Stena Line to France - any good?

Dr. Nick

We've only ever got Irish Ferries to France, has anyone used the Stena boat Horizon? Seems a lot cheaper, what are the main differences?

Uncle Ben

Dr. Nick wrote: »

We've only ever got Irish Ferries to France, has anyone used the Stena boat Horizon? Seems a lot cheaper, what are the main differences?

Never used that specific ship however did travel Stena landbridge to France about 12 years back and I've never done it since and don't expect to ever do it again.
Like you I was attracted by the price however in hindsight it was totally more expensive in price and time.
Dublin to Holyhead /Holyhead to Dover/Dover to Calais and that was before a 5 hour trek to Brittany. Add in fuel, narky kids, motorway services at exorbitant prices and M25 rush hour traffic =1 very large nightmare and plenty of stress.
If your not tied to ferries and times it might suit. Personally however nothing like rolling up the car deck, getting something to eat, a few pints and a nice sleep. Far more relaxing.

Dr. Nick

Thanks Uncle Ben, actually I meant their direct route, which sails from Rosslare to Roscoff Tue and Thurs.

Uncle Ben

Dr. Nick wrote: »

Thanks Uncle Ben, actually I meant their direct route, which sails from Rosslare to Roscoff Tue and Thurs.

jeez, in all the years since the aforementioned nightmare I've never looked at a Stena brochure or website. I always travelled Irish Ferries or Brittany since I thought Stena just did the landbridge.
Thanks.

650Ginge

Uncle Ben wrote: »

jeez, in all the years since the aforementioned nightmare I've never looked at a Stena brochure or website. I always travelled Irish Ferries or Brittany since I thought Stena just did the landbridge.
Thanks.

As far as I know they bought out celtic link and are using there boats. I haven't used any if the overnight boats in a while. There all prison like to me.

Uncle Ben

650Ginge wrote: »

As far as I know they bought out celtic link and are using there boats. I haven't used any if the overnight boats in a while. There all prison like to me.

Just after putting in my details on their site now. Quoted €311 for myself and the missus compared to €390 with Irish Ferries for September. Every little helps!!

munchkin_utd

used irish ferries before christmas and stena for the way back to France after christmas.
The differences are well documented here on Boards.

but basically, If the time and price suits of Stena and you are happy reading a book or watching a dvd in the cabin on the laptop, then youll be happy with them.
If you are ok with the higher price and need a choice of restaurants and bars and intend spending more time out of the cabin then irish ferries would suit better.

keithclancy

We came on the Stena Horizon just before Christmas,

Boat is grand, not that big, cars are on an open deck on the top of the boat, so It'll cost you the price of the ferry and an underbody car wash

Unloading is a bit slow not drive on drive off, everyone has to reverse and then drive out.

There's a restaurant that's ok, there was a mad smell of paint thinner though.

Free Wifi on board too that was decent enough for Satellite Internet

If you do go and want some wine then get it from the restaurant, they have a special for 7 euros whereas the bar is charging 15 euros for the same thing.

Cabin wise, we got the Captain Class which was a double bedroom and a separate lounge area with flat screen TV.

We went with Stena because the times didn't suit with the other ferries and we had the dog with us so we could drop into the kennels during the trip.

We went over with Irish Ferries some years ago, imo at the end of the day its a boat where you just have a few pints and go to bed/watch a movie in your cabin.

_Brian

munchkin_utd wrote: »

used irish ferries before christmas and stena for the way back to France after christmas.
The differences are well documented here on Boards.

but basically, If the time and price suits of Stena and you are happy reading a book or watching a dvd in the cabin on the laptop, then youll be happy with them.
If you are ok with the higher price and need a choice of restaurants and bars and intend spending more time out of the cabin then irish ferries would suit better.

This post sums it up well..
We tried the Celtic Link option a few years ago as it was a €400 saving on the ferry crossing, would never take that ferry again.

Irish ferries have a nice ship with a reasonable level of comfort, selection of food/restaurants. We treat the ferry crossing as a proper holiday day so it needs to have a decent standard, downgrading to the cheaper crossing just made it feel like basic transport, something to be endured before starting the holiday proper... Actually herself wanted to pay for an IF crossing back she disliked it so much.

Carawaystick

We came back on the Stenna ship last July,
The cabins were much bigger than on Brittany ferries, wider beds, more space between them.

We boarded at Cherbourg at 8pm and arrived in Rosslare before noon, so little enough entertaining to do for the smallies.

Cool Daddy

Has anyone got any tips for a speedy exit from the ferry? Is it better to board first or last

keithclancy

Cool Daddy wrote: »

Has anyone got any tips for a speedy exit from the ferry? Is it better to board first or last

Board last, drive off first. The trucks and stuff will go from the lower decks before you anyway.

However they may place you in a different lane which will affect your boarding anyway, this is due to the fact they distribute the weight evenly across the deck.