Newbie-Cancellation/rough journey likelihood on Adventurer vs Estrid vs Ulysses

[Kieran]

As said above, the Swift won't meet your requirements as she lacks cabins, however I need to address something here.

The only one to avoid on the central corridor really is the Dublin Swift, A.K.A. the Vomit Comet. Having said that if its a calm day and you really want to get across faster and the times suit, she may be OK. I've never travelled on her (or any of the smaller fast crafts). Perhaps others may advise.

 I have been on both Stena Voyager (calm crossing) and Stena Explorer (Rough - 3m waves) during their time on the Irish sea. Voyager was a nice experience but I left Explorer with a headache from all the pounding of the waves on the underbody.

While the fast ferries tend not to have the sea keeping abilities of their regular counterparts, they tend not to go to sea in bad weather (off the top of my head, IF cancel the Swift if waves are forecast to be 2.5 meters or above, she's licensed to go in waves of up to 3 meters.

MOD NOTE - Lets not turn people off any ferries by referring to them as "vomit comets".

[Treegazer]

Yes thank you - we're avoiding the Swift as more likely to be rough also. 

https://www.irishferriesfreight.com/route-info/live-updates
I noticed on this link that the James Joyce has been frequently cancelled the last few days - on 20th, 21st, 22nd.  Any ideas why?  I had understood the ferrys on this route were all quite dependable so surprised to see this. We had been considering the James Joyce for our return journey.

Also notice here
https://stenalinefreight.com/timetable/DUHO/
Estrid got cancelled on 31st August and twice on 1st Sept, whereas Adventurer seemed to have no cancellations on those days.  Does that mean given poor weather the Adventurer is a bit more likely to avoid cancellation than Estrid? 

We're travelling on Friday hopefully ... looks quite rainy and windy!

[giftgrub]

Think James Joyce sails to France at the weekend so cancelled Holyhead crossings, Estrid was off for scheduled maintenance around the time your looking at.

Weather looks fine for Friday, rain does not matter, and wind is not too bad at all.

[Treegazer]

Ahh right ok thank you very much ... I see that now on the sailing times schedule, thanks for that was getting worried.... it's a bit confusing the way it's recorded it makes it look like it's a sailing that should have happened but was cancelled.  I think I need to stop looking for evidence we're going to run into problems and just enjoy it!!!

[Treegazer]

What sort of weather would make you more concerned a crossing might get cancelled or delayed Giftgrub?  A storm / lightening? ... also thank you and others for being so patient with me I really appreciate it :-)

[giftgrub]

You would want very high winds or yellow/red weather warnings, the ferries are designed to sail in pretty much every condition, the issue with weather is docking in very high winds can cause delays.

The weather forecast looks fairly normal for this time of year, nothing to worry about from what I can see.

https://www.met.ie/forecasts/Dublin

"A chilly start to Friday with sunshine and scattered showers following for the day. The showers will be most frequent in the north and west. Cool with highs of 9 to 13 degrees, with moderate northwest winds. Cold after dark, with a touch of grass frost possible overnight, as temperatures fall to the low single figures."

[20knots]

Hope your crossing is enjoyable. Be sure to go for a ramble around the ship - duty free etc...A few months ago I noticed the cinema rooms on the Stena Adventurer were closed - not sure what is in that space now. That is up on deck 9 I think and lifts interlink the decks.

It is highly unlikely there will be any weather issue so it's a case of enjoying the sail :-)

Stena Line and Irish Ferries sail at very similar times which is the only major downside of an otherwise very good operation on the central corridor - would be great to have a sailing each way approximately every 3 hours as the service comes close to being turn up and go then.

[Davy Jones]

As said above, the Swift won't meet your requirements as she lacks cabins, however I need to address something here.

The only one to avoid on the central corridor really is the Dublin Swift, A.K.A. the Vomit Comet. Having said that if its a calm day and you really want to get across faster and the times suit, she may be OK. I've never travelled on her (or any of the smaller fast crafts). Perhaps others may advise.

 I have been on both Stena Voyager (calm crossing) and Stena Explorer (Rough - 3m waves) during their time on the Irish sea. Voyager was a nice experience but I left Explorer with a headache from all the pounding of the waves on the underbody.

While the fast ferries tend not to have the sea keeping abilities of their regular counterparts, they tend not to go to sea in bad weather (off the top of my head, IF cancel the Swift if waves are forecast to be 2.5 meters or above, she's licensed to go in waves of up to 3 meters.

MOD NOTE - Lets not turn people off any ferries by referring to them as "vomit comets".

Apologies everybody! No offence intended!

It's easy to forget that with the written word, others don't see your expression or hear the tone in your voice. What may be intended as a light-hearted comment or nickname may have more serious meanings to others. Sorry if I've upset anybody.

[Treegazer]

Thanks Giftgrub for explaining that, and the useful link too. 20knots thank you also, good tips. Davy Jones, not to worry at all 🙂 thanks for your earlier advice too.

[giftgrub]

Your welcome, looks like a lovely day to be a sea, have a safe and pleasant trip, hope all goes well.

[Treegazer]

Thank you very much we're looking forward to it! 😊

[A83]

Interesting addendum to this discussion of travelling by Adventurer/ Astrid versus Ulysses.

 The past few days Ulysses has kept to schedule but the Stena ships have not, Estrid in particular has spent some time crusing off Angelsea waiting for the weather to improve so it can dock. There has been a strong easterly wind blowing off shore in Holyhead and it seems Ulysses has the manoeuvrability [I suppose extra powerful thrusters] to dock even in such adverse conditions whereas the Stena ships are less capable in these circumstances. Ultimately Ulysses's capability is a testament to the excellent design of the ship and shows how well suited it is to the route.

[ferryfan]

the lack of an available berth at Holyhead, due to damage, and Stena only having access to one berth at Dublin is the reason Estrid was at sea during the stormy weather

[Lurker]

Has there been a legal outcome in relation to the Storm Daragh (?) incident that closed Holyhead for so long?