We are trying to book our ferry to Orkney in late April. We have never been on a ferry before and I was confused during the booking process. I found the one I wanted and when I started the booking process it directed me to choose a cabin, with options for inside and out. I was unaware there are cabins. I thought there was just seating and you found a seat. I went through the FAQ's and emailed customer service only to receive a standard reply. I will try back with them, but I wondered if anyone can give a general breakdown of what actually happens when you ride a ferry. We will be taking our rental car (yes, we've let the rental place know this). Do we HAVE to book a cabin, or is that just for extra comfort? If we don't book a cabin, are there sheltered places to sit, or do you sit in your car? I appreciate any and all information for us ferry newbies. Also, do you recommend taking our rental car, or is it easy enough to get around on Orkney without one? The rate I saw was $267, which seems like a lot. But, just being there for the day, we want to make the most of it.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33992 posts
a dummy booking for out and back on the 19th April, morning out and evening back, showed no cabins on that route.
It did put up a message on the next page
For overnight crossings (arriving in Lerwick or Aberdeen), book
accommodation on board the ferry for a comfortable night's sleep. For
other sailings (arriving in Kirkwall, Stromness or Scrabster),
accommodation is not essential but can be a convenient place to rest.
For passengers sailing from Stromness early in the morning, spend the
night on board in a bed and breakfast cabin. Please note - only cabin
options that are available on each particular sailing will be listed
below. Passengers with infants can reserve cots from the Extras page.
That seems pretty clear. Were you looking at the booking page and put in Scrabster and Stromness?
Posted by
Lake District, England
8134 posts
You don't need a cabin for the 90 minute crossing.
There is plenty of both inside and external seating, which is all free of charge. Pick where you want.
On all but very short ferry crossings (which Northlink don't do) you have to leave your car and go into the public areas on the upper decks. Northlink have a very nice cafeteria serving local produce and there is a bar. For a ship the food and beverage prices are very reasonable and reccommended.
So you drive on, park up, take stairs or elevator (which the crew will show you) to the upper decks, enjoy the crossing. You will be told over the tannoy when to return to your car as you approach port, then drive off.
Crew on the car deck will direct you where to park, and when to drive off.
There are also outside areas to watch the scenery.
The MV Hamnavoe on the Scrabster route only has cabins for bed and breakfast use (not for day passages). I have just done a dummy booking and can't replicate being offered cabins. They do appear on the Aberdeen to Kirkwall route but as that arrives at 2300 northbound (is overnight southbound) you don't even need them northbound. Nice to have but not needed. On the Aberdeen route only you might like the extra charge of the Magnus Executive Lounge or a reclining chair, but don't need them.
Southbound overnight on the Kirkwall to Aberdeen yes take a cabin.
If you are offered cabins somehow, don't select anything, just scroll down to the bottom of the page and click 'Continue' , to go through the rest of the booking process.
The Northlink ships are very nice and the scenery is spectacular. Even on the evening crossing from Scrabster it'll be daylight at that time of year, so enjoy the crossing.
The fare sounds about right- in £ it should be £60 each way for the car and £19.35 each way for each adult from Scrabster to Stromness
If you're only there for the day then yes take the car. If you were there longer I'd have said think about public transit, but you need to maximise your day.
Posted by
Lake District, England
8134 posts
No you don't need a cabin- it is only a 90 minute crossing.
In fact you shouldn't even be offered one. I can't replicate that on a dummy booking. If you are offered it just scroll down to the bottom of the page and click 'Continue'.
You can't stay in your car.
You drive on, will be directed by crew where to park and shown the stairs and elevators to the passenger decks.
All inside and outside seating is free.
There is a good cafeteria and a bar. The cafeteria serves good local food at very reasonable prices and is much recommended.
Enjoy the pretty spectacular views on the crossing, especially the high sea cliffs of the Old Man of Hoy.
As the ship arrives into port you will be directed over the tannoy when to return to your car, then when to drive off,
Enjoy the nice ship and this scenic crossing. On a nice day there is outside seating to better enjoy the views.
The fare looks about right- should be £60 car each way and £19.35 per person each way.
For a day trip you absolutely need your car. To maximise your day I would suggest booking Bed and Breakfast on the ship. When she arrives back into Stromness at 2030 after her evening sailing you can board, have a cabin, and be on board when she sails for Scrabster at 0630 next morning.
See here for more information on that option which has to be booked by 'phone.
https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/booking-info/offers/hamnavoe-bed-and-breakfast/