annhig

They just don't get it. Why would anyone take a chance on making themselves miserable when there is another way of getting where they are going? It's not only the 'sea voyage' itself, it is the anticipation of possible illness and/or schedule disruption that can take the fun out of a trip.>>

probably, eliz, because like me they have a partner who loves to be at sea and 9/10 times [ok, possibly 4/5] it's fine and i enjoy it. As for the other one, I take the quells and go and lie down, preferably in a darkened room.

eliztravels2

Good point about flying in rough weather. I've been throw-up airsick once, in a small plane in a storm, but strangely I kind of like the bumping about in turbulence in a large plane.

Annhig, my partner is one who loves to be at sea, so one day I hope we'll do a river cruise. It's unlikely that will cause me problems and even if it did I could spend the onboard hours like you, medicated and lying down, and then be up and about to enjoy the destinations.

annhig

Good point about flying in rough weather. I've been throw-up airsick once, in a small plane in a storm, but strangely I kind of like the bumping about in turbulence in a large plane. >>

my last flight back to Cornwall from London in a turbo-prop [not a large plane by any stretch of the imagination but not tiny] was fine til the last 100 feet or so, which were pretty hairy. The wing was so strong that they bused us the 20 yards from the plane to the airport building; even driving home was a bit scary.

I think I'd rather be on a boat.

Melnq8

Saw a program about Cornwall last night and thought of you annhig - what a beautiful place you live in. Looked a bit like NZ, with all those green rolling hills and turbulent seas.

Libretto2

Wise, wise decision Mel!

Both my husband and SIL are very prone to sea sickness. SIL also gets very sick when travelling by plane and has twice been removed from flights by ambulance! My husband gets sick DRIVING a car on winding roads and has been sick on a boat ,even after taking medication, ginger and wearing pressure bands . Needless to say we never go on sea cruises, but are braving a river cruise next year.

I think if you are really prone to travel sickness there is nothing worse. The only time I've travelled on the ferry in NZ I felt very odd in the head, not the tummy, even though it was as calm as millpond . Husband would never risk another sea crossing , and I'm very wary - it's kind of like deliberately wanting to feel morning sickness!!!

osteorach

I've done the ferry crossing a couple of times and we didn't have any issues with rough weather. Sailed with bluebridge. One issue we did have however was getting cold - we took the 1:30am crossing and didn't plan to need a blanket, it would have made for a nicer sleep. Getting back to Wellington was a beautiful day...

Melnq8

I'd wondered about that overnight crossing osteorach. Sort of defeats the purpose of scenery, but it did catch my attention.

mlgb

I have not read all the comments but I hope you've been told that the Cook Strait can be notoriously windy and rough!

And if you think that is bad try taking the ferry from Paraparaumu to Kapiti Island. I was sure we were going to be cancelled, the night before gail force winds and the sand on the beach in Paraparuma was actually vibrating from the force.

Next morning it was fine. As those who visit NZ often know, forecasts are useless.

I've had better weather on the Kaikoura cruise, as well Doubtful Sound, where we went all the way out the end.

dottyp

My tuppence worth, Melnq8. I have sailed that particular stretch of "the ocean blue" many times in the 44 years we have been married as my DH's family all live/lived in the South Island. In that time we had one terrible crossing north to south but many beautiful crossings. We have travelled on the Bluebridge since their 3rd-ever sailing, including their 1:30am crossing! Really enjoy the crossings, and I am not a good traveller unless I am in control of the vehicle. Not got my Master's licence yet. Probably a bit too old now.
I do understand how the familiar seems the best option - I feel the same way.
Dot

annhig

Saw a program about Cornwall last night and thought of you annhig - what a beautiful place you live in. Looked a bit like NZ, with all those green rolling hills and turbulent seas.>>

yes, and it's green for the same reason, that being it rains a lot. We even managed to export some to Spain - in the 4 days we were there earlier this week, it rained for the first time in a year, x3. [not sure that entirely makes sense, but you know what i mean].

but beautiful when the sun shines.

osteorach

The overnight ferry certainly lost the scenery aspect however it was Christmas Day and we had spent the morning with our families in Auckland and then we drove to Wellington to catch the ferry. We arrived in to picton at 4:30am and drove the car on to the harbour front, parked and went back to sleep (in the car). We woke up to the most glorious morning in picton and I still remember it to this day...so while we didn't get the scenery going in, we made up for it with the surprise when we woke up (note it wasn't the best nights sleep I've ever had). We then had a three week South Island road trip.

Coming back to Wellington was during the day and a nice one at that.

I'd happily do the overnight again but I'd be more prepared for the cold on the ship taking a blanket or sleeping bag. We didn't notice any swell.

nelsonian

As others have said, there is only really an hour when the ferry is out in the open sea, and it could get rough. I get sea-sick on a calm day Melnq so would rather fly as it is only 35 minutes from Nelson to Wellington, whereas it is a five hour trip on the ferry counting the road trip.

When air fares are exorbitant, we do take the ferry. I don't think I have ever had a really rough trip. DH and I normally sit in the middle of the boat, and if we start feeling a bit sick we go and stand outside. You need to do it at least once. The scenery is fantastic.

If you can do the Foveaux Strait Mel you can do Cook Strait!!

Melnq8

<You need to do it at least once. The scenery is fantastic>

Which is why I keep coming back to square one. Hmmmm...

annhig

Melnq8 - given that your next trip is in the winter, perhaps you should plan to do the boat trip on another occasion? though as our experience shows, you can guarantee good weather even in the middle of summer!

annhig

oops, "can't guarantee" obviously.

scrb11

I'm planning a trip for February. Is the crossing likely to be rough that time of the year?

I was thinking of flying into WLG instead of CHC, just so I can explore Wellington a bit and then take the ferry.

It seems if you book well in advance the price seems reasonable. Do the fares become very high if you wait until the last minute to see what the weather is like?

Also noticed there is some premium room with Internet and more comfortable chairs. Has anyone tried it?

Maybe it wouldn't be worth spending 2 or 3 days to go to Wellington and cross into the South Island?

nelsonian

It really just depends on the weather on the day. February is usually settled, and hot so should be a calm crossing. Also school holidays will be over, so the ferry won't be crowded. If you are not taking a car, the fare for a passenger won't change very much on short notice.

scrb11

Is there a lot to see to make the voyage worthwhile? I see that flights are about the same and you'd obviously save a lot of time, say going from AKL to CHC or even all the way down to ZQN.

But I thought I'd read somewhere that it was a unique experience. I've been on ferries but nothing as long as this would be.

Other thing I wanted to do was to take at least the TransAlpine express and some other trains but I would still need a car for other parts of the South Island so maybe that's not feasible.

I know there are buses and coach tours too but those don't seem to offer as much flexibility, though it would save having to drive several hours a day in some parts.

annhig

even in the somewhat rough weather we had we enjoyed the crossing, and in good weather, it would be lovely, particularly when you get close to the Marlborough sound on the other side. it's not the best ferry crossing I've ever done [one in Iceland was even better] but even for this somewhat reluctant sailor, I'd say that it was worth doing.

scrb11

I learned that after the ferry crossing, I would have a 5-6 hour train or bus ride from Picton to Christchurch.

I know there are some attractions north of Christchurch, like Picton itself, Nelson and Kaikoura, which I guess is where you can go whale and dolphin watching.

Or fly from WLG to CHC for about the same price of the ferry crossing in just one hour.

But it is about the journey ...