Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferry Wellington Terminal

"This was my first time travelling on the BlueBridge and I have to say it was a great experience. Boarded myself and my vehicle on my sailing on time and without fuss. Staff were friendly and oh my goodness that burger I had was insane. A double beef and bacon burger with perfect fries. Fell asleep in the comfy lounge chairs too. Then who can go past the views on a beautiful day like today. Would be happy to recommend BlueBridge."

"Horrible experience. We arrived (4 of us) at the ferry terminal at 07.00am. We had our bags checked in at 07.10. We had booked a car rental who informed us once we arrived to collect the car and not during our booking, that we needed to return the car in Wellington and collect another on the other side. We explained we had booked the ferry + car and they told us to ask for a refund at the ferry terminal and go as foot passengers. We rang ace the day before departure and they had no out of hours key drop and told us to leave the keys at 07.30 once the office opened. The ferry started boarding at approx 07.20. The extremely rude and passive aggressive staff member behind the counter in the wellington ferry department gate (with red hair) was looking at my mum and I so I explained our situation and told her that the 2 others who went to return the car, would be here in 5 minutes. This was at 7.27. She was raising her voice across the room to us (we were sitting) telling us boarding had ended, we were delaying the cars entering the ferry etc etc. I explained to her that ace told us to leave the car at their office (7minute drive) and that we'd no option bearing in mind the ferry doesn't LEAVE UNTIL 8.15!! She began, at the top of her voice, unprofessionally, talking to colleagues about us and how we were delaying everything and said our other 2 parties would 'be here in 5 minutes, 10 minutes ago'. She continued to argue that we should have checked with the ferry about car drop off etc. I explained to her ace had given us these instructions, knowing we were getting the ferry and she needed to take her issue up with them. At this stage it was at the latest 07.35. FERRY DEPARTING 08.15. She was so rude to other passengers who arrived at 07.30 telling them boarding was over etc. Stressing people out unnecessarily when the ferry wasn't even leaving until 08.15. She was so rude and unprofessional and needs to be given a lesson in customer service. You can still speak to people kindly and still get the ferry going on time too. Especially people that arrive at 07.00. EARLY!! I have never experienced anything like this and my elderly parents were visibly upset after the stress she created. Low and behold we boarded at 07.40 and the ferry didn't take off until 08.10. We were also not the last to get on. I only wish I got her name. The rest of the staff on board were lovely, relaxed and friendly."

"We travel a lot and we've used ferries in different countries. it was one of our worst experiences! Few hours before the departure, they said ferry will have 3 hours delay! New last check-in was 2:30 but the boarding started at 4!! They are understaffed. The check-in kiosk was closed and we needed to go inside the building for check in. Room number is not provided and they asked us to ask it inside the ship! Boarding was really slow and it took almost an hour to drive inside the ferry! The cabin was not clean. Even the bed sheet was not clean!"

"With one hour delay of departure, no apologies from staff or whatsoever, they turned the TV's on with FULL VOLUME AT 3AM, 3 IN THE MORNING!!!! we asked politely to manager and she replied, the volume is set, we cannot change it, I said but is 3 am in the morning, why are you playing movies at this time when we all want to sleep!? She said, we always play movies at this time of the night. Terrible customer service Disgusting bathrooms, dirty, unprofessional and unfriendly staff. We are never coming back to Bluebridge ever again, and we will make sure to spread the feedback around as much as we possibly can. DISGUSTING!!"

"Ferry crossing was delayed but at least two hours, but through no fault of bluebridge. When the weather is rough is can be tough. . . . Kept informed initially by phone call of the delay and then the staff are incredible as well!! . . . But the icing on the cake is the free cookies they give out!! Oh my lord these cookies are the best I have ever had! Good effort!"