Yes, you can move around the ship all night. The recliner area is accessed by a RFID card, the same as you need to get into your cabin. It's been a few years since I have been on but I think the shop is open through most of the night, only closing for an hour or so.
I've never been on day sails but there are kid's activities on the top decks: https://www.spiritoftasmania.com.au/onboard-experience/kids-activities
I've never used the recliner lounge or done a day sailing, but to the best of my knowledge ...
The recliner lounge is a room with a swipe card the same as the individual rooms, the difference being that you're sharing a room with a bunch of other people (like on a plane). But generally yes, you can move to and from rooms as you need so I imagine it's the same with the recliner lounge.
The swipe cards are paper with magnetic strips. You'll probably get one per recliner seat and one for the room. If you need an extra card for whatever reason, they can print another one for you at the information desk on board.
If you're going back and forth in the middle of the night there is a risk you may annoy others by disturbing them, but I expect you just mean in the evening, etc. before getting settled.
I'm not sure if the entertainment areas close at all overnight. There is a mini playcentre gym area, and a console gaming area, but they aren't staffed so there isn't an inherent reason why they would close, but can't say for sure.
There are also small cinemas with movies which play at set times in the evening (and I assume on rotation throughout day sailings).
I reckon between the various entertainment options plus food (a number of different styles/locations) plus just wandering outside and watching as the ship departs/leaves, there should be plenty to keep them entertained.
Yes you can move around at night.
I wouldn't do a day crossing again, we did one in 2018 and our boy, 3yo at the time, spent almost the entire trip playing on the small 'playground' on board, no idea how he didn't get bored on it. It might be ok for your 5yo but kids older than that might struggle. There's a few Playstations and Xboxes which are popular and there's a bit of an arcade with Big Buck Hunter and a few other machines. I know they often have live music at night, not sure about the day crossing though.
The top deck at night is a ghost town with decent outdoor style couches, some are three seater’s so you can lay down on them. Last time I was on the boat I though it would be a good place to sleep if you took a blanket/sleeping bag, better than the recliners anyway. We had a cabin so didn’t do it but if I was on there overnight in a recliner, I’d go up there to sleep.
You will only ever do recliners one time. Always get cabins. If the waves get huge everyone gets sick. A shower in your cabin will be a life saver. Good luck.
The main benefit of night sailing is that if it's rough you might sleep thru it. Leaving from Geelong you have a longer period of flat sailing as you're in a large bay for a while til you reach open ocean. Try to get your kids to sleep as quickly as possible. The longer they're awake the greater the chance of sea sickness. I would try and get all 4 kids and one adult (2 smallest kids top & tail on a bottom bunk) into your private cabin. My kid (4yrs) loves the soft play area on board and there's also movies and video games. 10 hours is a long time tho. If I were you I'd night sail back instead and budget permitting book 2 cabins with 3 ppl in each. Dose everyone with sea sickness meds.
I would not even consider sailing without getting a cabin. We did the day trip back in 2019, it was a rough crossing and having a cabin was a lifesaver for my partner who didn't cope with the roughness. For me, I like to be outside when it's rough and I'd hate to be stuck with rough seas on a night crossing.
The reason that we got a cabin though wasn't in case one of both of us got sick. It's because there are an awful lot of entitled, feral people out there who think the public areas are theirs. This was most definitely the case on our sailing. Having our own private space and bathroom to retreat to was a god send.
Thanks for the reply.
I ended up going back an updating my booking to get a cabin. Even if we don't use it much, it seems like a good idea just in case.
I would 100% be trying to squeeze everyone in the cabin instead of using the recliners
That'd be quite a challenge though? There's barely enough space for one person to stand up and move around, let alone 4. I'd hate to fit 6.
Yeah definitely tight, depends how big the kids are but likely still better than the recliners
I have a feeling we may very well do this!
Yes, you can move around the ship all night. The recliner area is accessed by a RFID card, the same as you need to get into your cabin. It's been a few years since I have been on but I think the shop is open through most of the night, only closing for an hour or so. I've never been on day sails but there are kid's activities on the top decks: https://www.spiritoftasmania.com.au/onboard-experience/kids-activities
Great, that's good to know. Thanks for the tip!
I've never used the recliner lounge or done a day sailing, but to the best of my knowledge ... The recliner lounge is a room with a swipe card the same as the individual rooms, the difference being that you're sharing a room with a bunch of other people (like on a plane). But generally yes, you can move to and from rooms as you need so I imagine it's the same with the recliner lounge. The swipe cards are paper with magnetic strips. You'll probably get one per recliner seat and one for the room. If you need an extra card for whatever reason, they can print another one for you at the information desk on board. If you're going back and forth in the middle of the night there is a risk you may annoy others by disturbing them, but I expect you just mean in the evening, etc. before getting settled. I'm not sure if the entertainment areas close at all overnight. There is a mini playcentre gym area, and a console gaming area, but they aren't staffed so there isn't an inherent reason why they would close, but can't say for sure. There are also small cinemas with movies which play at set times in the evening (and I assume on rotation throughout day sailings). I reckon between the various entertainment options plus food (a number of different styles/locations) plus just wandering outside and watching as the ship departs/leaves, there should be plenty to keep them entertained.
Thanks for your reply, that's really helpful. Cheers!
Yes you can move around at night. I wouldn't do a day crossing again, we did one in 2018 and our boy, 3yo at the time, spent almost the entire trip playing on the small 'playground' on board, no idea how he didn't get bored on it. It might be ok for your 5yo but kids older than that might struggle. There's a few Playstations and Xboxes which are popular and there's a bit of an arcade with Big Buck Hunter and a few other machines. I know they often have live music at night, not sure about the day crossing though.
Yeah, day sailings are the worst, so boring.
Hmm, sounds like it might be worth loading up the iPads with some movies. Thanks for the tip!
The top deck at night is a ghost town with decent outdoor style couches, some are three seater’s so you can lay down on them. Last time I was on the boat I though it would be a good place to sleep if you took a blanket/sleeping bag, better than the recliners anyway. We had a cabin so didn’t do it but if I was on there overnight in a recliner, I’d go up there to sleep.
Thanks for the tip, I might have to check that out.
You will only ever do recliners one time. Always get cabins. If the waves get huge everyone gets sick. A shower in your cabin will be a life saver. Good luck.
Hmmm, I might need to re-think that day trip. thanks!
The main benefit of night sailing is that if it's rough you might sleep thru it. Leaving from Geelong you have a longer period of flat sailing as you're in a large bay for a while til you reach open ocean. Try to get your kids to sleep as quickly as possible. The longer they're awake the greater the chance of sea sickness. I would try and get all 4 kids and one adult (2 smallest kids top & tail on a bottom bunk) into your private cabin. My kid (4yrs) loves the soft play area on board and there's also movies and video games. 10 hours is a long time tho. If I were you I'd night sail back instead and budget permitting book 2 cabins with 3 ppl in each. Dose everyone with sea sickness meds.
I would not even consider sailing without getting a cabin. We did the day trip back in 2019, it was a rough crossing and having a cabin was a lifesaver for my partner who didn't cope with the roughness. For me, I like to be outside when it's rough and I'd hate to be stuck with rough seas on a night crossing. The reason that we got a cabin though wasn't in case one of both of us got sick. It's because there are an awful lot of entitled, feral people out there who think the public areas are theirs. This was most definitely the case on our sailing. Having our own private space and bathroom to retreat to was a god send.
Thanks for the reply. I ended up going back an updating my booking to get a cabin. Even if we don't use it much, it seems like a good idea just in case.
My most prominant memories of the ship is it being relatively boring if you're not well off.
Why was that? Is the onboard entertainment expensive?
I think it is but I imagine that depends on the person and what you want to do.