Taking An 18 Hour Ferry In A Storm (Holland to UK)

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After a crazy few weeks in France where I faced a few challenges including getting bitten by a dog, I am now making my way home to Scotland and taking the Amsterdam to Newcastle ferry for 18 hours with DFFS seaways, also known as the DFDS mini cruise.
On my way to Europe with my campervan, I took the channel tunnel but for my return trip, I’ve decided to opt for ferry travel and will take this overnight ferry from Holland to the UK (arriving into northern England) to cut down on the amount of driving I have to do…
This Amsterdam to Newcastle ferry crossing with DFDS seaways starts out well, but things take a huge turn for the worse when we are faced with 50 mp/h winds and start to experience a very stormy North Sea ferry crossing.
🍿 WATCH NEXT
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TAKING THE LONGEST FERRY IN THE UK: • Taking The Longest Fer...
DRIVING ENGLAND IN ONE DAY: • Driving The Entire Len...
CHANNEL TUNNEL (UK TO FRANCE): • Travelling Under The S...
BITTEN BY A DOG IN FRANCE: • I Was Attacked In France
CHANNEL TUNNEL (UK TO FRANCE): • Travelling Under The S...
DFDS FERRY TO NEWCASTLE: • Taking An 18 Hour Ferr...
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If we haven't met before... Hi, I'm Ruth 👋 and I recently bought a campervan to travel my home country of Scotland after living overseas for 12 years. I’ve hardly seen anything or been anywhere in Scotland and now is the time to change that!
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[@ruthaisling]

What an end to the trip! Have you ever suffered from seasickness? Since coming back to Scotland I've been working on a few exciting video projects and I can't wait to share these with you over the next few weeks/months! 👒🔍 Don't forget you can download June’s Journey for free using my link: woo.ga/gw2qextp

[@rmcgeddon9611]

I've done some wild ferry crossings over the years and never been sea sick. On some crossings I'd guess around 80% around me were suffering. I wonder what the physiology is and why I seem so 'lucky' It looks awful.

[@ruthaisling]

@@rmcgeddon9611if you ever find out, please share with us your secrets 😅

[@rmcgeddon9611]

@@ruthaisling 🤣

[@jonathanfinan722]

I once was desperately ill on a Plymouth to Roscoff ferry. Me and one of my friends were curled up on the bar floor crying for most of the journey. What made it all the more interesting was the bar was showing German porn dubbed into Italian with French subtitles on the telly.

[@ericrabinowitz6390]

In 1960, when I was 6, the ferries in Massachusetts went on strike. We took a fishing boat in a gale instead. My father, me, 2 sibs, and my pregnant mother. We stayed below where the rocking was less, but my mother to this day recalls that crossing as one of the worst hours of her now 97 years! You have all my sympathy. I'm glad you made it home safely. :)

[@freezinweasle1]

Retired US Coast Guard here. I feel your pain. The stages of sea sickness: You don't feel well, you are sick, you are afraid you are going to die and then you are afraid you are going to survive and still be sick. God bless you.

[@davidwadsworth8982]

Retired Merchant Mariner,first praise to all Coasties ,4 ever. Thanks. I worked Great lakes. Some time on the salt with Military Sea Lift duty, on a spook ship. but mostly fresh. Been there with sickness just totally knocking me down. When it hit me,it went from uncomfortable to please let me die real fast. Puking plus a headache from Satan.

[@ruthaisling]

Love that!

[@valeriebaker9512]

Do you ever get used to it?

[@GertjanZwiggelaar-mo4tz]

In June, 1960 my family and I crossed the Atlantic on the SS Rijndam of the Holland America Line to emigrate to Canada. I was nine years old and still clearly remember my own sea sickness which lasted for about two days but the image of hundreds of people lined up top side in deck chairs with vomit bags that were constantly being tossed overboard. My Mother was very ill for a goodly part of the trip. Come to think of it, the ship was late in arriving in Montreal by a day or two because we also had a considerable storm at sea. Now that I am reminiscing I recall being tossed about in my bunk. No wonder there were so many 'green' people on board.

[@cattymajiv]

@@valeriebaker9512 My dad was in the navy in WW2, and he said they did get used to it, but I don't know how long it takes to acclimatize to it.

[@Teresa-Teresa2024]

I took a ferry from Harwich to Sweden. Massive storm the whole way. The boat rocked so bad even the crew were crawling on hands and knees. Everyone confined to their cabins. We had to put our mattresses on the floor under the bunks and slid back and forwards on the floor. Of course the plumbing stopped working. What a terrifying trip. The boat looked like a bomb had gone off inside with the bars and dining rooms wrecked. HUGE respect to sailors who make a career on the seas. Carbs are the best to eat for seasickness. Grab those bagels and donuts. The return trip the storm passed and the North Sea was like glass. Go figure.

[@ruthaisling]

That sounds horrendous 🤢

[@englishmadcow7461]

We did too but in summer so smooth for us. Sailing to Denmark in march 99 was so rough I didn't dare sleep. North sea is roughest in my humble opinion.

[@derektaylor2941]

I'd be very interested to learn the year and name of the ship, if you don't mind sharing such information. Confined to cabins is an order that I've never heard given before and that's with me working a passenger ship in one of the worst waters of the planet.

[@cattymajiv]

@@derektaylor2941 Maybe they were confined by choice, or necessity, but not by order. When I am sick, which is fairly frequently with a condition I have, I confine myself to bed. Or I would describe it that way to others.

[@derektaylor2941]

@@cattymajiv that's a fair point, which is why I was interested to know as I've never heard it happening before. I've had occasions where we've been told to sit down and not attempt to walk, but that was an exception when we were in the North Atlantic with engine failure and we were turned side on to the wind. That's fun. Then when they managed to get enough power from the engines to turn us we had the wind behind us and making about 2-3 knots... That's when you really know about bad weather.

[@dl7905]

Oh Ruth :( no food since breakfast, taking a tablet dry, drinking whiskey and a stormy ship. I think that would make Captain Pugwash feel ill. You poor thing :(

[@ruthaisling]

It wasn't a great day. 😂

[@MikkelLindgren]

Never write "whiskey" to someone from Scotland - It's "whisky" - and will always be! 😀 - And yes, there's a huge difference ;-)

[@hughjhardon8080]

Yikes

[@dl7905]

@MikkelLindgren Autocorrect obviously

[@debshipard1664]

I thought one is supposed to take sea sick tablets hours before , one sails. Take the train

[@tinacatharinaeden2711]

Being on deck is usually better than beind down in a windowless cabin. ❤

[@justgivemethetruth]

Yep, keeping one's eyes on the horizon is a good thing, and fresh air.

[@JimAllen-Persona]

Agreed. I rode on a cruise ship through the tail end of a hurricane and it was much better outside with the fresh air.

[@jp5fens]

The candid nature of this video series has been very refreshing. Sometimes things go wrong when you travel. It's not about what happens, it's how you handle it. And you did great! My wife and I took and overnight ferry from Maine, USA to Nova Scotia, Canada and we both got seasick. When we got to Nova Scotia we went straight to a bed and breakfast and slept the whole day. Lost a day of our trip, but still had a good vacation.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks, I'm glad you've enjoyed the videos and sorry to hear about your seasickness episode too!

[@geoffb108]

Swallowing seasick tables on a empty stomach ,no water but a few sneaky whiskeys. Girl you are a hero. I love the way you just live life as it and smile along

[@frankyw8803]

Hero ?

[@Arltratlo]

i sat at the breakfast at my crossing to Newcastle in the rear of the ferry....i was all alone...! because most dont ate.... 3m waves are not that bad!.... but my dad been a seaman on a Schnellboot....maybe i picked up some of his not getting sea sick!

[@beradogs922]

Hero. Lmao

[@griffini19]

So foolish.

[@bar10ml44]

Hero, no stupid yes.

[@keithl6249]

Sorry you got sick, The neighbors being sick made me queasy just hearing it... Glad you made it home safe. Nice to travel, but sometimes a relief to get home.

[@ruthaisling]

Exactly!

[@markp7745]

Having been a seafarer myself including working on an Irish Sea ferry, i do feel for you. Fortunately I never suffered from sea sickness but saw many passengers who did. Staying outside & being able to see the horizon is a great help. Unfortunately for you, having an inside cabin with no windows is about the worst place to be on a rough crossing. Glad to see you came through it.🤢

[@ruthaisling]

Glad to hear you've managed to avoid seasickness! Maybe I'll opt for a window next time!

[@BuddhaofBlackpool]

Ah yes the Irish Sea. I once had a crossing from hell, Holyhead to Dublin. 4 hours of gale force torture. I had a cabin with a window but I couldn't endure it even laid down. So I spent the whole time on the deck being sprayed, one minute seeing the sea, the next minute the sky. I was sure we were going to capsize but obviously I lived. A nightmare.

[@gubsak55]

I am Danish, and my father had a small sailing boat when he was young and later when he was older too. He always said, "Get up and outside, look at the horizon". He was never seasick, but I have been seasick many times when I was a child (we used the ferries a lot). When I was almost 30, he finally finished his selfbuilt sailing boat, and we started to go sailing together. I was hardly ever seasick because if you are out in the fresh air and occupied with everything else but how you feel in your stomach, you will not feel it. Once, on a two day race, I had to go in the cabin to get some sleep, and when I woke up, I was feeling awfully seasick. I got up, dressed for the bad weather, and got outside telling how I felt. Immediately, he gave me the rudder, and within two minutes, I was no longer seasick 😅 No motorists (I have heard of) have ever been sick while driving, but reading in the passenger's seat can make many people feel bad.😊

[@NYlocked]

See the Horizon and ocean helps a lot.. staying so low and midships as possible on the ship helps too.. and ofc think of what eat and drink 😁

[@TheGrimReaper1]

I got seasick in the bay of biscay in 73 on the way to NZ to see my brothers. There was a long queue for the docs for a sea sickness jab (ten shillings) probably about eight pounds now but within half an hour i was fine. Soon forgot the price.

[@user-tc1hj7oi3f]

Strawberry jam sandwich. Does nothing for sea sickness but tastes the same coming up as it went down.

[@pastorvalerie2096]

HA! HA! Too funny 😂

[@janefrost1856]

So do oranges

[@newname2600]

lmao.

[@dboots133]

there is nothing better,than standing at a ships bar with a beer in your hand,while the boat is heading into a force 8.brought back some happy memories.

[@dansouthern4139]

I go to sea for a living ! Welcome to my world Ruth!

[@ruthaisling]

I couldn’t do it 🤢

[@charlesscaife4266]

Such a pity you were unwell. DFDS smorgasbord is the finest food on any ferry company's boats. When I went to The Netherlands, I travelled up to Newcastle from West Yorkshire rather than go from Hull, because I had experienced DFDS going to Oslo. I also remember my first trip to Shetland through a force 8 gale. Each time the propeller came out of the water the whole boat would judder. I remarked on this to the little old lady doing her knitting at the cash till in the shop. She said very quietly in her east coast accent, "Och, you want to come up here in winter, it's far worse." That put me in my place. Hope to see more videos soon. Best wishes.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks Charles, the food did look good. If I go again on this route, I'll need to try it! I have heard the Shetland ferry can be very rough!

[@user-jl3jf5ms9h]

Still remember the food from my trip on there when I was a kid (years ago) I’m 53. It was amazing on DFDS.

[@bobcattomboy]

girl, you are the coolest, thouhest i have ever seen. Filming whilest you are suffeing, solving situations on you own, and still being open againts the harships. Petje af! (NL)It is gesture when you raise your cap, as a sign of respect!

[@GK49245]

OMG. What a trip! Your honesty was amazing, unlike most KZbin channels. I was seasick off Okinawa during a storm, and you presented an spot-on description of stormy weather sea sickness. Your videos continue to be outstanding, pro produced. Your sponsors should be really happy with your work. Glad you are safely back in the UK. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you so much, that’s very nice of you to say. The seas near Okinawa can be so rough! Did you ever take the ferry out to Yonaguni, that ferry is known for being awful… it was ok the day I took it though!

[@TXMEDRGR]

I was in the U.S. Navy for twenty years and suffered some sea sickness on occasion, I had to gain my sea legs. The worst storm I experienced was a typhoon in the Pacific we skirted around for a week and there were a lot of sick Marines onboard. I'm happy you made it home safely.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you 🙏

[@ashleysaunders9947]

Great filming 😊

[@ashleysaunders9947]

In the 80s, I made it round the capehorn on gondola, never again😢

[@Bought_by_the_blood]

I swear the sound effects from the next cabin was a man shouting ‘hueyyyyyyy’ with a scottish accent. Seriously I could NEVER take that ferry being an emetophobe. You are a brave lady.

[@ruthaisling]

😂😂😂

[@garyk1334]

😂

[@gunnybunny4081]

@@ruthaislingYou are brave & after your dog bite! At minute 8 my husband comes in bleeding to inform me he was attacked by the neighbors dog! What are the chances! I’ve been trying to figure out laws & next steps & talking him into getting medical care! I hope you got info from the dogs owner. That’s a really bad bite at least a level 2 in the states! Was it a German Shepherd by any chance? I’m thinking his bruise is going to be bad around where he’s bleeding & got him in the rear. You were so lucky it didn’t break the skin. I hope the owners are taking responsibility & was reported. I just found out if he doesn’t report it we’re not doing what’s right for other people or the dog since he is dangerous & we’ve known of the owner being bitten. I hope you’re feeling better now! I’ll have to go watch the video!

[@cattymajiv]

@@gunnybunny4081 It looks to me like the skin was broken. It had been 5 days she said at the start of the video, so it was 6 days by the time she was on the ferry. But yeah, dogs that bite do need to be reported. Next time it could get a child, or somebody's eye, or have rabies. I hope your husband is ok now.

[@gunnybunny4081]

@@cattymajiv Thanks for your sentiment! He got sorer each day. (He was knocked down on gravel after the first bite & had sandals on so he has a bunch of injuries & aches & pains.) I used your exact words to get him to finally go. He said he couldn’t stop thinking about it being me or our dog we could be killed. I have a condition with my feet & trouble just walking. I can’t run & half my husbands size so he’d of knocked me down too. I’ve never seen him so traumatized & he’s rolled our industrial John deer front loader into a creek with a 4-5ft drop. Once he was on the ground the dog went for his face & the owner finally grabbed his leash. He was too afraid to grab him before that but was behind him the entire time! What’s really blown us away is he came down later to tell him not to approach him or his property when he’s outside with his dog. (He was putting mail in our mailbox in our driveway!) He asked if he was bleeding & to see his bites, then told him he’s gotten far worse & it wasn’t that bad! Also had his own arm in a bandage at that point. Never apologized or took responsibility, or ask if he was ok but placed blame, tried to intimidate & downplayed what happened! I liked this neighbor but I guess when your homeowners policy & dog is involved (our state requires obedience lessons after any attack which will benefit everyone especially the dog.) you only care about how it affects you. He even has a kid. I went back & watched her dog bite video & showing it the first time it wasn’t bleeding or look like the skin was broken but it was evident she’d been bitten hard. I’ve been bitten by a Chihuahua & it hurt & bruised badly. Her bruise was bad within hours & worse day by day. Within an hour my husband had a bruise the size of a golfball as red as his blood, 4 hours later baseball sized. It’s turning darker red now & even grew a bit more overnight. This will more than likely begin a war & there’s only 4 houses in our subdivision, 2 when we moved here. They built the house after we’d been here 5 years & live next to him. Not looking forward to the repercussions. This is our dream property & been here over 20 years. I can’t believe he hasn’t done obedience training since he’s afraid of his own dog & I’m an animal lover & feel terrible for the dog. 😢 How people can be so irresponsible with their pets are the ones that don’t need them! Take care!

[@nigelhudson1948]

25 m/s is about 49 knots which is storm force 10. No surprise that the voyage was lumpy! BTW take the seasick tablets a couple of hours before departure. That way they are fully absorbed before you start feeling sick.

[@ruthaisling]

Storm force 10 😳 Thanks for the advice on the sea sickness tablet!

[@amcluesent]

Green apples and ginger beer can help too, although TBH if even the crew were feeling sick I doubt much would help land-lubbers.

[@AlastairMcKenzie]

Yes, was going to say the same. For them to be effective you should have been taking the pills before you arrived at the terminal at Ijmuiden

[@michaelbruchas6663]

Dramamine + whisky are not a good combination…

[@mircat28]

I guess we shall see if it is or not.

[@cherylclick1664]

i think we already saw !@@mircat28

[@JamesWilliams-jj6su]

Ya just like moonshine and guns... but it's still a good time 😁🎉

[@areeder5314]

Personal opinion😂😂

[@dianaray1470]

Maybe not for you. Worked great for me 😊

[@irenemulcahy2495]

Ruth what a trip to remember which you have just experienced to France. Imagine having the responsibility of captaining that Ferry during that extraordinary weather. Us viewers to your channel will remember it for sure. You deserve a well earned rest and we will look forward to your travels in the safety of your homeland. 🙏🏻💖

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks Irene, yes it must have been so tough to captain a ferry in that weather!

[@jerryoshea3116]

​@@ruthaislingI'm curious do u suffer with anxiety or a tendency towards being anxious?

[@user-cc2jc4nt5b]

I felt seasick just watching! But you were still smiling at the end and joy on your face as the boast docked! What a trip! Thanks for taking us along with you!

[@ruthaisling]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jonathancook4022]

Never felt as much empathy for a stranger as much as I have this evening. I know that feeling when you just want someone to help you when your really ill, they can't do much to help, but being really ill can certainly create a feeling of being lonely, vunerable and woried.

[@ruthaisling]

It was a great moment getting off that ferry 😅

[@rhonda4333]

Brought it back to me when I was on a small boat in a choppy sea. It was a sickness like no other and it put me off for life. I couldn't even walk. The floor felt like it was going up and down. One of my worst experiences and I was ill for 24 hours.

[@proffessorclueless]

Your unsanitised travel vlogs are so refreshing. Real life is much more interesting to me. Thanks.

[@ruthaisling]

Glad you enjoy the reality, thank you

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

I’m with you. I could watch these trips all evening instead of tv!😅

[@danfidler5893]

Couldn’t agree more. Shit happens. Life is not an Insta-sham

[@JamesTenis]

Thanks for sharing your interesting journey. Enjoyed the video very much including the virtual seasick :) Viewer from California.

[@jennifire2801]

Love your show! I love history! I was born in Canada but years ago back in 1975 my mother took me on a trip to England and Scotland because I have relatives and my family history is also from England Scotland Ireland and a little bit of Welsh. I was in the UK for three weeks and I didn’t want to come home to Canada I just loved it there and I felt like I actually was finally home. I felt a very special connection to being in England and Scotland and I just absolutely felt like I had finally come to my true home the land of my ancestors and my true heritage. Anyhow I love and I also love to play Junes journey as well

[@ruthaisling]

You need to come on another visit! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Thank you for watching 🙏

[@williamclough6850]

Oooh Ruth, your innocence and discomfort did make me chuckle as I have been where you were. All my life has been about flying and I started flying in the RAF at around 18 years on Nimrods. Unfortunately for a select few the resonant frequency of this aircraft affected a few sorry souls...me being one of them. I was sick on every trip, many times for over 4 years. I tried all the remedies, Sea legs, Quells, Myocine, Hyocine which were all mild poisons designed to subdue you but the only effect on me was to make me feel tired and sick. Eventually my crew wouldn't feed me on flights, some over 9 hours as they decided I was a waste of food. My record was throwing up 15 times on one flight. Then I was given a tablet called Stugeron which you can buy over the counter now. It works by stiffening the fluid in the middle ear so you don't try to compensate for the movement you feel. I was never sick again, didn't even feel sick...oh happy days. Two the night before and one in the morning. So your innocent path into your trip did make me chuckle, particularly your decision to involve alcohol...bless you. If you're feeling a little dodgy avoid fruit juice...too acidic and milk...it curdles in your stomach immediately. Stick with water, fresh air and the horizon. Thank you for your innocence, passion and determination, a delight to watch, welcome home.

[@saintuk70]

Yeah, she does appear quite naive at times - which is odd for a "traveller".

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you 🙏

[@itsmephil2255]

If the vans rockin'.....it's just Ruth driving home in high winds 😉😂

[@ruthaisling]

😂😂

[@itsmephil2255]

@@ruthaisling 🫶

[@seanmcerlean]

Glaf you made it back & still smiling after all those experiences. Thanls for filming the trip despite the upset. I have had a few rough ferry crossings so think you coped admirably.😊

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you 🙏

[@allisonbennett641]

Ah, welcome home Ruth, definitely an adventure you will smile about in time, so unforgettable in ways you couldn't of imagined 😂, such fantastic honesty and realism, never negative. Hope you're cozy and rested now back in the arms of Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Xx

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you 🙏

[@franciscruickshank8794]

almost 6million population in scotland and not one ferry service from this nation to the continent of europe ,i did travel from lerwick to bergen overnight but its discontinued also the ferry service from grangemouth to zeebruge was discontinued as the cars and cargo trucks/passengers have to travel go to newcastile now ,which is fine if you live in lowlands !of course the majority of cargo travels to south england so our major ports have been destroyed ,i know this for a fact as im ret. merchant navy.

[@CharladyOne]

Oh, Ruth, you poor thing! I suffered from seasickness once, luckily not with heavy wind, so I could stand outside and look at the horizon, that helped.

[@ruthaisling]

Good tip, thanks!

[@user-nu5xs8cj5t]

ルースさんお疲れ様でした、船酔いですがにほんのフェリーでもゲロ大会が有りましたね😂思い出したでしょ😊フランスの旅も良い思い出になったと思います、一刻も早くスコットランドの家に帰りたい気持ち解ります、やっぱり自分の家は落ち着きますからね、まず着いたらフィッシュ&チップス食べましょうね😋とにかくお疲れ様でした。

[@ruthaisling]

いくつか計画通りにはいかなかったけれど、フランス旅行は楽しかった！フィッシュ＆チップスはいいアイデアだと思う！

[@jamesdocherty5919]

Don't want to sound cruel, but this is your funniest video😊 . Four whiskeys on an empty stomach and a storm. Will you ever get a break😂.

[@ruthaisling]

It is quite funny watching it back, at the time it was horrific 😅

[@jamesdocherty5919]

@@ruthaisling my 5 years at sea... I can sympathise with you.

[@keith800]

Well Ruth you certainly have had an unforgettable trip this time away 😊but hats off to you for doing it 👍, I bet you were glad to be home and back in your own bed for a change ( at least it does not roll around ) we cant wait to see your next video projects 👍.

[@ruthaisling]

A non-rolling bed is the best bed!

[@timsands7288]

I like the way you specified the whiskies that ended up in the toilet. Both are maritime whiskies tasting of peat blended with coastal air but possibly not quite like this!

[@nicholson392005]

Thanks for taking us on your journey Ruth, sorry it was a bit rough, hopefully you are safe and sound as I type this, take care ❤

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you so much!

[@nicholson392005]

@ruthaisling you are welcome hope you are okay x

[@kendrawaterbury2328]

You are so NOT negative! Honest about your journey and fair enough! 🤢 I would expect nothing less from you after that experience!

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you!

[@fragster2008]

I used to live in both North shields and South shields in Newcastle upom tyne. I used to watch the ships coming to and fro, from Whitley bay, near Tynemouth. 👍

[@nickwalter9630]

What a year you've had so far....a bumpy ride. Sorry about your bite...looked particularly nasty. Total trooper.

[@cgoodson2010]

So glad to see you again, Ruth! A biting dog and seasickness! I hope you're better now!!

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you, feeling much better now 🙏

[@Brock_Landers]

How long has it been since someone has told you how pretty you are? It's the whole package, your looks, your upbeat attitude, and your demeanor are the entire package. Good on you girl! Edit: no, I promise I'm not a weirdo, it's just a simple compliment, that's all.

[@stephanielloyd4053]

Great video! When i was younger we went on holiday to Jersey, and the catamaran ferry was delayed due to bad weather, but then at the last minute they decided to go. So we rushed down to the harbour, and boarded. That crossing was HORRIFIC! Men were crying, women and children were screaming and being sick, all the bottles in the duty free smashed on the ground, the worst thing was it was at night too! So scary. When we saw the lights of Portsmouth everybody started clapping and crying! 😮😅

[@ruthaisling]

Bottles smashing to the ground wow, that sounds such an awful crossing! 😂

[@patriciaarroni2142]

That was soooo much fun! Brought back my one and only channel crossing similar to this one! Never again! I used the hovercraft from then on. Then they built the tunnel, but we moved to live in Italy and flew back. NO MORE FERRYS!

[@mauriziograssi4804]

Oh the Hovercraft. It was like sea roulette; it was either extremely smooth or roller coaster bumpy - and that's in August, but it lasted 40 mins maximum. As a child in the 70's we used to cross with Hoverlloyd from Ramsgate to Calais. Then in the 80's we switched to Hoverspeed from Dover to Boulogne and then loaded the car onto the train all the way to Milano ( I'm from an Italian family who used to make their way from London to Northern Tuscany every summer ). Hoverspeed had the largest passenger Hovercraft in the world, The Princess Anne, and it was smoother even in a gale because of it's length. I loved looking out of the airline-style windows and watching as we zoomed passed the Sealink and Townesend Thoresen ferries. Thank you for prompting me to remember such wonderful childhood memories.

[@ruthaisling]

Are there still hovercrafts available?

[@patriciaarroni2142]

No more hovercrafts as the tunnel killed their business.

[@geoffreyruzgar1367]

Oh poor Ruth! You're really going through the grinder lately. I felt every agonising step in this video like I was the one being sea-sick! Amazing work once again 10/10🤩

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you 🙏

[@leerutherford506]

Used that ferry numerous times with freight and i was seasick every single time. That ferry has a nick name and its called "the vomit comet". I started using Rotterdam to Hull route as its a much bigger ferry so it handles the rough seas much better

[@ruthaisling]

Oh yikes, sorry to hear you had a bad experience too!

Hi Ruth. I hope you are feeling better now. This is my first time watching your vlog and it was a great watch. Looking forward to explore your other vlogs too. Take care and thanks a ton for making us part of your journey.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching!

[@mik7591jp]

I am relieved to know that you have arrived at the U.K. After all, your hometown is good for you. ☺I am looking forward to your next challenge after you are well rested. Rooting for you from Japan.☺☺

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you! 😃

[@samketterman6496]

A few years ago during our trip from Harris&Lewis to St. Kilda in the open and rough Atlantic, I believe my wife was seasick 8 times during the 3 hour crossing. At outset of the return journey, another passenger suggested that we stay out on the deck and not inside. It worked really well! My wife was not sick at all during the return. Looking forward to a few ideas from your videos in anticipation of our return August vacation in Scotland.

[@heather333]

Your wife probably developed her sea legs by the return journey. It takes about 3 hours of rough sea to adjust.

[@ruthaisling]

Amazing to hear you visited St. Kilda! Hope you enjoy your next trip back to Scotland!

[@clivebuckland6902]

Oh dear Ruth. Really felt for you, from the dog bite and all your other challenging issues, to your sea sickness on a seemingly never ending journey. Oh for better weather and the benefit of hindsight .

[@alisonstephenson4446]

Omg I love your vlogs. Hope your feeling better after your horrible ferry crossing, also I hope your leg is better. Take care looking forward to your next adventure xxx

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks Alison!

[@kepckatherinec805]

Whiskey sampling on an empty stomach is a bad idea when you’re worried about getting seasick.

[@RosettaStoned462]

It's a bad idea period.....

[@melaniehudson5190]

Oh Ruth. I’m sending wishes out to the universe that your next trip is a safe and is an amazing adventure for you (to make up for this one). All the very best and take good care.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you Melanie!

[@user-ct9pj3wq3e]

Thanks for getting back to Scotland. Yep, it's not a good journey to get bitten by the dog and stay in ferry with 25 m/s winds. In my small 22 feet sailing boat, I stay'd in anchor over 46 m/s winds and that was no sleep for me at all. Good, that you got your sleep at least 🎉

[@ruthaisling]

Oh that sounds very rough too!

[@user-ct9pj3wq3e]

@@ruthaisling You would be not a person, willing to buy a small sailboat and try this trip again? I had to give mine away, because of laws in Denmark, that people can't live in "uninsured boat during winter period"???

[@Xantec]

one idea, hang a weight off the top bunk, so your eyes have a plane of reference as your ears are telling you different than your eyes. so you cant see the rocking, with a hanging item your eyes see the same as your ears are feeling, thus restoring an equilibrium. However the North sea is known to be rough!

[@SirPrancelot1]

Interesting tip.Thanks.

[@ruthaisling]

Good to know, thank you for sharing!

[@ninareeves2995]

Feel for you…I remember a North Sea ferry ride when I woke in the night to see my coat hanging on the back of the door and it was HORIZONTAL, the rolling was so bad….went straight back to sleep!! Next morning the ship smelt really bad 🤨😖

[@user-uc7bn4ve5s]

お疲れさまでした。最後に最強の試練が待っているとは思いだにしませんでした。最愛のスコットランドで心身とも癒されますように願います。😺

[@ruthaisling]

最後は大きな挑戦だった。

[@rossim1918]

Oh dear, Ruth. So sorry that you got sick. Looking forward to your next adventure with smooth sailing. ❤

[@ruthaisling]

I hope so too!

[@guestandsons]

Wow I was lucky to do this trip both ways last year before my partner fell to ovarian cancer. Commodore class room with booked meals and the sea was fine thank god!

[@ruthaisling]

Sorry to hear about your partner. Cancer is 😞

[@guestandsons]

Thank you.x@@ruthaisling

[@Murman22]

Hi Ruth: With all that has happened to you. I assume you are home now. I do believe you need some real down time. Pamper yourself. All your videos and you are amazing. One thing for sure. You are living life. Thank you for making us feel alive too. All the best.

[@ruthaisling]

Made it some safely thank you! ❤️

[@terencephillips6833]

Four whiskeys and little to eat and the North Sea to cross , Oh Ruth you poor soul , I know all about how sea sickness feels , still your home now and well done , thanks for filming it all for us to see .

[@ruthaisling]

In hindsight, not a good mix 😅

[@terencephillips6833]

@@peterskegness3204..Whiskey and motion sickness are terrible partners as we’ve just seen .

[@karenmills6459]

You two are amazing together. And the dogs are brilliant. Loved all the vlogs. Never thought bones could look good. I hope you are all well and happy. Plus settled back on your boat's. Hopefully the sunshine will follow you.

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

DFDS is a Danish controlled Company, with many ferry routes around in Europe and for a time also to Harwich from Danish, Esbjerg, but now only sailing to Hull, mostly for Trailers and goods, between GB and Denmark: "Norfolk Line"! A Line bought from the Danish Super Giant: Maersk! As a "major" shareholder in DFDS I thank You for using "my ships" 😄! I have been using Commodore cabins many times, on some ships with a huge window nearly out on the side and some with only a large window. Also the profit of an included meal in the mornings, and special areas to use. The Company is very old and the letters stand for: "United Danish Steamship Companies" I'm sorry to have to mention that pills against being seasick only works as calming, but have no actual function against becoming sick 😁! Finn. Denmark

[@davethatcher4954]

After many trips across the North Sea to Denmark visiting the Wifes family, I never experienced sea sickness, even in rough weather, until the last trip we made. I was ok with it all through the night with the ship going crazy. Then the moment I got out of the bunk, it hit me like an express train.......never felt so ill in all my life😄

[@ruthaisling]

Seasickness is the worst!

[@amcluesent]

The Dutch people seemed nice!

[@ruthaisling]

Very friendly!

[@kentonfisher3190]

What a trip you've had. All started so well for you. Glad you made it back safely. Looking forward to your next offering

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you. Next trip will definitely be better! 🤞

[@karin7872]

I have done this ferry in 2012 during a storm. The medicine from the reception on the boat is amazing. After an hour of feeling sick the medication started working. And I sat down before a huge window watching the horizon and oilplatforms what worked amazing.

[@ruthaisling]

That’s good to know they provide medicine!

[@stewartallan1440]

I'm fairly sure it was the late chef, Anthony Bourdain, who said "Travel isn't always pretty" Thanks for presenting this.

[@anniejones1839]

Ooh bless you, I had a very ferry crossing back from Amsterdam to Dover, I honestly that was our last night alive. Felt so so ill. Never repeated. Pleased all ended well

[@travelandlivinginfrance5165]

Thank you for a great video. I remember taking that ferry after driving up from Southern France. The conditions were not as bad as you experienced but the North Sea always is pretty rough.

[@Geordo1960]

When I traveled on rough seas I thought I would have gotten very seasick, but as it happened, it made me very sleepy, and would rock me to sleep every time I lay down. I’m not complaining, much preferable to sea sickness!!!

[@ruthaisling]

Absolutely!

[@erinikeuchi6447]

I am here in Hawaii and have never been on a ferry or visited the uk my family and I wish to visit Scotland soon. I am new to this channel and found it so interesting. Thank you for sharing this video

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed the video and hope you can visit Scotland sometime

[@richardinglis9805]

Well done lassie i am sure you will get your sealegs eventually hope you're leg is better i enjoyed your comments thank you for a wonderful tour well done.

[@glennbzt]

I’m in USA we don’t have these big RORO car carriers they are so big..like a cruise ship…The seas are rough I give you props for documenting this journey 🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching the video!

[@daseteam]

Thank you for this, Ruth. Looking forward to more adventures from you. Come back to Europe soon!

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks, I’ll make it back to Europe again sometime hopefully with less dramas 😅

[@daseteam]

@@ruthaisling❤

[@SuperLittleTyke]

Cor, I breathed a sigh of relief when you finally drove out of the customs hall in Newcastle. Such a horrible journey you had to endure. When I lived in Germany I made the crossing from Ostend, Dunkirk or Calais to Dover/Folkestone over 100 times in 12 years. It took roughly four hours from Ostend. Only a few times did I feel slightly sea sick, but was never actually sick. Anyway, this video has put me off contemplating this ferry route. There used to be a ferry from Harwich directly to Hamburg, but it closed years ago, as did the Ostend route.

[@ruthaisling]

I heard this ferry route is great in nice weather, I think I just got unlucky!

[@thomassullivan410]

Super interesting video and you are adorable. I will for sure watch some more. Thank you from across the pond. 😀

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching!

[@SM-yd8hq]

You poor thing, I felt so sorry for you watching this. When you said help! I really felt your pain. Seasickness is the worst.

[@ruthaisling]

It is the worst 🤢

[@kathyestes6577]

I crossed the English Channel on a ferry in bad weather. I took a Dramamine and went down to the lowest area of the ship and managed to keep from getting sick. My traveling companion stayed outside on the top deck and also managed to keep from getting terribly sick. It was about 8 hours of hell. There was vomit all over the place which was enough to make you feel sick even if you were not seated sick. For the return trip we flew over the channel and that was so much better!

[@ruthaisling]

Sounds like you had quite the experience on that ferry crossing! Thanks for sharing.

[@marypost2353]

This was a great video. That’s how traveling can be. It can be such fun but also challenging for different reasons. I give credit you tried something different and got through the challenges. I wouldn’t have been able to get on a ship like that let alone in a storm. Glad you made it to your friend’s house and home. Looking forward to the next one! ❤

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks Mary!

[@DaveGeog]

Really feeling for you there Ruth - had a journey very much like that (minus the whisky) over 20 years ago but it is still very firmly etched in my memory! Since then, I've always looked very kindly at trains on rails in tunnels...

[@ruthaisling]

Good idea!

[@bertkelly7650]

Yes, been sea sick also. Quite a few times. Sorry you were sick, but on the way home! Yay!

[@robwagnon6578]

Oh my dear, I have gone just half way across the U.S. and that drive took literally 4 or 5 days! Through mountain passes, desert roads and huge areas of the corn belt in the center of the U.S. If you ever do travel across the U. S. just be sure you have an excellent vehicle and you are prepared for the weather depending on the time of year.

[@ruthaisling]

Amazing!

[@fr57ujf]

This is just the third time I've watched your videos. You were born for this! It's almost like being with you. Your video documentation is terrific and your narration is fabulous. Just riveting. Sorry you got so sick. You kept a great attitude despite the dog bite, falls, the problems with the camper, and a rough channel crossing.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for your kind comments!!

[@jennifer6833]

Your vlog is so good and natural leaving out all of the unnecessary fluff. Very refreshing content.

[@ruthaisling]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!

[@billj_62]

Ruth, I love your story telling even if under dire circumstances. I am looking forward to catching up with the rest of your adventures.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you so much!

[@Nice-places]

What a great video and pleasant personality you have. I visited Edinburgh twice last year and thoroughly enjoyed myself, I’m visiting Aberdeen in June and can’t wait. I’m new to your channel but have subscribed without hesitation. Thank you so much 👍😎☀️

[@ruthaisling]

Enjoy your trip to Aberdeen. Hope you can get some more travel ideas from the channel!

[@carolyncoulter4116]

Whatever you do, DON'T run, that makes you prey. I have a Rottie and he is sweet. One of his callers is a runner who runs the fence line with my dog. They do 2 laps and say good bye. The runner has known him since he was a puppy. They are friends. But that is rare. Careful about strange dogs. I am so sorry you were hurt.

[@ksw8415]

My rotties have been the biggest babies. I used to work as a receptionist at a pet clinic. The dogs I had to be careful around were the little ones (small man syndrome). So sorry you encountered a testy one.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for the advice!

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

I love these detailed trips. Wish I was on one now😢Thanks for taking me in spirit anyway 😅Tragic end to a Laphroaig…What a trip…to put down to experience! You have my subscription to see what you get up to next! All the best✌️

[@ruthaisling]

Yes poor Laphroaig 🥲

[@magyar5615]

Thank you for a very interesting travel vlog!!! I did not know this ferry was available and it certainly looks like nice accommodations and food options. I am sorry your crossing was rough, it does sound like it was an unusual experience due to the storm! In any case, great info, and even when ill you do a fantastic job sharing your journey!!!

[@ruthaisling]

I'm glad you found the video interesting and informative. Thank you for watching 😊

[@rickrides8352]

This ferry brings back memories; I went to Scotland on my motorbike in 2003 and took the ferry to Newcastle from IJmuiden too. Sorry for being seasick - my trip was a lot smoother at that time.

[@peterdnreynolds777]

Excellent video. What an end to the trip!! I've had to endure some of that weather but never as bad as that on the ferry crossings across the Irish sea from Wales to Ireland. Hope all is well, take care.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks Peter!

[@flemingo7687]

Well done you! Survival and resilience all the way! xx👌🚚🚢

[@reklaw3603]

4 whiskies, jeez wumin, i would be at bow of ship standing on rails arm out singing 'Near, far, Newcastle wherever you are, I believe that the heart does go on , Scotland Once more, you open the door and you're here in my heart and my heart will go on and on!'

[@xirux01]

Food is always a Great Idéer especially when it's stormy it eases the tension The trick is to take a couple drinks when you feel the rocking intensify. I did that when I went over the Baltic Sea in an autumn storm from Tallinn to Stockholm on the sister ship of Estonia. some ate, pucked, drank, and ate and pucked. I drank some shots and was thrown forward and back through the ship but that's life

[@ba-gg6jo]

The only time I felt ill was crossing the Bay of Biscay, very lumpy. Always best to spend as much time on deck as possible, fresh air is better than a stuffy cabin. Well done and a great vlog, thanks.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you 🙏

[@cw7422]

I was on a US Navy ship in the Sea of Okhotsk. At times waves were approx 50 feet high. Glad you are safe.

[@ruthaisling]

Wow, did you ever get sea sick?

[@trixysvinylmusicfordjs8799]

I genuinely felt so sorry for you. Ive been in the same situation on a cruise ship and I just drank myself silly! I didnt know what else to do. I remember walking around the ship all night. I visited every deck. The sun came up when we reached the island of crete and I felt so relieved. Not the nicest way to travel but you had a car so you had to. Well done for getting though it!

[@bloodynorahvan2203]

The North sea is shallow, therefore produces high waves and with the wind, usually poor crossings. It's the same wind that powers all the wind turbines, which are secured to the sea bed (as it's shallow). Did you know that there is a lost land underneath the north sea that was lost to rising sea levels historicially, called 'Doggerland'? It was used by our ancestors and stumps of trees can still be found under the water line.

[@michaelfeeney8437]

Really good points. And further North along the Northumberland Coast, the wind can be as rough as anywhere in the UK.

[@ruthaisling]

That’s really interesting thank you.

[@JohnCillis]

My last visit to Britain was in '17, because I used British Airways daily non-stop Phoenix to London, so I could enjoy a month long tour of Europe, especially Southern Europe, where my paternal grandparents were from, coming to the US just before WW1. I had never been on a big ferry, until I went on the Dover ferry to Calais, the biggest moving ship I had ever been on. I was amazed, it even had a small shopping area and a food court, which I took advantage of given the trip to Paris by coach, at the end of our voyage.. Your video reminds me of the two ferry crossings I made across the channel, since of course at the end of the tour I had to spend the night in London again so I could fly home. I was single since then on an early retirement pension, and my tour mates suggested I stay in Britain to meet some British woman to sweep me off my feet (it's the British accent and way of talking) for some reason whether spoken by a man, woman, or child, it's hypnotic Valium to me given our rat race in the States, lol

[@moelassus]

Oh Ruth that was brutal. My wife and I took a ferry from Bar Harbor, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scoria (much much shorter trip). The route is normally glass smooth but on this trek they were hit by high seas. The floor was dropping out from under our feet. Every toilet was full of people being sick. Every trashcan was occupied by people being sick. Even I, who has never once been seasick, felt sick but I think it was more all of the puking going on around me than the seas. It was rough and I can't imagine being stuck on a ferry for 16 hours in bad weather. You're a tough cookie though for making it through. Good on ya. Glad you and Ernie made it home safely.

[@ruthaisling]

That sounds like a horrendous experience!

[@user-su1qt7yl8q]

so sorry for you my heart goes out to you, but may i say well done and being honest and sharing real life experiences, your a brave, courageous, adventurous, and talented woman who brings a smile to those who care for your well being and watch with great interest your videos, thanks a million.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you so much!

[@Rosco-P.Coldchain]

Nothing worse than a rough crossing, it’s the kind of experience that never leaves your memory..Not nice at all, glad you felt better in the morning..Thanks for sharing your journey 🙏

[@ruthaisling]

I think it'll never been forgotten haha!

[@tytec5]

What a trip! I used to take the night ferry from France to England as a teenager going to boarding school, and remember many seasick crossing. I started feeling queazy just watching you on that ferry 😂 So sorry your trip in France was challenging, but I must say I really enjoyed all the interesting place you visited and your fresh impressions on everything. I will catch up on all your past videos. I have a fascination for Scotland and always dream of being there, so I'm really looking forward to it.

[@ruthaisling]

I hope you enjoy the other videos!