Bluebridge has launched a new premium lounge on one of its Cook Strait ferries in what’s thought to be a bid to attract a greater share of the passenger market held by rival operator Interislander.
StraitNZ Bluebridge spokesman Will Dady said the Pōhutukawa Lounge was introduced at the beginning of December due to strong customer demand.
“The lounge, which is a comfortable and private, child-free area, includes a selection of food and drinks including freshly made meals, gourmet snacks and a range of drinks (both alcohol and alcohol-free).
“There are a range of comfortable and spacious seating options and a private viewing deck.”
Passengers can upgrade to the lounge for $80 each on select Connemara sailings.
Bluebridge says its premium lounge has a range of comfortable and spacious seating and a private viewing deck. Photo / Bluebridge
Transport Minister Simeon Brown was scheduled to meet with StraitNZ chief executive Shane McMahon in August.
A briefing by Ministry of Transport officials ahead of the site visit said McMahon was particularly interested in showing the minister the construction of the premium lounge.
“The Interislander services offer a premium lounge, and we suspect this is Bluebridge’s attempt to begin attracting more of the passenger market,” Ministry officials said.
“It has historically targeted more of the freight market. Bluebridge claims approximately 56% of the commercial vehicle market (increasing from 47% in the last decade) and 31% of passengers (increasing from 24%).”
The briefing was released to the Herald under the Official Information Act.
Dady said Bluebridge has been carrying passengers since 2002.
“We see the addition of the lounge as an evolution of our product offering that over 400,000 passengers every year enjoy.
“We believe the quality of the lounge will be a big attraction for international visitors and Kiwis alike.”
Passengers can upgrade to the lounge for $80 each on select Connemara sailings.
While StraitNZ had the largest share of the Cook Strait freight market, the passenger market was also important, he said.
“The ships are designed to carry both freight and passengers so they’re an integral part of Bluebridge’s business model.”
Interislander executive general manager Duncan Roysaid KiwiRail first established a premium lounge almost 15 years ago.
These lounges were now available across Interislander’s entire fleet of three ships.
“Passengers who upgrade to Premium Lounge enjoy a peaceful environment, with a range of delicious local food and beverages, attentive service from our Premium Lounge hosts, and a range of comfortable seating,” Roy said.
“We’ve revamped our Premium Lounge menu ahead of the busy season to focus on a wider range of fresh, seasonal offerings and respond to our passengers who are looking for more options to suit specific dietary requirements.”
Interislander's premium lounge for ferry passengers. Photo / Interislander
Interislander’s premium lounge is also only for adults. It costs $89 per passenger.
Both ferry operators maintain there are strong passenger bookings for the summer despite uncertainty hanging over the future of Cook Strait.
Interislander’s ferries are nearing the end of their working lives and need to be replaced.
The Government swiftly cancelled the two mega ferries that were going to replace the fleet soon after it came to power. Overall costs for the project had blown out to more than $3 billion.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has put a solution to procure two rail-compatible ferries on the table. These are smaller than the mega ferries but bigger than the current ships.
However, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, who has been appointed as the Minister of Rail, is now in charge of delivering the new ferries and is on the hunt for a better option.
There have also been several high-profile ferry breakdowns including when Kaitaki lost power and started drifting in Cook Strait and when the Aratere ran aground.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis and newly appointed Minister for Rail Winston Peters. Photo / Mark Mitchell
“Kiwis travelling for the holiday season are being complemented by the return in larger numbers of international visitors.”
Roy said Interislander passenger bookings were also strong.
“The safe and reliable operation of the Interislander service is a non-negotiable requirement for the KiwiRail Board and management team.”
Georgina Campbell is a Wellington-based reporter who has a particular interest in local government, transport, and seismic issues. She joined the Herald in 2019 after working as a broadcast journalist.
