Not just a Ferry cross the Mersey

Advantages: great views, educational
Disadvantages: not good in bad weather

...Where:-- River Mersey - There are 3 Ferry terminals in operation today, these are located in Seacombe, Birkenhead Woodside (these are both on the Wirral side or the River) and the Pier Head (Liverpool side of the River), However, at present the Pier head is not operational and the ferries are operating out of a temporary landing stage located at the Princes Dock. This is unfortunately due to the fact that earlier in 2006 a extremely high tide and a freak wave caused the Pier Head Landing stage to sink. work is in progress to resolve this issue asap. What do Mersey ferries have to offer:- Peak times - rush hour - There is a shuttle service for comuters which operates every half hour. In the morning there is complmentary coffee avaialble to all commuters and it is actually very good coffee, handy in the winter months when its...

Julieshobs 22.10.2006 (30.10.2006) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Mersey Ferries

Ferry Cross The Mersey

Advantages: affordable, fun, good day out
Disadvantages: crossing can be a bit rough, avoid if you suffer from seasickness

...I have always wanted to go to New York. To travel on the Staten Island ferry, visit the big department stores, museums and restaurants, use the subway, etc. However, I live only 15 miles from Liverpool and never use their ferries, subways or stores! So when my parents suggested a day out on the Liverpool ferries I was not overly enthusiastic - hardly New York! Boy was I wrong. The splendour of Liverpool's architecture and waterfront is mindblowing. It's bars and restaurants are on a par with any International city. We parked at a local train station that was within Merseyside. This was apparently important. My parents have both recently reached the age when travel is free within Merseyside and they are now experts at where you can and can't go and at what times. They advised us to buy a Saver ticket - this means free travel on all...

MichelleScott 04.12.2000 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of The Mersey Ferries

Ferry Cross The Mersey

Advantages: Great views over the city. Romantic.
Disadvantages: Not many but cold in winter

...Long before I first visited Liverpool which was back in 1959 when I docked at the port on returning to UK from Sierra Leone, I had heard of the famous Mersey Ferry. Then in the 1960's when the Mersey Sound dominated popular music, Gerry and the Pacemaker's had a gigantic hit with "Ferry Cross the Mersey". Later it was to become the anthem for the supporters of that great club Liverpool FC. When I visited Liverpool again in the 1970s I did not have enough time to take a trip on the Ferry and it was only in 1992,when visiting my daughter,who was studying at Liverpool University,that I actually "Crossed the Mersey"for the first time. I had further trips in 1993 and 1998 and found it was an interesting way of travelling in Merseyside. Visually much more interesting than going through the tunnels or by tube train. I boarded the ferry...

ashford 22.11.2000 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Mersey Ferries

Ferry Across The Solent!

Advantages: Reliable and quick.
Disadvantages: The price is a variant!

...cannot miss are the car alarms going off as the ferry departs from Portsmouth. All of a sudden there is this vast crescendo of alarms going off at once. In some cases a few drivers returned to reset the arms in their vehicles, but in theory this shouldn't have happened and they should have left the cars making the sound. I also noticed that some drivers didn't leave their vehicles at all and decided to have a quick nap in their van! Where were Health and Safety when you needed them? As I said earlier the journey was only 40 minutes but with two coaches of school children this seemed a lot longer! Also the weather conditions added five minutes to the crossing time as well as we were sailing into a headwind. As we couldn't sit inside we were forced to sit on the Sun Deck with all the smokers and the kids that decided that this was the best...

Timbo3107 24.05.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Wightlink Ferries

Premier Inn, Charing Cross Glasgow

Advantages: Close to town and all amenities
Disadvantages: none

...I have never stayed in the Premier Inn before, but I felt I had to share my experience of the past weekend. The staff in both reception and the restaurant were fantastic, they were really helpful and made you feel right at home. The room and bathroom were both spotless, warm and the freeview television meant that my daughter didn't miss her soaps while she was away. The bed was both big and comfortable and we didn't have any trouble getting to sleep. We opted for the breakfast deal and we were not disappointed, the food was well cooked and warm there was also plenty of choice. Access to the hotel was excellent for both able bodied and non-able bodied people, we didn't have a wheelchair but we did have a six month old baby and a pram, and even though it is situated next to Charing Cross rail station we didn't hear a thing from...

Donnagx2 21.09.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Premier Travel Inn Glasgow - City Centre (Charing Cross), Glasgow

Ferry of success

Advantages: good value for money, clean easy to book and relaxing atmosphere
Disadvantages: i cant think of any

.... The trip was only a 2 hour trip as well. Apperance The ferry itself was very attractive insdie. There was plenty of room to accomadate either having a sleep/rest or eating at the dining tables. The place was immaculate aswell, everything was sparkling clean and there were alot of mirrors which were spotless. There was a very relaxed feel to the place especially as the crossing bak was a little rough it was comforting. I thought it was very modern but also looked quite classy. Quality Norfolk had everything you needed for the time we were travelling at. They had a bar serving a range of drinks both alcholic and soft drinks, this was not really open when we tavelled as it was 2 in the morning. The kitchen was one of the best features i thought. On the return journey the kitchen opened just after 12 when we got on. It was a very...

blackmagicstar4 03.07.2008 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Norfolk Line Ferries

The Star Ferry

Advantages: Fun, unusual method of transport nowadays
Disadvantages: Only lasts 15 minutes!

...The Star ferry is the iconic ferry service betwen Kowloon and Hong Kong island and has been ferrying passengers back and forth now for well over a century. The ferry line actually has four routes although the most famous and commonly used one, and the one most people mean when they talk about the 'Star ferry' is from tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon to Central, Hong Kong. The price is HK$2.3/1.8 upper/lower deck (£1 currently is around HK$12) so an extremely cheap way to get out into the water of Hong Kong. Boats depart at least every 15-20 minutes so you can turn up at the pier without having to look up departure times in advance and the crossings take only around 15 minutes. There are now other ways to get across to Hong Kong island such as the metro which may be more convenient for regular commuters, however, as a tourist it means you are not...

flyingllamas 13.07.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Star Ferry, Hong Kong

Ferris Holidays Review

Advantages: Cheap. Affordable.
Disadvantages: Journey - but you get what you pay for.

..., the journey is longer than 1100 miles/1700 kilometres so again journey times will be extended. But as the brochure will tell you the journey is apart of your holiday. I'd advise the ones with kids to bring along pillows, fleece blankets and food although the host/hostess will offer cold/hot drinks (including soups). Depending on the host/hostess you have, food can vary from chocolate bars to pot noodles. Ranging from 50p-£1. So although they ask you to stock up on food - bearing in mind large cooler bags are prohibited due to safety and health reasons but you are allowed to take a over-back bag to fill with the food you want - the host/hostess is very handy. INWARD JOURNEY From your pick-up point, you will gradually make your way down to south-east England in either Folkestone (for the Le Shuttle/Eurotunnel) or Calais (for the Ferry crossing...

Greeny1980G 13.09.2008 (20.09.2009) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Ferris holidays

Pentland Ferries - the cheap and cheerful way to get to Orkney

Advantages: The cheapest and quickest way to get to Orkney by car, modern vessel, wonderful scenery en route.
Disadvantages: Gills Bay terminal is a bit of an eyesore at the moment and the toilets there are a mess.

...Ciao Review ? Pentland Ferries The cheap and cheerful way to reach Orkney by car or on foot For many years, the most popular way to reach Orkney (and prior to 2001, the only way via car) was via P&O Ferries? service from Scrabster (a couple of miles outside Thurso) across to Stromness. Even today it remains probably the most utilised ferry, now operated by Northlink, which is owned by David MacBrayne Ltd., which also owns the more famous Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) ferry company. Northlink receives yearly subsidies to run this lifeline service to Orkney, yet from 2001 the Scrabster-Stromness service has had competition in the shape of a small, local family-run outfit, which offered a shorter and cheaper ferry crossing, albeit using older vessels ? and one that does not receive any financial help whatsoever from the Government...

graeme10 27.03.2009 (17.11.2009) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Pentland Ferries

Orkney Ferries - Not just a way of getting from A to B

Advantages: Helpful and friendly crews, clean vessels, wonderful views of the islands, excellent bacon rolls!
Disadvantages: None really, they're the only way to reach some of the islands.

...?re parking about three hundred yards away from the linkspan so you have be on the lookout for hand-signals from the crew on the ferry ramp, letting you know you can drive down onto the pier! The linkspan on Stronsay is at the end of the pier, the latter not being protected from the elements ? I once drove down it towards the ferry in a near gale and it wasn?t a very pleasant experience! Embarkation tickets are handed out when you cross the linkspan and are collected when you leave the ferry. Finally, the North Isles service would not be complete without mention of the MV Golden Mariana, which operates six daily round trip passenger-only runs between Gill Pier, at the village of Pierowall on Westray, with Moclett Pier on the island of Papa Westray. I?ve been on this boat before ? but back when she operated pleasure trips from Ullapool to...

graeme10 03.04.2009 (04.04.2009) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Orkney Ferries