We're in the early stages of planning a trip in the first half of May. How likely are we to run into weather that would cancel a scheduled ferry crossing and/or delay us, when crossing by ferry between Wales and Ireland? Is the crossing sometimes rough to the point of discomfort in May? Two of us tend to get motion sick :( Since its early days we're looking at both the crossing at Holyhead and the crossing at Fishguard as we put together an itinerary.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
If you're really worried about motion sickness, you can fly from various Irish cities to Cardiff (for southern Wales) or Liverpool (close to northern Wales). Check Skyscanner for options: https://www.skyscanner.com/
Posted by
2403 posts
You have 2 ferry companies operating between Wales & Ireland:= Irish Ferries & Stena. Irish Ferries use the Jonathan Swift and Ulysses between Dublin & Holyhead:> http://www.irishferries.com/uk-en/ships/dublin-swift/
Irish Ferries also operate a southern route from Rosslare to Pembroke. (If using this route, be sure to visit the Pembrokeshire coast - Bosherston and the lily ponds walk to the coast and Barafundle Bay is well worth it. Also the lovely seaside town of Tenby. However, the scenery in northern Wales should also not be missed.
Stena Line also has a southern ferry linking Rosslare with Fishguard.
http://www.stenaline.co.uk/routes/holyhead-dublin
Bad weather is most unlikely during May.
Posted by
OP
Columbus, USA
396 posts
I'm more worried about losing a travel day or more. The motion sickness was an afterthought in my post, but we have had the stop the car in the midst of a roadtrip due to to car sickness so maybe I should be thinking more about this : ) Thanks for your replies, Harold and James.
Posted by
2403 posts
I went from Guernsey to Jersey and back in a force 8 gale on a similar vessel to the Jonathan Swift. I must say that was incredible smooth as it skimmed across the sea.
You worry about losing a day due to bad weather. What you must take into account is that by crossing the Irish Sea you land in the west of Wales which is very scenic - for the most part. Of course, you could fly over - Liverpool or Cardiff seem to be the more obvious landing places. See www.skyscanner.net for airlines - best to click monthly view. Beware of baggage in hold charges.
You would also have to arrange car rental at your ‘landing place' in Wales.
Posted by
OP
Columbus, USA
396 posts
Thank you for your replies, James and Harold. We booked flights in and out of Dublin and will take the ferry to/from Holyhead. It looks like the ferry port is an easy trip from the Dublin airport and also not far from the city center. Since our flight to Dublin is scheduled to arrive at 5:30 AM we booked a cabin on the ferry on the trip to Wales so perhaps we can get a little sleep. Only one of the ferry lines appears to offer cabins, which are reasonably priced compared to how desperately I will probably want a nap at that point. We booked a rental car from Hertz, which has an office in the ferry terminal at Holyhead.