Stena Line Services to Holland - Reviews
Robert Lidster tries out both the Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica.
For more information about the ships and how to book, visit the Stena Line website...
Stena Britannica - Hook of Holland to Harwich
Driving across Europe can be a beautiful thing, imagine the French Riviera, Monte Carlo, the Italian Lakes, beautiful countryside bathed in glorious sunshine! Now think German autobahn and 335 miles of motorway driving from Hamburg to the Dutch port of Hook of Holland.
We had been on the road for three and a half hours and had covered 210 miles, some of it at high speed on excellent motorway, but much of it through slow moving road works, it seems motorway driving is pretty much the same the world over.
We needed a break and had stopped at the AC Hotel at Holten in Holland, we stretched our legs, had a cup of tea and made use of the facilities for approximately an hour before once again nestling down behind the wheel for the final 125 mile drive to our destination, The Hook of Holland.
We had only one reason for wanting to get to the Hook of Holland and that was to catch the overnight ferry back to England, it sailed at 22:00 and it was now 17:15 and we had been on the road since 12:45. All in all it had been a good drive, a little slow at times due to road works but the weather was good and as it was a Saturday there were very few lorry’s on the road.
The rest of the drive was pretty much uneventful and we arrived at the port at 19:00 just as they had started check in, we presented our passports and internet booking confirmation and was handed a map of the ship along with our boarding cards which would also act as our keys to our cabin. We were then waved on to the next box where the Dutch immigration officer once again checked our passports. We then proceeded along the car lanes until we were stopped whilst they loaded some lorry’s on before us, we eventually got on board at about 19:30.
We parked the car as instructed by the crew member and applied the handbrake as well as putting the car in gear (better safe than sorry, you don’t want your car rolling into the car in front or behind if the ship starts rocking). I also remembered (unlike a previous occasion) to lock the doors but not put on the alarm, evidently it can get a bit annoying for the crew to have car alarms sounding all night long once the motion of the ship sets them off.
On leaving the car deck I took one of the tickets from the pad by the stairs/lift which indicates which car deck you are on and which colour staircase to take the next day when you return to your vehicle. We were on car deck three and would need the green stairs. We took the lift to the ninth deck where our cabin was situated. As we were only on board for one night and it was a short crossing lasting only seven hours, we had decided to opt for the cheaper option of an inside two berth cabin, there are also outside cabins and higher grade cabins to suit all budgets.
Our cabin had cost £37 plus the fare of £100 for the car and two passengers, making a one way fare of £137, the cabin was clean and bright and had everything we would need for our journey, a shower with WC, a dressing table with mirror and hooks and hanging space for our clothes. The sleeping arrangements were in bunks with access to the top bunk gained via a small ladder.
Having checked out our cabin we went in search of food, we first checked out the Food City on deck eight which serves individually priced items and smaller snacks, ideal if you are in a hurry or on a budget. We decided to push the boat out (no pun intended) and went to the Metropolitan Restaurant on deck seven where there is a buffet/grill with a set price of 25 euro for all you can eat.
A crew member welcomed us as we entered the restaurant and suggested that we look around the restaurant and the food on offer before making up our minds, this we did and as the food looked delicious we asked to be seated, requesting a table with a view at the front of the ship overlooking the bow. Once seated, the waiter took our drinks order and then left us to choose our starters, main courses and deserts at our leisure throughout the evening, only stopping by now and then to enquire on whether any more drinks were required.
The food was of a very good standard and the ambiance of the restaurant very relaxing, we sat enjoying the meal for about two hours as the sun set on the Hook of Holland and we finished our meal with a cup of tea as the deck hands were casting off and the Captain turned the ship around and headed for England.
After dinner we explored the rest of the ship starting with the shop which was very well stocked with the usual booze, fags and perfumes as well as souvenirs of Holland and sweets and the like. Having sailed on these sort of ferries many, many times before over more years than I care to remember, I can tell you that there are very few bargains to be had these days. The tax break that we Brits use to get from Duty free went several years ago and now with the pound being so weak against the euro the prices on board are pretty much the same as in the UK.
After a little window shopping we went on to explore a little more of the ship. The Stena Britannica is what is known as a Ropax Seamaster and is predominately a freight ship but which will also take car and foot passengers in somewhat comfort. She is 240 metres long, 29.3 metres wide, can carry 900 passengers in 395 cabins, 300 cars and can maintain a speed of 22 knots, taking seven hours to get from Holland to England.
Amenities on board include: a 24 hour reception, a bureau de change, a kids area, a teenage area, a cinema, a casino, the Stena Plus Lounge as well as two bars and the two restaurants already mentioned. Everything you need for an enjoyable North sea crossing.
We had been on the road for three and a half hours and had covered 210 miles, some of it at high speed on excellent motorway, but much of it through slow moving road works, it seems motorway driving is pretty much the same the world over.
We needed a break and had stopped at the AC Hotel at Holten in Holland, we stretched our legs, had a cup of tea and made use of the facilities for approximately an hour before once again nestling down behind the wheel for the final 125 mile drive to our destination, The Hook of Holland.
We had only one reason for wanting to get to the Hook of Holland and that was to catch the overnight ferry back to England, it sailed at 22:00 and it was now 17:15 and we had been on the road since 12:45. All in all it had been a good drive, a little slow at times due to road works but the weather was good and as it was a Saturday there were very few lorry’s on the road.
The rest of the drive was pretty much uneventful and we arrived at the port at 19:00 just as they had started check in, we presented our passports and internet booking confirmation and was handed a map of the ship along with our boarding cards which would also act as our keys to our cabin. We were then waved on to the next box where the Dutch immigration officer once again checked our passports. We then proceeded along the car lanes until we were stopped whilst they loaded some lorry’s on before us, we eventually got on board at about 19:30.
We parked the car as instructed by the crew member and applied the handbrake as well as putting the car in gear (better safe than sorry, you don’t want your car rolling into the car in front or behind if the ship starts rocking). I also remembered (unlike a previous occasion) to lock the doors but not put on the alarm, evidently it can get a bit annoying for the crew to have car alarms sounding all night long once the motion of the ship sets them off.
On leaving the car deck I took one of the tickets from the pad by the stairs/lift which indicates which car deck you are on and which colour staircase to take the next day when you return to your vehicle. We were on car deck three and would need the green stairs. We took the lift to the ninth deck where our cabin was situated. As we were only on board for one night and it was a short crossing lasting only seven hours, we had decided to opt for the cheaper option of an inside two berth cabin, there are also outside cabins and higher grade cabins to suit all budgets.
Our cabin had cost £37 plus the fare of £100 for the car and two passengers, making a one way fare of £137, the cabin was clean and bright and had everything we would need for our journey, a shower with WC, a dressing table with mirror and hooks and hanging space for our clothes. The sleeping arrangements were in bunks with access to the top bunk gained via a small ladder.
Having checked out our cabin we went in search of food, we first checked out the Food City on deck eight which serves individually priced items and smaller snacks, ideal if you are in a hurry or on a budget. We decided to push the boat out (no pun intended) and went to the Metropolitan Restaurant on deck seven where there is a buffet/grill with a set price of 25 euro for all you can eat.
A crew member welcomed us as we entered the restaurant and suggested that we look around the restaurant and the food on offer before making up our minds, this we did and as the food looked delicious we asked to be seated, requesting a table with a view at the front of the ship overlooking the bow. Once seated, the waiter took our drinks order and then left us to choose our starters, main courses and deserts at our leisure throughout the evening, only stopping by now and then to enquire on whether any more drinks were required.
The food was of a very good standard and the ambiance of the restaurant very relaxing, we sat enjoying the meal for about two hours as the sun set on the Hook of Holland and we finished our meal with a cup of tea as the deck hands were casting off and the Captain turned the ship around and headed for England.
After dinner we explored the rest of the ship starting with the shop which was very well stocked with the usual booze, fags and perfumes as well as souvenirs of Holland and sweets and the like. Having sailed on these sort of ferries many, many times before over more years than I care to remember, I can tell you that there are very few bargains to be had these days. The tax break that we Brits use to get from Duty free went several years ago and now with the pound being so weak against the euro the prices on board are pretty much the same as in the UK.
After a little window shopping we went on to explore a little more of the ship. The Stena Britannica is what is known as a Ropax Seamaster and is predominately a freight ship but which will also take car and foot passengers in somewhat comfort. She is 240 metres long, 29.3 metres wide, can carry 900 passengers in 395 cabins, 300 cars and can maintain a speed of 22 knots, taking seven hours to get from Holland to England.
Amenities on board include: a 24 hour reception, a bureau de change, a kids area, a teenage area, a cinema, a casino, the Stena Plus Lounge as well as two bars and the two restaurants already mentioned. Everything you need for an enjoyable North sea crossing.
Stena Hollandica
We arrived at the port of Harwich at about 21:00 for our 23:45 overnight sailing to the Hook of Holland on Stena Lines Ropax Seamaster Hollandica. Check in had alreadystarted at about 20:30 and there were only a couple of vehicles in front of us at the car lane check in, it only took a couple of minutes to be checked in, having shown our passports and internet booking reference we were handed a map of the ship and our boarding cards which would also act as our keys to our cabin.
We drove through customs without being stopped and was then waved on by the port staff to the waiting car lanes prior to boarding. Because the Stena Hollandica is predominately a freight ship, the car drivers are loaded on board in batches, a few at a time in-between the lorry’s being loaded. We were soon waved on by the staff and were on board by 21:30, we were guided into our parking spot and took the advise of the notices to: “put on hand-brake, leave in gear and turn off alarm”. On a recent trip to Scotland whilst on a car ferry from the Isle of Skye we had forgotten to switch our alarm off and within a few minutes of setting sail we could clearly hear our car alarm sounding as the ferry was rocked with the movement of the waves, I don’t intend making that mistake again (very embarrassing).
On leaving the car deck it is worthwhile taking one of the tickets from the pad which is situated by the lift/stairs which tells you which car deck you are on and which colour steps you need to take to return to your vehicle the next day, it is all too easy to forget, especially after a nights sleep. We were on car deck 3 and took the brown stairs to our cabin on deck nine, everywhere was well sign posted and it was easy locating our cabin .
We had chosen an inside two berth cabin which was the cheapest option at £37 for the cabin, add to this the £120 for the flexi ticket for the car and two passengers and our total fare one way was £ 157. Our cabin was clean and bright and with a WC and a shower had everything we needed for the seven hour crossing, there was also a dressing table and mirror as well as hooks for coats and a small rail for hanging clothes. We had bunk beds and as I lost the toss of the coin I got the top bunk which was accessed by a ladder.
As prior to boarding we had eaten a most enjoyable meal at the Pier Hotel in Harwich (a birthday celebration for my wife) we did not eat on board, however, we did explore the ship and check out the various eateries etc.
There is the Metropolitan Restaurant on deck seven which serves hot and cold food from its buffet and grill, a set price for the three course (eat as much as you can) buffet is 25 euro and represents good food at a reasonable price. Also on deck seven is the Food City restaurant and bar where you can purchase fast food items, both restaurants serve breakfast as well as dinner.
Other amenities on board include a 24 hour reception, a bureau de change, a kids corner, teenage area, a cinema, a casino (blackjack and roulette) and a shop as well as the Stena Plus Lounge where for a small extra payment you have a comfortable lounge with free Wifi, newspapers and teas and coffees. The Stena Hollandica will hold 900 passengers in 398 cabins and can carry 300 cars, she is 240 metres in length and 28.7 metres wide and is capable of a speed of 22 knots.
Having explored the ship and decided against any purchases in the shop, ( with the pound as weak as it is against the euro there are very few bargains to be had) we retired to our cabin at around 22:30, still over an hour before we would set sail. Disembarkation the next morning would be at 07:00 central European time with a wake up call at 06:00 so we had just enough time to get seven hours in bed.
The beds were surprisingly comfortable and the crossing as calm as can be, so aside from waking up on a few occasions throughout the night, we managed a reasonable nights sleep and were up and getting dressed long before the ships announcement that breakfast was being served. We grabbed ourselves a cup of tea from Food City ( no breakfast for us as it was our intention to get a few road miles under our belts and then stop on route). Another walk around the ship including outside on deck and we were being called along with all the other vehicle drivers to return to the car decks (I’m glad I took that ticket to remind me where I parked).
We were off the ship and through customs by 07:00, feeling refreshed after our good nights sleep and ready for the long drive ahead, we had 335 miles to drive through Holland and Germany to get us to our destination of Hamburg but we felt ready for it.
We had chosen to drive to Germany as we were visiting our son who lives in Hamburg and there were things that he wanted us to take over for him (the excess baggage costs with flights would have been astronomical). As it happened we were sailing just one day after the Icelandic Volcano erupted and all European flights were grounded, this was indeed fortunate as had we been booked to fly we would not have made it. DFDS use to have a sailing from Harwich to Hamburg but as the route proved unprofitable they discontinued it some years ago, however anyone heading for Holland, North Germany, Denmark or many of the Baltic states who need or would like to drive rather than fly, the Harwich to Hook of Holland is a very good choice, there are two sailings a day, one daytime and one overnight and once in Holland you have access to very good motorways, there is also excellent train connections for those travelling by foot.
We drove through customs without being stopped and was then waved on by the port staff to the waiting car lanes prior to boarding. Because the Stena Hollandica is predominately a freight ship, the car drivers are loaded on board in batches, a few at a time in-between the lorry’s being loaded. We were soon waved on by the staff and were on board by 21:30, we were guided into our parking spot and took the advise of the notices to: “put on hand-brake, leave in gear and turn off alarm”. On a recent trip to Scotland whilst on a car ferry from the Isle of Skye we had forgotten to switch our alarm off and within a few minutes of setting sail we could clearly hear our car alarm sounding as the ferry was rocked with the movement of the waves, I don’t intend making that mistake again (very embarrassing).
On leaving the car deck it is worthwhile taking one of the tickets from the pad which is situated by the lift/stairs which tells you which car deck you are on and which colour steps you need to take to return to your vehicle the next day, it is all too easy to forget, especially after a nights sleep. We were on car deck 3 and took the brown stairs to our cabin on deck nine, everywhere was well sign posted and it was easy locating our cabin .
We had chosen an inside two berth cabin which was the cheapest option at £37 for the cabin, add to this the £120 for the flexi ticket for the car and two passengers and our total fare one way was £ 157. Our cabin was clean and bright and with a WC and a shower had everything we needed for the seven hour crossing, there was also a dressing table and mirror as well as hooks for coats and a small rail for hanging clothes. We had bunk beds and as I lost the toss of the coin I got the top bunk which was accessed by a ladder.
As prior to boarding we had eaten a most enjoyable meal at the Pier Hotel in Harwich (a birthday celebration for my wife) we did not eat on board, however, we did explore the ship and check out the various eateries etc.
There is the Metropolitan Restaurant on deck seven which serves hot and cold food from its buffet and grill, a set price for the three course (eat as much as you can) buffet is 25 euro and represents good food at a reasonable price. Also on deck seven is the Food City restaurant and bar where you can purchase fast food items, both restaurants serve breakfast as well as dinner.
Other amenities on board include a 24 hour reception, a bureau de change, a kids corner, teenage area, a cinema, a casino (blackjack and roulette) and a shop as well as the Stena Plus Lounge where for a small extra payment you have a comfortable lounge with free Wifi, newspapers and teas and coffees. The Stena Hollandica will hold 900 passengers in 398 cabins and can carry 300 cars, she is 240 metres in length and 28.7 metres wide and is capable of a speed of 22 knots.
Having explored the ship and decided against any purchases in the shop, ( with the pound as weak as it is against the euro there are very few bargains to be had) we retired to our cabin at around 22:30, still over an hour before we would set sail. Disembarkation the next morning would be at 07:00 central European time with a wake up call at 06:00 so we had just enough time to get seven hours in bed.
The beds were surprisingly comfortable and the crossing as calm as can be, so aside from waking up on a few occasions throughout the night, we managed a reasonable nights sleep and were up and getting dressed long before the ships announcement that breakfast was being served. We grabbed ourselves a cup of tea from Food City ( no breakfast for us as it was our intention to get a few road miles under our belts and then stop on route). Another walk around the ship including outside on deck and we were being called along with all the other vehicle drivers to return to the car decks (I’m glad I took that ticket to remind me where I parked).
We were off the ship and through customs by 07:00, feeling refreshed after our good nights sleep and ready for the long drive ahead, we had 335 miles to drive through Holland and Germany to get us to our destination of Hamburg but we felt ready for it.
We had chosen to drive to Germany as we were visiting our son who lives in Hamburg and there were things that he wanted us to take over for him (the excess baggage costs with flights would have been astronomical). As it happened we were sailing just one day after the Icelandic Volcano erupted and all European flights were grounded, this was indeed fortunate as had we been booked to fly we would not have made it. DFDS use to have a sailing from Harwich to Hamburg but as the route proved unprofitable they discontinued it some years ago, however anyone heading for Holland, North Germany, Denmark or many of the Baltic states who need or would like to drive rather than fly, the Harwich to Hook of Holland is a very good choice, there are two sailings a day, one daytime and one overnight and once in Holland you have access to very good motorways, there is also excellent train connections for those travelling by foot.
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