Nice to see new ferry arriving for Bluebridge

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JaseNZ

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# 173672 1-Jun-2015 16:02

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I would hope this would give Interislander a run for its money.

Sorry but I think that a complete inept attempt has been made to run the Interislander business and there are quite a few people there just clipping their tickets.

Nice looking new one it is too.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/69008426/new-bluebridge-ferry-arrives-in-wellington

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alasta

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# 1315603 1-Jun-2015 16:40

I find the on board service on the Interislander really good but I always try to get on the Kaitaki because the Aratere is a lemon and if you believe Winston Peters the replacement for the Arahura is going to be a 'rust bucket'.

I haven't tended to use Bluebridge in recent years because I go southbound in the morning and northbound in the afternoon which would mean taking the Santa Regina which is an inferior ship to the Kaitaki. However with the Strait Feronia replacing the Santa Regina I will probably give them another go.

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# 1315780 1-Jun-2015 21:57

alasta: I find the on board service on the Interislander really good but I always try to get on the Kaitaki because the Aratere is a lemon and if you believe Winston Peters the replacement for the Arahura is going to be a 'rust bucket'.

I haven't tended to use Bluebridge in recent years because I go southbound in the morning and northbound in the afternoon which would mean taking the Santa Regina which is an inferior ship to the Kaitaki. However with the Strait Feronia replacing the Santa Regina I will probably give them another go.

I agree - Kaitaki is a good service, especially in the lounge (although they let too many people in there).

I used Bluebridge once but it was a bit blue collar for my tastes - maybe the new ship will help.

freitasm

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# 1318248 6-Jun-2015 12:10

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There will be an "family open day" next weekend to introduce the new ferry - will try to visit then.

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DarthKermit

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# 1318605 7-Jun-2015 10:23

I haven't been on the Aratere since it was lengthened by 30 metres. Is it still having teething issues?

I've never been on any Bluebridge ferries, are they any good?

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alasta

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# 1318632 7-Jun-2015 11:46

DarthKermit: I haven't been on the Aratere since it was lengthened by 30 metres. Is it still having teething issues?

The Aratere has had consistently poor reliability since it went into service in 1999, but I don't think there have been any serious incidents recently. I went on it last year and found the interior incredibly dull and depressing - the main lounge feels like a community hall that has had tatty old chairs clumsily scattered around, and they don't seem to have done anything useful with the extra length on the main passenger deck.

I've never been on any Bluebridge ferries, are they any good?

I haven't used them recently but they seem to get pretty good feedback. I will probably go to the open day next weekend and if the Strait Feronia looks as good as the Kaitaki then I will book my Christmas travel with them.

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# 1323894 13-Jun-2015 10:56

At open day. Loooong queue. But free hot drink and fish bites.

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alasta

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# 1324083 13-Jun-2015 15:19

I managed to brave the queue too. The ship is nicely presented, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of indoor seating in the general public areas. There are heaps of cabins on deck 6, so I guess the assumption is that a lot of people will book those rather than use the general public areas which makes me wonder how much the cabins cost.

JaseNZ

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# 1324111 13-Jun-2015 16:39

Did you get a chance to have a look around the bridge and engine room ?? , I spent 20 years of going to sea and that's where I would be heading first to have a look lol.

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richms

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# 1324172 13-Jun-2015 19:25

freitasm: At open day. Loooong queue. But free hot drink and fish bites.

Mobile browser won't upload photo it check my Twitter stream.

Funny that photo problem is why I dont post many here too ;)

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# 1324249 13-Jun-2015 22:05

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alasta

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# 1324420 14-Jun-2015 13:15

Presso: Did you get a chance to have a look around the bridge and engine room ?? , I spent 20 years of going to sea and that's where I would be heading first to have a look lol.

Yes. I don't know a lot about boats, so it was all a bit foreign to me but still interesting.

JaseNZ

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# 1324465 14-Jun-2015 15:02

alasta:
Presso: Did you get a chance to have a look around the bridge and engine room ?? , I spent 20 years of going to sea and that's where I would be heading first to have a look lol.

Yes. I don't know a lot about boats, so it was all a bit foreign to me but still interesting.

Thanks , hehe I see they have taped them up so people can't play.

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Jase2985

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# 1324576 14-Jun-2015 19:39

they will probably sound an alarm if they are moved when the system is not setup in the correct mode.