The best, most reliable ship on the Irish Sea. I won’t hear a bad word against her ❤. In bad weather when all the others a cancelled, U still ploughs on like she’s on a mill pond.
Yep! I love this ship. I was seriously ill in Galway at the beginning of the year. My dad was trying to get to me in so.e terrible weather. Everything was cancelled, flights, other ships, but this one got my dad across and he was by my bedside in time for my surgery. This ship might be old now, but she's amazing.
Sandycove is a location near central Dublin and referenced in James Joyce's 1922 novel "Ulysses" The protagonist in the novel is surprise surprise Leopold Bloom and the novel is set on 16 June 1904 which is known as Bloomday and folks go round Dublin looking at the sites mentioned in the novel.
The ship is called Ulysses...read the book and find Leopold Bloom. As for the ship itself, the lay out or number of cafes/bars have never bothered me on these shortish trips. The Irish Sea can be a beast and I recall with not fond memories our trips back and forth in the 1980s. The stabilisers they have on Ulysses means that you no longer feel that you are in a washing machine when the weather is rough.
My favourite ferry on the Irish Sea, I adore going on the night sailing to Dublin. I’m guessing your issue might be with the food, which isn’t great but Stena is just the same. Eat before you board and just go for a coffee and muffin 👍🇮🇪
I've sailed both Irish ferries and Stena between Holyhead and Dublin. For me, it's Stena hands down. Best value, friendliest crew and generally great design on the newer ships like Stena Estrid. Irish Ferries staff I found very quiet and almost arrogant like they didn't want to talk to anyone. I also found their ship, Dublin Swift to be very noisy, cramped and very much in need of a deep refurb. Fantastic video as always!
When one is setting out to write a review of a trip it is advisable to rid oneself of preconceived negative thoughts and do a little reading about the history of the various elements involved. Ignorance is bliss.
Yes, others have said that too and I guess that is a proper positive when all other sailings are cancelled. Just wish there was more deck space really. That was my main thing but it’s a personal thing - totally accept that. 😊👍
Good video as ever Mark. I agree the outdoor space is spartan but compared to the tiny space Jonathan Swift fast ferry it's not bad at all. Entering Dublin your footage showed the Great south wall, designed to keep Dublin port free from silt and was the longest sea wall in the world at the time of construction. Its worth walking out to poolbeg lighthouse another time. Its counterpart the North bull wall had as its chief surveyor none other than Captain Bligh, a few years before his voyage on the Bounty!
Been on Ulysses about 60 times in last ten years, best ferry on the irish sea,always runs, never a bad trip, thank god for stabilisers. Ship is a bit tired now and i always snooze in the cinema seats above the duty free shop, deck 9, ruby stairs
Exactly Dave, totally agree. I can only apologise to anyone else who was expecting me to have read James Joyce Ulysses prior to the trip. I just don’t have the time 😊
I’ve travelled on this ship for years when I’ve travelled from Holyhead to Dublin but always went on the evening. It is expensive on there for most stuff. Great video
another great upload ....when ulysses was launched the restaurant area where pheonix is was burger king ....and it was non stop busy...other eating outlets were empty ....but it closed possible to contract issues ....unknown
Boy George's memoirs? Probably not quite as useful as Johnson's, which would be very useful and eminently satisfying when caught short in the Forest of Dean.
I caught the afternoon boat in Sep 2018 after the morning ferry was cancelled because of bad weather. Managed to get to Galway by train 10 minutes before the hotel closed. Both Irish ferries were cancelled for the return trip because of bad weather. I managed to book on the afternoon Stenaline ferry instead. I don't trust Irish Ferries now.
This is a bit random but have you ever thought of doing a Southampton to New York sailing on the QM2? a bit different from your other content but it may be worth thinking about?
I was fortunate to travel quite regularly on the old Stena Explorer to Dun Laoghaire. Nowhere to really stand outside except up the back, but that thing was awesome. This seemed like a food court in a shopping mall. Sandycove I guess is the name of the bus stop they stuck outside 😂 I’d have probably sat in the duty free observation deck 😂
I remember going to Dun Laoghaire a few times, jump on the train into Dublin, easy! Sandycove, well I believe it is to do with James Joyce. I have already been ‘told off’ by two people this evening because having a bit of fun with reference to the name of the outside space and not knowing where the name Leopoldo Blooms comes from is apparently ‘sneering at the Irish culture’! Oh well, I blocked one and the other seems to have left of their own accord. It happens sometimes 🤷♂️ Cheers Kev 😊
@@LetsMakeaTrip 😂 to be fair - I’d argue that Irish Ferries were the ones doing a disservice to the Sandycove name by sticking a bus stop in the middle of it 😂 by the way - at 12:46 you did say “ship prices”? I might have misheard it the first time. Accurate either way 😂 Yeah the Dun Laoghaire trip was great! The rail and sail from Crewe included Dart right into town too! Have a good weekend!
We did this crossing last year, at 3am due to our catamaran service being cancelled later that day….4 of us in the only cabin remaining- a 2 berth deluxe! Two in a bed was cosy but the crossing passed mainly during sleep thankfully and we breakfasted on free tea / coffee and biscuits…rock and roll! Best regards, ‘Ilkley’ David!
Irish Ferries seems having great amenities aboard. Certainly is more than what the ferry between Malta and Sicily. And speaking of overpriced F&B option, what outraged me was that the operator was getting pizza delivered from a local pizza place in Pozzallo (Sicily) and for reheating a slice or anything else to be heated up they were charging extra on top of what you'd already pay for. Indeed it seemed poorly designed, but will have to try ferries between the UK.and Ireland at some point
You will a rich, there are plenty to choose from and tbh, I would probably go for Stena on this crossing. Everything on the Ulysses is crammed onto one deck. Yes there’s plenty of facilities internally but deck space is not good. Depends what you want I guess and like I said, ordinarily I’d probably head for the club lounge and get my moneys worth in there 👍
Go and stay in a small Irish village like Bruff. We did because our South African Rand exchange is not ar all good. You will meet real Irish people. Truly lovely people we came as strangers and left as friends. Great people
its a case of personal expectations i suppose, when i travelled on her with a friend i was surprised the sailing was not even cancelled, Gail force 9 wont even stop her sailing across the irish sea, bloody expensive pint as per usual on ferries, the cabin was cosy, slept like a baby even though it was a hooli outside.
It totally is Chris tbh. I’ve got things I like on a ferry and that may well be different to others I totally accept that. Ordinarily I think I’d be in the lounge getting my money’s worth on this ship and not worrying too much about anything else. Cheers 😊👍
Personally, having used both operators, i prefer Stena Line overall. I think the Eflexers such as Stena Estrid are nicer vessels for this crossing. There's also the fact that Stena Line use local crews rather than outsourced cheap agency labour.
I'm around Shrewsbury at the moment and am staying a bit further out. Google Coalport Station Holidays if you don't know about it, I think it could be right up your street (not a great anaolgy, there). Interesting video and that is a cheap fare from Shrewsbury to Dublin. Last time I went on a ferry to Ireland was in 1979 from Holyhead to Rosslare. I'd never been on a ship before (I was 9 years' old) and needless to say, the crossing was so rough that I spent most of the time, on deck, 'looking' over the side.
Ulysses looks rather old and tired - usually just sit in Bloom's Bar with beers and food bought from the Co-op in Holyhead. Much prefer the Stena ships.
I was really disappointed with the deck space and access. Wouldn’t fancy having too much in Bloom’s Bar then having to get outside in a hurry! Agree, I prefer Stena.
Totally agree with you about the ferry Mark. Not a lot of outside space, lack of shelter was really poor - not sure the smokers should be afforded that luxury !! :) Oh for a Tesco meal deal !! Love Premier Inns, did you get a good deal on that one ?
Unfortunately ferries were built with vehicles in mind, not walk on passengers. The ferry companies earn MOST of their profits with vehicles, especially with the lorries/trucks whose drivers dine, sleep, and shower while on the ship. Promenade outside deck space doesn't earn them anything, restaurants, clubs, casinos, duty free shopping earns much, much more profits...
Cheers Andy. Tbh I agree with Ron’s comment here and it’s quite evident that this ship is designed to maximise vehicle space. Yes I’m coming at it from a foot passenger point of view (I have to) and I have been on much better ferries in that respect. But yep, vehicles and freight on this route is primary. The premier inn btw wasn’t too bad for Dublin - about £65.
Made the crossing for the second time on Monday 14th Oct and really found everything ok, what you have to remember this is a ferry and not a cruise ship so limited deck space not a problem. Paid for a rail sail ticket from Scunthorpe £54 thought it was a bargain.
Cheers William. Yep I take your point. It was my personal opinion on what I like on a ferry and I totally accept people’s priorities and expectations are different to mine. £54 is pretty good from Scunthorpe btw, it’s a lot further away than me that!
It’s a bit old fashioned now even tho it was launched in 2000 , there is a lot going on onboard and it was the biggest car ferry in the world but it’s just not spacious enough as they have crammed too much on it and it’s all a bit higglede piggledy for me ,typical Irish ferries and stena line prices which are way over the top too. I recently had a breakfast buffet Tho in Stena going from Sweden to Poland and it was £10.90 all you can eat which I thought was great value . Cheers mark another great ferry video 👍👌👀 ps, whenever your on a ferry and use the free 20/30 mins WiFi if you reset your network settings on your phone you can keep getting the free time on the WiFi over and over again 😁👍
Hit the nail on the head for me there mate. It does seem a bit like they’ve crammed everything onto the one deck and why there’s no additional access to outside space down the sides is beyond me. I’ve just come back from Amsterdam (as you know) and that King Seaways (nee Val de Loire) is absolutely fantastic in comparison. Oh well. Stena Adventurer for me next!
@@LetsMakeaTripmate went in the Val de Loire when she did the Brittany ferries Plymouth routes great ship but like most of the newer vessels it’s all about safety and keeping passengers at the back of the ship away from falling off the sides 😂, hence no deck access , did you see my WiFi comment ? Cheers mate
Thanks for a very informative trip report. Interesting aside, I'm watching you do the sum up from a Premier Inn whilst I'm sat in a Premier Inn. In my case, at Heathrow Airport.
£52. You can buy a through ticket from London Euston to Dublin. The Ulysses on board upgrade was worth it to avoid the sticky carpet in the bar below. A great day out, but I would recommend taking a flight home. Interesting fact, the Republic remains part of the UK (CTA since 1922) so technically you don't have to show a passport, and have the right to live there
Cheers Philip. Yes £52 is a great price from London (it may even be slightly cheaper if you choose the Stena service). I would definitely use the club lounge next time I travel with Irish Ferries. It’s certainly where the value is in my opinion. 😊👍
@philipbarnard2474 Where you write "The Republic remains part of the UK (CTA since 1922)", you might actually want to put that 'UK' bit _inside_ those brackets, since as it is written it is both grammatically and politically a contradiction in terms! (As far as I'm aware, a republic cannot be part of a kingdom, and the Rep. of Ireland certainly isn't!) I only mention it as a point of information and in a friendly spirit, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if you get some spicier comments, if you leave it like that!
Many thanks for your video. Having travelled two weeks ago on the Stena Estrid, it seems to be somewhat better than what you found on the Ulysses. BTW the link 2 days ago and the one in the description above only link to 404 Error, so I cannot explore Rosetta Stone.
Yes I really enjoyed the Stena Estrid myself Paul. Great all round with excellent crew too when I sailed on her. Not sure why the links aren’t working for you tbh, I tried both and they were fine on mine. partners.rosettastone.com/letsmakeatrip-1
I agree the Rail & Sail tickets are good value, especially the further away you live. I live on the east coast and got one to travel to the Isle of Man on the Manxman ferry. The beauty of it is you can travel on any trains to get to the ferry terminal, so needn’t worry about delayed/cancelled trains provided you set off early enough. Obviously you still thought you had plenty of time with your trip, but I’m assuming the same applies with you, you could use any trains you liked with no time restrictions?
Even from Shrewsbury it's good value. A walk up Single just to Holyhead is priced at £54.80, though you can theoretically get an Advance for as little as £14.20.
Hi Mark, yes agreed. I didn’t like that design at all, it’s obviously a trap having very little deck space - trying to keep you inside, browsing and spending. She is a very freight orientated ship I have to say. I have sailed with Stena a few times on the Cairnryan - Belfast route, I loved the designs of the super fast 7 etc. I do enjoy how unbiased your videos are, you don’t like something - you say it, give well balanced reasons etc. Great to see. Thanks Mark, cheers for now 👌
😮 wow Mark you are definitely floating my boat lol 👍 I would deffo go club class for £21 you were ripped off with the tea and crisps well my friend all the best John 😊😊
Nice video with loads of James Joyce links. Sandycove? It's next to the Joyce Museum and martello tower. Joyce once stayed for a week as a guest of poet Oliver St John Gogarty ..
Brilliant video despite the close call at the beginning. "Floating my boat" (Badum tish) I'd stick to the travel vlogs🤣. Hope you took the time to enjoy a Guinness or two. 😉👍.
On NorthLink's Hrossey and Hjaltland after sunset the big upper deck is closed off for safety reasons and all you are left with is a small area at the aft end of deck 6 which is, you guessed it, a smoking area. At 11pm the ship arrives in Orkney and that neatly coincides with when the Shetlanders come out for a smoke, It's nice to stand at the 6 inch long side railing and watch the arrival before you disembark, but you have to be prepared to inhale several lungfulls of cigarette smoke while doing so.🤢I really do think you should try NorthLink, be it one of the Aberdeen ferries, Hrossey or Hjaltland, or the Pentland Firth ferry Hamnavoe. All three are great and they were built at the same yard as Ulysses at around the same time, you can see a tiny "Built by Aker Finnyards" written on the side of them in photos.
Cheers Aiden. I have been on the Northlink Aberdeen to Shetland run. Before this channel started tbh and I do have plans to do it again. I’ll bear in mind your comments wrt outside deck space though - doesn’t sound great tbh not being a smoker myself. Probably be next year now though mate, maybe in the summer there will be more time outside 👍
The foreign crews are the most shocking thing , and thing I hate . A bus from a car deck , is a thing I have experienced from Holyhead and Fishguard with Stena line . Irish ferries probably not best value for money on Irish Sea .
sandycove is a place in dublin its not ment to be an expectation of the deck clearly . you seemed to be determent to just be negative about the giant ship
Yes I understand it is a place in Dublin. There is a reason why they put it up there next to the only outside space on the ship though isn’t there. I don’t agree with your comment wrt negativity. Plenty of positive comments in the video if you were watching. For example the crew, the food, the cinemas, the prices etc.
Lol, I shouldn’t have singled him out tbh, I’ve already caused uproar on here with some people for not reading Ulysses cover to cover prior to the trip 🤷♂️😊
It was just a bit of fun with the Sandycove name tbh, glad you found it humorous (one or two on here have taken it the wrong way for some reason but y’know haters gonna hate and all that)!
Yes William I’m a bit similar. I’ve been on lots of the Brittany Ferries fleet and I’ve just come back from Amsterdam on the DFDS King Seaways (also ex BF) and they are just better ships in my opinion. But I like lots of deck space and different decks to explore. Others will disagree and for different reasons. I’ll be interested in the comments coming in for sure!
Sailed many times on this ship between Dublin and Holyhead and vice versa, not a very luxurious ship by all means but for a 3.5 hour sailing it is very doable indeed. Stena Line has the Adventurer and Estrid on this route which in my opinion are slightly nicer to sail on, the ships look just a tad neater but other than that, who needs a super luxurious ferry for a relative short crossing. Nice to see it from your perspective mate, enjoyed the video! 🙂 EDIT - By the way on my last sailing from Holyhead to Dublin I met a Romanian guy who lived in Scotland for over 20 years (imagine the funny Romanian-Scottish English he spoke) 😆 I got to talk to him and he was baffled I just paid €4.75 for a small latte at the ships coffee shop and showed me how to get free tea and coffees the whole sailing long, The Club Lounge access doors are mostly open en unattended and the coffee machines and hot water is just around the corner when you walk in there. You can just get a coffee or tea while no one is bothering you. I suppose you would only be in trouble if a ships employee would walk past and would ask for your Club Lounge pass. 🤣
Leopard Bloom was a character in Ulysses by James Joyce. Worst book in the history of literature. Sandycove is a beech in Dublin. Where Leopard and his girlfriend Molly visited in the book.
I thought the ferry was shite when compared to the likes of Brittany Ferries Pont Aven! Been on that numerous times from Portsmouth to Santander. Luxury! And GREEN everywhere!!!! Enough to make you feel sick even if you're not! Thanks for the Video - you certainly made the best of what the boat offered! Ciao.... 😁
Cheers for the comment. Hadn’t thought about the green tbh - good point. And yes the Pont Aven is a fantastic ship. Travelled on it a few times but before I did this channel tbh so I need to plan in another trip. 😊👍
Rosetta Stone Lifetime Subscription 60% Discount link here: partners.rosettastone.com/letsmakeatrip-1
Keep getting a 404 error when I try to use the link 😢
The best, most reliable ship on the Irish Sea. I won’t hear a bad word against her ❤. In bad weather when all the others a cancelled, U still ploughs on like she’s on a mill pond.
Absolutely! I love Ulysses, I've been on her many a time and in some awful storms and she's steady as can be :)
Yep! I love this ship. I was seriously ill in Galway at the beginning of the year. My dad was trying to get to me in so.e terrible weather. Everything was cancelled, flights, other ships, but this one got my dad across and he was by my bedside in time for my surgery.
This ship might be old now, but she's amazing.
Sandycove is a location near central Dublin
and referenced in James Joyce's 1922 novel "Ulysses"
The protagonist in the novel is surprise surprise Leopold Bloom
and the novel is set on 16 June 1904 which is known as Bloomday
and folks go round Dublin looking at the sites mentioned in the novel.
Cheers John. As you can tell, I haven’t read it! Appreciate the info 😊🤣
The ship is called Ulysses...read the book and find Leopold Bloom. As for the ship itself, the lay out or number of cafes/bars have never bothered me on these shortish trips. The Irish Sea can be a beast and I recall with not fond memories our trips back and forth in the 1980s. The stabilisers they have on Ulysses means that you no longer feel that you are in a washing machine when the weather is rough.
My favourite ferry on the Irish Sea, I adore going on the night sailing to Dublin. I’m guessing your issue might be with the food, which isn’t great but Stena is just the same. Eat before you board and just go for a coffee and muffin 👍🇮🇪
I've sailed both Irish ferries and Stena between Holyhead and Dublin. For me, it's Stena hands down. Best value, friendliest crew and generally great design on the newer ships like Stena Estrid. Irish Ferries staff I found very quiet and almost arrogant like they didn't want to talk to anyone. I also found their ship, Dublin Swift to be very noisy, cramped and very much in need of a deep refurb.
Fantastic video as always!
Dublin Swift is a fast cat ferry built more than two decades ago. She will most likely be scrapped within the next decade
When one is setting out to write a review of a trip it is advisable to rid oneself of preconceived negative thoughts and do a little reading about the history of the various elements involved. Ignorance is bliss.
It maybe poorly designed but it handles the rough seas quite well
Yes, others have said that too and I guess that is a proper positive when all other sailings are cancelled. Just wish there was more deck space really. That was my main thing but it’s a personal thing - totally accept that. 😊👍
Thanks for the video. Most comforting on a Saturday morning. As long as the ship doesn't bounce around I'm happy 😊
There's a rumour that DFDS will be coming into the Irish Sea. If so, expect aa improvement in quality ferry services.
Good video as ever Mark. I agree the outdoor space is spartan but compared to the tiny space Jonathan Swift fast ferry it's not bad at all. Entering Dublin your footage showed the Great south wall, designed to keep Dublin port free from silt and was the longest sea wall in the world at the time of construction. Its worth walking out to poolbeg lighthouse another time. Its counterpart the North bull wall had as its chief surveyor none other than Captain Bligh, a few years before his voyage on the Bounty!
Been on Ulysses about 60 times in last ten years, best ferry on the irish sea,always runs, never a bad trip, thank god for stabilisers.
Ship is a bit tired now and i always snooze in the cinema seats above the duty free shop, deck 9, ruby stairs
Sandycove is the name of a place in Dublin, I don't think it was intended to describe the deck 😁
I think you’re right yes. Just seemed quite a humorous thing at the time (given the weather conditions)!
Windswept Armageddon ... haha, choked on me wine. Classic!
"We're never to young to start learning, never too old to stop trying" - travelling helps us learn - about other countries/cultures. ENJOY THE TRIP!
Exactly Dave, totally agree. I can only apologise to anyone else who was expecting me to have read James Joyce Ulysses prior to the trip. I just don’t have the time 😊
I’ve travelled on this ship for years when I’ve travelled from Holyhead to Dublin but always went on the evening. It is expensive on there for most stuff. Great video
another great upload ....when ulysses was launched the restaurant area where pheonix is was burger king ....and it was non stop busy...other eating outlets were empty ....but it closed possible to contract issues ....unknown
Boy George's memoirs? Probably not quite as useful as Johnson's, which would be very useful and eminently satisfying when caught short in the Forest of Dean.
Sandycove is named for a well known small beach tucked away on the south Dublin coast. In that context it's not quite as ridiculous.
Thanks Matt, appreciate the info. 😊👍
A bit harsh for such a short service
I caught the afternoon boat in Sep 2018 after the morning ferry was cancelled because of bad weather. Managed to get to Galway by train 10 minutes before the hotel closed. Both Irish ferries were cancelled for the return trip because of bad weather. I managed to book on the afternoon Stenaline ferry instead. I don't trust Irish Ferries now.
I done that crossing on Tuesday just gone on Ms ulysses from Holyhead to Dublin. Flying back to Gatwick from Dublin this Friday.
Welcome to Dublin, Neighbour. Nice one!
Thanks Dave, nice to have a friendly greeting. Really like Dublin and I got a decent price for accommodation this time too 😊👍
Looked Great to me! I think you were having a mood because you couldn't get on deck as much as you like!
This is a bit random but have you ever thought of doing a Southampton to New York sailing on the QM2? a bit different from your other content but it may be worth thinking about?
I certainly have! And yes if I can do a bit better with the channel it may well become a future trip. Watch this space! 😊👍
I did the east-west trip some years ago. Best sea experience I ever had.
I was fortunate to travel quite regularly on the old Stena Explorer to Dun Laoghaire. Nowhere to really stand outside except up the back, but that thing was awesome. This seemed like a food court in a shopping mall. Sandycove I guess is the name of the bus stop they stuck outside 😂 I’d have probably sat in the duty free observation deck 😂
I remember going to Dun Laoghaire a few times, jump on the train into Dublin, easy! Sandycove, well I believe it is to do with James Joyce. I have already been ‘told off’ by two people this evening because having a bit of fun with reference to the name of the outside space and not knowing where the name Leopoldo Blooms comes from is apparently ‘sneering at the Irish culture’! Oh well, I blocked one and the other seems to have left of their own accord. It happens sometimes 🤷♂️ Cheers Kev 😊
@@LetsMakeaTrip 😂 to be fair - I’d argue that Irish Ferries were the ones doing a disservice to the Sandycove name by sticking a bus stop in the middle of it 😂 by the way - at 12:46 you did say “ship prices”? I might have misheard it the first time. Accurate either way 😂 Yeah the Dun Laoghaire trip was great! The rail and sail from Crewe included Dart right into town too! Have a good weekend!
And you mate! Yes definitely ‘ship’ prices this time 🤣
We did this crossing last year, at 3am due to our catamaran service being cancelled later that day….4 of us in the only cabin remaining- a 2 berth deluxe! Two in a bed was cosy but the crossing passed mainly during sleep thankfully and we breakfasted on free tea / coffee and biscuits…rock and roll! Best regards, ‘Ilkley’ David!
Sounds cosy David! I get the impression that, despite my reservations, the ship is pretty good with the rough weather and will sail when others don’t!
Irish Ferries seems having great amenities aboard. Certainly is more than what the ferry between Malta and Sicily. And speaking of overpriced F&B option, what outraged me was that the operator was getting pizza delivered from a local pizza place in Pozzallo (Sicily) and for reheating a slice or anything else to be heated up they were charging extra on top of what you'd already pay for. Indeed it seemed poorly designed, but will have to try ferries between the UK.and Ireland at some point
You will a rich, there are plenty to choose from and tbh, I would probably go for Stena on this crossing. Everything on the Ulysses is crammed onto one deck. Yes there’s plenty of facilities internally but deck space is not good. Depends what you want I guess and like I said, ordinarily I’d probably head for the club lounge and get my moneys worth in there 👍
Go and stay in a small Irish village like Bruff. We did because our South African Rand exchange is not ar all good. You will meet real Irish people. Truly lovely people we came as strangers and left as friends. Great people
Another cracking video Mark. Very informative and nice filming. Love the relief on your face at the start at just making the boarding. 😅
Cheers Simon, yes it was a bit of a frantic start to the trip!
its a case of personal expectations i suppose, when i travelled on her with a friend i was surprised the sailing was not even cancelled, Gail force 9 wont even stop her sailing across the irish sea, bloody expensive pint as per usual on ferries, the cabin was cosy, slept like a baby even though it was a hooli outside.
It totally is Chris tbh. I’ve got things I like on a ferry and that may well be different to others I totally accept that. Ordinarily I think I’d be in the lounge getting my money’s worth on this ship and not worrying too much about anything else. Cheers 😊👍
Boy George books behind a secure cover makes a change from mega expensive Scotch Whiskies
Another great video Mark. Hope you had a great time in Dublin... and good trip back. 😃
Thanks Wesley, I was only in Dublin 1 night and then on to Sligo and beyond. That will be coming up next 👍
Personally, having used both operators, i prefer Stena Line overall. I think the Eflexers such as Stena Estrid are nicer vessels for this crossing. There's also the fact that Stena Line use local crews rather than outsourced cheap agency labour.
I'm around Shrewsbury at the moment and am staying a bit further out. Google Coalport Station Holidays if you don't know about it, I think it could be right up your street (not a great anaolgy, there). Interesting video and that is a cheap fare from Shrewsbury to Dublin.
Last time I went on a ferry to Ireland was in 1979 from Holyhead to Rosslare. I'd never been on a ship before (I was 9 years' old) and needless to say, the crossing was so rough that I spent most of the time, on deck, 'looking' over the side.
Ulysses looks rather old and tired - usually just sit in Bloom's Bar with beers and food bought from the Co-op in Holyhead. Much prefer the Stena ships.
I was really disappointed with the deck space and access. Wouldn’t fancy having too much in Bloom’s Bar then having to get outside in a hurry! Agree, I prefer Stena.
Totally agree with you about the ferry Mark. Not a lot of outside space, lack of shelter was really poor - not sure the smokers should be afforded that luxury !! :) Oh for a Tesco meal deal !! Love Premier Inns, did you get a good deal on that one ?
Unfortunately ferries were built with vehicles in mind, not walk on passengers. The ferry companies earn MOST of their profits with vehicles, especially with the lorries/trucks whose drivers dine, sleep, and shower while on the ship. Promenade outside deck space doesn't earn them anything, restaurants, clubs, casinos, duty free shopping earns much, much more profits...
Cheers Andy. Tbh I agree with Ron’s comment here and it’s quite evident that this ship is designed to maximise vehicle space. Yes I’m coming at it from a foot passenger point of view (I have to) and I have been on much better ferries in that respect. But yep, vehicles and freight on this route is primary. The premier inn btw wasn’t too bad for Dublin - about £65.
Used to go on the Stena line hss from troon to Belfast and it had almost no outside space, it was hell. Love your vids
Thanks Leo, I’ll be doing another Stena video towards the end of the year so I guess we’ll see how it stacks up in that respect. Cheers mate 😊👍
Made the crossing for the second time on Monday 14th Oct and really found everything ok, what you have to remember this is a ferry and not a cruise ship so limited deck space not a problem. Paid for a rail sail ticket from Scunthorpe £54 thought it was a bargain.
Cheers William. Yep I take your point. It was my personal opinion on what I like on a ferry and I totally accept people’s priorities and expectations are different to mine. £54 is pretty good from Scunthorpe btw, it’s a lot further away than me that!
It’s a bit old fashioned now even tho it was launched in 2000 , there is a lot going on onboard and it was the biggest car ferry in the world but it’s just not spacious enough as they have crammed too much on it and it’s all a bit higglede piggledy for me ,typical
Irish ferries and stena line prices which are way over the top too.
I recently had a breakfast buffet Tho in Stena going from Sweden to Poland and it was £10.90 all you can eat which I thought was great value .
Cheers mark another great ferry video 👍👌👀 ps, whenever your on a ferry and use the free 20/30 mins WiFi if you reset your network settings on your phone you can keep getting the free time on the WiFi over and over again 😁👍
Hit the nail on the head for me there mate. It does seem a bit like they’ve crammed everything onto the one deck and why there’s no additional access to outside space down the sides is beyond me. I’ve just come back from Amsterdam (as you know) and that King Seaways (nee Val de Loire) is absolutely fantastic in comparison. Oh well. Stena Adventurer for me next!
@@LetsMakeaTripmate went in the Val de Loire when she did the Brittany ferries Plymouth routes great ship but like most of the newer vessels it’s all about safety and keeping passengers at the back of the ship away from falling off the sides 😂, hence no deck access , did you see my WiFi comment ? Cheers mate
Thanks for a very informative trip report. Interesting aside, I'm watching you do the sum up from a Premier Inn whilst I'm sat in a Premier Inn. In my case, at Heathrow Airport.
I’m there in a couple of weeks Simon! Glad you enjoyed the vid 😊👍
another enjoyable video mark thank you
£52. You can buy a through ticket from London Euston to Dublin. The Ulysses on board upgrade was worth it to avoid the sticky carpet in the bar below. A great day out, but I would recommend taking a flight home. Interesting fact, the Republic remains part of the UK (CTA since 1922) so technically you don't have to show a passport, and have the right to live there
Cheers Philip. Yes £52 is a great price from London (it may even be slightly cheaper if you choose the Stena service). I would definitely use the club lounge next time I travel with Irish Ferries. It’s certainly where the value is in my opinion. 😊👍
@philipbarnard2474 Where you write "The Republic remains part of the UK (CTA since 1922)", you might actually want to put that 'UK' bit _inside_ those brackets, since as it is written it is both grammatically and politically a contradiction in terms! (As far as I'm aware, a republic cannot be part of a kingdom, and the Rep. of Ireland certainly isn't!)
I only mention it as a point of information and in a friendly spirit, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if you get some spicier comments, if you leave it like that!
Many thanks for your video. Having travelled two weeks ago on the Stena Estrid, it seems to be somewhat better than what you found on the Ulysses. BTW the link 2 days ago and the one in the description above only link to 404 Error, so I cannot explore Rosetta Stone.
Yes I really enjoyed the Stena Estrid myself Paul. Great all round with excellent crew too when I sailed on her. Not sure why the links aren’t working for you tbh, I tried both and they were fine on mine. partners.rosettastone.com/letsmakeatrip-1
I agree the Rail & Sail tickets are good value, especially the further away you live.
I live on the east coast and got one to travel to the Isle of Man on the Manxman ferry.
The beauty of it is you can travel on any trains to get to the ferry terminal, so needn’t worry about delayed/cancelled trains provided you set off early enough.
Obviously you still thought you had plenty of time with your trip, but I’m assuming the same applies with you, you could use any trains you liked with no time restrictions?
Even from Shrewsbury it's good value. A walk up Single just to Holyhead is priced at £54.80, though you can theoretically get an Advance for as little as £14.20.
Enjoyed ❤🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊⛴️⛴️⛴️⛴️⛴️👍👍👍👍👍
Hi Mark, yes agreed. I didn’t like that design at all, it’s obviously a trap having very little deck space - trying to keep you inside, browsing and spending. She is a very freight orientated ship I have to say.
I have sailed with Stena a few times on the Cairnryan - Belfast route, I loved the designs of the super fast 7 etc.
I do enjoy how unbiased your videos are, you don’t like something - you say it, give well balanced reasons etc. Great to see.
Thanks Mark, cheers for now 👌
Great video Mark 📹
Thanks Myra 😊
😮 wow Mark you are definitely floating my boat lol 👍 I would deffo go club class for £21 you were ripped off with the tea and crisps well my friend all the best John 😊😊
Haha, cheers John. Yep, ordinarily I would be in the lounge getting as much as I could for my money. 😊👍
Nice video with loads of James Joyce links. Sandycove? It's next to the Joyce Museum and martello tower. Joyce once stayed for a week as a guest of poet Oliver St John Gogarty ..
Thanks for the comment. Good to learn a few things too from the comments on here and the James Joyce links. Cheers 😊👍
Brilliant video despite the close call at the beginning. "Floating my boat" (Badum tish) I'd stick to the travel vlogs🤣. Hope you took the time to enjoy a Guinness or two. 😉👍.
lol, cheers Steve. Did I enjoy a Guinness? Oh yes, several 😊👍
Great Video Mark
Cheers Paul 😊👍
Another great video mate, just out of curiosity, was it a British or Irish crew onboard?
Eastern European Walter I think - same as MV Oscar Wilde.
Did i miss something, where was your special guest?
Give me a bit more on this Chris, special guest?
On NorthLink's Hrossey and Hjaltland after sunset the big upper deck is closed off for safety reasons and all you are left with is a small area at the aft end of deck 6 which is, you guessed it, a smoking area. At 11pm the ship arrives in Orkney and that neatly coincides with when the Shetlanders come out for a smoke, It's nice to stand at the 6 inch long side railing and watch the arrival before you disembark, but you have to be prepared to inhale several lungfulls of cigarette smoke while doing so.🤢I really do think you should try NorthLink, be it one of the Aberdeen ferries, Hrossey or Hjaltland, or the Pentland Firth ferry Hamnavoe. All three are great and they were built at the same yard as Ulysses at around the same time, you can see a tiny "Built by Aker Finnyards" written on the side of them in photos.
Cheers Aiden. I have been on the Northlink Aberdeen to Shetland run. Before this channel started tbh and I do have plans to do it again. I’ll bear in mind your comments wrt outside deck space though - doesn’t sound great tbh not being a smoker myself. Probably be next year now though mate, maybe in the summer there will be more time outside 👍
Ugh, the Uselessees
Careful now.
Wow, I’ve found a cure for insomnia
The foreign crews are the most shocking thing , and thing I hate .
A bus from a car deck , is a thing I have experienced from Holyhead and Fishguard with Stena line . Irish ferries probably not best value for money on Irish Sea .
sandycove is a place in dublin its not ment to be an expectation of the deck clearly . you seemed to be determent to just be negative about the giant ship
Yes I understand it is a place in Dublin. There is a reason why they put it up there next to the only outside space on the ship though isn’t there. I don’t agree with your comment wrt negativity. Plenty of positive comments in the video if you were watching. For example the crew, the food, the cinemas, the prices etc.
Listen, this American is still jealous of it
It has its good points but there are better ferries out there in my experience 😊
All the lights seem to keep dimming what was that about?
I would want serious amounts of money to read Boy George's biography!
Lol, I shouldn’t have singled him out tbh, I’ve already caused uproar on here with some people for not reading Ulysses cover to cover prior to the trip 🤷♂️😊
Sandycove is where James lived in Dublin
Cheers Willie, appreciate the info 👍
...windswept Armageddon... loved that
It was just a bit of fun with the Sandycove name tbh, glad you found it humorous (one or two on here have taken it the wrong way for some reason but y’know haters gonna hate and all that)!
No emergency advisories/drills?
I suspect there were, just not on camera.
I prefer Stena - just a different product.... Irish ferries are also expensive for food in my opinion
Being retired rail staff it's only £10 for me which is just a port tax.
Im always slightly jealous of retired rail staff Alex! Good for you, I hope you travel as much as you can (I certainly would!). 😊👍
Windswept Armageddon......my kinda town
How about doing a video from Portsmouth to Santander
Plymouth to Santander on the Pont Aven is definitely in the plans 👍
Worst ferry in British / Irish isles a total ripoff
Used to think this ferry was awesome, then I went on MyStar/MegaStar between Tallinn and Helsinki and this then looked rather basic and dated.
Yes William I’m a bit similar. I’ve been on lots of the Brittany Ferries fleet and I’ve just come back from Amsterdam on the DFDS King Seaways (also ex BF) and they are just better ships in my opinion. But I like lots of deck space and different decks to explore. Others will disagree and for different reasons. I’ll be interested in the comments coming in for sure!
Those two are something else indeed.
your remark Mark about Boy George is a bit presumptuous methinks, with nearly a million followers on Insta
Yep fair enough. That’s 999,900 more than I’ve got!
Sailed many times on this ship between Dublin and Holyhead and vice versa, not a very luxurious ship by all means but for a 3.5 hour sailing it is very doable indeed. Stena Line has the Adventurer and Estrid on this route which in my opinion are slightly nicer to sail on, the ships look just a tad neater but other than that, who needs a super luxurious ferry for a relative short crossing. Nice to see it from your perspective mate, enjoyed the video! 🙂 EDIT - By the way on my last sailing from Holyhead to Dublin I met a Romanian guy who lived in Scotland for over 20 years (imagine the funny Romanian-Scottish English he spoke) 😆 I got to talk to him and he was baffled I just paid €4.75 for a small latte at the ships coffee shop and showed me how to get free tea and coffees the whole sailing long, The Club Lounge access doors are mostly open en unattended and the coffee machines and hot water is just around the corner when you walk in there. You can just get a coffee or tea while no one is bothering you. I suppose you would only be in trouble if a ships employee would walk past and would ask for your Club Lounge pass. 🤣
Leopard Bloom was a character in Ulysses by James Joyce.
Worst book in the history of literature.
Sandycove is a beech in Dublin. Where Leopard and his girlfriend Molly visited in the book.
Ah thank you Paul! As you can tell, I’ve never read it!
Please don't.
@@paulobrien6919 Now it all makes sense! Just like Mark, I have not read this, but don`t worry, I will heed your advice & not bother. 😄
Stena are by far the best way to cross the Irish Sea ✅
I’m inclined to agree atm but I will be having another voyage with them soon 👍
That’s our plan for next Saturday…. Cairnryan-Belfast on Stena Superfast VIII 👍🏻
Totally agree Irish ferries are a ripoff with staff with chip on their shoulders
A new verse for Shania Twain's greatest hit maybe?
I thought the ferry was shite when compared to the likes of Brittany Ferries Pont Aven! Been on that numerous times from Portsmouth to Santander. Luxury! And GREEN everywhere!!!! Enough to make you feel sick even if you're not!
Thanks for the Video - you certainly made the best of what the boat offered! Ciao.... 😁
Cheers for the comment. Hadn’t thought about the green tbh - good point. And yes the Pont Aven is a fantastic ship. Travelled on it a few times but before I did this channel tbh so I need to plan in another trip. 😊👍