July 29th, 2009 - Top Holyhead Dublin Ferry Travel Tips
Planning your family vacation to Ireland may well see you take the Holyhead Dublin ferry to the Irish capital. Let me share some key tips that can help make the experience of your ferry to Ireland a more pleasant and enjoyable one. Your first decision will be whether to take the world’s largest car ferry, the Ulysses, across the Irish Sea or to skip across in the appropriately named Dublin Swift, a small, fast ferry.
The Holyhead Dublin route sees the Cruise ferry cover the journey in 3.25 hours while the faster Dublin Swift ploughs across in a staggering 1.75 hours, and between them the two ferries make eight crossings daily. Now you must decide whether you want to go for the fast or slow crossing, though much will depend on when you intend to arrive in Dublin with the fast ferry departing Holyhead at lunchtime and again after five. Remember for the overnight sailing the Cruise ferry has en-suite cabins which may be a consideration for you.
So how will you go to Ireland? By car, bike, on foot or with a caravan or motor home, it makes no difference as far as the ferry company is concerned, as they take all the hassle out of the logistics for you. And for those with pets such as cats and dogs, you have no worries about entry into Dublin. Checking-in times at Holyhead are only a maximum of thirty minutes, and there is no fuel surcharge even with a carbon footprint to consider, while all taxes are included in the price.
A strong recommendation is to try to be as flexible as possible when booking your ferry to Ireland, as you will invariably find that a different date gives you a cheaper fare. And bear in mind that the Crusie ferry generally costs less than the fast ferry, and going over midweek will save you money compared to the weekend. A special offer called the Frequent Traveller Scheme rewards you if you travel at least three times with the company in a 12 month period, a big 20 per cent reduction off future tickets.
Part of the planning for the Ireland trip will be choosing your ideal place to stay and there are some good reasons to do this at the same time as booking your ferry crossing. It could be you want a quality hotel in Dublin or perhaps a cottage holiday package out in Limerick, Wicklow or Kerry. Booking with the ferry company you can secure serious offers like free child places, third and sometimes fourth night free in hotels and a mega seven nights free in a self-catering cottage break. You can already imagine your warm cottage waiting for you in Galway.
No doubt you will want as much comfort as possible when aboard the Holyhead Dublin ferry The ferry company offers a special Club Class pass which means you get priority boarding as well as the benefit of a Reserved Lounge and an exclusive Lounge Bar. Free newspapers and refreshments are also available as is a special discount off any goods you buy at the onboard shop. Another special deal you may want to consider is the Sail Rail which gives good flexibility and prices for train journeys from any station in Britain to Holyhead, as well as from Dublin when you are in Ireland.
There are some very good offers for car drivers as well as foot passengers, bicycle, motorcycle riders and caravans on the Irish Ferries route, and if you know you in advance you will be travelling to Ireland it is well worth booking early online. Onboard the ferry there is a wide range of entertainment to suite all the family if you cannot sleep during the voyage. Whether you choose to go by Cruise ferry or the fast route, you can be sure that your Holyhead Dublin ferry will provide a comfortable setting for this short sea crossing, and a good start for your vacation.
