Isle of Man Steam Packet

Advantages: Fast, fairly comfortable, quite cheap
Disadvantages: Punctuality is a bit out, staff seem quite disorganised

...the pleasure of visiting the Isle of Man. For this trip, your choices are limited to the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company or various airlines which are completely impractical if you want to take the car and fairly expensive. With this in mind, I booked a return for two people from Liverpool to Douglas, a snip at a mere £42 per person for foot passengers plus bicycles travel free. More about bicycles later though. We arrived at Liverpool for our ...
...and heading over to the Isle of Man with just a bike. Directions were given to a nearby NCP however where I'm pleased to report the car spent it's weekend and remained in one piece. Check-in at Liverpool is especially fun. No-one had made it in the slightest bit clear how passengers with bikes were supposed to check-in. For anybody thinking of doing it in future, you have to get your boarding pass from the check-in desk, then take your luggage over ... Read review

Advantages: Good value if you travel overnight
Disadvantages: Expensive if you don't

I live on the Isle of Man so if I want to get on and off the Island with my car the Steam Packet is my only choice. In general their service is pretty good and fairly punctual. Considering the prevailing weather and sea conditions in the Irish Sea they keep pretty close to the timetable most of the time. The Ben My Chree (which means "Girl of my Heart" in Manx)is a small ferry if you are used to cross Channel ferries. It runs from Douglas to Heysham ...
...company is currently up for sale so it remains to be seen who the new owners will be what sort of service they will provide but in order to use Douglas Harbour they have to provide at least a minimum level of service agreed with the Isle of Man government. ... Read review

Advantages: Price
Disadvantages: Punctuality not great, Some ferries very cramped

...a short break in the Isle of Man and we used the IOM Steam Packet car ferry to get there. It's cheaper than flying (particularly for the 4 of us) and you don't have to worry about getting to and from airports etc., as you can take your car there. That said it is still quite expensive - but it's cheaper if you book your accommodation and travel through their tour operator Magic Holidays. Liverpool is easy to get to from the Motorway network- although ...
...luck. We went on "The Isle of Man" going out - and this was very small. The seats had very little legroom and were a real squeeze to get in and out of. There was nothing to do on the ferry except read and watch....the sea! Mind you it was only 2.5 hours. However we had a different ferry on the way back - the "Rapide" which was much roomier. The seats weren't crammed in and there was lots of legroom. They showed a video which nicely took up most of ... Read review

Advantages: you can take the car
Disadvantages: grossly expensive, and basic accomadation on board

...have days out on the Isle of Man, it is a shame that the Isle of Man steam packet Co doen't have any competition as their fares are astronomically high when compared to other UK ferry companies tariffs, and also when time on board and distance travelled is taken into consideration.... The island is a beatiful place to visit, and there is lots to do and see, but the high cost of travelling there by ferry must be putting a lot of people off travelling ...
...an inclusive holiday on the island with the IOM Steam Packet Co If you can afford it though you simply must go to the Island, I've been going there since I was a boy Scout on our annual camp from Liverpool...I love it there and you will too..... the ferries are basic ferries similar to the cross channel ferries of the 1970's, but then for a 4 hour crossing you don't need a lot.. ... Read review

Advantages: It runs every day
Disadvantages: it doesn't run if its too windy

I live on the isle of man, we have a popular saying to folk who come over the water, "if you don't like it, there is a boat in the morning" this is true today as it has ever been. The steam packet is the only passenger service operating to and from the island. Douglas is the main port. Today there are six crossings, the main route is to Heyshem near Lancaster. Heyshem or Heysham, depending where your from from, is best described as a hovel, the steam ...
...Dublin, Belfast, Liverpool and the Isle of Man. Be aware on Saturdays a lot of people go to the north west of england to watch the football and rugby, a lot of drunken fools use this boat on the return. Don't be confused, this is not the seacat that was hit in Feb in the Mersey, she is still getting repaired. The staff are very efficent and helpful, if you are nice they are, although it must be said you get better quality staff on the Ben boat ... Read review

Advantages: Location in the heart of the city
Disadvantages: can be expensive so make use of offers

...The Crowne Plaza hotel in Liverpool is a good hotel to stay in if you want a city break at a quality hotel. The best thing about it is the location. ST. NICHOLAS PLACE, PIER HEAD LIVERPOOL, L3 1QW The hotel is (almost) on the waterfront close to the Pier Head and a short walk to the Albert Dock. I say almost on the waterfront because there is a new office building between the hotel and the river so although "room with a river view" is a truism, you need to look between the buildings! Remember the Fawlty Towers sketch Guest -" I asked for a room with a sea view" Basil -"there it is over there between the land and the sky"! Actually the river is only 50 yards away so don't be put off. The Isle of Man Steam Packet ship docks just near to the hotel and gracefully slips away at about 12.40 for Douglas. The hotel is next... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Innovateive interactive museum. Great for Kids.
Disadvantages: Small car park

...of the harbour and city of Peel. You can see and hear the harbour as it was in Victorian times when there were so many fishing boats you could walk across the harbour on them. And you can see and smell the kipper factory. Then, coming right up to date, you can learn about the history of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company and can even pilot a ferry across the Irish sea from Liverpool to Douglas (I managed to run over a yacht and end up in Dublin but it was still fun !) At the end there is a presentation in a small room bringing the story of Peel city up to date. As it finishes the windows, which were opaque, magically clear to reveal a view across the harbour to Peel Castle. In the same building is also housed the Peel museum which is a more conventional small museum. As well as general interest, this would be fascinating for anyone trying... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: beautiful landscape and scenic walks
Disadvantages: not for people who enjoy their nightlife!

...Information supplies a pass to see 4 different heritage sites for only £10 - that is saving at least £5 and take it for me, it is worth it. You can visit the Laxey Wheel, which is the largest working waterwheel in the world, House of Mannannan, which tells you the history of the Island, Peel Castle ruins and Castle Rushen and Rushen Abbey (you are likely to see people as they were in the olden days!) + many more. If your looking to get a job on the Island the largest sector is the finance sector. The majority of residences are accountants, bankers, and financial advisers. This is where the money lies. Getting on and off the Island: You can travel by sea or air, or swim if you think your up to it!! To get there by sea, you need to book with the Isle of Man Steam Packet. Prices vary from £19 single foot passenger or £38 return depending... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful