Let’s face it, car ferries are hardly laden with glamour — but there is an exception, and it’s just been launched on the Liverpool-to-Belfast route

Let’s face it, car ferries are hardly laden with glamour — but there is an exception, and it’s just been launched on the Liverpool-to-Belfast route.

As a die-hard cruise fan, I was first in line for a ticket and can report that it’s an ideal way to reach Northern Ireland; the eight-hour sailing across the Irish Sea is in itself a fabulous getaway.

This is all due to Swedish-designed Stena Edda, which offers a comfortable night’s sleep in a pristine cabin, peaceful lounges in which to relax and a smart movie room for watching newly released films.

Scandi style: Enjoy the sleek, modern Stena Lounge on the Liverpool to Belfast crossing

The 1,000-passenger ferry is a world away from crowded booze cruises and sticky carpets.

It has quiet engines, 175 cabins, 우리카지노추천 spacious, light, wood-panelled lounges and blue soft furnishings, two restaurants, two bars and a speciality coffee shop.

I walked straight from my car on Deck 7 into the reception and up to the Stena Lounge, which at £20 pays for itself with complimentary wine, beer, soft drinks, decent tea and coffee, fruit and snacks.

Plus, there’s table service lunch and dinner, so for an additional charge I had fish and chips — a generous meal for less than £12.

Passengers can also dine at Metropolitan, with an a la carte menu and fine wines, or 우리카지노 Taste, which also has a children’s menu.

The 1,000-passenger Stena Edda ferry has 175 cabins, spacious, light, wood-panelled lounges as well as two restaurants, two bars and a speciality coffee shop

Passenger Robin Lee, from Surrey, said: 우리카지노추천 ‘I usually fly when I go on holiday, but don’t want to be shoulder-to-shoulder on a plane right now, so this is a good option. It was easy to get on board with no passport control or queuing.

‘I love the Stena Lounge.

I’ve had my first pint of Guinness to get me in the mood for Belfast.’

The 120-car ferry was launched two weeks before lockdown and operated for essential freight services only, 우리카지노쿠폰 but bookings are now open again for holidaymakers.

My cabin was immaculate — carpeted, with a good mattress, 우리카지노추천 pristine white linen and an ensuite shower, all for £25 to £60 per cabin, per crossing.

Cabins sleep two to four people, so families are well catered for.

There’s a children’s indoor soft playroom and Teen Town video games. 

At Giant’s Causeway, pictured, which attracted 1.5 million tourists in 2019, Lesley had the striking basalt columns almost to herself

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