Travelling Stena Rosslare to Fishguard...TIPS!

23-08-2009 12:33PM

#1

acmj2007

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please!
we haven't travelled by ferry before, looking at going Stena, Rosslare to Fishguard in October, any tips, 3 children, 7, 3 & 2
thanks!!!

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#2 23-08-2009 12:42PM

Berty

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I LOVE traveling by Ferry and grew up going on Holidays to the UK & France going on Ferries.

So First off. ALL of you will love it.

Tips: Hmmm

Well you will not need a cabin.

You then have a choice

Fastcraft or Cruise Ferry.

The fastcraft is of course faster and costs marginally more money BUT the negatives are:

It is very dependant on the weather and can be cancelled at the very last minute and you will be bumped onto the cruise ferry except you will be on standby for the cruise ferry because the people who booked the cruise ferry will get priority.

The Fastcraft has club class in most cases which is a waste of money if you have kids. Most adults move up to club class to relax or to work away from kids and it usually costs around €20 extra so you forking out an extra €100 per trip extra is probably a waste of money for the short journey.

Being October and the uncertain weather, personally, I would opt for the cruise ferry.

There are loads of things on board to entertain the kids as well.

Here is a link to the ship going from Rosslare - Fishguard. Lots to entertain you and the kids.

http://www.stenaline.ie/ferry/our-ships/stena-europe/activities/

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#3 23-08-2009 12:52PM

acmj2007

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Berty
thanks so much for your fast reply!
the fastcraft is not running on the dates we have picked
so it will be the cruise ferry
thought getting the club class might be easier to board first and get off first?
total novice here!;)

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#4 23-08-2009 12:58PM

Berty

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Are you in a hurry? If not then do not despair.

Basically in Rosslare they elect one or two lanes to be first boarded, rather like Ryanair and everybody else just follows afterwards.

Its no big deal really BUT we once got off the Ferry in Fishguard when there was a side entrance exit from a ramp(early 90's) and the guy said

"You are lucky, you will be the first car off the ferry and by the time the last car gets off you will be 1 hour down the road".

I dont like paying for something that used to confined to the realms of those who arrived first.

So, if you are not in a hurry then dont bother. Arrive when the check in to the queues opens and then you will be off just after the express people.

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#5 23-08-2009 01:12PM

phog

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If like my lads and you want to spend less time on board another option might be to take the fast ferry from Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead, if that route suits you, it's a bigger type craft than the one used in Rosslare crossing and is a bit more dependable in windy weather.

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#6 23-08-2009 01:25PM

Dozen Wicked Words

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Personally I would get a cabin, just makes it easier to keep an eye on the kids. We have similar aged kids to OP and on previous trip without a cabin it was a nightmare keeping an eye on them, especially in rough seas. Also handy to have own loo with kids too. 2 bed cabin small, but ok with young kids.

Stena seem slower to board than Irish Ferries but we have been off as quick, if not quicker with Stena than Irish Ferries and as a previous poster says, there are side doors they disembark from as well as main door.

When booking with Stena, use their UK site, it usually works out cheaper in sterling than Euro, there is a code on Boards that gets 12% off Stena too. (Not 100% sure its still valid but worth a look, its an AXA offer, but I'm not with AXA and used it with no problem 3 weeks ago)

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055545301

Fishguard is a nice little port and Stena have a wii the kids can play with and usually have a little freebie for the kids, we got juggling balls last trip!!!!

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#7 23-08-2009 01:32PM

strongbluebell

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Book as soon as possible for the cheapest fares.
Worth having a look at upgrading to the higher rate, you'll be boarded first, have access to club class lounge and be first off at fishguard.
I did that during the summer and it worked out only a little more expensive.
Free drinks and nibbles in club class lounge.

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#8 23-08-2009 02:05PM

acmj2007

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it works out as €40 each way for club class
DH wants to get it, he doesn't do queues LOL
dooferoaks,
the cabin is a similar price, I know the kids woudln't sleep
but I can see the benefits!:) thanks for that link as well, really appreciate it!
is the cabin tiny?

not an option to sail to Holyhead, as we are heading very south!
thanks a million!

roof box, a good idea?

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#9 23-08-2009 02:11PM

Berty

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acmj2007 wrote: »

is the cabin tiny?

not an option to sail to Holyhead, as we are heading very south!
thanks a million!

roof box, a good idea?

Kids or not I do not think a cabin is required. There is enough to entertain the kids on board. Like with anything DO NOT let the kids out of the deck by themselves.

Holyhead down to the bristol is an extra 3 hours. Not really worth it.

Roof Box = More money + less space on the ferries because of this.

With 3 kids I imagine you will need to take nearly everything in the house with you so its possibly a benefit.

A good roof box will cost around €450 including roof bars and fitting (NOT HALFORDS)

+ an extra price to pay to bring the roof box onto the ferry.

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#10 23-08-2009 02:38PM

Dozen Wicked Words

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Think Berty we will have to agree to disagree , my kids are 6 4 and 1 and while there is plenty to do on the ferry, I would always prefer to have our own space, most importantly, with a door to keep them in!

Cabin is bunk beds, small table and very basic chair. Minimal floor space, toilet and shower are a decent size. Not luxurious by any means.

Roofbox will depend on how much stuff you want to bring. If its just idea you will bring a lot back I would hold on and buy one in UK. Didn't realise they now charge for a Roofbox, thought it was done on total height, so as long as total height does not exceed 1.8metres the price would be the same.

We have a portable DVD player (from Aldi or somewhere similar), we copy a DVD's worth of childrens telly onto DVDs and that kills a couple of hours of the journey.

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#11 23-08-2009 02:55PM

acmj2007

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thanks everyone for all the replies
I really appreciate them

I am considering the cabin, one child has special needs and it may be an advantage, this is also why I am considering the club class, as I am hoping it is quieter?

how much do the ferries charge for roof box?

it would just mean we can bring buggies and obviously bags etc..

we got the Aldi dual screens, lifesaver;)

dooferoaks, do you get a key for the cabin so you can come and go?

thanks again everyone:)

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#12 23-08-2009 03:00PM

Dozen Wicked Words

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when you get to the port and book in, they will give you your boarding card, and 2 copies of your key so you can come and go no problem. They are cardboard keys, exactly same size as boarding card, they can take a couple of swipes to get in, but work.

Just leave it in the door when you leave, oh, and if you do book a cabin, give it a good ten minutes after they knock on the door (they will knock to say you have nearly arrived) before you leave cabin to wait around waiting to get to car deck.

I don't think they charge for roofbox, think its dependant on total height not exceeding 1.8m but Berty may know something I don't

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#13 23-08-2009 03:25PM

phog

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acmj2007 wrote: »

not an option to sail to Holyhead, as we are heading very south!
thanks a million!

roof box, a good idea?

You know best about going via Holyhead but the time on the cruise ship as opposed to the fast ferry should be taken into account also travel time at this side.

Either way, I dont see the point of a cabin unless the time of sailing makes it late at night and the kids need sleep time.

Roof box for all the stuff is a good idea, we've never used one but it gives more space in the car but you need to factor in (aside from price) a different queue for a higher vehicle, not sure who gets priority.

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#14 23-08-2009 04:21PM

highlydebased

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I've been on both the Stena Europe ("Cruise ship") and the Stena Lynx III (fast ferry) between rosslare and fishguard this summer

If you have to get the Stena Europe because of dates, try to get the Stena Plus (the club class), well worth it. Either that or go for the seats in the small room at the back of the ship, at the back of the bar. Theres large windows looking out onto the sea but it would be an easy way to keep an eye on kids. The cabins are small old and musty...I'd spend the money on stena plus instead of a cabin!

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#15 04-09-2009 06:42AM

acmj2007

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finally booked!
thanks everyone for all you help and info!:)

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#16 04-09-2009 11:41AM

Fratton Fred

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Depending on where you are headed, irish Ferries to pembroke may be easier, I find it a nicer drive the other end. The crossing is a bit longer but I find it easier for kids on the ferry than in the car.

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#17 07-02-2013 01:01PM

tankbarry

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are they showers in the cabins on stena europe Im driving alot before the ferry and a shower onboard would be nice.

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