Spirit of Tasmania
 

Hi,

I've looked for this info everywhere but can't find anything in the HUBB, may be some one can point me to the right place.
I'm about to book my return ticket on the Spirit of Tasmania and I was wondering if anyone can advise wether its worthwhile booking the "Cabins" for the overnight crossing as opposed to the "Ocean View Reclieners" which are cheaper?:helpsmilie:
I get sea sick at the mention of sailing so I'm a bit woried about the privacy in the recliners if I have to chuck every where!

Cheers
Fabrizio

\Fabrizio,

It is uaually calm, but can get very, very rough. maybe you should take the cabin.

calm?
 

hmm. Bass Strait is renowned for being anything but calm, actually.

anyhow if you're really going to chuck for the whole voyage, maybe travelling in the daytime is better? but if you don't like this idea, i'd recommend the seats - you're closer to the outside decks, where you can heave alone. or will at least only be seen by others doing likewise!

also, if you can see the horizon, stars, moon or whatever, just concentrate on watching it. you may find the urge to spew diminishes. this will also be easier to accomplish from the recliner seats, i reckon.

enjoy tassie. odd time of year to go, but hey it's not TDF.
andy.

If I travel during the day, not only I might feel miserable for the whole trip if I get sea sick, but then I'll be arriving in Devenport after 6 pm and would have to ride around to find a camping spot at that time of the night.
In a night trip I can sleep it off then arrive fresh the next morning for the days riding?

I remember years ago going on the Fairstar and starting feeling sick as soon as the ship when through the Heads!

About the time of the year? Im actually planning to go in mid October. I've been told weather is a bit better.

What do you reckon?

I've done this trip dozens of times over the years - most recently in March this year. Daytime crossings are better (i.e. cheaper and you're awake so you don't need a cabin) but only run Xmas - April and only 4 days a week. The sole exception is the Cup weekend in the 1st week of November.

Bass Strait can be very rough but this is the exception rather than the rule, even the rough crossings are quite mild though compared with how they used to be - I remember sailing on the Princess of Tasmania back in 1967, it had no marine stabilisers and really rocked and rolled.

What about getting there after 6.00 pm on the day trip? Isn't a bit late to be looking for a place to set up tent? Or is there a cheap motel you can recomend Gary?

Bass straight crossing
 

Don't waste your money on a cabin, sleep on the lounge chairs that are everywhere, just get in quickly and set yourself up early by spreading your stuff over a length of couch long enough to sleep on. As for the weather, i've done the crossing a couple of times and it has been fine, having said that i've also spent 23 years in the Navy and seen it when it's very bad but the spirit is a newish vessel and rides the weather very well. If you set yourself up down the back bar area it's easy access to outside and, as mentioned you can clear your head by looking at the horizon.

Thanks sawino, yeah sounds like the day trip is the way to go. Although the question of arriving there late on the day still lingers for me.
Cheers

Spirit of Tassie
 

Hi CosI'mfree,
My two bobs worth, depends on whether you are travelling solo or with two or more persons. For 2 or more i'd recommend taking the cabin, bit more expensive, but you get full shower ammenities for use on arrival and before departure. I travelled over in April last year with a mate and we got a 4 berth to ourselves, great relief aftre riding a 38-40 degree day down bottom of Victoria, also safes hunting around for motel/hotel in Melbourne or davenport. You just about have to stay somewhere close to the dock area as it leaves early in the morning and requires time for loading. You also arrive at Tassie fresher with a full day available for riding (so you save a day). There are 2 food places on board, a bistro type with reasonable food and a genuine restaurant, tried both and both good. And storage for gear/valuables
if you are sole probably better value with the recliner lounges or if you are like my mate you just hang around till someone goes in and slip in with them for a few hours on any free seat. Do think there are any shower facilities with this option. Also benefit of overnight is less crowded, more seating available in general and chance of watching the movie if inclined.
Travelled back during day and found needed accom in Davenport (pub) and was looking for same after arriving in Melb, stopped at Geelong Best Western on route to GoR, could have had much more enjoyable ride and look around Geelong and a bit further along if taken the overnighter.
Guess it also depends on budget but i think the extra is a saving in disguise.
Cheers
Scoop:innocent:

Two Bob Worth
 

Thanks Scoops, yeah that's what its all about! Getting as many people's two bobs worth as possible.
I am riding on my own BTW. Although if you get the cabin they can put you up with other people at random I think.

Hi Fabrizio,

I'd suggest getting a cabin if you have the money, or do the recliner if you have a big book you'd like to get through and don't mind not getting a great night's sleep.

Me and my partner tried the recliners and, as Swaino suggested, ended up sleeping in the booths on the decks upstairs. we landed somewhere near the engine, right outside the games room with all the arcade games going off anf pinging every 5 minutes and with the fluro lights blaring down on us, yet I still think I slept better than I did on the way over in the recliners.

Next time, though, I'm hoping for a cabin. ;)

Booked My Trip
 

Heya Guys,

Thanks for all the advise! I've finally settle for the Recliners as I am travelling on the 25th October and there is no Day Trips at that time of the year.
Also, travelling through the night and arriving fresh in the morning for the day's ride was a more attractive option I have to say.
I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers
Fabrizio

I travelled on the Spirit of Tasmania a couple of years ago.

Travelled over to Tasmania in the daytime. It was a pleasant trip but it got dark before the ship docked at Devonport, and that meant two hours of riding in the cold before I got to the house I was renting.

On the return trip to the mainland (overnight) I took a cabin which I might have had to share, but it turned out that I had it to myself.

Both crossings were smooth, but I can remember years ago when I went across on the Abel Tasman it was very rough on the return trip.