My partner wants to go to Ireland on holiday but I am nervous of ferries and flying.?

Question

I think I can tolerate the ferry best and have been advised to take the 'fast ferry'. He is planning to book a holiday from a catalogue which includes the ferry trip. Does anyone have experience with this system and are the ferries safe? I can't swim.

Answer 1

The ferries are safe, but statistically, if you are worried about safety, flying is safer than the ferry.

Once you've got to the port or airport, the most dangerous part of your journey (the bit taken by car) is over.

Answer 2

i prefer flying any day. at least if you go down, that's it, you're a gonner, not faffing about in the water for a few hours/days. but like trish d said, more chance of a car accident than plane crash.

Answer 3

The fast ferry from Fishguard, the Lynx, is quite a small one, so it can be a bit choppy on that one.  The HSS from Holyhead however is huge and most impressive to travel on, just a gentle sway in even quite rough water.  The crossing time is impressively short as well.  By the time you've settled down, had some grub and a pint, Ireland will be in view.  Go to the back of the ship once you're well underway, the plumes of water from the back are awesome.

Answer 4

The ferries are far better than flying if you are nervous as u can walk around do stuff, get a drink etc plus having you're car with u big bonus for exploring Ireland, you will enjoy it.  All the best xxLizzy

Answer 5

You totally have my sympathy!!!! I don't fly, i have done in the past and the more i did it the more i hated it, so now i just WON'T do it. I go over to Ireland every her and only came back last week. I always get the ferry and find it quit enjoyable. If you get the slow ferry it takes about 3 ans a half hours, theres a massive shop on board,a cinema,a few restaurants or if you want to be on you own you can book a cabin for £20.00. If you get the fast ferry ( which is what i get ) it takes 1 hour 50 mins. Theres a shop on board ( not as big as the slow ferry ) a bar and a restaurant. I would choose sailing any day over getting a plane. I think its totally safe, and for me the best way to travel. If you need anymore info please feel free to email me, as Ive said i do this trip once a year.

Answer 6

The fast ferries are more like big trains than boats.  They travel at about 45mph and unless the sea is very rough they travel very "flat".  

Don't worry they are very safe and once you are moving you will enjoy it.   Go out on the open deck area and be amazed at the force of the wind because you are travelling so fast!

I am a poor swimmer as well but never hesitate to go on them!   Went on the Dover-Bolougne one last week and also been on the Irish and Channel Island ones.

Make sure he can specify the fast ferry if booking a package holiday.  The ordinary ferries are usually the included ones in packages.

Don't worry, you will love it!  

P.S. If it is rough just sit down in the middle of the boat in the

        lower deck area, not upstairs as this increases the

        movement.

Answer 7

Lets hope the sea is not choppy! Seriously though, ferries are fast and very safe.I'm heading back to Scotland with the wife and "weein" and only  travel by ferry because I'm fed up with the low fares airlines. They are comfortable and very relaxing instead of being rammed into a plane!

Good Luck have fun trip

Answer 8

the conventinal ferry is the best' its a 3 hour crossing from fishguard to rosslair or from pembroke to rosslair, and these are my favourite to go from' i don't like the fast ferry, and you get so much to do on the ferry'you can have a few drinks play on the bandits watch a film do some shopping, or you can read a few magazines or a book. os simply sit and relax,the ferry is so big you can go for a walk around the ferry. if you fly its only like half an hour so that is good. let us know what you decide to do,

Answer 9

the ferries are huge and very comfortable and safe, and you can take a car on them.. i recommend Stena Line, which is the fastest and biggest. if it's the sickness you're worried about sure can't you take travel tablets or something?

Answer 10

if your that bad, stay at home

Answer 11

Oh, come on. You're going to die anyway. You might as well live until then.

Ferries are fine, flights are fine also. Ferries are actually a lot of fun, with onboard cinemas, activity rooms, restaurants ...

I'd advise you to get over yourself. Your partner might decide they've had enough of you and travel with someone else.