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 near Lancaster. (There is also a service to Liverpool which runs by fast Sea Cat (catamaran) in the Summer and by another conventional ferry (The Lady of Man) in the winter. The Ben My Chree has a reasonable bar and cafe service but, apart from the 'quiet lounge' the seating is pretty uncomfortable and cafeteria style. Visitors are often surprised by the Manx 'old hands' who sleep anywhere - on the floor and across seats - because the cabins are at least £59 which is a lot for a four hour crossing.
The staff are unfailingly helpful and pleasant. They have a lot to cope with at times, especially during TT (1st week of June) and the Manx Grand Prix (August bank holiday) or when the weather is rough. They always try to keep you informed if there are delays.
If booking always check out the special fares. They can save you a lot of money - especially the twilight specials which are valid on the night-time boats. These specials are for any length of stay and there are always short break special fares available too - usually starting from about £119 return for two people plus a car. Motorbikes are cheaper and if you are travelling without a vehicle the fares start from about £38 return and there is a railway station actually in Heysham ferry terminal. (Combined "rail and sail" fares are also available but I don't know how economical they are as I have never used them).
The Steam Packet 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.
Nice op. You could probably get to belfast too in the summer?
monkfeesh 08.07.2003 22:12
Great op! I've never done IOMSP before, but I gather that they are still using the vintage classic "Lady of Mann"? Glad to see you enjoyed them anyway.
HWIOM 08.07.2003 22:11
The kippers are still great (although I've never been keen on the idea that people send them home by post !) and Pat you should visit the Isle of Man. It's not a cheap holiday but it is beautiful and safe and really makes visitors welcome.
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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
Jul 8th, 2003
very helpful by (100%):
