Most cruises start in Amsterdam, with little time on the North Sea, and head to the countries bordering the Baltic Sea. Commercial Vehicles must be booked via our Freight Department by calling 08001114434. Need to have at least one adult on each journey, Aged 60 +/ students / disabled passengers. The 4 berth cabins are inside cabins so experience less movement than outside cabins. While European nations don't require you to present it upon arrival, the Russian Federation won't let anyone in without examining your passport and shore excursion tickets. Forecast issued: On trips to the British Isles and most of Europe, you might need pounds, euros, or even dollars in some cases. Its directly over the road from Union Square Shopping Centre, a five-minute walk from the bus and train stations as well as a ten-minute walk from Union Street. You have been added to the mailing list. NorthLink Ferries also sail from Scrabster on the north coast of Scotland to Stromness in Orkney. (The Summer Timetable will operate from Monday. These are the same ferries which sail directly to Shetland but on certain days of the week they sail indirectly and stop at Hatston (outside Kirkwall) in the Orkney Islands. Open the email and follow the instructions to reset your password.If you don't get any email, please check your spam folder. It was on time and overall a very pleasant trip, if it weren't for the fact that I was leaving my dear Orkney. North Sea with Iceland and Norway: On a 14-night cruise from Southampton, travel northbound to Edinburgh, across the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean to the otherworldly landscapes of Iceland the Danish Faroe Islands, before heading back to Southampton. When the boat sails, theres always an announcement by the Captain about safety etc - and he'll say what the conditions are going to be like. For the period Get expert advice, insider tips and more. The provided details are not correct. These include: Aberdeen to Orkney, Aberdeen to Lerwick and Scrabster to Orkney. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. 7 Cruise Excursions That Will Change Your Life, Hurricane Harvey: A Look Back at the Storm, Hurricane Maria: A Look Back at the Storm, Hidden in the Fine Print: 16 Things You Need to Know About Your Cruise Contract, The Pros and Cons of a Port-Intensive Cruise, Edinburgh (Photo:Johannes Valkama/Shutterstock), Norwegian Fjords cruise (Photo: Marco Saracco/Shutterstock.com), Copenhagen (Photo: Olga Gavrilova/Shutterstock), Amsterdam, Netherlands (Photo: Noppasin Wongchum/Shutterstock). Please update details and try again or contact customer service for further support to retreive new credentials. Please note: Please be aware of any bike racks / roof racks that might affect the overall height of the vehicle. Available for both RF and RM licensing. Vikings sailed the North Sea to head westward to pursue better lands and leave their mark. If you were interested in visiting both island groups then perhaps travelling from Aberdeen to Lerwick, then Lerwick to Hatston, and finally Stromness to Scrabster, may be a great way to see everything! I worked in Lerwick for a few weeks, and it's easily up there with Iceland in the windy stakes. Bring at least two credit cards from different networks in case one is not accepted (and at least one without foreign transaction fees is recommended). Bookings for Unst, Fetlar, Yell, Whalsay . If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. If you are getting off the ship in Russia, bring your passport with you. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. The ship sailed within view of Scotlands north coast, then crossed to the Faroe Islands, and from there to Iceland. Belfast, Northern Ireland. Itineraries are typically 12 to15 days long (with a few overnights) to accommodate the many wonderful cities and ports of calls in Sweden, Estonia, Finland, Denmark, Poland, Germany and Russia. Suggestions - the Aberdeen ferry serves both Orkney and Shetland. A 10% concessionary discount on passenger and vehicles fares is available to senior citizens (aged 60 years and over), to adults aged 16 or over in full-time education and to disabled passengers. The shipping forecast is issued four times a day at 2300, 0500, 1100, 1700 UTC and covers a period of 24 hours from 0000, 0600, 1200 and 1800 UTC respectively. The ferry sails from Lerwick to Kirkwall (and then from Kirkwall to Aberdeen) on a Monday (not in winter), Wednesday, and Friday night. Consequently more expensive from airports further South in the country. When you get on board, go to Reception - theres usually a notice there giving sea conditions for that nights sailing. in the summer of 2019 , I am considering taking a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Its pot luck what the weather and sea state will be when you travel. 56,514 people are reading stories on the site right now. 01595 745804. ferrybooking@shetland.gov.uk. We are thinking of visiting both The Shetland and Orkney Islands next year as part of a month long trip to Scotland, probably commencing early June. With regular sailings for passengers and cars from Scrabster and Aberdeen, travelling to the Orkney and Shetland Islands from the Scottish Mainland is more convenient than ever before. Although cruises often set sail during the shoulder months (May, June and September), you are likely to encounter a rougher sea, colder temperatures and rain. Direct Ferries Limited has its registered address at Direct Ferries Ltd, 2-3 Three Rivers Business Centre, Felixstowe Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP10 0BF, United Kingdom. I can't agree with previous posts that this overnight run is 'truly horrendous' - it really does depend on perceptions, how good a sailor you are, whether you are prepared to take 'precautions' (ie, get a cabin and take anti-seasickness medication if you are inclined to sea-sickness)- and the weather of course. We are thinking of visiting both The Shetland and Orkney Islands next year as part of a month long trip to Scotland, probably commencing early June. Travelers from Southampton embark on the North Sea toward the Baltic with stops in Belgium, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Riga, Tallinn, St. Petersburg (with an overnight stay), Helsinki and Stockholm before returning to the initial port of call. The islands have anything from a well-established classical concert series through to lots of wild walking.. Open tickets are valid for up to 12 months from booking date (see ticket conditions). "; Northlink's Shetland ferries were damaged in heavy seas last month, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites, How the world's oldest clove tree defied an empire, Why Royal Ballet principal Sergei Polunin quit, BBC News Updated every minute of every day, Tourists flock to 'Jesus's tomb' in Kashmir. The cultural capital of Russia offers abundant opportunities to immerse yourself in its fascinating history. The boat is filled with people starting their revelry a little early. Don't miss Tivoli Gardens, where you can stroll through its grounds and get in touch with your inner child by riding its retro rides and modern roller coasters. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. There's no place quite like it. Wendy, yes, the boat trip is much more interesting, it seems, as long as it is calm enough!! . View 2023 timetables | View 2023 fares | View the 2023 NorthLink Ferries guide | Orkney Nature Festival Cruise. I think we were probably fortunate with the weather for our sailings. The sight of 40,000 massive, interlocking basalt columns along the sea is so striking that you'll have to see it to believe it. Take a magical mystery tour through the birthplace of The Beatles. Take the ferry to Shetland and Orkney NorthLink Ferries sail daily from Aberdeen to Shetland and from Shetland to Aberdeen, sailing every evening and arriving the following morning. Access to the service may be interrupted or delayed from time to time, updates may also be delayed. The price is 175 each. The ferry, with 87 passengers, was due to dock in Aberdeen at 7am on Monday but arrived at the city's harbour several hours behind schedule. The trip in May the sea was calm. The ship was hit by large waves and rolled twice in quick succession after it was caught up in severe gale-force winds. Norwegian fjords. No visit is complete without setting foot inside the famed Cavern Club, a shrine to where the Fab Four played hundreds of gigs in their early days. There can be a rough patch where the ferry crosses approaches to the tidal race that becomes the Pentland Firth. Cruises in the months of September and October have occasionally encountered weather-related issues resulting in missed ports and diversions. There are only a limited number of cabins on the ship and they do book up quickly. Aberdeen to Lerwick, Shetland ferry SteveMarsh 49.8K subscribers 597K views 3 years ago #SteveMarsh. Can anybody relate their experience please, as to how rough this overnight sea crossing might be? The music started late and continued late. Russia uses the ruble, but if you don't have time to exchange currency and still want to purchase some Russian dolls, there are shops by the cruise terminal that accept foreign currency or credit cards. Take the A9 from Inverness and youll view stunning scenery from mountains in the Highlands, the flat, desolate terrain of the Flow Country and the beautiful coastal scenery of the North East. Some cruises leaving from Amsterdam combine stops in Norway and across the Atlantic to Iceland. Come a day or two early to explore the "Venice of the North.". Past month; Gale warnings are issued as required throughout the day (for winds of Gale Force 8 or more). I've done the trip on the Norrna in April and may. Norr na 12,000 GRT and a capacity for 1,050 passengers and 300 cars, and . Go in the summer months for a smoother sailing experience in the Atlantic Ocean; you'll even be blessed with the midnight sun during visits to Norway's famed coastline. Much to think about, but at least we have some time to plan, although I guess ferries and accommodation gets booked up pretty quick. The Ferries were spotless and comfortable and my journey was very good. Especially when you may have been blissfully asleep up to that point. Aside from the weather, something peculiar happens where two or more different currents converge in the North sea somewhere off the north eastern cape and it's extremely uncomfortable. Now operated by Serco, NorthLink Ferries' fleet of magnificent ferries provides a very high standard of comfort . I stepped off this ferry yesterday, having had a return trip Aberdeen - Orkney - Shetland on a 10 day cycling tour of The shetlands. If you select an itinerary that mainly travels from the North Sea to the Baltic countries, you have the option of traveling during the shoulder months of May and September. Cruises typically depart from Southampton or Harwich, England, or Amsterdam in the Netherlands. If you are cruising during months other than July and August, you are likely to come across cold and rainy weather on the North Sea. Just the gentle ocean rocking. You can book the whole cabin for just the 2 of you. That said, you are talking bout June, when the weather might be better, but there's still a fair risk of high winds. For contact details visit our. Before the development of roads, maritime trading along the North Sea boosted the economies of its bordering countries. The Northlink Ferries vessel was being rolled . Become a SteveMarsh Supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/SteveMarshAberdeen to Lerwick can be one of the stormiest ferry crossings anywhere in the world - I certainly felt the full force of the sea on this night. Although fares might be lower during the shoulder seasons, keep in mind that the itinerary might be subject to last-minute changes and you could experience more ship movement. The Shetland Museum & Archives in Lerwick hosts exhibits relating to the original Shetlanders. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. The Met Office initiates warnings and prepares routine forecasts for dissemination on behalf of the MCA. 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