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TRIP REPORT: An Irish Aviation Enthusiasts day out – Holyhead to Dublin Ferryport aboard M/V Ulysses (Club Class)

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Holyhead to Dublin Ferryport (Club Class) aboard M/V Ulysses
An Irish Aviation Enthusiasts day out

An Irish Aviation Enthusiasts Day Out - Header Image

In this adventure

Port of Holyhead to Port of Dublin. 
M/V Ulysses, Irish Ferries
Club Class

Before we go on, I need to get this out of my system before I go much further. Those of a certain again will know why.

Those of you who are not of a certain age, Ulysses 31 tells the story of Ulysses who angered the gods of Olympus and has to find the Kingdom of Hades to find the path back to Earth. Consider this a Greek education with Sci-Fi elements and you’re 90% there.) 

I headed upstairs, past the very full looking truck and car decks – until I reached the main decks – which has plenty of passenger accommodation, a shop, restaurant and so on.

a poster on the wall

a sign on a railing
Which way?

I headed upstairs to the upper deck and got a funnel shot – in my effort to find the Club lounge.

 

a sign on a wall
You are here

a group of people standing in a line
Shops 

a restaurant with a glass wall
Free internet at sea? Why yes – it’s a thing. 

a green building with a white logo on it
Funnel

I headed back down, crossed the main deck past the reception area and onwards to the club deck.

a reception desk in a lobby
Reception

a sign post with several directions
Which way?

a wood carving on a wall
It is art.

It was an easy way to get 9 flights of stairs in that day.

a large room with a large window and a couple of people sitting in chairs
Club Class? 

a black sign with white text and silver text
Club class! 

a hallway with a sign on the wall
Entrance to club lounge.

I headed into the Club deck. Where the main deck was full of noise, this just had silence in this.

a room with chairs and tables
Seating and … benches. Nice comfortable bench seating. To sleep on natch. 

a room with a television and a wood floor a room with chairs and tables

a room with tables and chairs

a red leather couch in a restaurant
Bench bed.

a white electrical outlet with a cord
Power at benchbed.

a coffee shop with a counter and chairs
Snack bar.

In terms of amenities, there’s a dedicated Wi-Fi hotspot (free at the point of use), dedicated free soft drinks and wine, and light snacks.

This board explains it all.

a sign above a glass case with food
Please enjoy with our compliments.

a display case with food on it

a plate of food with tongs
Smoked Salmon bites

a plate of cheese and meat
Cheese things and meats

a table with different food items on it
Fruits and meats
a display case with different foods
Breakfast things.

I grabbed a few snacks and a drink and found a padded bench that wasn’t occupied.

Perfect for a snooze.

With the ferry leaving port, I check the on-board Wi-Fi – which was sluggish. But at least it was free (not just at this point, but on the entire ferry).

a sign on the wall a sign on a wall

a screenshot of a phone

With that done, I covered my eyes with my coat… and drifted off to sleep.

And I must have slept well – as I woke up with the announcement we were approaching Dublin.

a city at night with a body of water
Hello Dublin

At least a good 2 and a half hours snooze. Better than nothing… and considering the day ahead, every minute would be welcomed.

a coffee machine with a screen and stacks of paper cups
Coffee. Needed.

Another round of snacks and a big wake-up coffee…and I was ready to go with the ferry fast closing in on the port of Dublin

a city lights at night
Port of Dublin

I headed downstairs to the reception area – the main disembarkation point for foot passengers whilst car and truck drivers had long since gone to their cars to leave.

a man standing on a staircase

a group of people sitting on red chairs in a room
Back on the main deck 

a sign on a wall
Yes. Donate to the RNLI. No matter what the Daily Mail says.

a reception desk in a lobby
Reception and the Bureau de Change.

And waited

And waited.

In no surprise, they were having difficulty lining up the link  the ground and ferry. Eventually, it was made – and the foot passengers and I left.

a group of people standing in a room
Lets go!

I headed off the ferry and headed off into the Port of Dublin

Overall: Irish Ferries and M/V Ulysses did more than an acceptable job of taking me across the Irish sea in the dead of the night. Whilst a cheap rail and sailing ticket was good value, I can’t overestimate the extra value paying £16 for the Club Deck gave me – not for food and drink – rather for a quiet place to sleep for a couple of hours between.

And that was worth its weight in gold. As well as rest.

Next: Exploring bits of Dublin in the Early Morning.

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Comments

  1. Sandra says

    I will be going over before Christmas and an so worried about rough seas. If I am skck it is a big problem and I will be travelling g alone. Was it very bad?

    • Kevincm says

      It was a little rough on the night I was travelling. If you’re on the Swift, it could be a problem (the high speed catamaran.

      The Ulysses is a much more traditional (if a LOT larger) ferry. Whilst the sea was a little rough, it felt very steady and smooth.

      Happy travelling!