop that sold gimicky items, no movies and the pies (the old railways ones) could break teeth. I traveled frequently on the Aranui and was singularly unimpressed with the experiene. This video demonstrated an incredible turn around in traveling across Cook Strait. Great video.
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Jeb, you have the ability to make any travel experience look amazing. Interislander is a great experience, the team behind it are amazing and dedicated. Just try it on a rocking Cook Strait sometime though and you might change your opinion when the fierce NZ weather comes into play! You picked a great day. Is a treacherous stretch of ocean at times (no fault of the ferry operator of course)
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I have crossed the Cook Strait on both the Interislander and the other one whose name I can't remember, seems like blue was in the name. On the Wellington to Picton trip, we had 4 meter seas and barf bags were in short order. On the return trip, weather was much better and going outside on the deck was comfortable. So much of the trip is in NO WAKE areas so it takes a while.
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Great to see these old ships still playing their trade. These old Irish and British ferries get a new lease of life down under, including the MV Connemara which I believe is just taking up service on the Cook Strait.
If you want to see how rough it gets, look up MV Suiliven on this crossing, horrendous! (Also a former ship from the Isle of Lewis in Scotland)

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Yeah that was a calm crossing of the cook strait. its in the top 5 roughest bodies of water in the world. one of other others in at the bottom of the south island! Having traveled on the ferries many times on some pretty rough sailings, I always enjoy a calm one!
And on the pronunciation of the place names, said like a New Zealander! 5/5

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We did this crossing 5 years ago now, as foot passengers. We had beautiful weather and a calm sea. Watching this vid brings back fantastic memories of our 1-month trip in NZ. By the way - as a Dutchie it was a nice surprise to see where the ship was build - Krimpen aan den IJssel - Holland, way back in 1995. See builders plate at funnel.
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I have done that crossing 4 times. 3 times were perfect but the last time I thought we were going to die, it was so rough. People were throwing up everywhere. I said I will never do it again! Of course, that was many years ago and I guess the ferries have improved since then. But you never know what the sea is going to be like.
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This ferry broke down completely a few days ago, lost power in the middle of the strait and needed to be tugged back to wellington. Caused a tonne of delays and huge logistical problems as vehicle tickets to cross have to be bought months in advance due to high demand. Still isnt back operating today. (1-02-2023)
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In January 2023 I was in New Zealand for 10 days. I went to Kaikoura, Wellington, Rotorua and Auckland. I was on that ferry on the 8th of Jan. The water was rough and we didn't go on the deck because it was freezing when we went. I then went to the Cook Islands but the Ferry is AMAZING.
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Interesting seeing how the kiwis cross between their islands! If youre ever considering visiting Tasmania, you should compare this ferry to its Australian counterpart, the Spirit of Tasmania, which I happen to be sailing on right now! Would make a great vid!
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I only took it from the North to the South Island. I loved that you drop off your rental car at the ferry terminal in Wellington and pick up a new one in Picton on the same reservation (as long as you spent 72 hrs per island on the same reservation.
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Jeb, I've been on the ferries when there have been whirlpools in the Straights and the decks were all closed off and the ferry rolled right over onto its side, and it was the last allowed to cross that day. even the crew were ill and scared.
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I have been on board when it was a bit rougher. The ship was rolling about 30 degrees each way and when it crashed into the waves, the spray went right over the ship. There were some very green people on board. Still a good trip.
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Ride the 12 hour Intercity Bus Journey from Wellington - Auckland. As a local we had one driver that drove from Wellington to Auckland for 12 hours NONSTOP with no bathroom breaks, food breaks. Can you hold it for 12 hours?
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Ah great memories! Kaitaki was the first ferry I went on as a kid. My parents took my little brother and I for a surprise holiday to Nelson. I think we missed all the views because we spent the whole time in the playground
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Great Video, you guys make what is a frustrating journey for the locals as a great experience, perhaps we are wrong? thanks for sharing! PS: I'm curious I can't find your journey from wellington to auckland, HELP!
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The service was subdued and not proactive because New Zealanders and Australians hate in your face clingy overbearing servers unlike the USA. They know to ask for something, they dont want people hovering.
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3 hours the world's slowest ferry. The public transport in NEW ZEALAND is a joke. Can't understand why us goes from Picton when it could go from another town and more direct in a straight line.
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1 month later its disabled and not allowed to sail after the engines failed and almost shipwrecked onto rocks. Blue bridge is a better ferry service anyway. we always use blue bridge
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Talk about luxury! my last trip across the Cook Straight was in 1974. The old ferries and rough weather. Didn't bother me or mates as students, drinking and eating was the main plan
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An outstanding example of American research capability! BUT last time I looked Wellington - the NZ CAPITAL - was on the SOUTH island! Typically American - big mouth, small brain.
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I actually enjoy the whole interislander experience, done it a few times now in various weathers and still rate it as a trip within a trip, truly unique.
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Hello Jeb Sir,
You narrate all of your videos with absolute perfection. Loved every bit of this video as well.
Keep doing it. You are Awesome.

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Proactive service down under, we are very well remunerated. We dont have to chase tips, so you wont get that same umpf that you will in the States
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The Furor Lady has resigned from NZ politics so you may now be safe to do as please and have a good holiday un interrupted by tyrant government!
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Queen Charlotte Sound - my in-laws have a holiday house there. It's a beautiful place. We often spend Christmas / New Year there.
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Lived in Nelson for years. And did this trip to the north island many times with my young twin daughters, what an adventure it was, great
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