Tennessy Weir sails from Picton to Wellington on the Kaitiaki.
Built: Rotterdam, Holland.
Owners: KiwiRail.
Flag: British.
How big: 181.6m long.
The Kaitiaki ferry in the Marlborough Sounds. Photo / Supplied
Tennessy Weir sails from Picton to Wellington on the Kaitiaki.
Built: Rotterdam, Holland.
Owners: KiwiRail.
Flag: British.
How big: 181.6m long.
How old: 23 years old.
How many passengers: 1350, mainly tourists and families.
Destinations: She sails between Picton and Wellington.
Cruise length: 52 nautical miles, which takes about 3hr 30m.
Check-in: Fun at the beginning, but then the waiting went on and on and on.
Food: A wide selection of food and hearty meals for around $10. A trolley went around offering scones with jam and cream.
Entertainment: A magician who could make the best balloon sculptures, movies for all, and in the bar a seven-piece band from Wellington called Superbad that got everyone moving, playing jazz and soul covers.
Facilities: Everything you needed. A bar, cafe, play area, numerous decks to look out from and plenty of toilets. There was plenty of seating for everyone. Most families were seated on Level 7 where the magician was.
Service: With a smile.
What's great: The entertainment, hands down. The view is also great. Once you reach the Sounds, its pretty surreal.
What's not: The wait to check-in at Picton.
Ideal for: Taking your car between the North and South Islands.
Adults are filmed sprinting like kids across the pool to secure a spot.