I have recently returned from 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 an M6 delay meant we were lucky to arrive in the nick of time. The signs for the ferry terminal are really hard to follow though - it's not clear that the IOM port is in the City Centre (Albert Docks)...you may easily find yourself in Bootle where the Belfast Ferry leaves from. Once there though, the staff are very efficient at getting you on board the ferry and off again. The sea terminal in Douglas is conveniently located with Tourist Info in the building and is on the Promenade - you can take a horse tram to your hotel!!
The ferries themselves, however are pot 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 the crossing without disturbing those who wanted to sleep. There was a proper cafe and shop rather than a little hole in the wall with a vending machine. The return crossing was thus much more comfortable.
Overall - the Isle of Man is fantastic and this is still the cheapest way to get there. If they can be persuaded to update their fleet it may well also be the most comfortable!
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Advantages: Marginally better than swimming across dragging your car behind you. Marginally. Disadvantages: Inflexible, over priced, takes too long, the ferry is rubbish and is in need of a refit, terrible
Advantages: Marginally better than swimming across dragging your car behind you. Marginally. Disadvantages: Inflexible, over priced, takes too long, the ferry is rubbish and is in need of a refit, terrible
Aug 17th, 2001
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