It's a fine ferry. Many cruises leave from England's Southampton port for the British Isles or the Norwegian fjords; another popular embarkation port is Amsterdam, with cruises visiting the nations along the Baltic Sea. Save. Shetland Islands, Scotland. What we nob need t o know is whether the 5 nights/4 days in Shetland is sufficient for the major sights. We are in our md 60s and will be driving from London with numerous stops on the way, intending to spend maybe 5 nights in each of the Island groups. With a charming medieval Old Town and a Georgian New Town (jointly considered a UNESCO World Heritage site), Scotland's capital city is a blend of the ancient and the modern. The website will also give you details of some of the small local tour companies which operate here. If you're taking a ferry over to Shetland for Up Helly Aa, make sure you do it on Sunday night before the festival. Need to have at least one adult on each journey, Aged 60 +/ students / disabled passengers. Are you an Islander?Do you have a NorthLink ID? The North Atlantic Link has been succesfully operated with their MF. The 2 berth shared male cabins were full, so I booked a 4 berth shared instead. St. Petersburg, Russia. The Aberdeen terminal is conveniently located at Jamiesons Quay, in the heart of the city. One ship will sail directly whilst the other stops off every night at Hatston in Orkney. The sea was a millpond and we had a glorious sunset - it felt more like a cruise than a ferry! In addition to the MV Hamnavoe you can sail to Orkney from Aberdeen via the MV Hrossey and MV Hjaltland. Both routes were a little bit bumpy. These ships call in at Orkney frequently, arriving in the late evening before sailing on to Aberdeen or Lerwick. Wanted to feel solid ground under your feet, but it tossed anyway. The Met Office initiates warnings and prepares routine forecasts for dissemination on behalf of the MCA. original CCTV footage. The price is 175 each. But, don't let that discourage you from exploring one of the largest city in Scandinavia. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-53660154', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car, do book early - hire cars can be in short supply in the peak visitor season. Your journey begins as you set sail with NorthLink Ferries. Departing Aberdeen at 1700 they stop in Hatston at 2300, before continuing northwards to Shetland again at 2345. This ferry sails up to 6 times a day with the journey only taking 90 minutes and is the only ferry that sails past the iconic Old Man of Hoy. My father-in-law (a ship's captain who sometimes visited Shetland) did, can't speak for others. The ferry travels from Aberdeen to Kirkwall (and then from Kirkwall to Lerwick) on a Tuesday (not in winter), Thursday, Saturday and Sunday night. The Ferries were spotless and comfortable and my journey was very good. The crossing operates up to 7 times each week with sailing durations from around 12 hours 30 minutes. We enjoyed the trip, but someone with motion sensitivity could have had a problem. The forecast contains details of gale warnings in force, a general synopsis and sea-area forecasts . See famous landmarks, including Penny Lane, Strawberry Field and the band's childhood homes. Go to http://www.shetland.org for some ideas of whats available here if you come back here and let us know, I'm sure you'll get some suggestions for an itinerary which will give you a really good taste of Shetland and encourage you to return for a longer visit. On our return being daylight we had reserved seats and we also had a very enjoyable meal in the restaurant. The islands have anything from a well-established classical concert series through to lots of wild walking.. I worked in Lerwick for a few weeks, and it's easily up there with (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Go in the summer months for a smoother sailing experience in the Atlantic Ocean; you'll even be blessed with the midnight sun during visits to Norway's famed coastline. Direct Ferries Limited has its registered address at Direct Ferries Ltd, 2-3 Three Rivers Business Centre, Felixstowe Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP10 0BF, United Kingdom. Both crossings were fine although it was a little choppy coming back between Lerwick and Kirkwall but we were in our cabin by then almost asleep so it wasn't an issue. Aside from the weather, something peculiar happens where two or more different currents converge in the North sea somewhere off the north eastern cape and it's extremely uncomfortable. NorthLink Ferries sail daily from Aberdeen to Shetland and from Shetland to Aberdeen, sailing every evening and arriving the following morning. We preferred the Northlink Scrabster to Stromness sailing over the Pentland firth.Although it is slightly longer and more expensive it was so much more comfortable. The main ports of call on the North Sea are launching pads for amazing journeys. I wonder if you made it Shetlands in August. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Wendy, yes, the boat trip is much more interesting, it seems, as long as it is calm enough!! Amsterdam is a major international hub with connections to many U.S. airports, so getting there should be easy. The North Atlantic can be hideously rough. Use the Refresh or Reload button if in any doubt. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. This website uses cookies to help us process your bookings as well as customise and improve your experience. The sight of 40,000 massive, interlocking basalt columns along the sea is so striking that you'll have to see it to believe it. Need to have at least one adult on each journey, Aged 60 +/ students / disabled passengers. Come a day or two early to explore the "Venice of the North.". ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-53583427', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');London with numerous stops on the way, intending to spend maybe 5 nights in each of the Island groups. If you decide to go during this time, pack extra layers and be open to port changes. Bookings for Unst, Fetlar, Yell, Whalsay . No trip to these islands is complete without seeing their famous Shetland ponies, which can be found grazing or roaming the hills. Most Popular Now | 56,514 people are reading stories on the site right now. Bordered by Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany and Great Britain, the North Sea is a shallow, marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean and sees quite of bit of cruise traffic. Hopefully the weather for flying in June should not be to bad, and if booked fairly soon, looks like the overall cost is some 200 cheaper assuming we would need a cabin both ways on the inter island ferry. Ulsta Booking Office. Travel back in time in the gilded palaces and onion-domed churches. Although cruises often set sail during the shoulder months (May, June and September), you are likely to encounter a rougher sea, colder temperatures and rain. Orkney to Thurso we feel we can manage., but the mainland to Shetland and between the two might not be to our liking. We have sent an email to the provided email address. A 10% concessionary discount on passenger and vehicles fares is available to senior citizens (aged 60 years and over), to adults aged 16 or over in full-time education and to disabled passengers. The first sailing of the day is from Stromness to Scrabster and the final sailing is from Scrabster to Stromness at 19:00. A couple more tips. Plenty to see on both and they're quite different. Gloves and hats might be needed if you are visiting Eastern European countries in the shoulder season. We are thinking of visiting both The Shetland and Orkney Islands next year as part of a month long trip to Scotland, probably commencing early June. Take the overnight ferry to Lerwick from Aberdeen or Kirkwall. With regular sailings for passengers and cars from Scrabster and Aberdeen, travelling to the Orkney and Shetland Islands from the Scottish Mainland is more convenient than ever before. (A replica Cavern Club can be found onboard some of Norwegian's newer ships.). A yellow "be aware" wind warning has been issued by the Met Office for Orkney and Shetland with gusts of up to 65mph possible. Some cruises offer longer voyages traversing both the North and Baltic seas from Bergen to Eastern Europe and back to Scandinavia. Whether you are in a public area or a cabin, as you set to sea in one of our ships, you'll feel like you're on a cruise. There are only a limited number of cabins on the ship and they do book up quickly. The provided details are not correct. Now operated by Serco, NorthLink Ferries fleet of magnificent ferries provides a very high standard of comfort while meeting and exceeding all the latest safety requirements. This archipelago of 100 different islands, with only a small number inhabited, boasts a breathtaking coastline, abundant wildlife (from sea birds to marine life) and plenty of history. Dont eat fatty food, have a pint , take a sleeping pill and go to bed early. The best time for a North Sea cruise is at the height of summer, during the months of July and August, for calmer waters and fantastic, sunny weather. Relax on the 12-13 hour journey in the comfort of a cabin, sleeping pod or reclining chair and make use of facilities, like the restaurant, bar and cinema. . The ferry is the most leisurely way to get to Shetland and the anticipation of going to sleep in one place and waking up in another is all part of the adventure. Result. Alternatively, you may use. Keep in mind that cruises from England to Eastern Europe could encounter rougher waters, as they will be crossing the width of the North Sea. 01595 745804. ferrybooking@shetland.gov.uk. Plan this trip in the summer for the best chance of favorable sea conditions. If its a good evening - and mid-summer - then the run up can be glorious, you can stand on an outside deck, watch the coastline or seabirds - and if you choose an Aberdeen Lerwick sailing that comes through Orkney - then you get some great views of the islands as the boat sails into Kirkwall. "; Northlink's Shetland ferries were damaged in heavy seas last month, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites, How the world's oldest clove tree defied an empire, Why Royal Ballet principal Sergei Polunin quit, BBC News Updated every minute of every day, Tourists flock to 'Jesus's tomb' in Kashmir. North Sea to the British Isles: A typical British Isles cruise lasts anywhere from 12 to 14 nights, and begins in either Southampton or Amsterdam. Where do you go when the weather is so bad that you can't even leave the cabin? I had booked sleeping pods which were very comfortable and I would recommend these or a cabin. The 4 berth cabins are inside cabins so experience less movement than outside cabins. Access to the service may be interrupted or delayed from time to time, updates may also be delayed. This is the only ferry crossing to take you past the breathtaking Old Man of Hoy. Lasts night sailing was fine - I slept right through, only waking up at 0630 to the usual announcement about breakfast being available, and that Hjaltland would be alongside in Lerwick at 0730. Need to take into account costs of leaving your car at the airport or taxis to Dyce, as this is twenty pound each way from town. If you have any doubt - ask one of the staff what its going to be like - they will know, they do it all year round! The music started late and continued late. Get up early, and on a good day the views as you sail up the east side of the south mainland of Shetland are pretty good to. Thank you, staff were also very helpful. Ferry Timetable - Useful Information Winter Ferry Timetable The Winter Ferry Timetable will operate from 3rd October 2022 to 30th April 2023. On board the ferry to Shetland and Orkney youll be able to enjoy many comforts before arriving at your destination feeling refreshed and ready to begin your island adventure. When we arrived in Iceland I took the flight home instead. Liverpool, England. Yes, it can be very rough - north west Scotland, the Orkneys and Shetland Islands are notoriously windy. When we arrived at the ports, I was first of the ship. Belfast, Northern Ireland. Northlink Ferries ships are designed with comfort in mind, with well-appointed lounges, bars and dining facilities with menus containing a selection of fine island, and local Scottish mainland, produce. According to the crew on of those storms they only have once or twice each season. Relax on the 12-13 hour journey in the comfort of a cabin, sleeping pod or reclining chair and make use of facilities, like the restaurant, bar and cinema. Would love to hear if you made it there, and any suggestions. Northlink Ferries have plenty of routes between mainland Scotland and the North Isles available for booking throughout the entire year. Think positive - the sea may be like a millpond for you My wife and I have just done this crossing. They're a pretty good deal that way cause you don't need a lot of miles and I believe most of them are exempt from APD too. We had a dog with us so wouldn't have considered the sailing from Aberdeen anyway. The itinerary may include stops on the Norwegian coastline in Geiranger, Stavanger, Alesund, the Lofoten Islands or Olden, and then return to the North Sea for visits to the Shetland Islands, Orkney Islands and the eastern U.K. coastline. Travelers from Southampton embark on the North Sea toward the Baltic with stops in Belgium, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Riga, Tallinn, St. Petersburg (with an overnight stay), Helsinki and Stockholm before returning to the initial port of call. The UNESCO World Heritage site of the Giant's Causeway, considered the eighth natural wonder of the world, is a must-visit attraction near Belfast. There can be a rough patch where the ferry crosses approaches to the tidal race that becomes the Pentland Firth. Its pot luck what the weather and sea state will be when you travel. HI! 18:00 (UTC) on Thu 2 Mar 2023. Hope you enjoyed some signs of spring - daffodils coming out, skylarks starting to sing and maybe a few early lambs? This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in United Kingdom. Take a magical mystery tour through the birthplace of The Beatles. Alternatively, you may use. Available for both RF and RM licensing. Standing on the deck, heading into the 'sooth mooth' of Lerwick Harbour, you can taste the salty sea air on your lips, the freshness of the air on your skin, and you know you've arrived in Shetland. The shipping forecast is issued four times a day at 2300, 0500, 1100, 1700 UTC and covers a period of 24 hours from 0000, 0600, 1200 and 1800 UTC respectively. I stepped off this ferry yesterday, having had a return trip Aberdeen - Orkney - Shetland on a 10 day cycling tour of The shetlands. This famous seastack is usually the first landmark visitors can tick off their bucket list. NorthLink Ferries connects Scotland with the Isles of Orkney and Shetland, operating 363 days per year and providing the lifeline service to the Northern Isles, with islanders and visitors all using the service. A spokesman for the firm said the men were hurt at about 0610 GMT, when the ship Hrossay was coming past Sumburgh Head at the southern tip of Shetland. The passenger injured his ribs and the crewman received a head injury. Although fares might be lower during the shoulder seasons, keep in mind that the itinerary might be subject to last-minute changes and you could experience more ship movement. You can take your own car, motorhome or bike and there are pet-friendly cabins and kennels for your four-legged friends. 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Ferries were spotless and comfortable and my journey was very good, motorhome or bike and there pet-friendly.