Thousands of families start their holidays by taking a ferry from the UK. So what can they expect on board the ships?
To celebrate National Ferry Fortnight (www.nationalferryfortnight.co.uk) from March 15-29, Discover Ferries has put together a guide to ferries owned by 12 members. ‘Join Our Ferry Families’ highlights the best facilities including family restaurants, supervised play facilities, sport options, electronic games, films and more.
Brittany Ferries (www.brittany-ferries.co.uk)
On board Brittany Ferries to France or Spain, there’s plenty to keep everyone occupied (from adults to tots and teenagers). Most ships feature a selection of play areas, games rooms, live entertainment and cinemas.
For younger passengers, there are dedicated children’s play areas, changing areas, small toys, games, puzzles and colouring books. For teenagers, there are games rooms with the latest video arcade games, cinemas showing the latest films (ferry – cruise ships only), free Wi-Fi internet access available on all ships and even a swimming pool (Pont-Aven and Cap Finistère only).
CalMac Ferries (www.calmac.co.uk)
The larger ships have full catering services so travellers can enjoy freshly prepared local produce including special child menus or children’s packed lunches. Fish and chips, steak pie, curries and the famous CalMac cooked breakfast are all on offer and there is something for every taste and pocket.
CalMac’s ships boast a host of on-board facilities – baby changing facilities, children’s activity packs, and some routes have dedicated children’s play areas or games tables.
Larger ships have shops and retail areas stocked with toys, games, snacks and items to keep families and other travellers entertained.
Condor Ferries (www.condorferries.co.uk)
Condor Ferries operates sailings between the UK, Channel Islands and France. Facilities for families travelling to the Channel Islands include lifts, handy for pushchairs, and baby changing facilities. Passengers travelling with children on Condor’s high speed ferries can specifically request (subject to availability) seating on the Lower Tier for convenient access to on-board facilities, and may also upgrade to sit in Club Class or reclining seat areas. On board the conventional ferry Commodore Clipper, which travels between Portsmouth and the islands, most seats are accessible by passengers travelling with families including the reclining seat lounges. There’s also 4-berth cabins and a cot for babies and infants can be booked, subject to availability.
Young sailors on board the fast ferries can visit the Kid’s Zone, which screens the latest family films. It also has a treasure chest – children who find a golden ticket will win the chance to visit the bridge to meet the Captain. Alternatively, they can still see what it’s like to be part of the Condor crew with dressing-up clothes on hand to transform them into a Condor Ferries captain, stewardess or engineer. Older children will enjoy Condor Ferries’ exclusive Shipmates Kid’s Fun Pack, crammed with puzzles and games along with a funky wristband, colouring pencils and a temporary tattoo, all inside a handy bag which comes in pink, orange or blue.
DFDS Seaways (www.dfds.co.uk)
All DFDS ferries have dedicated child friendly play areas. On the five Dover-France vessels, there are ‘Little Nipper’ play areas, perfectly designed for toddlers to explore. On the Portsmouth-Le Havre and Newhaven-Dieppe vessels, there are dedicated soft play areas as well as cartoons and video games. On the Newcastle-Amsterdam and Harwich-Esbjerg cruise ferries, there’s a Kidz’ Club with lots to keep the children entertained, from ball pools to Lego towers, and a video games room as well as an on-board cinema.
The en suite cabins on-board the Newcastle-Amsterdam, Harwich-Esbjerg, Newhaven-Dieppe and Portsmouth-Le Havre routes are perfect for those travelling with children, providing a family friendly environment for a relaxing crossing. Children are well catered for within the various on-board restaurants and cafes across the six routes, with children’s’ meal options including everything from chicken nuggets and chips, Mexican chilli, burgers and hot dogs all finished off with jelly and ice cream!
Irish Ferries (www.irishferries.com)
With the recent introduction of the Epsilon on the Holyhead to Dublin route there’s a wider choice of family-friendly sailing times. And on the flagship Ulysses, families will find a host of facilities. The Ulysses is the largest ship on the Irish Sea and offers cruise-style facilities including the Volta Picture Theatre, a two-screen cinema with Dolby surround sound and refreshment kiosk.
Gamers will want to head for the Cyclops family entertainment centre filled with video and electronic games. For young children there is a specially constructed soft ‘climbing’ area. There’s even a signposted walking tour that families can follow, full of fun facts about the ship and the James Joyce Ulysses stories, published 100 years ago this year. Those travelling with babies may like to book a cabin – there are several types to choose from. Teenagers are kept happy with free WiFi on all ships so they can keep in touch with all their friends!
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (www.steam-packet.com)
There’s plenty to explore and excite young sailors, as Steam Packet Company vessels Ben-my-Chree and Manannan contain play areas with a variety of activities for children. Manannan also has two cinema lounges, where family-friendly films can be enjoyed, and if little feet get twitchy, you can always head out on deck for some fresh air.
Ben-my-Chree also has en-suite cabins, with TV, complimentary Wi-Fi and tea & coffee-making facilities and in-cabin service for meals. That means you can have privacy during your trip, and the little ones can catch 40 winks so they are full of energy when they arrive.
A variety of hot and cold meals are available on all sailings, or you can choose from a range of sandwiches and sweet treats. There’s also a choice of value-for-money children’s meal deals, including fish fingers, chicken nuggets or pizza with sides and a drink included.
MyFerryLink (www.myferrylink.com)
MyFerryLink wants the kids to enjoy the crossing as much as grown-ups do. So they’ve thought about everyone from babies and smaller children to older teenagers and created dedicated areas for each on-board.
There are special nursery areas on-board with handy baby-changing. MyFerryLink’s modern ferries are fully equipped with baby changing facilities. After a long drive in the car, kids need to burn off some energy. The on-board Play zone (above) is a safe play area created just for their entertainment – with cartoons, games and child-friendly furniture, they’re sure to be happy and relaxed by the time they’re back in the car.
NorthLink Ferries (www.northlinkferries.co.uk)
The journey with NorthLink Ferries is only the start of a great experience of the life, culture and history of the Northern Isles. On board services and facilities will get passengers in the mood for exploring their history. Children can enjoy the Viking’s Den play area and dedicated Games Zone before heading for a family meal in The Feast restaurant where the best of locally sourced produce is available. Or, if the latest blockbuster is on their wish list they can head down to the comfortable onboard cinema – available on the Aberdeen, Kirkwall or Shetland routes.
P&O Ferries (www.poferries.com)
P&O Ferries pulls out all the stops to make travel family-friendly on its ships. The company provides free Heinz baby food, there are baby changing facilities and soft toy play areas for toddlers. During the summer holidays, children’s entertainers are on hand to lead the Junior Crew Club with activities such as model making, face painting, and tales of adventures of the high seas by Club Mascot Pirate Pete.
Red Funnel (www.redfunnel.co.uk)
Red Funnel Isle of Wight Ferries will soon unveil the newly refurbished Red Falcon vehicle and passenger ferry, ready for families to travel on by spring 2014, and the £2 million refurbishment will boast plenty of features to keep families happy during their crossing to the Isle of Wight.
From the new sun deck and promenade walk with pushchair access, to enjoying locally-made ice creams while watching the yachts and ships pass by, passengers of the new Red Falcon can relax in one of the two passenger lounges which will offer additional toilet and baby changing facilities, and stop by the new children’s play space.
For a drink or a bite to eat, the Steam café bar offers freshly made food, and ReFuel café restaurant serves up hot and cold dishes using local ingredients. There’s also the chance to plan the family stay on the island and buy tickets to attractions at the new on-board Information Bureau. With a new deposit scheme allowing families to book their summer holiday for just a £25 deposit, and up to a 1/3 off tickets to some of the island’s best attractions when booked with Red Funnel ferry crossings, there’s never been a better time to pack up the car, take the kids, and explore the Isle of Wight.
Stena Line (www.stenaline.co.uk)
In 2010, Stena Line introduced the two largest Superferries in the world on its Harwich – Hook of Holland route: the Stena Hollandica and the Stena Britannica. A mighty 240 metres in length, each Superferry can accommodate up to 1,200 passengers.
The Superferries are kitted out like hotels with 11 decks incorporating two restaurants and bars, quiet lounge areas, duty free shopping, a casino and a sun deck, perfect for catching some rays on warm summer days. Families are well catered for, with a children’s play room, basketball court and even an on-board cinema. Children will be kept entertained in the kids’ fun zones and teen town and, during the school holidays, Curious George pops on-board to meet young passengers along with on-board entertainers.
Stena Line’s ships are spacious and contemporary with a range of areas to suit all tastes. Passengers can relax and enjoy the journey in one of the free movie lounges or use their tablet, computer or phone to take advantage of the free Wi-Fi without ever having to turn them off!
Stena Line’s Irish Sea passengers can upgrade to a choice of en-suite cabins, private lounges and suites. The Superfast ferries on the Belfast to Cairnryan route are the only ferries on the Irish Sea to offer a pure Nordic Spa experience complete with Jacuzzi and saunas and a range of invigorating massages. Why not treat the whole family to the Stena Plus lounge and travel in the lap of luxury with even greater comfort where complimentary snacks, beverages magazines and newspapers plus an exclusive restaurant menu are available.
Wightlink (www.wightlink.co.uk)
Lifts on Wightlink’s car ferries make it easy for families to travel between the vehicle decks and passenger lounges, and the on-board retail outlets sell a range of hot and cold drinks, snacks, sweets and magazines. For younger seafarers, highchairs are available for use on the flagship St Clare, which operates on the Portsmouth–Fishbourne route, and all car ferries offer baby-changing facilities, including changing mats and nappy disposal bins.
Visit www.discoverferries.com – your ‘refreshed’ one-stop-shop for up-to-date information and news about travelling by ferry. “Join Our Ferry Family” is this year’s theme of National Ferry Fortnight and for more information on great family offers to book during March15-29, visit www.nationalferryfortnight.co.uk
