BlueBridge v Interislander

[Steam]

But The Interislander was crap when it was owned by the NZ Government too.

Yes indeed, but what I meant is that all the profits now go overseas.

[magicfairy]

The Bluebridge ship I sailed on had no bike specific facilities but neither did the Interislander Kaitake. The Arahura has sets of D rings on the deck specifically designed for bikes.

Thats odd. I have sailed on both of the Bluebridge passenger boats in the last 3 months, both had D rings and X shaped holes in deck to hook into.
Maybe they didn't put you in the usual spot they put bikes.

[FROSTY:Me]

My experience I have found the service to be about the same.
BB on average is cheaper and Interislander tends to be faster

[warewolf]

I'm a regular traveller and normally use the Interislander. Finally did a trip on Bluebridge last October because the times suited, wasn't impressed. I like the idea of supporting the non-Interislander business but everything seemed second-rate. I've used Strait Shipping before they started the Bluebridge service, that was ace but they've got a long way to go with the current service. Try a search, I've written more detail before.

Both operations put the bikes in various spots. And normally on the Interislander the bikes go on/off ahead of the cars, but they do load some of the bigger vehicles first.

Net result is that I'd shop purely on price & convenience, unless you wanted on-board services then I'd say go Interislander. My last trip was Interislander one direction and Bluebridge the other.

[MaxB]

When I had to do conferences and exhibits in the SI I used the Interislander a fair bit. For cars, utes & trailers I would say there is not much difference. You're just another number in the queue. But for bikes I found Bluebridge a lot better. They seem to give a shit. Until I get shafted I will continue to use them. YMMV.

[ceebie13]

I've never had a problem on either carrier. I use my own tie downs and never let anyone else do the job. That way it's all down to me. Never had a problem with anchorage points or staff attitude either. Comparing the two, I agree with Warewolf - BlueBridge seems like second fiddle to InterIslander to me. But that in itself doesn't sway my decision. The 8.30am sailing on InterIslander's "Kaitake" is perfect for us as we live 20 minutes from the terminal.

I also have fond memories of the "Kaitake" when it was the "Pride of Cherbourg" and I sailed on it from Southampton to Cherbourg on the start of many a great European fang.

I'm not fussed about being first on or first off either - who cares? Bex and I head for the "lookout" deck on the "Kaitake" and settle down there with coffee and mags for the crossing. That way, we dont have to endure three and half hours of Rugby, soccer or V8s on the TV's in the bar or listen to some anonymous singer-songwriter playing his passage (...maybe I should re-phrase that!)

[pritch]

X shaped holes in deck to hook into.

The X shaped holes are designed for containers not bikes. They don't work properly for tie downs especially if you have caribeeners (sp?).

Those bike specific parks just inside the door of the Arahura should cope with any weather you are likely to strike on a crossing. (Short of the ship capsizing in which case the bike becomes less of a priority... )

Not so what was on offer on the Kaitake, or the Bluebridge ship I used.

Like Dirty Harry said, "Do you feel lucky?"

[chanceyy]

The experience quoted here by some is rather at odds with mine.

Comparing Bluebridge to the InterIslander doesn't really give a relevant answer. The comparison needs to be ship by ship.

The Bluebridge ship I sailed on had no bike specific facilities but neither did the Interislander Kaitake. The Arahura has sets of D rings on the deck specifically designed for bikes.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=55800

I seem to recall that there is another Interislander ship that has D rings in the deck for bikes but don't know which one it is. These are the only ones I will use given the choice.

My timetable will be made to suit the ship.

Thats odd. I have sailed on both of the Bluebridge passenger boats in the last 3 months, both had D rings and X shaped holes in deck to hook into.
Maybe they didn't put you in the usual spot they put bikes.

Agree with Magicfairy here .. Monte Stello had d rings for tying betsy on .. staff freindly & thanks to dogs when i had trouble tying her down on the return sailing he came down from the kitchen to help me .. all the staff sure are friendly & most helpful ..

[Gremlin]

I'd be able to tell you what the interislander is like in a little over a week... I'm doing my first trip.

That said, I'm carrying my own tie downs, and tying the bike down myself. I wouldn't trust my baby to someone elses grubby tie downs.

[SuperSonic]

Wow thank you to every body for your time and passing on your experenices regarding the ferries. It sounds more like the bluebridge is the ferry to go with overall. I have not been with them so will give them ago. The last crossing was with interislander and like many others in this thread I to have had the same problems, eg last off, lack of tie downs D hooks things, and not very friendly service. I have my own tie downs so thats not a problem.
Once again thank you to all, you all rock.

[vinducati]

Done a South Island Tour 7 times now, Bluebridge best.
Better Tie-Down points, let you on first and off first.
You can leave you luggage down there safely.
Some of the crew ride bikes.
Interislander patchy, sometimes not on first etc.
I would advise taking your own tie-downs though always more relaxing
Cheers

[mazz1972]

Thats odd. I have sailed on both of the Bluebridge passenger boats in the last 3 months, both had D rings and X shaped holes in deck to hook into.
Maybe they didn't put you in the usual spot they put bikes.

Seems to depends how on to it the staff are with what vehicles are booked on each sailing.

A group of us went down to the SI on one of the BB ships, it was mostly trucks and us, was half empty and the bike facilities were great.

However on the way back NI we went on the other BB ship (can't remember which one). There were six bikes on board which were boarded last. The staff put a car over some of the bike spaces, crammed four bikes into three bike spaces, and put the other two bikes in car spaces in a different area with only the x ground thingees to tie onto. There was no need to park a car over the bike spaces as there was at least 6 empty car spaces where they sent the 2 bikes. Bloody dumb and we weren't impressed.

Definately take your own tie downs.

[oldrider]

But The Interislander was crap when it was owned by the NZ Government too.

Too true and it was tax payer propped up as well, you were paying for it even if you didn't use it!

Yes indeed, but what I meant is that all the profits now go overseas.

Where do you think the profits went when the Union Steam Ship Co owned the ferries?

The Union Co got out of the ferries because the Seamans Union was strangling the service and they were closing the service down, the Government stepped in to save the ferries but they still had the Seamans union problems, which they covered with tax money for a while.

Ownership is not the issue (unless you are a socialist) the issue is always about "service provided" to the customer and "price".

If there was a choice between a crappy "government owned" company and a slick customer (motorcycle friendly) focused company, would you choose the crappy government one, just because it's government owned?

Not very likely.

It's not about ownership and where the profits go, it's about service and customer satisfaction. Cheers John.

[Finn]

Bluebridge is 100% New Zealand owned and operated.

So they're stupid, disorganized, dangerous and bound to be heading for a major disaster anytime now.

Thanks for the heads up. Interislander for me.

[Steam]

A true patriot