If you’ve left your Cook Strait ferry crossing to the last minute, or you’re travelling during our peak summer season/around a public holiday, you might find yourself in a tricky spot, realising your preferred ferry sailing is sold out.

Although this isn’t ideal, there are a few things you can do to hopefully still get onboard the boat on your preferred date…

What to do when your preferred Cook Strait sailing is full

We recommend Bluebridge as the best way to cross Cook Strait.

Not only do they kindly provide our members with a discount, but they also do an incredible job of looking after our community and offer a fabulous service!

These tips will hopefully help to get you on board if you’re late to book your Bluebridge ferry.

Check the Pohutukawa Lounge with Bluebridge

If the normal passenger space is sold out for your preferred date, check to see if the Pohutukawa Lounge is available.

Sometimes the sailing can appear sold out, when in reality there’s still space available upstairs.

To check availability in the lounge, you’ll need to email or phone the team at Bluebridge (0800 844 844 in NZ, or +64 4 471 6188 from an overseas number).

If there is space available, they’ll sell you a normal crossing ticket (with your NZTT discount) and a lounge one… and you can enjoy the luxury of their new all-inclusive lounge as you travel Cook Strait!

Keep an eye on the ferry websites

Though peak season sailings are busy, there will always be people who no longer need their sailings.

They might need to travel at a different time, or could cancel their trip altogether – and that’s a great opportunity for you to snap up their spot!

As people cancel/amend their bookings, availability is reloaded to these websites (Bluebridge and Interislander), so keep an eye on them.

Check back frequently and be ready to book on the spot if you see something that might work for you.

Ask to be added to Bluebridge’s standby list

Though we’d be more comfortable with you having a confirmed ticket in advance, this is a great tip for people looking to travel last-minute…

Within 24 hours of your preferred sailing, you can ask to be added to a standby list.

If space becomes available, people will be called in the order that they entered the standby list.

Alternative solutions for your sold-out sailing

If the solutions above haven’t worked, you might like to also consider the following ways to cross Cook Strait:

• Rework your itinerary so you travel Cook Strait at a quieter time (giving you more time on either the North or South Island).
• Travel as foot-passenger instead of taking a vehicle over.
• Fly between the North and South Island instead.

If you’re travelling with your own car, or a rental vehicle, the last two options might not suit you.

Be sure to check you can amend your vehicle rental before finalising your ferry plans.

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