Leaving Port Melbourne to Devonport with our car and return. First time experience.
Queue for boarding, long waiting time, took about 30mins to get on board. I think it is first in last out, we always get in early and both times go up to deck 6. They always called deck 3 and 5 to leave first when arrived.
Loading and unloading is easy, just follow instructions, there are staffs to guide you where you need to go and park or drive out.
We booked a cabin for 4, not much room to move around with bunks on each side.
We brought our own snacks for dinner so can't comment on the food offering.
For people like me who have motion sickness, from Melbourne to Devonport, the ride is smooth, no problem until about 3am, a little bit of bumpy waves, according to the staff, it is consider very smooth so I guess it is all good.
From Devonport to Melbourne, kind of a bumpy ride, even my daughter who doesn't have motion sickness also feel not well, we all end up sleep early.
Overall experience is great and fun. We took the overnight ride. Saw the sunset while leaving Melbourne and the sunrise when arrived back at Melbourne. The ride is about 9hrs.
The cost of the ride is similar to air tickets with car rental for 4 but I preferred to take my own car and all my "stuff" for touring Tassie, stuff like body boards, snorkelling gears, wet suits, shoes, sandals and wet shoes. Would definitely do it again!