Kaiarahi
Operated by Interislander
Kaiarahi
Operated by Interislander
Operated by Interislander on the Picton Wellington route
The Kaiarahi has seen major upgrades and passenger area refurbishments in recent years. The vessel can carry up to 550 passengers and contains 1900 metres of vehicle capacity. The ship is spread over nine decks with three open to the public. Over the various floors there is plenty to keep voyagers occupied as they cross the picturesque New Zealand waters between the North and South Islands. With renovated passenger lounges and luxurious upgrades to Premium Plus and comfortable cabins, it promises to be a smooth sailing experience for all who make the crossing. There are a number of different eateries to suit all tastes, a shop to make sure your stocked up on everything for your travels and free WiFi as part of the ticket price.
There are a small number of cabins available for passengers, allowing you to arrive at your destination refreshed and relaxed. The two berth cabins all have en suite facilities and come serviced with linen towels and soap. Included in the price of cabin hire is a voucher for two complimentary hot drinks and a newspaper. If you want some added comfort but don’t fancy a cabin, you can go for the Kaiarahi Premium Plus option. This onboard lounge provides luxurious reclining seating but with added extras such as Sky TV, Newspapers and Magazines and also complimentary food and beverages. Depending on the time of sailing you’ll receive a cooked breakfast or a hot lunch.
You won’t struggle for food options during your voyage as the ship has a fully stocked food court and café at your disposal, with plenty of seating. The Ocean Eatery provides views of the cerulean waters while you enjoy the delicious local dishes served onboard. The improved amenities also include a bar to help you while away the hours on your crossing. The Lookout Lounge provides the perfect place to do this, as you can kick back with a drink and admire the stunning views between New Zealand’s magnificent North and South islands.
A great range of products are on sale aboard the Kaiarahi. The shop is stocked with souvenirs, newspapers and magazines, sweets and postcards and stamps. There is a Bureau de Change for your last minute currency needs.
There’s no need to go hours without contacting family and friends or even fall behind on your work, as the ship comes with complimentary WiFi for all guests. You can enjoy the sun, breeze and spectacular panoramic views from the observation decks.
Those travelling with young children have options on the Kaiarahi. A Kids Area and Nursery can be found next to each other on Deck 8, where playing equipment and televisions showing Disney Playhouse Channel are provided. Cots and changing facilities are available in the nursery for babies and infants.
The ship has a single lift for non-vehicle passengers and a second wider lift on the Vehicle Deck. Both give full access to Decks 7 and 8 which allows passengers to the lounges, café, bar, food court, family areas, viewing areas and the shop. There are also accessible toilets on both floors.
Please Note: Whilst we have taken great care in making our Kaiarahi guide as accurate as possible, onboard facilities, services and entertainment may vary depending on the date and time of year that you travel, facilities mentioned may change without notification and ferry companies reserve the right to operate vessels other than those mentioned at time of booking without prior notification.
out of 5
89% of our customers recommended this ship
"Danke"
Die Hilfe vom Personal an Land war super. Trotz fehlender englisch Kenntnisse habe ich alles gut verstanden. Schade nur, das ich für unser Fahrzeug mitbezahlt hatte, wir es dann aber nicht mit auf die Nordinsel nehmen durften und wir diese Buchung nicht stornieren konnten.
"Morning trip from Wellinton/Picton"
Staff/Crew very conscious of Health & Safety when embarking/disembarking, my first time so was mildly apprehesive but had nothing to worry about, amenities were great, crew were awesome & helpful on, nothing too much trouble, awesome up on the viewing deck as it was a lovely day, knowing about the windy conditions, I'm glad I was dressed for it but awesome trip anyway
"Wellington to picton crosdong 21.10.22"
Excellent from ease of booking/communication and journey even during some slightly rough weather .
"Excellent service"
Overall very good service. Slightly delayed start and arrival
"Picton to Wellington"
The ferry was on time until it came to unloading at Wellington. Foot passengers were held on board and had to disembark via bus due to issues with passenger ramp. Not great when on a timetable for the airport. On a positive note it was great the staff highlighted a pod of Dolphins which joined us for part of the journey across Cook Strait.
"Good journey"
No problems. We arrived early and everyone was loaded on the ship and we left on time. There was a good choice of food and luckily it was dry and warm and we were able to sit on deck and enjoy the views.
"Interislander Ferry"
The trip from the South to the North island of New Zealand was very comfortable. We had an upgrade to the plus cabin, which meant plenty of food and comfortable seating. An excellent tripp.
"Journey 25.2.2020"
Nice journey, included meal and good wifi internet access.
"Amazing cruise "
We were so lucky to have amazing sunny weather , sat out on deck for the complete cruise, the scenery Is outstandingly beautiful.. Staff so friendly and great fish and chips . Highly recommend
"Experience "
Brilliant
"North to South "
Super crossing with brilliant service right from the start. Upgraded to the Plus Lounge with complimentary food and drink!
"Wellington to Picton "
Excellent crossing to Picton, ; efficient processes for embarking & dis-embarking.
"Ferry Wellington to Picton "
Fabulous journey. Scenery is spectacular. Had use of the plus lounge with complimentary food and drink. Really nice touch. Very enjoyable.
"Good and Bad!"
We travelled from Picton and back from Wellington to Picton and enjoyed fabulous, smooth and very scenic afternoon passages. The staff were helpful the food freshly cooked. Our seats were comfortable and the loading was quick and professionally directed. However we were not impressed by Direct Ferries bookings as we were under the impression we had booked lounge access and feel that the booking process needs to be looked at by trading standards and we will be considering taking action, a cheap meal voucher is not the same thing and Direct Ferries did not answer my emails.
"Trip to Wellington"
Efficient service and the Premier Lounge is excellent value great choice of food.
"InterIslander Ferry"
I booked a car with the ferry but wanted to cancel this since car rental agent did not allow bringing cars along. No response at all how the from the agent. I dont know if I will be reimbursed or not although I informed concerned party several days ahead. Furthermore the ferry departing time was changed with short notice from 1230 to 0845. On top of this the 0845 departure was delayed by 1/2 an hour. Furthermore a very high price for travelling with the ferry for 3 hours. Not value for the money.
"Hassle free way to travel between north & south NZ islands"
Very easy check in process with luggage taken from us and made available on arrival at Wellington quicker than normal experience at airports. Provision of NZ$15 food vouchers each made booking with Direct Ferries a good deal. Not worth using plus Lounge.
"Great Experience"
Loved our trip on the Wellington to Picton route. Beautiful scenery. Staff so helpful and loved the all inclusive lounge. thank you
"Great way to travel"
Ship was clean and on time. We had opted for the plus lounge. Very friendly and the food was great with beer and wine and soft drinks. Also was great to get outside and see the scenery
"Everything perfect"
The organization on the ship was very good. The car boarding as well as the unboarding was easy and quick. We got free lounge access from direct ferries so we had really good food for free.
"Wonderful "
The ferry was clean and the staff were very friendly and professional.... the trip departure and arrival were on time as planned and our luggage were waiting for us as soon as we got in the arrivals terminal.
"Amazing ferry"
Great time in the ferry from Wellington to Picton. Everything incredible.
"Smooth Crossing "
A very comfortable and good crossing on a turbulent sea with excellent service on board.
"A mixed experience "
We travelled on the Picton to Wellington ferry and had a lovely crossing with beautiful scenery and excellent service. However we arrived at 8am,having risen very early and driven from Blenheim, to check in for our 9am sailing only to be told that it had been cancelled but we could go on the 11am. I asked why we had not been informed of this as you did have our email address and phone number. The lady at check in apologised and said that she had heard of others who also had not been told. This was a great inconvenience and caused us to miss an appointment in Napier. I’m surprised that a company as large and reputable as yours allowed this to happened as we may have been able to make alternative arrangements. This was most disappointing especially as all of your staff who we encountered could not have been more accommodating. It was especially galling as we had travelled all of the way from Northern Ireland and were on a very tight schedule.
"Nice trip "
Everything ok! Despite of the bad weather the experience was great!
"Excellent Trip"
A wonderful crossing - friendly staff and the Plus Lounge was well worth the money. We saw dolphins and a wide variety of sea birds too !
"Interislander southbound"
Awesome trip. Great service in the upgrade lounge, lunch and drinks included. Journey was spectacular so a very memorable journey at a very reasonable price.
"Super"
A great trip. Highly recommend the Plus Lounge for extra payment.
"We arrived to check in to find NO ferry at that time , no one had let us know"
As above we arrived at 8.30 am for 9.05 booking to be told that there was NO ferry at that time . We were told that direct ferries had been informed of the change and we had been booked on the 7.30 am ferry. Direct ferries had never let us know. The only option was to book us on 2.15 ferry , that was not ideal as were meeting friends in Wellington at 1.30 and then had to travel to Taupo a journey of over 4 hours. We had no alternative but to take this later booking , but by the time we had disembarked it was 6.20 , the weather was horrendous and we had a 4 hr plus journey to Taupo on roads we didn’t know, It was the worst journey I have ever had in a car it took over 5 hours the rain was torrential it was dark and we had fog, the journey would of been much better had it been in daylight hours
"Nice upgrade.."
When booking there was a space available upgrade to the premium plus lounge and on both crossings this was honoured. Very handy as the crossing is over three hours. Had I booked direct with the ferry company it would have been £5 cheaper but with no lounge access. For £5 difference, we’ll worth it.
"Disappointing"
Having pre booked the Plus Lounge, we were very disappointed that when we arrived in the Plus Lounge the food had gone, we had a campervan and were one of the last to be loaded on to the ferry, the lounge was very busy with rugby fans who had eaten everything in sight, very unfair for those who arrive late to the lounge as they are loading their vehicles, most of the lounge were foot passengers. Maybe access could be allowed once everyone has been loaded rather than during.
"Excellent service"
Great crossing. On time and excellent amenities aboard - especially some good choices of Gluten-free food. Very comfortable lounges. Recommended.
"Très déçue !"
J’ai réservé un ferry aller- retour en Nouvelle Zélande pour 5 personnes. Par précaution, j’ai pris l’assurance me permettant de modifier ou d’annuler le ferry 48 heures à l’avance. Le voyage aller s’est très bien passé. Lorsque je veux annuler le retour 10 jours à l’avance on me répond que c’est impossible ! A quoi servent les assurances ? Très déçue de directferries . Aucun dédommagement !
"Great service "
We checked in as foot passengers for the morning sailing. Check in was smooth and we managed to secure a seat on deck 8. We purchased some beverages from the cafe and even a scone from the mid morning rounds. All the amenities were clean. And the staff were very friendly and helpful.
"Beautiful journey "
The journey itself is absolutely stunning with gorgeous views throughout the crossing. The facilities on board were fine, though we couldn’t get the WiFi working.
"Wellington to Picton Ferry return"
Saved significant amount on Direct Ferries as the other prices online were much expensive. The process was easy and straight online. Will do business again.
"Great trip"
We had a great crossing with the interislander. Off on time and landed on time. The embarking and disembarking of all the cars and wagons was excellent and worked like clockwork. Food on board was good and service was good. Would definitely recommend
"Through the Sounds on Inter-islander on a nice day"
Cool cruise on a nice day with good food, service and good staff. The crew did their job with a smile which makes a lot of diffrerence
