Our ships
Planning a trip on a Bluebridge ferry? Here's everything you need to know about our ships Connemara and Strait Feronia.
Discover Connemara
Where practicality meets unrivalled comfort. Built in 2007, Connemara joined our fleet in February 2023, accommodating up to 2,255 lane metres. This makes it both our newest and largest ferry, elevating the Cook Strait crossing for up to 500 passengers per sailing.
Facilities
Onboard Connemara, you'll experience spacious passenger areas, an all-inclusive lounge offering, café and bar with various seating options, and viewing decks. Families can enjoy a room with free movies, while amenities include baby change areas, private cabins, dog-friendly cabins, and a communal area for your pooch.
Food & Beverage
Feeling peckish? Grab a bite to eat at the café, serving up both grab-and-go snacks and made-to-order meals, prepared by onboard chefs. Need your daily coffee fix? Be sure to drop by the bar, serving Wellington’s own L’affare coffee, tea, and a range of cold drinks.
Pōhutukawa Lounge
Experience the next level of comfort in our adults-only Pōhutukawa Lounge, where you can relax in comfortable seating and a peaceful child-free environment, perfect for unwinding before the next leg of your journey. Indulge in our all-inclusive food and drink selection, featuring delicious gourmet snacks, freshly prepared meals, and a variety of beverages. Make your travel truly memorable in our Pōhutukawa Lounge.
Private Cabins
Our private cabins with ensuite are the perfect place for you to relax, rest and freshen before the next leg of your journey.
All cabins have air-conditioning, a power point, a desk with chair, wall-mounted reading lights, hanging space with coat hangers, and a wall mirror. Complimentary fresh linen, towels and body wash are also included.
Family Room
Connemara has something for the entire family, including a dedicated family room equipped with plenty of toys and activities, along with family-friendly movies.
Find out what movies are currently playing in our family room this month.
Dog-friendly Cabins
If you’re crossing with your pooch you don’t need to leave them in the car! With comfy dog-friendly cabins plus an outdoor area to stretch their legs a little, they can enjoy a better journey too.
All cabins have air-conditioning, a power point, a desk with chair, wall-mounted reading lights, hanging space with coat hangers, and a wall mirror. Complimentary fresh linen, towels, body wash, take-home dog bowl and dog treat are also included.
Accessibility when boarding
Connemara does not have a lift onboard. Some cars will be parked on the same deck as the passenger areas, however, most will be parked on lower decks, which will require you to climb stairs or take the escalator to access passenger areas.
Motorhomes and towed vehicles will be parked on lower decks which will require you to climb stairs or take the escalator to access the passenger areas. If you are in a motorhome or towed vehicle and require the lift, please book on Strait Feronia.
If you require special assistance, please check the 'Some of the passengers require accessibility assistance' box when booking and let our team know at check-in so they can park you as close as possible to the passenger area entrance.
If you are walking on board but you require assistance with long distance walking, please check the 'Some of the passengers require accessibility assistance' box when booking and let our team know when you check in so they can arrange the passenger van to drive you on board.
Please note the walking distance from Wellington terminal to the ship is about 200 metres.
Final check-in is 1 hour prior to sailing; however, if you have selected accessibility assistance, please allow additional time for check-in.
Connemara Facts
Built: Cantiere Navale Visentini, Italy, 2007
Length: 186.5m
Beam overall: 25.6m
Gross tonnage: 27,414
Draft: 6.3m
Main engines: 2 x MAN/B&W x 10,800 kW each
Service speed: 22 knots
Freight capacity: 2,255 lane metres
Passengers: 500
Discover Strait Feronia
Built in 1997, the Italian designed and built Strait Feronia has the ability to take up to 150 cars and 400 passengers. Prior to entering service in New Zealand, the vessel received a full refurbishment of the public areas to meet our customers needs. The refurbishment included the introduction of a movie room, quiet room, family room, working station and an upgrade to the cafe and bar area.
Formally called the Stena Feronia, the ship joined our fleet in June 2015 after sailing an overnight service between Gothenburg (Sweden) and Kiel (Germany). The vessel was renamed 'Strait Feronia' recognising its past heritage and its future with StraitNZ (formerly known as Strait Shipping).
Facilities
Onboard Strait Feronia, you'll experience spacious passenger areas including a quiet room, movie room, a café and bar with various seating options and extensive outdoor viewing decks. Families can enjoy a dedicated room, while convenient amenities include work stations, baby change areas and private cabins.
Food & Beverage
Feeling peckish? Grab a bite to eat at the café, serving up both grab-and-go snacks and made-to-order meals, prepared by onboard chefs. Need your daily coffee fix? Be sure to drop by the bar, serving Wellington’s own L’affare coffee, tea, and a range of cold drinks.
Family Room
Strait Feronia has something for the entire family, including a dedicated family room equipped with plenty of toys and activities, along with family-friendly movies.
Movie Room
We play a range of popular films during our Strait Feronia sailings, in a dedicated free-to-access movie room.
Find out what movies are currently playing in our family room and movie room this month.
Private Cabins
Our private cabins with ensuite are the perfect place for you to relax, rest and freshen before the next leg of your journey.
All cabins have air-conditioning, a power point, a desk with chair, wall-mounted reading lights, hanging space with coat hangers, and a wall mirror. Complimentary fresh linen, towels and body wash are also included.
Accessibility when boarding
There are up to six flights of stairs to climb during boarding to reach our passenger areas on deck 5. If you're driving on and require lift access, please check the 'Some of the passengers require accessibility assistance' box when booking and let our team know at check-in so they can park you as close as possible to the lift entrance.
If you're walking on and require lift access or require assistance with long distance walking, please check the 'Some of the passengers require accessibility assistance' box when booking and let our team know when you check-in so they can arrange for our passenger van to drive you onboard to the lift.
Please note the walking distance from Wellington terminal to the ship is about 200 metres.
There is a flight of stairs to climb to reach your cabin on deck 6. There is a lift up to deck 6 that can only be used when the ship is in port, it's unable to be used during the crossing. If you are walking on board but you require assistance with long distance walking, please let our team know when you check in so they can arrange the passenger van to drive you on board.
Final check-in is 1 hour prior to sailing; however, if you have selected accessibility assistance, please allow additional time for check-in.
Strait Feronia Facts
Built: Cantiere Navale Visentini, Italy, 1997
Length: 186m
Beam overall: 25.6m
Gross tonnage: 21,856
Draft: 6.4m
Main engines: Two Wartsila 8L46B - total 15600 kW
Service speed: 16 knots
Freight capacity: 2,150 lane metres
Passengers: 400