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

@mstrdiver

2 жыл бұрын

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

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Ben, will see what I can do :)

@mashasheffa2248

2 жыл бұрын

We would too 😊

@odetbeauvoisin

2 жыл бұрын

Extra Belfast footage sounds enticing…

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

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

2 жыл бұрын

@@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

2 жыл бұрын

@@steve-marsh is your partner Czech?

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

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

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Ian! Great to hear it!

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

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

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

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

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Derek! aww the best :)

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

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much John!

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

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Harry :)

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

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

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

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

@steve-marsh

Жыл бұрын

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

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

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

Have a great trip Simon!

@simonbrown140

2 жыл бұрын

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

Excellent video, packed with plenty of useful info. Thanks!

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

2 жыл бұрын

Exactly :) thanks very much

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

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

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the very useful info Alan!

@heresdarren666

11 ай бұрын

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.

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

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Stephen :)

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

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

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers, I’ll see what I can do :)

This was an awesome vlog, so enjoyed it. Thanks to both of you for sharing. Take care till next one, never know where your going to end up with you two but it's never dull.🤔😍

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

Haha thanks Margaret, even I have no idea where we’ll be next weekend!

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

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Poppy! :)

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

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

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

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

Video, very well edited and presented! Thank you.

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! Appreciate it :)

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

2 жыл бұрын

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!

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

The fantastic video! You've got a really fabulous bonus when embarked by bus😊 And of course, the exclusive weather on the back way. I completely agree that lorries must be hidden underground during the rain time😉

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! :)

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

2 жыл бұрын

Great advice, thank you!

@barvdw

Жыл бұрын

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.

Bless your HEARTS! Amazing adventure, always thank you!

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

@TomCro73

2 жыл бұрын

+1 to the love from Texas!

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

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

Жыл бұрын

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!

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

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

2 жыл бұрын

Nice one! Totally agree :)

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

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

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

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

@roroger2402

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much to you both. Cheers.

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

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Gavin!

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

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Gareth!

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

Thanks for such a informative video! What a difference!

Great stuff Steve ! Absolutely loved this ! And YES definitely love to see more footage for your Ireland stay !! Keep up the great work mate ! ( Australia is opening our international flights soon apparently so we’ll see you soon !!!!)

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

Great stuff Dean! :)

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

@simonwhitlock9189

2 жыл бұрын

@@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.

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

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

2 жыл бұрын

@@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

2 жыл бұрын

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.

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`

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

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

Ahoy Pirates! :D So great to see you out and about! Awesome adventure! Cool ferries, wish we had ones like those, haha! XD You both are badass to the bones! .) Want to see the longer version of Belfast for sure! .) Captain of the good old Blackthorne

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

I was looking out for you paddling across the Irish Sea

Great video as usual Steve this one sent me back to when I was a nipper, doing the crossing twice yearly to see family in Ireland. Keep up the good work mate.

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Damian! Glad to bring back some memories :)

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

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

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

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

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Rob!

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

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

2 жыл бұрын

Ohhh great idea Kevin, thanks!

@MrPaulhastie

2 жыл бұрын

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

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

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Pete! Welcome aboard, really appreciate it :)

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

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Michael!

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

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

Another great video, keep up the good work :D

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

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.

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

@paullarcher4300

2 жыл бұрын

@@steve-marshCheers Steve!

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

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

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

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

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

Haha thanks! I'm still recovering :D

Yes! I was waiting for this video! I recently went on pando ferries on this route! And stena a few years ago!

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it arrived safely :)

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

2 жыл бұрын

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! :)

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.

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

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😊

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

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

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

Another excellent vlog. Thanks Steve.

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Paul!

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

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Jim!

@SamG-py7ej

Жыл бұрын

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

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

@LimeplayzDefinitely

10 ай бұрын

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

10 ай бұрын

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

@LimeplayzDefinitely

10 ай бұрын

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

@emily1

10 ай бұрын

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

I love your content keep it up mate nice job 👍

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

Fantastic ferry video! Last week I was on the Northlink overnight ferry from Lerwick to Aberdeen and the Stena ferries had way more facilities than them and better kitted out, despite a shorter journey! :o

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

I've got a soft spot for the Northlink, but you're so right!

Yes, would love to see more of your Belfast excursion!

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

I’ll try patch something together :)

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

2 жыл бұрын

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 :)

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

2 жыл бұрын

Totally Bill! Thanks so much :)

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

10 ай бұрын

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

10 ай бұрын

@@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.

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

@steve-marsh

Жыл бұрын

Have fun! :)

@TyRex93

Жыл бұрын

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

Great video Steve that was very interesting would definitely like to see more of Belfast the comparison was interesting thanks.

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Kenneth!

Very informative, Steve. I knew almost nothing about the NI ferries. Hope you had a good drive back to Edinburgh.

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Alexander - the drive home was tough, but not as tough as the Monday at work :)

Great little adventure. As soon as I saw the Stena lounge I thought of a cruise ship right away. After seeing the rest of the ship I agree with you, it does confirm my first impression. Unfortunate the weather didn't cooperate. And did I see a Scottish man walking in the rain without a rain jacket on? Lol That's a "come from away" move. But someone was dry beside you. ;) oh, and I loved that train and would love to see more clips from Belfast! Til the next great adventure.😁

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

Oh Janice you’d think I’d have learned my lesson by now about Scottish weather eh!?

Ferry interesting.... Looking forward to your Belfast adventure.

Great footage once again, only been on a ferry once Hull to Amsterdam with school 35 years ago, everything looks pretty reasonably priced so we will have to go somewhere again at some point, stay safe you two 👍

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

I also made that trip around 35 years ago! :)

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

2 жыл бұрын

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.

2 жыл бұрын

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!

Steve, I enjoyed that report. I've always used Stena. Particularly when the HSS was in service. My thought about the long walk from terminal to ferry is that the company wants to wear out the passengers so that they collapse into a welcome seat - AND STAY THERE!

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

Haha good point Robbie! Cheers and Merry Christmas!

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

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

It was amazing Andrew - what a friendly awesome place!

Looks very clean and pretty p&o ferries

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

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.

Always look forward to your video's. If I were you, I would have got a cab to port.

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Paul! And I'm good at keeping expectations low :D

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

@hikingwithadhdbrain2022

2 жыл бұрын

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

Another very good video. Nice to see the comparison between the two ferry companies. Looked a bit wild on the way home. Bet you were a bit knackered for work in the morning.

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! Ohhh the Monday was tough! And it was also a difficult edit as I had a camera malfunction and all the clips were out of order! :)

All positive comments from me Steve. You guys are great. That beans and toast thing. Hmmm, I'll have to try that some day. Maybe with a medium fried egg on the top? The pub scene was very good. That was quite a tall glass of dark beer, then, you guys went sightseeing? I'd need a nap. Lot's of happy vibe's from your channel this evening. The refreshed home page is great too.

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Frank! The egg is a good idea :) we had only a few short hours in Belfast, but I’ll try to patch a wee video together :)

Another great video Steve! Can't say I've ever had beans on toast for breakfast, just might have to give it a try. Those ferries are sooo much better than what we've got her in the U.S. Tons of stuff to see and do just on the ferries alone! I don't envy your long walks in the rain in the dark though :( I'd definitely be interested in seeing longer Belfast clips for sure! The furthest north in Ireland I've been was, Dublin of course, Malahide, and Howth. Thanks again!

@steve-marsh

2 жыл бұрын

Great to hear from you! I’ve only been on one ferry in the States - the Bainbridge from Seattle - I was too stunned by the scenery to notice the boat :)

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!

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

2 жыл бұрын

you havent seen enough of belfast then lol

@muchasgracias6976

2 жыл бұрын

@@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

2 жыл бұрын

In what way is NI hidden 😂😂

@Oakleaf700

2 жыл бұрын

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

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

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

2 жыл бұрын

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

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