Ferry to Ireland

[TotesGodsWill]

I usually go to Ireland a couple of times a year to visit family, using Flybe. No other airline currently flies the route I need, so considering the options. I’ve always avoided the ferry as I get seasick, but my only ferry experience was a school trip to France I’ve never got the ferry to Ireland.

Just wondering for anyone’s experiences? Especially those with seasick tendencies?

Ferry is great! If we didn't live 6 hours away from the nearest UK port that gets us to Dublin, we would absolutely choose to travel this way all the time instead of flying.

Usually go via the ferry around Christmas. So handy to be able to take the car and all the kids stuff (and presents) with us - gives us so much freedom when there.

Do it! Even if you don't feel great on it, it's not for long.

Ferries are very comfortable now. Sit in the middle of the boat if you are prone to sickness. You don't feel the rocking as much.

I've done this trip many times as we drive.

Take Sea-Legs before you feel ill and try and get a seat with a view facing the direction of travel. The ships are much better than they used to be as well. You'll be fine

I get seasick too and the Irish sea crossing can be very rough. It obviously depends on the weather and is better in the summer, but can still be tough. We usually did the Fishguard to Dublin Port with Irish Ferries a few times in the last few years. You can get the catamaran if the weather is good (in spring/ summer), it's only 2 hours then. However we took it once when it was a bit windy, and it was really not the most comfortable, rocking side to side. But I could put up with it for 2 hours. The other option is the large ferry (on that route it's the Ulysses), it doesn't rock as much (in my recent experience!) but it's 4 hours.

To be honest I'm giving up with the ferry because I always get really stressed about what the crossing will be like in the days leading up to it. It's mostly been fine but I hate seasickness so much! It's annoying though because having the car is so handy (especially with all the stuff you need for kids, carseats etc.).

Ireland is a big place and I'm sure there is huge variation in the routes. A speedy 2.5 hours is very different from 8.

Depends on the route! Larne / cairnryan - Belfast, fine.

The route from wales is notoriously awful. And long.

Sorry it would probably be Fishguard to Rosslare

Thank you all for your advice, I really appreciate it

Oh god, memories of the whole family being so seasick on our regular Holyhead to Dublin/Swansea to Cork crossings to see my dad’s family as a child. I would hope ferries have improved since the early 90s though. Take a night crossing a get a cabin - it’s worth it to be able to lie down.

Could you fly Bristol to Cork? It's Aer Lingus. Depending on where you live?

I did Holyhead to Dublin once. Roughest crossing I've ever been on anywhere, felt so ill the whole time

I traveled Holyhead to Dublin up to five times a year as a child and less frequently since. You get used to it. If you're prone to sea sickness then book the ferry not the high speed catamaran.
Sit by a window/go outside and keep an eye on a horizon. It helps your brain reconcile the movement it feels Vs the fact your can't see it.

@DinoGreen oh me too. I remember one spectacular occasion when my sister threw up all over her baked beans when my mum was trying to tell her she'll feel better if she ate something...

We did it once and it was great fun - dd was only small but she still remembers it. However we don’t suffer from seasickness so ive no idea! Can’t you take pills for that?

The rosslare boats are great. Book a cabin, go to sleep, wake up and drive off after a wonderful nights sleep. Cheaper than a hotel to break up the journey and splits the drive up also.

Take the overnight crossings.

I go by boat from London to Holyhead to Dublin regularly! I love it ! Would happily travel that way over flying every time if lived closer to the ferry port !

Irish Ferries
Pay for the lounge with free tea and coffee
Its part of the holiday

I love it. Always get club class unless I do the night sailing in which case I get a cabin.

I go several times a year as I have a house in Offaly

It's such a short journey, I'd just take some sickness tablets and go for it.

I feel your pain, I get seasick really badly.

When I have to do the ferry (larne / Stranraer) I stay out on deck most of the time - it’s bitter though.

I went via SeaCat ( vomit comet) once - DH had a lovely time with a big fry up - I didn’t come out of the toilet the entire 2 hours.

We did holyhead to Dublin and it was fine, smooth journey and just had a drink and played cards to pass time. Certainly would recommend it

I hate it. The Irish Sea is a lot rougher then the channel. I have no bother with it going t France but to Ireland it kills me (I don't know if this is partly due to the trauma of going as a child twice a year). Also if the weather is bad it can really affect it. Once (although years ago) there wasn't enough water to dock and we stayed on the ferry for an extra five hours 🤢 however very handy if you want to take lots over with you or take your car but I'd rather fly and drive than do the ferry.

Agree with the sitting in the middle of the boat, by a window, if possible. Get your head back onto the headrest and just watch the horizon/doze if you can. Stugeron are good travel sickness tablets.

Not sure how you can sit in the middle of the ferry by a window?

I find the Fishguard - Rosslare crossing rough as fuck! Ok (ish) in the summer, terrible in the Winter.

But I do suffer from seasickness.
I try and knock myself out with tablets and sleep through the hell of it!

Lengthways I assume, fastliving!
OP I have a lot of ferry experience and get sick a lot (northern route though so shorter (I think). My tips are - don't travel with kids. If you need to, have someone else be in charge of them so you're not managing children and feeling crap.
High speed ferries get it over faster, but you will feel worse on them.
On a slow, old style ferry it won't move about as much. You want to be on a lower deck if there's a choice. Be outside as much as you can, I have never felt sick when outside but it's too cold to do a whole journey except in summer maybe.
I usually feel better with a pint of Guinness. A lot of it is nerves.
If you can get into a nice recliner lounge or cabin it's great.
Good luck!