Follow the Journey

Ferries

Sea crossings, sailed and reviewed.

5 crossings across the Irish Sea, the North Sea, Cook Strait and the Strait of Georgia, from 4 operators - booking, boarding, foot-passenger logistics, and whether the upgrade is worth it. Every one is a sailing I've taken myself.

Irish Sea & North Sea

The Stena crossings that link Ireland, Britain and the Netherlands.

Belfast to Cairnryan ferry

Belfast Cairnryan

Stena Line 2h 15m

The fastest route from Northern Ireland to Scotland. Booking, boarding, pets, and whether the Stena Plus lounge is worth the upgrade.

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Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry

Harwich Hook of Holland

Stena Line

The North Sea crossing from England to the Netherlands, filmed on board.

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Cook Strait

Between New Zealand's two islands - the ferry is the journey.

Wellington to Picton ferry

Wellington Picton

Interislander

The essential link between New Zealand's North and South Islands - and what the fleet reset means for the crossing.

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Strait of Georgia

Vancouver to Vancouver Island, with and without a car.

Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo ferry

Horseshoe Bay Nanaimo

BC Ferries 1h 40m

Vancouver Island without a car: the Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay crossing as a foot passenger, bus connections included.

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Vancouver to Nanaimo ferry

Vancouver Nanaimo

Hullo 70 min

The fast foot-passenger ferry from downtown Vancouver to Nanaimo - no car, no Horseshoe Bay bus.

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The crossings on the map

Every ferry crossing and cruise reviewed on Planet Patrick - ferry routes are the dashed lines.

World map of every ferry crossing and cruise reviewed on Planet Patrick Explore the map

Beyond the Crossing

Rail Journeys

The trains on either side of the crossing - most of these ferries connect two rail networks.

Cruises

When the ship is the holiday rather than the crossing - lines, ships and ports.

Destinations

Where to stay and what to expect on the other side.