Spirit of Tasmania I
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Everything Rent smoothly. Everything was on time as usual as we have used the ship several times with our car and Caravsn, the staff are so friendly and helpful. I would give it five stars, but there isn’t a match protector on the mattress, and as I German, it freaked me out a bit.
12th December, daylight sailing. Ferry supposed to be leaving at 8:30am…. It’s 8:35am and they are still unloading!!! Can’t see us getting to devonport by 7: 00 tonight. But no updates so far from the company
service was good food was good pizza small you need 2 so 28 bucks carvery good did not bother with a cabin for 12 hours too expensive just waited till we got there new ferry will be a blast cant wait value way to travel
During onboarding the security guy marked my car bonnet with a red marker pen presumably to remind himself he had checked my car, unfortunately it turns out the pen he used was actually permanent. When I was unable to wipe it off after disembarking, I contacted them and asked for help to remove it, they made me get two cleaning quotes and sign a… Read more
stat dec to say I had indeed witnessed them draw on my car, after sorting all that out for them, they then told me there was no evidence it was them who had drawn on my car… despite the fact I watched them do it… infuriating!
Make sure your dash cam is running when you board Spirit of Tasmania
Not so much the ship but the total lack of communication from customer services. Due to a medical emergency, the ship was delayed sailing from Geelong, eventually arriving at Devonport at 1.30am. Received a message earlier in the day around 1pm advising of the late arrival, no time given. Was told more updates to follow, these never arrived. As I… Read more
had a flight booked from Melbourne back to Adelaide, I had to guess when the ship would sail and at what time we would arrive into Geelong. Even when calling customer services several times, they had no idea what was going on. Utterly ridiculous in this day and age that they couldn’t be bothered to update the passengers. It’s not a cheap crossing and I know unforeseen things happen, but please, keep your customers updated to they can change their arrangements accordingly. Total shambles
Booking a horse on the Spirit online was easy once, now your have to ring up freight services and they slog you another $600+ontop of your original fare. Many phone call to sort out to get a spot to sail in 6-month time. I can see why TT line have a 66% negative rate on this site, major highway for us Tasmanians what a joke. TAS Gov and TT line need to get their ducks inline as the tourism and trade are in turmoil at the moment, lift your game! Show details
Our recent trip on the Spirit of Tasmania didn’t quite go to plan thick fog delayed us for almost six hours but what could have been a frustrating experience turned into one filled with laughter and good spirits, thanks to the incredible service of stewardess Sophie. Sophie went above and beyond to keep everyone comfortable and uplifted during… Read more
the long wait. She has a natural warmth, a great sense of humour, and a genuine way of connecting with people that makes you feel well looked after. Instead of focusing on the delay, she managed to create moments of lightness and reassurance, making the journey one to remember for all the right reasons.
She is truly an asset to the Spirit of Tasmania team and absolutely deserves recognition for her outstanding service. Thank you, Sophie, for turning a long delay into an experience filled with smiles.
Booking process is smooth. Booked a return trip to Devonport from Geelong. Boarding was easy. The trip did not match my expectations. The toilets were blocked on way to Devonport. So could not use them. Called the woman at the reception and was met with a rude response that the plumber was at the front helping the staff to anchor the ship as we… Read more
were expecting to touch down in 40 mins “unless you want the ship to not land!” Food was expensive on board the ship and not of matching quality especially the Tasmanian market kitchen. On our way back the toilets were flushing but had a bad stink. Also, we were met with another rude behaviour from a staff member helping us park our park at the deck on our return journey. He loudly yelled “oye” while showing us where to park the car. This could have been done another way. Overall, the experience was not worth the expense. Cabins were clean. The only reason they continue to have customers despite providing poor service and turning deaf to customers’ requests is because they have no competition from another company. I’m rating it 2 because of the boarding experience on the way to Devonport, the clean cabin and the fact that we had a safe sailing, otherwise would rate it 1.
Great to come back from the late movie and find two people fast asleep in or allocated seats. It appears those in the know snaffle the choice sleeping seats whether they are their seats or not. Ticket is not worth the paper they're printed on. A staff member is required to make sure people are where they should be. And no I didn't want to create a scene at midnight. Show details
Avoid wasting your time and money, food un-edible – Turd 1 and 2 these boats are so run down, there is no love on board. Food is a disgrace and the last 2 trips bar staff rude, we were 3 hours late boarding and hence no dinner provided, no communication and cabin bed was uncomfortable Spirt 2…. Today spirt 1 booked recliners but none assigned for us, poor guy singing on deck 9 is drowned out buy… Read more
the tvs that nobody are watching, so many people including myself asked to turn them off as it was rude for the musician. Where is the love ? Why send surveys when you don’t care for the simple things. Get a plane it’s a far better experience.
Embarrassingly inadequate – This is shamefully inadequate. Don't pay for a recliner. It's not worth it. Uncomfortable is where you start. On seat charging. Don't waste your time. It's ancient. Wifi which you pay for is disgracefully inadequate. Spotty at best,slow as an old dog and quite frankly an embarrassment. I'd never ever do this trip again. Cabins are the price of a 5 star hotel $269. Food....yeah right. If you can avoid the ferry and.fly.... fly.
Very dissapointing – On our return trip today, found the food to be less than acceptable. Ordered meat lovers pizza, which only comes in small but cost $12. Topping the very ordinary 4 slices, was half a piece of salami and a miniscule piece of bacon. That's it, other than cheese and sauce. Came out with burnt edges, very unpleasant to eat The food choices and… Read more
standard of catering has declined immensely. Given how much it costs to take the ferry with car and caravan, in tow, this journey is no longer viable. Come on TT Lines, Covid was five years ago. You can't use that as an excuse anymore for cutting costs and delivering sub standard food. No wonder most passengers choose to bring their own.
Medical support – I developed cellulitis whilst boarding and contacted the medical officer. I just want to say what a knowledgeable and helpful person she was. I could not have asked for better service. Thank you . Show details
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Appalling Service – 1st time travelling on spirit. We were early to check in, quickly into the line up and then it went south. Sat there for hours while all other vehicles both longer and shorter than ours were loaded...beyond a joke.
Not a happy camper – We paid for wifi and I would expect it to work in the Cabin and when I had a shower water went everywhere in the bathroom
Shambles of a company, never again – Appalling service when dealing with the company regarding pricing, unable to make changes of booking related to specials offered. With the whole new ship debacle you would think they would be bending over backwards to keep their customers. Never sail again plenty to see on the mainland thanks. Show details
Too Long. Too Regulated – The relocation to Geelong Terminal does not serve my interests and proved highly problematic. The following points describe what I really disliked. 1) Travelling by road into NSW from Geelong makes the journey longer. 2) The mapping navigation forced me to go into Melbourne to reach the Hume Highway. The disembarking at 8.00am created very major… Read more
traffic congestion at the very start of the journey. Spirit of Tasmania could easily alleviate this problem by an earlier disembarkation out of peak hour. But no. 3) There is NOTHING available at vicinity of the Geelong terminal unless the terminal is open. No toilets, no water, no shop. Need to cross the Princess Highway mayhem/dangerous/regulated traffic to acquire anything. 4) The travel time to Devonport was 11 hours. Not the 9 hours stated on the Spirit Of Tasmania website for when two crossings occur. Two crossings occurred on my journey but the travel time was 11 hours and too long. Spirit Of Tasmania needs to be accountable with its advertised journey time. The addition of around 3 hours (1.5 hours each way) for boarding and disembarkation make the journey really long and enduring at 14 hours.
For a passenger like myself travelling by road into NSW, the getting out of and back into Geelong were horrendous. I ended up with a sore throat/cold as a result of all the highly negative stress and tiring inconvenience experienced. The introduction of the Geelong terminal made it much worse for me on these October 2024 crossings. All things considered, travelling into NSW via the Spirit Of Tasmania is not a great approach. Too tiring, too time consuming, overly expensive. The regulatory regime is fully plugged into the mindset of staff which extends time that can be unbearable. Bottom line is you need to plan very well. Hotels in Geelong are recommended if travelling into NSW that simply extends the costs and time of the journey.
Spirit of Tasmania .. Tasmanian Residency..doesn't matter..we don't care – Spirit of Tasmania is part of the National Highway but, when in a medical emergency you need to return home to support family, there is no passage. Tasmanian residents are being "held to ransom" ..no compassion..nothing! I cannot fly due to medical, I need to get caravan and dog back so foot passenger not an option. You pay rates and taxes for 40… Read more
years, you're a recognised loyalty member but when your father-in-law is diagnosed cancer and passes within 3 weeks then your mother- in-law becomes critically ill, you cannot get home. Not good enough..no empathy..no compassion ..no care! Local politicians (minister for Transport) totally ineffectual. Emergency berths should be available for Tasmanian residents.. it is our National Highway!!
Devonport a shambles – wow...an electric mountain bike is an EV ...what a croc 2 lanes to check in needs an over haul Show details
Bad Spirit – First of all, the service was originally implemented as a national highway incentive, which meant that Tasmanians should not be disadvantaged. The idea was that it would cost the same to travel by boat as it would to travel by car or truck What has happened though, is that the Tasmanian Government has milked the service for all that it can, and it… Read more
has become a great source of income for a really poor service. The fares are stupendously expensive - just look what it costs to tow a trailer and bring it in via ferry. No water supplied, no shower, nothing, unless you pay for it! Disgusted in the Tasmanian Government's greed.
Filthy – Travelling in 2013 to Tasmania. Fair trip,but upon arrival went to ladies to find faeces on top of seats, on floor,on walls. It was everywhere. At 5.30 am it was not a nice scene. 11 years later February trip to Geelong, unfortunately I had my dog and I would NEVER recommend taking a dog on this ferry. My dog was wet,stressed and had a cough and… Read more
cold ,which needed veterinary treatment. The security have no care for the animals. In return I was told " sorry your puppy was sick". It's exactly like Tasmania, way behind the times.
Thieves – You get back 25% of your ticket. What an absolute rip-off. They don't give a flying f if something serious comes up, such as an older family member going into hospital. I couldn't go to Tassie but these people don't give a damn about that. I won't be travelling with these muppets again - that is just theft disguised as garbage. They can sell the ticket easily. Thieves. Show details
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- +1
Ups and downs of cruising – We travelled on this vessel from Devonport back to Geelong. I had injured my hip whilst holidaying in beautiful Tassie. I was on crutches and struggling with pain and my asthma. When we drove our car onto the boat, we realised we were some distance from a lift. A crew member (Howard) arranged a wheelchair for me. Nothing was an issue for him. He… Read more
wheeled me to our cabin and back to our car before disembarking. Howard, you are a legend and I'll never forget your kindness. Thank you. When we boarded for our return trip, the lift was out of order. The cabin area had a pungent smell of dampness, possibly wet carpets. The whole experience on this vessel is run so smoothly. The meals were amazing, and reasonably priced! I feel security staff need to step up. There was a group of non-Australian speaking people (at least 12 of them), who during dinnertime service, spread themselves out at the front of the ship with their bags and coats. They placed them on tables and around the lounges located in front of the windows. They were filling their cups with water from the toilet facilities and sharing it, as well as their meals. They paid $60 for 2 meals, and piled the plates with food and then proceeded to sit around and share it amongst themselves (all 12 of them!) We came down for breakfast this morning to find them all still asleep on the lounges in the eating area. We were pretty angry as one of the rules on board is that you either have to pay for a cabin or a recliner on another deck. These rude people were loud and obnoxious, speaking in a foreign tongue (so rude!). It was very uncomfortable. Security had all night to move them along. Our trip over on the Spirit of Tasmania ii, was very pleasant. A much better maintained boat. Was a very rough night, so if you suffer from motion sickness, I wouldn't recommend it. It didn't bother us. We enjoyed a film in one of the cinema's. We can't wait to sail with you again. All of our issues were addressed and the staff were so lovely! Hopefully your new ships will be ready soon. Cannot wait! Thanks again Howard!
Nightmare and expensive if U try to go green by train and ferry to tasmania – The ferry journey itself is fine. But the connections with trains and position of the new ferry terminal in Geelong is nightmare. none of the trains from Brisbane to Melbourne coincide with ferry times ? .there is no ferry station despite the Geelong rail track running 30m the other side of the road from the ferry terminal ? You have to walk from… Read more
north shore Geelong station which isn't far to the port , but they then make foot passengers walk right around the whole terminal and enter from the south side adding 30 minutes of walking carrying your heavy luggage. Who ever designed the whole new ferry terminal entrances despise foot passengers and should be sacked.. It was a lot easier in South Melbourne where connections to the ferry were available. The new port is not near anything and has no services supplied to get you there..idiots are clearly in charge. Get the day sailing if you can, ad the airconditiong at night will dry you out in the cabins.. Next time I will dismiss the damage to the planet and just drive my car all the way from Brisbane to the ferry port as that is what they have designed the port for .cars cars and cars
Horrible experience, will never do it again – Overpriced and awful experience both over to Devonport and back. Our 9.30pm on Spirit 2 out of Geelong was advised to be delayed 2 hours, but we sat in our car in a line for hours and didn’t leave till nearly 1 am. That made arrival in Devonport 12.30pm instead of 9.30 am. Stuffed our plans. The trip back on Spirit 1 from Devonport to Geelong… Read more
wasn’t much better. The food was awful, watched a couple of people putting their hands in the buffet and had to walk away. Was a buffet option or pizza, pies, pre packed sandwiches. Gluten free option was a prepackaged salad or chips from the buffet! The mattress in our room was awful, could feel the springs and the vibrations, engine noise and rattling kept us awake all night. Had a 4.45am wake up call, but our parking floor wasn’t called till 6.15, no breakfast offered. What a waste of $2,000. These ferries are old and smelly, need replacing. Never again!
Never ever again – Absolute nightmare. Took day voyage 20 March 2024. Internet was down so no wifi or connectivity of any sort. Much worse was EFT was also down, so could not buy anything - no food or drink for entire voyage. Children on board would have suffered badly. Would not accept cash. Could not even buy a snack or can of drink from the onboard shop.… Read more
Talking to staff they said this happens often and for us please, please to email management who they said seem not to care, and do not listen to their concerns. Mid-afternoon they eventually provided one reheated mini pizza per person until these ran out and a free coffee. The loss of revenue but especially the mountain of food that would have been thrown out was appalling. As if they couldn’t give food away for free that was sitting in the buffet going stale rather than throwing it away when reaching port. Toilets were literally awash with urine flowing backwards and forwards across the floor as the boat rocked, and most hand sanitisers throughout the boat were empty. Terrible 12 hours.
Extremely average – Below Average - everything was out of order. It was cold and tired much like the staff. Can not wait to get off, if you had another choice of carrier you wouldn’t chose the Spirit. Also where the pokies go?? Show details
Fawlty Towers on a Lilo – There were lots of positive things like being on time and we did not sink. The rice was good . This was true for both directions. That's enough of that, I'll give you the wrong impression. Now for the negatives. The animal crates to transport your pets will remind you of the saddest zoo you have ever seen. Your dog will remember this forever,… Read more
and not in a positive way. On the way over the men's toilet deck nine overflowing and out of order. A very special smell. Obviously no maintenance people on board, it was never corrected. Plus the air conditioning failed, back doors tied open by the use of garbage bags. The bar and snack bar on Deck nine closed due to lack of staff. I assume the ship has such a poor reputation no one wants to work on it. Food is bland boring average and absolutely nothing to do with Tasmania. A buffet always the same menu, day after day, journey after journey month after month, year after year. Accept on the way back when they had a roast animal which had been cooked so long it was completely unidentifiable, plus the blandest thin gravy slop you could imagine. It was accompanied by the same menu which they cook day after day journey after journey month after month year after year. The absolute worst meal I had in the five weeks I was in Tasmania. Is there no chef in Tasmania who can fix this for them? Should not the government step in? Do Tasmanians have such little pride in themselves that they would allow the Spirit of Tasmania to function such as it does. Unfortunately the answer is yes.
Doesn't live upto the name! – BYO everything!!! - despite of high fares, they dont even provide a welcome drink. You have to buy everything and they don't accept cash also. The cinemas charge even the kids :(. My Tasmania trip was amazing, but the cruise name doesn't even come close to live up to the conclusion of the amazing trp which i had. Totally disappointed with the night travel to Geelong.Not doing it again. Show details
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