Lovely crossing if the Strait is calm & the weather makes being out of the deck favourable. Staff courteous & friendly. Lots of food options on board that are reasonably priced and good quality. Several sailings a day. I took the last sailing outbound & the 630pm inbound. Booked in advance online (good idea as I was coming back to the N. Island on a stat). Saw dolphins on the way back to Wellington! If staff tell you the ferry is full don’t give your backpack a seat. It can go on the floor. Time to get up close n’ personal with your fellow passenger and let them have the seat next to you. Selfish asshats.