Full booking capacity for new Spirit ferries not yet available, ahead of first sailings

• The new Spirit of Tasmania IV and V ferries are scheduled to begin service on October 31, offering significantly more passenger and vehicle space than the vessels they are replacing.
• Despite the upcoming launch, TT-Line has not yet released the additional booking capacity to the public, missing a previously stated May deadline while awaiting further equipment testing.
• Current booking availability is severely restricted, with standard vehicle spots unavailable until late November and caravan spaces booked out until late February.

With less than two months until the new Spirit of Tasmania ferries embark on their first official voyages, travelers are still unable to book any of the promised extra space. Despite the Spirit of Tasmania IV and V offering significantly more room than the outgoing fleet, the expanded capacity remains locked behind a cautious rollout plan.

The new vessels represent a massive upgrade for the service, each boasting an additional 1,500 meters of vehicle lane space and room for 400 more passengers. However, even with the inaugural sailing scheduled for October 31, ferry operator TT-Line is currently only selling tickets that match the capacity of the older, smaller ships. The company has stated that the additional berths and vehicle spots will stay off the market until further testing and gantry commissioning are complete.

This delay marks a significant departure from earlier government timelines. Last December, Premier Jeremy Rockliff assured the public that the full range of accommodation and vehicle space would be available for purchase by May. When recently asked for an updated release date, TT-Line declined to provide a specific timeframe, though they did confirm the October 31 launch remains on track.

For travelers, the lack of access to this “hidden” capacity is creating a major booking bottleneck. Recent checks show that passengers hoping to transport a standard car from the mainland to Tasmania are facing a total blackout until November 19. The situation is even more challenging for those towing large caravans, with the next available sailing not appearing until late February—more than five months away.

While the arrival of the new ships is expected to eventually ease the pressure on the Bass Strait crossing, the current restrictions mean that for now, the much-anticipated boost to Tasmanian tourism remains on hold.

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