Help Bluebridge – I need to get on a ferry at the last minute!
We often have members reaching out for help because they can’t cross the Cook Strait when they want to.
Often, they’ve left their booking until the last-minute during peak season, and the most suitable sailings are sold out.
And occasionally they’ve been affected by a disruption.
Whatever the reason you’re looking for a last-minute ferry crossing, we’re here to help you cross between the North and South Island, with help from our buddies, Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries.
What to do if your preferred Bluebridge sailing is sold out
What to do if you’ve left your booking too late and your preferred sailing is already booked out…
Try to secure the sailing you want via the website
Keep checking the Bluebridge website.
Although all sailings might currently be sold out, space becomes available as there are cancellations/changes, and if freight loads change.
The website has live availability and will show exactly what’s available – and this can change quickly as spaces are released back into the system.
We don’t recommend emailing or phoning the contact centre, as newly opened space generally sells out quickly.
Instead, snap it up on their website.
What to do if you can’t secure a spot on your preferred crossing in advance
If you can’t secure a ticket for your preferred sailing in advance, book a flexi sail fare for a sailing that you can make work.
Then, two hours before your preferred sailing, go into the terminal and give the Bluebridge team your booking reference.
Ask to be added to the standby list for the next sailing.
The ship will be loaded with all pre-booked freight and passenger vehicles first, then the load mates (who load the ships) will call for any standbys to be loaded if and when there’s additional space.
There are no guarantees that the standby list will clear, but you’ll be surprised by how many extra people they often manage to fit on at the last minute.
After a disruption
What to do if your original sailing has been cancelled…
After a weather or mechanical disruption, the Bluebridge team will work had to get you on the next suitable sailing.
They will contact you, but you’re welcome to contact them first (as you’ll appreciate, they’re very busy during disruptions).
Option #1: Get a new confirmed sailing
If their team is able to rebook you on a confirmed sailing that works for you, you don’t need to do anything but enjoy your vacation until your new sailing.
Option #2: Standby for an earlier sailing
During a disruption, it’s common for passengers to want to sail ASAP – and sometimes there aren’t enough confirmed spaces on board to accommodate this with certainty.
If this applies to you, you can go onto their standby list.
Get yourself to the ferry terminal, provide your details to the Bluebridge team, and wait while they do their best to get you on the next available cruising.
While waiting for the next available sailing can be worrying, you’ll be surprised by how quickly they manage to get most passengers over the strait!
Did you know? Standby lists aren’t cleared in advance, they are managed on site on the day.
