Latrobe and Mersey Valley residents hoping to take their caravans across Bass Strait for a Christmas holiday may find themselves out of luck, with reports indicating significant difficulty in securing bookings on the Spirit of Tasmania ferries for the upcoming festive season. Many travellers have expressed frustration online, noting the scarcity of available spots for vehicles, particularly larger ones like caravans.
The booking challenges come as the new Spirit of Tasmania IV and V vessels are poised to take over services. These new ships are scheduled to commence operations for bookings made for travel after October 31, 2026. Despite the anticipation surrounding the new ferries, which are designed to offer “much more space, especially for caravans, motorhomes and other large vehicles,” securing a passage for Christmas remains a hurdle for many.
According to information shared by ABC News, the introduction of the new ships also brings a significant change to the sailing schedule. Initially, the timetable for the new vessels will strictly include night sailings. While the Spirit of Tasmania’s official website indicates that the timetable “can change based on demand” and that day sailings could be considered in the future if demand is higher, the current focus on night crossings has raised concerns about overall daily vehicle capacity.
Some observers have suggested that even with the increased capacity of the new ships, the reduction from both day and night sailings to primarily night sailings could, in effect, lead to a decrease in the total number of vehicles transported daily. This potential reduction in overall daily capacity, despite larger individual vessels, might contribute to the current booking difficulties experienced by those planning their Christmas travels.
Comments on ABC Hobart’s social media channels from earlier this week highlighted the extent of the problem, with numerous individuals stating they were unable to book for Christmas, describing the situation as “frustrating and embarrassing” for Tasmania’s vital transport link. One commenter noted, “We are in the same boat, trying to return for Xmas with family. We are a Tasmanian family, and can’t get a booking.”
TT-Line, the operator of the Spirit of Tasmania, has previously indicated that any current limitations are not permanent, aligning with the possibility of schedule adjustments based on demand. Travellers are advised to regularly check the official Spirit of Tasmania website for the latest availability and schedule updates, as well as information regarding the full rollout of features on the new ships, such as pet cabins, which are not yet available for booking.
For more details and ongoing updates, readers are encouraged to refer to the original reporting by ABC News (Tasmania).