Travelling between Ireland & Britain? Which Ferry company do you choose?

LordSutch

Which ferry company do you prefer when travelling between Ireland & Britain? We always travel Stena Line, (Rosslare to Fishguard) as we think the staff are nicer, the ships are better maintained, & the prices are competitive too . . .

Who's your favourite ferry Company between Ireland & Britain?

BenShermin

I always try to use Irish Ferries, they have much classier ferries than any of the Irish sea competition imo. Big cushy leather sofas in the common areas, proper pints in the pubs, better food albiet expensive, excellent courteous staff who show pride and in-depth knowledge in the ferries they work on.

Ulysses on the Dublin to Holyhead route is also miles ahead of any other Irish sea ferry in terms of sea handling ability, during stormy winters there is little chance of cancelations or delays which is more than can be said for other companies in my experience. I can depend on their reliability to get me there.

Stena Line imo also have excellent staff, but their ferries let them down. They have a real clinically feel to them, and I can never seem to get any comfort at all. Large screen tellys on Stena showing kids movies and/or soccer just ensure a noisy sailing for me, I've really no intrest in that. I also find their ferries very bad at handling rough weather, doesn't bother me as I don't get seasick, but on crowded sailings it gets uncomfortable when you're surrounded by ill passengers.

Pricewise, I find both companies very close to each other, especially for foot passengers.

As for maintenance, I'm sure both the Irish and British governments demand excellent safety standards of all vessels. I'd never be worried about saftey on any company on the Irish Sea to be honest.

LordSutch

I understand that Stena will be renewing & reviewing their terms with Dun Laoghaire Ferry Port this year, and I hope they do a good deal, it would be a real shame if Stena had to pull out of the Dun Laoghaire - Holyhead route.