ConsumerValue: Transport and Travel
4. Ferries/Sea Travel
For island dwellers such as the Irish, ferry travel is a familiar option for accessing foreign destinations, both for business and recreation purposes.
Ireland is now well served with ferry options, principally to the UK, including the Isle of Man.
There are also a number of connections available to France.
The busiest routes tend to attract the highest level of price competition - Dublin Port to UK destinations, Rosslare to UK destinations, Cork to Roscoff (summer only) - but the single biggest influencer in prices is seasonality.
Travellers typically find that fares are higher in summer and lower in winter, with midweek being the cheapest time to travel. There is usually a premium added to weekend trips.
Prices, for the most part, are set on both a vehicle and passenger number basis, with baseline tariffs usually quoted for a car plus one passenger.
The cost of additional passengers is usually modest relative to the overall cost of the trip, as the largest cost item is the transport of the vehicle itself. There is no limit on the amount of baggage you may transport as long as you can fit it in your vehicle.
Paying options on ferries to the UK usually include access to a premium standard lounge and/or to cabins. Cabin fares are usually set to reflect the number of berths.
Cabins are optional on the majority of crossings to the UK - check your ferry company terms and conditions to confirm this. In most cases, cabins are required on crossings to France and the cost of cabins is not usually included in the advertised price.
The main operators offer a selection of on-board restaurants and cafes from which you may purchase meals, snacks and refreshments during your journey.
If you’re travelling on a budget, of course, you may bring your own refreshments for consumption on board, however this will not be allowed within the confines of the bars and the restaurants.
Useful links