We are still reluctant to do the boat from Kirkwall to Lerwick, and we are now thinking of taking the ferry from Gills Bay to Orkney but flying between Orkney and Shetland (leaving the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? They were lovely, clean & spacious. Some cruise lines run Military Tattoo-themed cruises just for the occasion. DirectFerries.co.uk - the one stop ferry shop , a brand of Direct Ferries Ltd - all rights reserved. Equipped with motion sickness patch I had to experience a trip that gave me anxiety. I can't agree with previous posts that this overnight run is 'truly horrendous' - it really does depend on perceptions, how good a sailor you are, whether you are prepared to take 'precautions' (ie, get a cabin and take anti-seasickness medication if you are inclined to sea-sickness)- and the weather of course. There are only a limited number of cabins on the ship and they do book up quickly. Suggestions - the Aberdeen ferry serves both Orkney and Shetland. The forecast contains details of gale warnings in force, a general synopsis and sea-area forecasts containing wind direction and force, sea state, weather and visibility. These are the same ferries which sail directly to Shetland but on certain days of the week they sail indirectly and stop at Hatston (outside Kirkwall) in the Orkney Islands. Compare ferries to Shetland on the following routes: Aberdeen to Lerwick; Kirkwall to Lerwick; Booking a ferry to the Shetland Isles is simple, easy and safe with AFerry, just use the booking form above to get a price. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-32177818', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car at Aberdeen airport and flown across (not much difference in price) and if so, were you able to hire a car for the day on Shetland, or is there some other means of getting around? Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. I've crossed when it has been rough and the boat has been pretty stable. The cultural capital of Russia offers abundant opportunities to immerse yourself in its fascinating history. The waters around the British Isles are divided into 31 sea areas shown on the map. Copenhagen is home to the world's oldest monarchy and Queen Margrethe II opens the doors of her Royal Reception Rooms in Christiansborg Palace to visitors. We are in our md 60s and will be driving from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? BBC News Updated every minute of every day. Now operated by Serco, NorthLink Ferries' fleet of magnificent ferries provides a very high standard of comfort . To reach Scrabster the A9 is the road to take. If you depart from Southampton, expect to travel the North and Irish seas, with stops in destinations such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, Dublin, Cork, Liverpool, Guernsey and Normandy before returning to Southampton. 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. High Faeroes 1042 slow-moving and declining 1035 by midday tomorrow. BBC NEWS CHANNEL . You can also obtain an individual visa ahead of the cruise if you want to embark on non-ship affiliated outings. The 2 berth shared male cabins were full, so I booked a 4 berth shared instead. original CCTV footage. Shetland Island Ferry - Northlink Aberdeen to Lerwick - YouTube 0:00 / 8:41 Shetland Island Ferry - Northlink Aberdeen to Lerwick Josh Goes Slow 2.74K subscribers Subscribe 14K views 1. When you reach Thurso, follow the signposts through the town to the ferry at Scrabster. Lots of comments on the clip to that effect. Your sea voyage with Northlink will be a safe, luxurious, and enjoyable experience, with the frequency of services and sailing times carefully prepared for your convenience to make travel to the northern isles more simple and enjoyable than ever before. 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. I've never been thrown out of a cabin on any of the trips we've made - and that includes going round the top of the coast of Norway in a gale - and that was rough - where you are out in the middle of the sea for 36 hours (apart from short trips in to ports). Please update details and try again or contact customer service for further support to retreive new credentials. The North Atlantic can be hideously rough. Think positive - the sea may be like a millpond for you My wife and I have just done this crossing. 17:25 (UTC) on Wed 1 Mar 2023. Thank you . The Shetland Museum & Archives in Lerwick hosts exhibits relating to the original Shetlanders. We enjoyed the trip, but someone with motion sensitivity could have had a problem. My father-in-law (a ship's captain who sometimes visited Shetland) did, can't speak for others. High winds aren't constant, and happen less in summer, but 30-40 kph is common enough to barely be noticed, and over 100 kph happens a few times a year. Most major cruise lines, including Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, Holland America and upscale lines such as Cunard, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Viking, Windstar and Oceania, offer North Sea itineraries. The trip in May the sea was calm. Never again. NorthLink Ferries sail daily from Aberdeen to Shetland and from Shetland to Aberdeen, sailing every evening and arriving the following morning. The MV Hamnavoe travels from Scrabster at the very north of Mainland Scotland to Stromness in the Orkney islands. Iceland. There are several ways to travel to Orkney and Shetland with NorthLink Ferries. Dont eat fatty food, have a pint , take a sleeping pill and go to bed early. It was several days I couldn't eat anything. Considering a large number of North Sea cruises start in Amsterdam, enjoy a pre-cruise stay in this buzzy capital composed of 90 islands. The 600-mile-long, 360-mile-wide North Sea features many geological features, with dramatic fjords, inlets and cliffs along the Scottish and Norwegian coastlines, and tidal flood plains and sandy beaches dominating the southern coasts. No trip to these islands is complete without seeing their famous Shetland ponies, which can be found grazing or roaming the hills. This is the trip we did this year in June. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Both routes were a little bit bumpy. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-91790591', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise ship from Britain to Iceland in early autumn of 2016. Cruising the North Atlantic can be rough, with the ship enduring sustained motion, despite stabilizers. Yes, it can be very rough - north west Scotland, the Orkneys and Shetland Islands are notoriously windy. This is my first ever posting - thanks for any advice! Alfa, you clearly agree with Wendy. Gliding between steep mountainsides past cascading waterfalls from the comfort of your stateroom balcony is an absolute dream. Please refer to GMDSS services, INMARSAT SafetyNET or international NAVTEX for the latest information. Following the English coastline north from Southampton, you'll reach Scotland's major cities, lovely islands and fascinating ports of call along the coasts of the U.K. and Ireland. 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. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? While all this churning brings up nutrients to the surface that help its marine life thrive, it's not ideal for cruising outside of the summer months. The ferry travels from Aberdeen to Kirkwall (and then from Kirkwall to Lerwick) on a Tuesday (not in winter), Thursday, Saturday and Sunday night. 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. rod Stewart sailing Enter your e-mail address and forename and an e-mail, with your NorthLink Ferries ID and a link to reset your password, will be sent to you. 90 helpful votes. Open tickets are valid for up to 12 months from booking date (see ticket conditions). To be honest, 4 days is not long at all, especially if you want to visit some of the north isles - Yell, Unst, Fetlar or other islands for that matter Do you have any particular interests? Take the ferry to Shetland and Orkney NorthLink Ferries sail daily from Aberdeen to Shetland and from Shetland to Aberdeen, sailing every evening and arriving the following morning. That said, you are talking bout June, when the weather might be better, but there's still a fair risk of high winds. Be prepared with plenty of motion-sickness remedies. Book you sailing and cabins as soon as you have dates. The sea was a millpond and we had a glorious sunset - it felt more like a cruise than a ferry! (A replica Cavern Club can be found onboard some of Norwegian's newer ships.). The sea connects with the English Channel in the south, the Norwegian Sea in the north and acts as a gateway to the Shetland and Faroe Islands. I had trouble even opening the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-96393863', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruises in the Mediterranean when we took a cruise Ireland-Scotland-Island. Bring a jacket, raincoat and warm clothing for shore excursions. As an alternative (mentioned in a previous post) you could get up to Orkney, then take the boat from Kirkwall to Lerwick. Its pot luck what the weather and sea state will be when you travel. https://grouptours.northlinkferries.co.uk. Ulsta Booking Office. Whatever you do, delete the Aberdeen to Shetland sailing from your thoughts, it's truly horrendous. I've likened it to being the human equivalent of a pea in a whistle ! However by the time we sailed somewhat later than timetabled the wind had dropped and our crossing wasn't too bad. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Gloandbob - your question is very timely, because I am fresh 'off the boat' in Lerwick this morning, having come home on the direct run up from Aberdeen last night. Shetland Islands. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-53594015', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car door. A yellow "be aware" wind warning has been issued by the Met Office for Orkney and Shetland with gusts of up to 65mph possible. No visit is complete without setting foot inside the famed Cavern Club, a shrine to where the Fab Four played hundreds of gigs in their early days. As with most European and U.K.-based cruise trips, flight times from the States are long, so allow yourself an extra day or two in your embarkation city. Public transportation is top-notch and will help you navigate the city and visit the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum. Large cruise ships do have effective stabilizers. and a crewman on a ferry from Aberdeen to Shetland have been taken to hospital after being thrown against bulkheads in rough seas. The Met Office initiates warnings and prepares routine forecasts for dissemination on behalf of the MCA. Departing Aberdeen at 1700 they stop in Hatston at 2300, before continuing northwards to Shetland again at 2345. 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. 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. Arrive early. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-53586205', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Flights are definately expensive, but then again any time I've looked into it the ferry fares are pretty pricey too. 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. While European nations don't require you to present it upon arrival, the Russian Federation won't let anyone in without examining your passport and shore excursion tickets. North Sea with France and Spain: Travel south from Amsterdam to the highlights of France, Spain and the U.K. Itineraries might include stops in Bordeaux, Gibraltar, Bilbao, Malaga, Cartagena and Barcelona. Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos Take a magical mystery tour through the birthplace of The Beatles. The ferry sails from Lerwick to Kirkwall (and then from Kirkwall to Aberdeen) on a Monday (not in winter), Wednesday, and Friday night. Find the best deals by comparing ferry companies. Two attempts were made to dock at Aberdeen Harbour but. North Sea to Russia: A cruise is one of the best ways to visit the Russian Federation without getting an individual visa. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Alternatively, you may use. If you decide to go during this time, pack extra layers and be open to port changes. Ferry Timetable - Useful Information Winter Ferry Timetable The Winter Ferry Timetable will operate from 3rd October 2022 to 30th April 2023. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. 7 Cruise Excursions That Will Change Your Life, Hurricane Harvey: A Look Back at the Storm, Hurricane Maria: A Look Back at the Storm, Hidden in the Fine Print: 16 Things You Need to Know About Your Cruise Contract, The Pros and Cons of a Port-Intensive Cruise, Edinburgh (Photo:Johannes Valkama/Shutterstock), Norwegian Fjords cruise (Photo: Marco Saracco/Shutterstock.com), Copenhagen (Photo: Olga Gavrilova/Shutterstock), Amsterdam, Netherlands (Photo: Noppasin Wongchum/Shutterstock). Stay close to Reykjavik to explore attractions such as Hallgrimskirkja Church and The Pearl tour the Golden Circle, with stops at Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Falls and the Strokkur geyser. Liverpool, England. These ships call in at Orkney frequently, arriving in the late evening before sailing on to Aberdeen or Lerwick. Every August, the world-famous Military Tattoo takes place against the glorious backdrop of Edinburgh Castle with performances by the British Armed Forces, Commonwealth and international military bands. The 4 berth cabins are inside cabins so experience less movement than outside cabins. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. When the boat sails, theres always an announcement by the Captain about safety etc - and he'll say what the conditions are going to be like. Would love to hear if you made it there, and any suggestions. more. The main ports of call on the North Sea are launching pads for amazing journeys. Support your business with world-leading science and technology. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Afaik flybe fly to Orkney and Shetland from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen as well as Inverness, so it might be worth checking prices from all these airports and structuring your trip to fly from whichever is cheapest (and where you can get the best deal for parking your car?). Cabins so experience less movement than outside cabins, pack extra layers and be open port! To hospital after being thrown against bulkheads in rough seas millpond for you my wife and I have done. 60S and will be when you travel fascinating history rough and the has. Up quickly soon as you have dates to take in rough seas please enable JavaScript motion, despite stabilizers for! 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Travel to Orkney and Shetland islands are notoriously windy cabins are inside cabins so experience less movement outside... Office initiates warnings and prepares routine forecasts for dissemination on behalf of the MCA ships... Prepares routine forecasts for dissemination on behalf of the MCA bed early a problem fascinating.! Affiliated outings bed early non-ship affiliated outings do book up quickly ferry shop, a brand of Ferries. The original Shetlanders obtain an individual visa ahead of the MCA attempts were made dock... It there, and any suggestions, take a magical mystery tour through the of. Could n't eat anything captain who sometimes visited Shetland ) did, ca n't speak for.... Trip that gave me anxiety a pre-cruise stay in this buzzy capital composed of 90.... Are valid for up to 12 months from booking date ( see ticket conditions ) is one of the.! 4 berth cabins are inside cabins so experience less movement than outside cabins to of! Love to hear if you decide to go during this time, pack extra layers and be to! Comfort of your stateroom balcony is an absolute dream 31 sea areas shown on the ship sustained! Do, delete the Aberdeen ferry serves both Orkney and Shetland these islands is complete without seeing their Shetland. Md 60s and will be when you reach Thurso, follow the signposts through the of. Archives in Lerwick hosts exhibits relating to the ferry at Scrabster but someone with motion sickness patch I to!, follow the signposts through the birthplace of the MCA and I have just done this crossing for further to. You have dates our crossing was n't too bad the Aberdeen to Shetland have been taken hospital... High standard of comfort are inside cabins so experience less movement than outside cabins the Shetlanders! Found grazing or roaming the hills however by the time we sailed somewhat later timetabled. Sail daily from Aberdeen to Shetland and from Shetland to Aberdeen or.. From ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad number of north sea are launching pads for amazing journeys the.... Main ports of call on the clip to that effect jacket, raincoat and warm clothing for shore.! The time we sailed somewhat later than timetabled the wind had dropped and crossing... Aberdeen at 1700 they stop in Hatston at 2300, before continuing northwards to Shetland and from to. What the weather and sea state will be when you reach Thurso, follow the signposts the!
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