Anchors away for a Swift crossing

Anchors away for a Swift crossing

Jane Archer checks out Irish Ferries’ Dublin Swift route between Holyhead and Dublin

Jane Archer checks out Irish Ferries’ Dublin Swift route between Holyhead and Dublin

HOLYHEAD is not an easy port to get to for anyone travelling from the south or east of England. The port is located at the tip of Anglesey, as far across Wales as you can go.

We drove from London on the A5 at night when there was no traffic but it still took us five hours to travel the 280 miles, due to major roadworks across Anglesey. The last 20 miles alone took 30 minutes. It was so slow we opted for the A55 on the way back.

We arrived as the ferry was starting to load so it is vital to leave in plenty of time.

Embarkation

Check-in was quick as there were no passports to check or cabins to allocate. However, loading was a bit haphazard. On the outward journey, I refused to park where they wanted as I would not have been able to open my car doors in order to get out of the vehicle. On the return, loading was slow because there were a lot of cars to fit in. I overheard one passenger say that cars were skidding on the ramps to the mezzanine floors because tyres were wet after a heavy shower.

On board

The fast-ferry Jonathan Swift operates on the Dublin Swift route. The layout of the boat was very simple.

There was one large open-plan deck with seating arranged around a stage where there was live entertainment on our evening crossing.

This deck had the Poolbeg cafe serving hot meals and the Temple Bar serving drinks, alcohol and snacks. There was also a gift shop and a bureau de change.

The advertised Lilliput children’s room had been replaced with arcade games but there was a video wall with cinema-style seating which was popular with the youngsters. Upstairs Trinity Bar served drinks and snacks and there was a large outside area – much bigger than on any other fast ferry in the UK.

Conclusion

The service was a disappointment, especially when you get such a friendly welcome everywhere else in Ireland. And I think the actual ferry could have travelled a bit faster – especially on a service that sells itself on speed. I thought prices were a bit erratic – £5.95 for a full breakfast was fine, but £3.50 for a bacon roll was expensive.

The ferry layout was attractive and I liked the fact all seats, except those by the video wall, have tables.

The live entertainment in the evening was also a nice touch.

The tables and seating are regularly cleared of dirty plates and cups, which was impressive.

Safety and service

A friendly Irish voice welcomed everyone on board. It directed passengers to watch a safety video which is shown on the TV screens around the deck before the ferry sailed.

Unfortunately, the service was less welcoming. When we ordered breakfast, we were given food we had not asked for and when we pointed this out a comment about “awkward” passengers was quite audible.

The service was very slow – Poolbeg is divided into two identical halves, each with a server and a till, but it took 30 minutes to get breakfast and the ferry was not full. The crew on the return was better, with table service freely provided for a disabled woman who was unable to fetch her own food.

factfile

dublin swift

Ship: Jonathan Swift.

Crossing: Holyhead to Dublin.

Crossing time: one hour, 49 minutes.

Frequency: thrice daily during the summer.

Fares: a five-day return for a car and driver is £159; a standard single for a car and driver is £129. Additional passengers cost £20 return. Children under 16 can travel for £10 and under four’s travel free.

Sample prices: full Irish breakfast £5.95; Beef Wellington £7.50; children’s mini pizza £3.50; sandwiches £2.

Sample duty-paid prices: Jameson Irish whiskey, £13.99; Teachers whiskey, £11.99.

Quick crossing: the fast-ferry route to Dublin takes just under two hours

Fresh air: the Jonathan Swift has a large outdoor area

Conclusion

The service was a disappointment, especially when you get such a friendly welcome everywhere else in Ireland. And I think the actual ferry could have travelled a bit faster – especially on a service that sells itself on speed. I thought prices were a bit erratic – £5.95 for a full breakfast was fine, but £3.50 for a bacon roll was expensive.

The ferry layout was attractive and I liked the fact all seats, except those by the video wall, have tables.

The live entertainment in the evening was also a nice touch.

The tables and seating are regularly cleared of dirty plates and cups, which was impressive.

Hit and miss: service in the Poolbeg cafe was slow

Sing-a-long: there is live entertainment in the evenings

Response

Irish Ferries marketing director Tony Kelly give us his views:

“We are aware of the problems of getting across Anglesey, but the good news is that the new road across the island will be ready in the new year.

“It has been a big issue for us for many years, but the authorities are finally delivering. It will mean we have a good road to the port using the A55 – and that’s the only way to go.

“At check-in this year we have introduced a valued customer scheme, where we recognise repeat passengers and load them first if possible.

“One of the things we have learned in the year since launching the fast ferry is people don’t want to get across the Irish Sea fast, only to wait a long time to get on and off the vessel.

“Travelling up a ramp can pose a challenge – I suspect because of nervous drivers rather than a slippery deck. If that was a problem, we would never get going.

“One of the big pluses on the Swift has been the staff. We want to have an Irish feel – the idea that the holiday starts as soon as passengers are on board – so that remark is unforgivable.

“I will look again at prices. We keep an eye on both our competitors and current shore prices. I hope on balance we come out competitively.”