Ok, travelling on the Interislander Ferry today didn’t quite match up to the romanticised version I’ve seen on the TV advertisements. However I was lucky enough to travel on a beautiful day. Nah, no seasickness pills needed here. 
Initially there was a bit of queuing involved but it was all incredibly simple and easy. We booked online and left Nelson at 9.00am to make it in time for the Picton sailing at 1.15pm. You can’t miss the Ferry Terminal, it’s well sign posted on the way in and through Picton. We drove to the ticket booth, presented our ticket and were directed to a specific queuing lane to wait. This is the tedious part folks so you might as well turn the engine off and read a book. Once the queue got the ‘all clear’, the procedure was very quick. We moved one queue lane at a time into the lower deck of the Ferry, put the car in ‘Park’ and the handbrake on! We then joined the rest of the herd up a few flights of steps to the restaurants and expansive entertainment areas. It was only after we entered the upper deck outside, that I really began to enjoy myself. Beautiful views on either side as we passed through the Marlborough sounds into the Tory Channel and onwards through Cook Strait. Good to see so much regeneration of native bush.
The Ferry wasn’t that crowded today with many international visitors having already completed their NZ trip. It wasn’t until we popped downstairs to one of the restaurants that Michael and I turned our green faces towards each other and in silent agreement head back into the fresh air again. (Note to self: take seasickness pills one hour before boarding). Even though it’s only 3 or so hours for the actual sailing, you really need to give yourself half a day for the trip. Check-in time is one hour before sailing and disembarking will probably take you another half hour. But it is very relaxing and gives you a break from driving. For more details see this blog . Now onwards to Martinborough. Happy Travelling.
