Cairnryan to Northern Ireland - who wins? We took P&O out and Stena back to compare!

We were heading to Belfast for the weekend and decided to use it a perfect opportunity to compare the two ferry operators crossing to Northern Ireland from Cairnryan in Scotland. Neither of us have made this crossing before so we were seeing it with very fresh eyes.
Cairnryan - Belfast: Sat 4th Sep, P&O European Highlander (£23.00 each oneway)
Belfast - Cairnryan: Sun 5th Sep, Stena Line Superfast VIII (£32.00 each oneway)
We crossed as foot passengers and the fare was the similar, so who comes out on top?
Hi, I’m Steve. I am a travel reviewer and post my trip reports here on KZbin. I pay for my own travel and produce my own videos. If you have any questions about my journeys or travel advice in general, please drop me a comment - I do read every single one. I’d also love to hear any recommendations you may have for future content, or why not challenge me to try something a little out of the ordinary! If you are looking to collaborate on any type of project, I’d love to hear from you - email me your ideas and hopefully we can work together in the future.
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/ stevemarsh
Music courtesy of epidemicsound.com
('Valley Dance' by Rune Dale)
#P&O #Stena #Ferry

[@belfasttrainspotting1686]

Hiya Steve. The train you were on was actually from 2004! It’s a class 3000 train, and the reason it was looking really fresh was because that fleet are currently going through a mid-life overhaul. The other class of train we have is the class 4000’s, which 7 of that class (the latter 7 of the class 4014-4020) are currently going through an extension programme to make them from 3 carraiges long, to 6 carraiges long, to negate the need for coupling 2 trains together. The first of these trains has now gone into service and there’s another batch of new carriages on its way now too for the next train to be converted. These extra carriages were the new investment in 2018. Our next batch of new multiple unit trains is planned to be around 2025 for new regional units. Then around 2027 we’re planned to invest in some new multiple unit trains for the “enterprise” service which goes from Belfast to Dublin. Hope this helps^ 😁

[@steve-marsh]

Absolutely! Thanks SO much for reaching out with this awesome information! All the best to you :)

[@McSynth]

I'm astonished that you both can do so much travelling (and walking !) and still make it to work on the Monday. Kudos ! 🙂

[@benc9765]

Definitely would love to see a longer version of the Belfast clips Steve

[@mstrdiver]

Concur - I would also note that this looked like an exceptionally fun trip just for the several transportation modes experienced during the journey.

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Ben, will see what I can do :)

[@mashasheffa2248]

We would too 😊

[@odetbeauvoisin]

Extra Belfast footage sounds enticing…

[@katesterly547]

Hats off to the stamina of you two. I thoroughly enjoy these weekend trips you take but I'm afraid I would never live through it. Thank you so very very very much for making these videos for as to enjoy and educate us on how to get around. I love riding on ferry's. Thank you once again. Stay well, be safe, love from Texas.

[@mstrdiver]

Sònraichte - tha bhidio ùr aig Steve! Outstanding - Steve has a new video!

[@TomCro73]

+1 to the love from Texas!

[@steve-marsh]

Awww thanks so much Kate! And also thanks for recognising how exhausting it was! (But very much worth it all the same) take care :)

[@Sssssssslf]

The energy these two have whew!!!! 🤯 I’m tired just watching! 🥱 I can’t believe they did that trip in a day then did a 45 minute walk in the pouring rain AND then a 3hr drive home AND work in the morning! They’re nuts! 😂 I could never!

[@juliamacfarlane2630]

Your partner is a trooper Steve! Can’t believe that 45 min walk to the van, then the 3 hour drive! Way after bed time!! I think she deserves a limo on your next adventure!

[@sheenamaclean8324]

No problem for her young legs, Steve on the other hand 😆

[@steve-marsh]

She really is Julia, but as much as she deserves a limo, I have a feeling the next time will be much the same :D

[@madr309]

Can't hide it, at one point she was definitely thinking, "Yeah, Steve'll be going solo on his next 'adventure'." I hope some day you two will manage to get to the U.S. - since you like ferries, you'd be fascinated by the Swan Quarter ferry from the mainland of North Carolina out to Okracoke in the Outer Banks.

[@sheenamaclean8324]

@@madr309 at least she would have had the opportunity to sleep in the van for the 3 hours there and the 3 hours back, not so for Steve as he was driving, he definitely deserves the pat on the back as far as I'm concerned.

[@joemdee]

@@steve-marsh is your partner Czech?

[@alanbates2827]

Hi Steve. Just to let you (and anyone else making the trip) the train will NOT wait. If the ferry is late you'll just have to get the next train.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks for the very useful info Alan!

[@heresdarren666]

Next time you are stuck for a lift or anything in Belfast give me a shout and if I'm not busy I could run you about.

[@niamhcampbell979]

The rail & sail tickets can take you from any train station to Belfast (includes the train to Ayr, coach to Cairnryan, ferry) and is such good value for money. It’s quite often cheaper than a foot passenger ticket bought straight from Stena. Can be a long day and I wouldn’t do it alone!

[@steve-marsh]

Great advice, thank you!

[@barvdw]

while Rail&Sail is a great offering, the long bus ride from Ayr often makes me a bit queasy, moreso than the ferry itself. That's why I prefer to travel all the way to the former ferry port of Stranraer and take a bus (much shorter bus ride). The train ticket from Ayr to Stranraer is reasonably priced (and even more when you have a reduction card), the bus is only a few quid, it's a much more pleasant experience imo.

[@jimdevlin2138]

I used to drivel to Belfast 4 times a month for work, I always chose Stena, better by far, and the food was so much better. The commercial drivers lounge was like a good hotel compared to P&O Great video Steve ,keep them coming .

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Jim!

[@SamG-py7ej]

P&O to Larne is cheaper, better of paying the extra, Stenna is much cleaner and a better ferry overall

[@muchasgracias6976]

Northern Ireland is still a bit of a hidden gem, but there's so much to see and do. Belfast one of the friendliest and cleanest cities I've ever visited. I would love to see more of your time there. When I visited a few years back, we hired a car and did the east coast route from Belfast to the Giants Causeway which was utterly beautiful. A few Game of Thrones locations as well as other sights worth seeing, including Bushmills distillery and The Dark Hedges. Highly recommended and do-able in a day.

[@steve-marsh]

Oh we’d love to get out and see more of the country - overdue a trip over in the van, it’s just so expensive on the ferry with it though!

[@redrunnercfc5438]

you havent seen enough of belfast then lol

[@muchasgracias6976]

@@redrunnercfc5438 Maybe you're right. From your comment, I suspect you're either from Belfast or another part of NI, but honestly I thought the city centre was relatively smart when compared to Dublin which is great, but generally looked a bit run down apart from Temple Bar.

[@jamiew6476]

In what way is NI hidden 😂😂

[@Oakleaf700]

@@steve-marsh Isn't it so! Freight and vehicles is where they really make their money, I think.

[@jackharrison6771]

I did the Heysham/Belfast crossing in 1971 and of course the whole experience was completely different. The weather was very bad, with people being sick all over with the toilets a-wash. As we approached the Copeland Islands, Dad told me of the Princess Victoria - the mail ferry which went down [about 1953]. . I believe the lifeboat carrying women and children was smashed against the ferry and all on THAT boat were lost. We lost our two ferry firms from Fleetwood [first B & I, then Pandoro ]. A sombre feedback but a great vid; thank you both.

[@tsr207]

Fascinating the difference between the two services ! Enjoyed the insights and the whole journey. Excellent !

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much John!

[@conailrutherford6688]

I've taken this route a hundred plus times and it still takes my breath away. Love it. Thanks for posting.

[@steve-marsh]

Nice! Thanks so much for watching our crossing too! :)

[@lorlabear]

Glad you made it to visit us in NI. For your information Tranlink Metro operate a bus to/from Belfast City Centre in connection with the Stena ferry. It's Metro route number 96. Definitely better than the long walk down Duncrue Street! Viewers also need to note that the NI Railways service from Larne Harbour does not "connect" with the ferry, so if the sailing is late arriving you can't be sure there will be a train waiting. There are also Translink Ulsterbus services from Larne Town to Belfast.

[@TomCro73]

As society, we still seem to struggle with this - I recently awaited an Amtrak from Houston to New Orleans, that was running about 3 hours late. The connecting buses were there to meet it... they departed right on time - perhaps obviously, with zero passengers. Tax dollars at work...

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much for the awesome info, and apologies for spending such an unacceptable short time over there!

[@robbojax2025]

Nice video. I always like something a bit different and you provide it Steve. And yes, I would like to see some clips of Belfast.

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers, I’ll see what I can do :)

[@RiverDanube]

Both of the ships looked amazing. Good on you both with all that walking, great exercise and a good way of budgeting to be able to afford more travelling.

[@steve-marsh]

Exactly :) thanks very much

[@doubledutch13]

Great memories for me Steve, worked in NI for 18 months, home and back once a fortnight on the Highlander and Causeway, they were not plush back in 2004-2006 and I see they haven’t changed. (Nor has the weather) Belfast is such an under rated city, highly recommend it to anyone, love to see more, well done on another ‘braw’ film. Next time don’t be so tight and get that lovely lassie a taxi lol

[@steve-marsh]

Hey I did my best to find one! (Wait till you see where I took her for dinner) glad to bring back some memories!

[@doubledutch13]

@@steve-marsh 😂 good on you, cant wait for more,

[@ChrisGillucci]

Cracking video again Steve! As an Edinburgh native all i could think about as I watched you doing that trip was the fact you had that drive from the capital to Cairnryan and back again.....such an incredibly draining drive just to get to where you set off from!! Brilliant effort

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Chris - and great to see you appreciate how exhausting this trip was :D

[@marykneeland1214]

Bless your HEARTS! Amazing adventure, always thank you!

[@gracesmith6199]

That was good again. You had some walk for the ferry home & some walk to get to your van, some of those big lorries were going fast, thanks again you pair ! 😁😁

[@steve-marsh]

We always end up with a dodgy walk somewhere in our videos :D

[@brianmorrison9168]

Great video As a young child I moved to England from Holywood in Northern Ireland. For many years we returned to NI to see family and friends .. usually 2 or 3 times a year. There used to be only one route, from Stranraer to Larne, with the Antrim Princess and Ailsa Princess ferries. My father who used to be at sea, almost always booked a cabin, despite the journey only being about 2 hours. We would be bed at about 10:00pm but the ship only left at about 07:00. A nice breakfast on board then it would be time to head down to the car deck. For a kid, these trips were always exciting. I remember the Chaine Memorial even to this day 50+ years later The Cairnryan to Larne P&O route eventually started, which shortened the duration of the crossing. Regards from Whitley Bay

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much or sharing that Brian! Similar memories of the excitement of being in a cabin for travel from when I was a kid :)

[@yvonnejohnston9429]

used to travel many times on the ailsa and antrim princesses, though one brings back bad memories,, running around said ferry with my siblings, i ended up tripping over a step, at that time there were no carpets, just solid metal,, broken elbow.. never healed properly and still have trouble with it to this day, and that was over 30 years ag lol

[@brianmorrison9168]

@@yvonnejohnston9429 Yes, those ships were great. if I travelled with my mum, as I said earlier we would go by train, although on a couple of occasions dad would drive us to Stranraet .. quite a way from Whitley Bay. However, when we all went, we drove to Stranraer, with a picnic half-way break at Dumfries. Dad would usually book a cabin, so we could sleep on board. usually we hadn't even left port in the morning when we woke up, normally heavy lorries would make so much noise, nobody could sleep anyway. Dad used to be a chiel engineer at sea (Union Castle line) so loved going on the ship .. for some reason always first class too. He left the merchant navy a year or two after I was born ... I'm guessing I was too cute to miss .. or maybe too naughty.

[@Hugh2007]

My wife and I love your videos! Please go on more ferry adventures preferably longer journeys please! Big fans from Singapore 😃😃.

[@steve-marsh]

Would be a pleasure John! I’ll get more planned for sure :)

[@harrybond9282]

Thank you very much Steve for sharing this video. Yes please love to watch LONGER VERSION VIDEO. Keep it up. Looking forward to your exciting video.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks Harry :)

[@jemaakpoghor3885]

Wowzy...authentic in your videos and in the flesh. Thank you for this exceedingly helpful video. So glad I stumbled on it.

[@steve-marsh]

Jema! Lovely to meet you yesterday!!!! See you around :)

[@Dreyno]

The Stena is about 50% bigger. I suppose that means you can cram more facilities in. You were blessed with the crossings. It can be a stomach churner. The Irish Sea is famously rough.

[@steve-marsh]

Ohhh good to know - although a stormy crossing makes for a more popular video :D

[@paullarcher4300]

That trek to the van at the end of the weekend would have killed me. Good on you! Would love to see more of your Belfast adventures as I haven't been there in over 30 years and it's where my dad was from.

[@steve-marsh]

Would be a pleasure Paul! I’ll try patch something together from out Belfast clips :)

[@paullarcher4300]

@@steve-marshCheers Steve!

[@notyhbynorthwest]

Yes, would love to see more from your time in Belfast. Another video???? Looks like you had a good time in the pubs! Interesting comparison between the P&O and Stena Line ferries, a really startling difference between the two ships. Hope you didn't get too soaked on the hike back to your van.

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers! We dried off on the 3 hour drive :)

[@charleswalker4182]

HI Steve, another great video, hope you got home safe. Thank you for visiting Larne and Belfast. Haste Ye Back!

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Charles! Just a pity we had such a short time there! (We can’t wait to come back)

[@exileinderby51]

I'm a new subscriber and I love you videos and yes, I'd like to see more of your Belfast visit

[@steve-marsh]

Welcome aboard! Thanks so much for the sub, appreciated and makes a real difference :) I’ll see what I can patch together from Belfast!

[@iandunn3497]

Your videos chill me out at the end of a hard day and rekindle memories of touring Scotland many moons ago.You have a lovely calming voice.Thank You.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much Ian! Great to hear it!

[@conorjm11]

Secret with Stena Line is if you're a foot passenger, you do it by bus which includes a shuttle bus straight to the terminal from Europa Bus Centre in Belfast. You can buy a bus ticket Edinburgh to Belfast (and onwards if needs be) for about £50 return with usually just the one change in Glasgow.

[@steve-marsh]

Wow, cheers I had no idea!

[@alasdairvincent6248]

I know this area well. My first job was near Stranraer. Back then the ferry for Larne sailed from the Stranraer terminal. There was a train called the Paddy which transported people by rail to and from the Stranraer terminal. There was a ship breakers yard at Cairnryan back then. I remember they broke the old Ark Royal Navy ship there. There was a ferry called the Stella Nordica which did the Stranraer to Larne crossing, along with other ones. A fascinating video which I enjoyed.

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Alasdair! Shame Stranraer doesn’t have a crossing anymore!

[@garethrobson8143]

Mate, whatever your day job is, you are wasted !!! What a delightful film. And you are such an adorable couple !!!! Does she really never complain?!! Top troopers both 😍

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much Gareth!

[@doriskovalcik442]

Thanks for the weekend trip. I enjoy watching all your adventures. As I’ve said, thru y’all I get to see places I’d never get to see otherwise.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks Doris! :) can’t wait to hit the road again and take you somewhere else :)

[@Norvik_-ug3ge]

I have been on the P&O European Highlander several times and you could go outside to either side and up to the top deck and walk or sit. It was nice, I haven't been on the Stena ship on that route but it didn't feel cramped even thought it was busy. The food court does a lovely fish and chips.

[@steve-marsh]

Yeah, I saw a ship map that suggested more would normally be open, but not on my trip

[@matthewpepper1548]

Stena has always been the superior ferry brand. Their ships are fantastic. The HSS was a quality boat too

[@HJBDefinitely]

I disagree, I have always had a bad experience with stena . Rude staff and more to be honest as a person that has been on p and o 30 times, I prefer p and o.

[@yvonnejohnston9429]

@@HJBDefinitely im opposite, never had any prolems whatsoever with stena, whereas p and o,, used them twice never again...

[@HJBDefinitely]

@@yvonnejohnston9429 I think it depends what ship you go on

[@emily1]

Not a fan of P&O considering the past of their entire 'escapade'. Have always used Stena, much prefer the Superfast class of ships.

[@quicksesh]

Stena are highly variable in their service ... and the HSS was an absolute dog, it was wrong in many ways.

[@MK_2023.]

If you ever get the chance, you should check out the Stena Line ferry from Dublin to Holyhead in Wales. It's a massive ship, I think you'd like it.

[@steve-marsh]

Sounds right up my street! Will do, cheers :)

[@simonbrown140]

I'm going to Belfast on my motorbike a week today, using Stena Line there and back. Looks lovely on board :)

[@steve-marsh]

Have a great trip Simon!

[@simonbrown140]

@@steve-marsh Thanks mate, 5 days touring on the bike :)

[@hcjkruse]

thanks for confirming what I thought. Seems you two enjoyed this. Love to learn more about Belfast.

[@johncoyne2995]

Great video guys (found purely by chance) I'll be travelling on Superfast VII in 10 days,so it was good to get a heads up. Currently,after what P & O has just done to their staff, I was only ever going to travel with Stena

[@steve-marsh]

Good choice mate! You'll never see us on a P&O again for sure!

[@Oakleaf700]

I'd never use P&O again, either. What greed to lay off properly trained staff to employ others who know nothing , at a less than living wage. I didn't realise until a Captain was interviewed about how every staff member had a dual role join a ferry. directing people to safety in event of an accident, {Accidents on ferries can get nasty pretty fast } and staff are needed to help bemused passengers to get to their muster stations/life-rafts. If none of the new staff know the ship's layout, or how to firefight, or what to do in an emergency, it's bad for them, as well as the passengers.

[@poppyk6182]

Thanks for taking us on your journey guy’s. 👌

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Poppy! :)

[@derekjohnson8859]

Thanks for taking me along again Steve. Very enjoyable trip. Best wishes to you and Alicja,

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Derek! aww the best :)

[@christinehodge3608]

Watching this video again ,as very interesting, thank you for sharing this 😊

[@robfield2150]

I've been on the Stena line a couple times, never been with P & O, but definitely would after seeing how much easier the transport connections are there! Great video, hope you enjoyed yourselves :)

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Rob!

[@fircombehallrailwayoogauge1430]

Video, very well edited and presented! Thank you.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much! Appreciate it :)

[@gavinhind5521]

Surprised at the difference in ferries Steve but another cracking video for us to marvel over Certainly the two of you get to experience the pleasures of life and of course the Beamish Once again well done you

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Gavin!

[@johnmehaffey9953]

I’m not a lorry driver but I’ve done this trip hundreds of times and I’ve always favoured p&o because it takes only 2 hours but I can honestly say that stena is better equipped for passengers so depending on what time I’m travelling it decides what ferry I take and unfortunately for you I’m not going to divulge the reason why or what time and when you find out the reason for yourselves you’ll understand why, great post guys

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers John!

[@freddo8384]

Another great video, keep up the good work :D

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much!

[@stephendfromwigan3290]

Nice video. I Love the ferries and apreciate the inside info you giving us!

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Stephen :)

[@IainJohnston-g6h]

Hi Steve love your videos can't stop watching excellent work.

[@vivellasmum]

Went from Stranraer, don't remember it at all, 40 yrs ago! Enjoyed the comparison thanks.

[@raydavies7328]

Great wee video, Belfast is fairly close to my own town and it's lovely to know you enjoyed your trip to Norn Iron, if I'd known I could have said hello and at least got you back the Stena Line terminal as a thank you for the enjoyment your videos bring to our family. Yes please! We'd love to see the extended version, you got to The Crown, that's important 😁 Cheers and thanks again!

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Ray! Ahhh where were you for the lift :D I’ll try pull together the clips from awesome Belfast into some kind of video!

[@ColinSlocombe]

Looks very clean and pretty p&o ferries

[@juanitahardy8583]

Always hoped to do this trip my next trip to Scotland so this really was useful.

[@gabilang8407]

Fine video and I hope you have more pictures from Belfast . Stay safeyou both !

[@steve-marsh]

A few Gabi, but it’ll be a ‘bonus’ video rather than a proper one :)

[@merryannmac8096]

Oh, that was fun for sure. I have missed you guys. It's so good to see you back. I want to go to Ireland one day, but I would like to stay for a good few months so I can absorb more. Thanks for a nice weekend. Merry Ann from Minnesota

[@steve-marsh]

Hi Merry Ann! Oh we really didn’t spend enough time there, but it’s very close for us to return, maybe a flight next time to mix things up a little :) aw the best to you!

[@Oakleaf700]

@@steve-marsh You spent more time than me!...Son and I had to go to Rosslare to pick up a massive old rocking horse that I needed to see before buying, and son drove a long wheelbase van... We went to the port, the horse owners met us, we followed them home, saw horse, bought it, and came back on same ferry! It was so sad not to see more of Eire. I remember a lot of golden gorse and empty roads. The horse belonged to an Anglo~Irish family who were brewers and maltsters {and linked to Guinness family} The horse originally would have crossed the Irish Sea on a much smaller boat around 1880.

[@Oakleaf700]

We used Stena as opposed to Irish Ferries as that was what the family said were 'Better', but for a vehicle it was incredibly expensive. {over £300} plus £30 for a basic cabin But we needed the sleep after a very long day. I too love the deck space on Stena Europe. Many many years ago, as a child, I had a grim crossing on a tiny ferry called 'Falaise' going from Dieppe~Newhaven Urgh! it went on for an eternity, and the deck {There was only one, I think, the ship was so small} was closed due to the rough sea. People smoked in this days, and eventually the staff opened a ''Stable door'' type opening to let in fresh air, and my chin just reached it. Others crowded behind me, and tried to push me out of the way. A horrid man said ''Mind out kid, unless you want me to be sick in your hood'' Charming. Luckily he wasn't sick, or at least not near me. Years later, googling that old 1947 built ferry , I found out she was known to be ''A roller'' , and a poor young Spanish driver of a freight lorry {a load of oranges from Seville} was so prostrated by seasickness that despite the care of the staff, he died. The person telling this was her Quartermaster. The small ships made life a lot more miserable in rough weather.

[@cindymswyo]

Just found your videos, love them. Will probably be the only way for me to see your part of the world! Hello from Idaho mountains, USA

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much Cynthia and welcome aboard! I have many happy memories from a fleeting visit to wonderful Idaho, would love to come back!

[@ColinSlocombe]

You both can be very funny while travelling

[@salvatorediprima943]

Another great video,wouldn’t travel with p&o after the sackings earlier in the year

[@steve-marsh]

Aye, easy choice now!

[@iainf1]

Worth bearing in mind that the Stena ship was formerly on the now defunct Rosyth to Zeebrugge service, which from memory took around 24 hours, which is why the facilities are so much better.

[@steve-marsh]

Great info! I had no idea and that means it used to sail right past our window when we lived in South Queensferry! Thanks so much

[@LukeWilson2003]

Superfast X and IX where on the Rosyth route

[@Fred-gu6pk]

​@steve-marsh I thought it used to operate in the Baltic. Years ago there were signs in multiple languages

[@SkiwiAS]

Got to love the A75 traffic, used to live in creetown caravan park right next to it years ago.

[@WhoDaresWins-B20]

Thanks for the wonderful tour Steve and Mrs Steve. I remember taking the Stenna Line ferry from Holly Head to Dun Dun Laoghaire in Eire many years ago. That was a trip and a half. I never stopped laughing for the entire week I was there. The mother is Half Irish and Half Scots, but she always favoured the Irish side of her Heritage. I remember "taking the mickey" out of the the old Darlin one day and she said to me "Don't talk like that, you are halfIrish yourself." I came back with a quick: "That's it Mither; I am going for a blood transfusion this afternoon. Happy days. Dad'd mither was from County Antrim. I would have loved to have visited and had a look at the Titanic museum, but time did not permit me to do so. Happy travels my friends. Slainte`

[@johncassels3475]

A very "plummy" English accent on the P&O ship announcements for a ferry travelling between Scotland and Northern Ireland! 😄 Nice video - I enjoyed that.

[@GoNinty]

Larne native here - the chime at 5:52 is so loud I can hear it from my house (despite not living close to the port)! That ferry was always great for day trips to M&D's. It's a shame we lost the route the Troon some years ago, and even worse what P&O did to their staff. If you ever take the trip again and have some time to kill, there's a great wee pub right outside the ferry terminal where you can watch them come and go. The walk to Larne Town train station from the port is only about 20 minutes or so as well, if you want to experience some of the, um, delights of Larne.

[@michaelstaunton1632]

Another enjoyable upload you put lots of work into your videos and it shows on the final outcome so well done & keep up the good work ☑️

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much Michael! Really appreciate it, the videos take a lot of work, so it’s nice when it’s recognised.

[@beagle8216]

First video I’ve seen of yours. Really good comparison you have done. Look forward to future videos

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Pete! Welcome aboard, really appreciate it :)

[@samantha1054]

Sorry, I got to this 2yrs late ??? I live in the USA and will take this crossing on Sept 8th. From your review, Stena is best. I am wondering why u did not take your van on the crossing. I am renting an Electric car, driving from Glasgow. I have not checked the Car charging infrastructure, but catching a train is feasible. Great review, thank you.

[@simonwhitlock9189]

Another great trip even if it got a bit soggy at the end, hope you had a safe journey home. Take care and look forward to your next video, cheers.

[@steve-marsh]

Simon the drive home was a challenge, but not as much as the Monday at work :)

[@simonwhitlock9189]

@@steve-marsh I know exactly what you mean, I used to play in bands and getting home at three in the morning only to get up at seven to go to work makes for an interesting day.

[@alistairmccausland1580]

Hi Steve, you keep coming up with great films of interest & I now know Stena ships are by far the best with facilities to suit everyone's taste.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much Alistair! We loved both crossings but Stena had real wow-factor!

[@colinroughton7505]

Hi Steve Colin from Port Augusta South Australia. My wife and I both love you r videos we get envious of all the greenery and lovely villages. Would love to see more on Belfast and also the Isle of Skye.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much to you both! It will be a pleasure to bring you a wee bonus-feature on Belfast at the start of next week - not much with the clips I have, but better than nothing :) and Skye is high high on the list for a video! :)

[@blbl8326]

I would choose Sterna for the facilities, but P&O for the connections! :D Thank you for the video Steve, great insight into two different companies! What time did you get back home finally under that weather?

[@steve-marsh]

Ouch it was 130am! Yeah, totally agree, but I’d happily use either in the future :)

[@SamG-py7ej]

I've used both quite a bit, Stenna is by far the better ferry, the P&O is cheaper and seemed more for freight and truck drivers imo

[@Michael-wr1yy]

Great video and what a brilliant trip to take for the weekend.

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Michael!

[@roroger2402]

Thanks for the fantastic video Steve, hope it was a good drive home. All the best.

[@steve-marsh]

Ohhh Roger, it was a real challenge getting home, but even more getting up the next morning!

[@roroger2402]

Thanks so much to you both. Cheers.

[@5SpotReview]

Thanks for braving the journey, the weather, and two separate ferry lines. I'm remembering the days when passengers traveled by train to meet the ferry at Stranraer. I recall making at least one trip of my own back in the late 1980s, riding Sealink liveried Mk II carriages crowded and rowdy. Anyone else recall the busy ferry port at Stranraer? Perhaps the ScotRail Ayr--Stranraer train service would be a worthy adventure for a future vlog? A bit calmer nowadays, I would think. Safe and happy travels!

[@steve-marsh]

Ohhh great idea Kevin, thanks!

[@MrPaulhastie]

Unfortunately Kevin Since the STENA moved from Stranraer the railway passengers have dwindled, buses from terminal to Ayrshire etc.

[@seanyboy3]

Would usually use the P&O route due to being slightly cheaper. They'd also allow us mid crossing (i presume only in fair weather) to pop down with their supervision to check on my dog in the car. Stena do not allow that. I also decided that we'd use Stena over P&O after what P&O did to their staff. Especially to the very nice gentlemen who came down to supervise me to check on my dog with me multiple times over the years! Of course the route people may choose will depend on where they're travelling to on the other side. I go somewhere in the middle of both Belfast and Larne so it doesn't make much difference to us.

[@orbitaaltube]

Really enjoyed the video. Brought back good memories of taking the stenaline from Belfast to cairnryan for our honeymoon in Edinburgh. A great way to travel.

[@steve-marsh]

Nice one! Totally agree :)

[@alexoestreicher1092]

Great stuff, my fiancée and I are planning a trip to Ireland and Scotland next spring and will now choose Stena for the crossing. Thanks!

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Alex! Oh, and apparently there IS a bus, but your better half deserves a taxi :)

[@alasdairmacmillan5359]

will be heading to Belfast in early February, so thanks for the video

[@SteamboatWilley]

The bus from the terminal to the ferry reminds me of joining a ferry as a foot passenger at Dover, which had a similar arrangement. A far cry from the convenience of the old ferry terminal at Stranraer, where you could walk from the train to the ferry terminal then straight on the ferry quite easily.

[@sophiestransportscenes2100]

Hey☺️I’m a boat train enthusiast. Glad to see this video about the ferries and the train. I believe the train you were on has been refurbished. Although there is a new one out in service which is the same model☺️

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much Sophie, great info. Love boats, this was a fun weekend :)

[@adydhotmail]

Hi. I'm a Lorry Driver, and I've done that crossing hundreds of times, using both operators. The Stena ferries are lovely. They are more geared towards Tourists as they sail into Belfast. They are also part of the Rail Sail scheme for foot passengers. You can buy a combined ticket which gets you to Ayr, and then you get an onward bus transfer to the port and your crossing. There is a bus from the port to the centre of Belfast. There is also a bus from Belfast to the terminal. P and O also offer an excellent service. It could be said that their ferries are more functional. The crossing is 30 mins shorter. At Larne Harbour you can catch the train to Belfast, as you've seen. As a motorist the fact that Larne is 20 minutes from Belfast is not really an issue. Another observation is that you don't lose signal C to L. Whereas you do C to B. As an aside, both ferries dock in Cairnryan at the same time. Be aware that the A75 is not a nice road, and at ferry time is very busy.

[@Steve--RR666]

No 96 bus from upper queen street takes you to Stena Line. If traveling around Belfast day tickets are £4.20

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers for the info Steve! :)

[@Steve--RR666]

@@steve-marsh Nothing in comparison to the info you have given me Steve !

[@szymongorczynski7621]

The 96 bus runs only in the morning and afternoon. If your ferry is in the evening, no bus for you!

[@Steve--RR666]

@@szymongorczynski7621 Last bus gets you there for 6.50pm plenty of time for the 7.30 pm sailing. If you are getting the 11.30 pm sailing as foot passenger the bus will not work for you

[@BitsOfBen]

I’ve got the Stena line ferry from Birkenhead (Liverpool) to Belfast before and I always walk from the port into the city centre. It is a little long walk but I always enjoy it!

[@allancopland1768]

Very interesting Steve. NIR trains used to be dire, the worst! Nice to see new rolling-stock. Sadly although ferries may be more shiny than when I first travelled to Belfast in the 1970's and many times thereafter, they are still every bit as slow as they ever were.

[@steve-marsh]

So true Allan! Cheers

[@hikingwithadhdbrain2022]

Thanks for a great video! Gotta say it looks great in Belfast! Here you got a new subscriber! Wishing you all a good weekend! Greetings from Norway!

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much! Really appreciate the sub, welcome aboard! A bonus-footage video from Belfast coming soon :)

[@hikingwithadhdbrain2022]

@@steve-marsh Looking forward to a longer video from Belfast! Great videos you make!

[@ultimatebuzz73]

Back and forth on the Stena boat all the time on the motorbike. Always book the Stena plus lounge, loads of room, really quiet, complimentary all you can drink/eat coffee, Pepsi and crisps

[@steve-marsh]

Sounds great, I’ll treat us to it next time! :)

[@ozgirl45]

Great video! The Stena ferry looked amazing - so many amenities for a fairly short trip. There were a lot more people on board compared to the P&O.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks Heather - certainly more people knew more than me how much better the Stena was :) although to be fair, the P&O was still very enjoyable :)

[@AHJ99.]

As an ex-P&O officer on the Causeway (and occasionally P&O Express) we made our money with lorries and trailer drops, tourists just topped off the profits. Larne has proper customs facilities for wagons, especially farm facilities with an animal welfare/disease control point at Larne port. Stena invested in their ships and went for the tourist market, and cargo just tops off their profits nicely. As P&O crew I’d much rather travel on the Stena ships, but they nearly went under during COVID as their freight offering wasn’t enough to keep them healthily in profit!

[@lindahart6049]

I’m exhausted just watching! Great video, as always.

[@steve-marsh]

Haha thanks! I'm still recovering :D

[@Timstravels01]

Super informative video. I love your enthusiasm! Keep up the good work.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks mate! This was an exhausting one for sure :D

[@peterrivet648]

Thank you for a very useful video. What neither of these crossings does is cater properly for foot passengers by linking the rail terminal at Stranraer with the corresponding one at Larne Harbour. The ferry companies will probably tell us that there isn't enough demand, but Stena especially seem to be out to discourage the use of the rail connection.

[@steve-marsh]

Very true Peter!

[@andrewcrawford1170]

Born and raised in larne now liveing on the belfast lough:) hope you had a great journey

[@steve-marsh]

It was amazing Andrew - what a friendly awesome place!

[@JohnSmith-rn8ui]

Worked up there the pub in Cairnryan is called ugly bug , great 2 yrs ,, had an absolute blast in Stranraer when tied up on wknds

[@stuartbrown7557]

love the channel, Im new to it. have you done any videos proud portpatrick? which is where the ships used to sail to Ireland from. some lovely walks and places around that area

[@billnict1]

Hi Steve, Excellent video! I see that the Stena Line boat is £9 more than the P&O which I would say was money well spent! I for one would love to see a video of your adventures in Belfast. Stay safe!

[@steve-marsh]

Totally Bill! Thanks so much :)

[@marcusblemmings8484]

Really enjoyed this video, Steve. Chuffed you came to Northern Ireland, there’s more to see than Belfast, should come to the north coast and possibly inland to where I live in County Tyrone. I will buy you a pint for all the joy your videos give me.

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Marcus, I’ll hold you to that! :) aye, it was just a video idea to compare the ferries, can’t wait to have more time to go back and explore properly :)

[@RTPeat]

Fab video - yes to more Belfast. Incidentally have you tried running the camera in 25/50fps rather than 30/60fps, should deal with the flickering from the lights on the video as then the frame rate will match the electricity frequency in the UK?

[@steve-marsh]

Richard - thanks so much for the tip - I’m a bit of a novice with camera settings so that’s very helpful!

[@ColinM_YouTube]

Thanks for the video Steve. You passed my house on the train in Larne!. We travelled the other way recently to Scotland (Fort William) & the P&O ferry is basic & my least favourite part of the journey. We also did a day trip to Glasgow from belfast & the stena super fast ferry is much better on board but takes longer. Hope to see more from your trip to belfast in another video!

[@steve-marsh]

Cheers Colin! Yeah, that Stena really dragged on the way back, especially when you have such a long drive home on your mind. I’ll see what I can do re making a video out of my clips in Belfast :)

[@allanwilliment1029]

I remember travelling on Stena Line back in 1991, from Fishguard (Wales) to Rosslare (Southern Ireland) and return. I also did a return train journey from Rosslare to Dublin (Connolly) I was also most impressed with the Stena line. Looks like they have maintained their good name😊

[@kencurran8853]

There is no country called Southern Ireland. It is Ireland, a republic.

[@RushfanUK]

I always use Stena from Cairnryan to visit Ireland, I have friends in Belfast and family in the Republic, I always go on the Premium ticket with lounge access and priority boarding and disembarkation for the car.

[@dougtherugg]

The Carol Arm chorus is lovely

[@TyRex93]

will be taking this trip soon.. was very informative thanks! :D

[@steve-marsh]

Have fun! :)

[@TyRex93]

@@steve-marsh big drive before it so will try lol thanks!