Stenaline Dub- Holyhead Overnight ferry - good idea?

Casati

Am heading to UK end of the week and thinking of booking the Friday night/ Sat morning 02.15 ferry ex Dublin.

Anybody here know what is the earliest time that you can board the ferry with a car? I guess its worth taking the cabin even for 3 and half hours?

Atlantic Dawn

Earliest would be I'd say an hour before departure time but could be as little as half an hour, the turnarounds for the ships are not far off what Ryanair do with the planes.

There is comfortable seating on the ship but if you want a proper sleep a cabin is best.

mondeoman72

I have taken this ferry multiple times, but not recently for obvious reasons. It does appear to be a good idea to get a cabin, but you only have your head down and you are up again. Announcements about safety before you leave, then more as ferry coming into dock. Of course it depends on your own circumstances and if you have little ones, but you will generally have less time in it than you think.

Casati

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118948677#Comment_118948677

Yeah I imagine its not going to be possible to sleep until its departed so limited benefit getting there early. My ticket says boarding closes 40 mins before departure but does say when it opens - I'll aim to get there a good hour before and have booked a cabin - 3 hours sleep isnt great but its better than 0 hours sleep

theteal

We get the late ferry every time. After the drive from London, I have no issue falling asleep before the boat departs. I'd say there's generally a good 30-40 mins between boarding and departure. I'd definitely get less sleep on the return journey from Dublin but we still have the benefit of quieter roads for the drive home.