That Stena ferry was as nice a vessel as most cruise ships. And yes, the fare was more than worthwhile, considering it was the equivalent of a travel charge and a hotel stay! Please, more ferry videos would be fantastic. I enjoyed the connecting train portions of your video as well. Have a nice weekend! 🌞
I live very close to P&O Ferries in the Europoort area of the port of Rotterdam and every now and then just go to England for a weekend. Friday late afternoon I drive there, get our tickets, leave the car on the parking lot (or just have someone bring us). With eating...they changed the sailingtime, which used to be 7pm to like 8.30pm, it docks the next morning at 7:30, so it's a lot cheaper to just eat something at home. Next morning breakfast and then either go to York, stay in Hull, Sheffield and late afternoon going back to the ferry. Only downside is that you can't let your stuff in the cabin, they have a place to store it for you on another deck, but for the rest it's a great weekend! My g/f her kids love it too.
Not watched the whole video yet, but you can actually see the vessel laying across the river. Next to the passenger terminal and quay, is where Stena unloads cargovesslels, they kind of share that terminal.
Straight line he's only going 200 miles. That's like taking the train from New York to Washington, or New York to Boston. As they say, in Europe, 100 miles is a long way.
Fun fact: part of the metro line from Rotterdam to Hoek van Holland used to be a proper railway, once even carrying international trains that would connect the ferry services to destinations as far as Basel, Geneva, Berlin or even Moscow. The advent of air travel and the opening of the Channel Tunnel would see these services disappear, though, and by the beginning of the 21st century, the line had degraded to a suburban railway carrying only local passenger trains. This trend would culminate into the line's recent conversion to instead accommodate metro services. Part of the line, however, is still being used by freight services connecting to the harbour area. The Man in Seat 61 actually reviewed the Harwich-Hoek ferry when the suburban rail services were still running: th-cam.com/video/-r7IWUZ-8xI/w-d-xo.html
I took the ferry from Harwich to Hoek in 1992, and as you say it was a main line station then. On arrival I transferred to my sleeping compartment on the train to Moscow. I did make a video of the trip, of course it was VHS back then.
I took this very overnight ferry 31st August, 2020, so less that 2 weeks ago. I hadn't been here since around 2015 but from 2004 to 2015 or so, I used to do this trip 1-2 times a year. I was really disappointed to see that the platforms away from the station building had been demolished and the line onto _Strand_ had been severed; seemed like a bit of a mess, with new construction only part complete. However, back then, I did wonder if the platforms adjacent to the station building, as used here, were ever used as all 'proper' trains seemed to run onto _Strand_. The road layout has been messed about with too, my Sat Nav wasn't up to date and ended up sticking me in the lorry hold, about 1-2kms or so up the road. All very confusing and disappointing ! PS We also used to get the HSS Discovery. A ship that I really do miss. Such a shame that they only had an operating life of around 10 years.
@@lewis72 I'm not sure, but I suppose the platforms adjacent to the station were used for the long-distance trains, and those curving away were used for local trains to Strand. I do know that they are currently working on the Haven-Strand section of the line, which is actually to be extended to the beach proper.
When I travelled on it in 1964, my train was a through train from Hoek to Hanover and Leipzig, which in those days was in Eastern Germany. Needless to say I got off before the East German boarder at Hildesheim. The Dutch trains were electric and changed at the German boarder to diesel hydraulic, I think (my memory can't always remember full details).
I did that exact trip last year, just the other way round, and I loved it. The ship is fantastic and the crew/staff are really nice. Defintely the best way to cross the North Sea.
So, your best work to date. I know it helps having a good product and weather but you produced an informative and entertaining experience. I was impressed that you even got a moving metro train in shot as the vessel departed, luck or planning? Also, enjoy the real language used in captions, with references to tea time and other similar everyday expressions. Yes please, more ferry trips, maybe the UK to Spain or Portsmouth to Saint Malo, great arrival scenery if you are luck with the weather. Oh, I did notice the cycle tourists on arrival, its a great route to take you bike on. Cheers, Tim.
Hi! I as living in Gothenburg, Sweden, headoffice of Stena Line and all of "Stena" am a frequent traveller with them. The ship you travelled with, the Hollandica and her sister the Britannica are the two largest passenger ferries in the world. One thing I always do when coming to a hotel or as you now to an overnight ship is that I study the emergency instructions on the inside of the door directly after I have put my luggage down and then I walk the emergency exit route to have done it in safe and sound conditions if something would happen later on. The Riva bar is a feature onboard all Stena overnight ferries and is always shaped as the high speed boats from Italy by the name Riva, from the beginning they were to be put in the same direction as the ship itself but somewhere in the history that got forgotten so on some ships they are in different directions, like here in 45 degrees angle to the ship. Stena Line also have a very pleasant rule that all the ship is restaurant area so in case like on your voyage the deck bar isn´t open one could buy drinks in another of the bars and bring it out on the sun-deck to have at departure. That´s not the case on for instance Color Line where every restaurant is its own area and you have to stay there with your drink.
In 2019 I did a trip to Ireland, but to get there I started in Paris and took trains to Liverpool. There I took a Stena Line ferry overnight to Belfast. I was impressed by Stena Line, and would absolutely do it again!
I took this trip ages ago, around 1978 or thereabouts. It was surprisingly similar to your trip in many ways, in spite of the passage of time. I ate the Smørrebrød of shrimp (delicious!) because I'm that odd American who doesn't typically eat hamburgers and fries (yes, we exist) but your dinner looked well prepared. I'd say even the cabin looked similar to mine. Prettier but comparable amenities. My one regret is that I fell ill with awful seasickness even though the sea was quite calm. The only remedy back then was Dramamine so I ended up sleeping most of the trip. Dang it. I would have loved to have stayed up most of the night exploring and meeting people. In case anyone can benefit from this, Bonine exists now. It works well without knocking you out cold. I don't travel without it.
It was certainly easier getting on and off the smaller boats back then. Like you, we enjoyed our meal leaving Harwich but then went to see a film which happened to be "The River Wild". It was only as we were well into the film that we realised the up and down wasn't just the film!. We spent most of the rest of the voyage in our bunks hoping to land soon!!
@@batman51 Oh, no! How awful you got seasick, too. You're right about getting on and off the boats. That has changed quite a bit. What I like is that the boats are much more stable nowadays, thank goodness. I can even travel on large bodies of water now, thanks to more stable boats and better medications.
We went to Europe in 1965. There was no tunnel under the channel, and planes were very expensive. We took ferries to get from England to Denmark and from Holland to England. It was the CHEAP way to go. Funny how things change. But the ferry is still interesting and different.
Seeing all those 18 wheelers parked on the ferry was something else. And only a few quiet passengers. Incredibly clean ship. Bookmarking this one for future travel plans.
It's due to Covid. Normally in summer, there'll be a lot of vacation people with cars and caravans and bus tour passengers sailing on the ferries. This is the most quiet I've seen the ship. The lorry drivers have their own area to dine, they also turn in early because disembarkation starts over an hour earlier for them than it does for the other passengers. The ships (Hollandica and Brittanica) have really friendly crews as well as well as being very clean. The UK has a 2 week quarantaine rule for travelers from The Netherlands, that's why so few passengers are on the ship.
I've taken this ferry many times visiting family in Germany and it's always lovely to be aboard. Nice to see things from a foot passenger's perspective too, since we always drive
I haven't done this trip for nearly 40 years, wow its changed for the better. Its whetted my appetite to do it again. Let's hope I can. I'll have to wait until the crisis is over, I'll keep fit till then! Brilliant trip report, thanks.
The last time I was on the Harwich to Hoek van Holland ferry was when I travelled across Europe on a TEE to Zurich from Utrecht. Will probably include the ferry in my European Holiday in late 2021. The ship looks great and the connections by rail look very good as well. Dylan's video give a good overview of the whole ship. Well done.
Excellent Dylan ! Super trip you had but it’s for the experience what they charge you. I remember my trip from Dover to Calais in 2004. Though it was short but enjoyed it ! Keep coming up with such videos.
I have just discovered your channel. It's great. I love the no commentary format and you still get all the information you need. I enjoy travelling vicariously with you. Being from Australia and in Stage 4 lockdown because of Covid19, I wonder if I will be able to travel like you do, ever again. Keep it up. (Loved the ferry review).
It was great to see a different perspective as I collect trailers from Harwich nearly everyday, so it was great to see Hoek Van Holland and Harwich from the boat.
Eugene Danker the longer range ferries in the north and Baltic seas take a while to get where they’re going, so they need more than basic accommodations
I went across in 2019 and liked the cabin and slept well in the few hours i had.I'm glad to see the Dutch have finally sorted the metro out and yours stayed on the rails.I was dissapointed you couldn't go up to the front (bow) end outside but I suppose they'd say Health and Safety.I liked the trick with the card in the light.I would just say don't forget your bike.
Delightful video! Enjoyed the tour! We took STENA in reverse a few years ago: London to Amsterdam. Sure hope to get to do it again! Also took the ferry to Caen - would love a video of that journey... THANKS!
Great vid. I’ll be taking this route next year by car to Scandinavia and back. It’s not cheap, but with a few hotel stops along the way it’s a great adventure. Keep up the good work👍🏻🚢
Sailed on the Hollandica last week and I have to agree that the cabin was brilliant (had a wonderful night's sleep). The crew were amazing too! Will definately be sailing this route again, I can't recommend it enough! And yes, more ferry videos would be excellent, really like you channel btw.
Very nice Dylan. Thank you. I've traveled via Eurostar several times and flown across the channel a couple more times but I've never crossed on a ferry. So yes, more ferry reports would be nice. And yes, that porthole was indeed enormous. I'd probably pass on the exterior cabin charge though as most of the trip would be at night and I'd likely be sleeping anyway.
Hi Dylan, I tell you my own experience as a result of your last video. In 1987 I traveled from Paris Gare du Nord to London, I made the Paris - Boulogne route by rail, then I crossed to Dover in the Hovercraft and from there to Victoria station. The return went to Folkestone and crossed the channel by ferry to Boulogne where the train to Paris waited. Attached pictures . Warm greetings from Argentina Fausto Brindisi
That’s a really comfortable looking cabin on the ferry - and when you awake you’ve already arrived with no need to rush your disembarkation. Hard to get better than this.
The best ferry trip I've ever taken was from the little port of Souris on Prince Edward Island (in Canada) out to the Magdalen Islands which are in the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and are part of Québec. I went at the end of May, well before the massive tourist crowds from Québec arrive and I was amazed when what looked like an ocean liner came rushing around the cape into the harbour in Souris. It was just lush inside. I had a drink in every one of the bars onboard, and ate a baguette with slices of smoked wild boar for supper with a delicious salad. The room was perfect and although there was hardly anyone else onboard it all felt so welcoming. That night the stars were brilliant and the Milky Way blazed. The 'Maggies' are these barren rocks that suddenly rise up out of the ocean as you approach them and seem like one continuous Ayers Rock in the middle of a watery nowhere but the people are very warm. The beaches to the north are stunning. There was an excellent restaurant open (though most weren't) in Cap-aux-Meules and I had to try the seal. Delicious. One night, I had an incredible filet of caribou. Going back I went by day and we came across a field of small icebergs which the ship just shoved aside with a kind of unnerving bang each time. We pushed through a crowd of whales all diving and rising again and then a French warship of some sort came racing up like a dog chasing a car - she was out of the French islands off Newfoundland, St-Pierre et Miquelon and even in Canadian waters she had to show us who was who. The whole trip was not even remotely expensive. Sadly, Dylan, no trains for thousands of miles though.
That ship was seriously nice - it makes a big difference sleeping on a modern ship. I spent two nights on a Fred Olsen mini-cruise last year, the ship was quite old and I hardly slept because it creaked like crazy. If you're looking for a ferry trip from the UK, the Isle of Man steam packet to/from Liverpool on the catamaran is quite a nice journey (about 3 hours, though I don't think you can visit if you aren't an IOM resident at the moment) or the Holyhead-Dublin route, that was sail/rail but may not be at the moment...
in 'the old days' drove with the Warsaw Hook or Scandinavia express towards Hook of Holland and then by ship towards the UK or back (and from Harwich to or from London), as by day and by night.
Up until 1997 Harwich- Hook of Holland was my gateway to Europe. After a day's work in London a train from Liverpool Street to Harwich, onto the boat (no travellators) , night on a boat smaller than in this film. In the morning a short walk to the platforms where a range of trains were ready : Stockholm in Sweden, the Berlin, Warsaw, Moskau train, Vienna via the Rhine Valley, the Harz express, Zurich. Truly a gateway to Europe.
The ferry looks amazing! Far from the gauche cruise ships one normally thinks of, this is like a proper business hotel on water. I've stayed in hotels that weren't as nice as this! If someone were to offer a transatlantic version of this sort of service; not too many frills, but comfortable enough and priced competitively with airlines, I'd absolutely be perfectly happy to take 5 or so days to get to Europe if I could travel like this.
I did it back in the days when it was a train from Rotterdam. Lovely ferry trip and much nicer than flying. The only problem for me was tavelling from the Midlands it was either a change of station in London or going across country, slow and several changes of train.
I did this same route in the mid 80s on my own as a 13 year old from Mönchengladbach to Truro. I can't believe the amount of freedom I was given in those days. Remember, that was before the days of mobile phones so I was completely out of contact between my dad putting me on the boat train in Germany about 5pm and then meeting my mum in Cornwall about 24hours later.
The big long gangway up to the boat with those funny glass domes at the joint of every section are the same ones that were there in 1986. In them days, the ticket I got in Germany was for the journey all the way through to Cornwall. At Harwich I just had to change it for the standard orange stripy BR tickets which was then used on the underground to Paddington and then on from there. I didn't have a cabin on the ferry, I just slept in the ball pool in the kids soft play area.
Excellent report on a journey I've never made. Full marks to Stena - the ferry looked all but brand new; I've been on too many (other operators) which were very tired-looking. Look forward to your reports on all methods of transport! Thanks, Dylan! 😃
Great video! I travel to Rotterdam frequently - it's one of my favourite cities. I've never sailed to Holland with Stena before but you've sold it to me! Fantastic stuff!
Thanks for this very useful update. I wasn't aware that Stena Line had (hopefully temporarily) suspended the free rail ticket element, so I'll definitely bear that in mind when I use it next time.
Very interesting, thank you. Nice to see I'm not the only person spending a lot of time at the ticket machine. When I went to catch the train to the city from Schiphol airport the train door closed right in front of me & I thought I had missed the train. The next person behind just walked around me & pressed the green button & the door opened. I just made out like I was checking stuff before I got on. Felt like a real goose but that's why you travel, see new stuff & LEARN things.
Decades ago I travelled from Vlissingen to Sheerness. Older-fashioned ship of course but she also had a restaurant in the best position: above the bow right under the ship's bridge. Sea was rough, headwind 6 Beaufort. We had dinner while loads of water from the waves split by the bow were smashing against the window right next to the dinner table. For those like me who don't get seasick, that was a wonderful meal.
Done this journey a few times now. It is excellent, by far the best way of travelling to Europe without a car. Eurostar from Ashford can be very unreliable, even without the pandemic, and the ferries to France no longer connect with public transport at either end Thanks for posting the vid :).
Took this a few years ago and hope to do it again one day. Recommend it wholeheartedly. Well worth the price and a great experience! As mentioned, be wary of the ticket you get. I thought mine was rail and sail, arrived in Harwich to find out the 7 of us each needed to purchase the rail tickets to London's Liverpool St. A bit of a shock but we dealt with it.
Thanks, Dylan! Oh yeah, I wish I had more cruise ship videos. I also really like boats. Even if these are the trains that I prefer. You explained very well in your video, beautiful views of the boat and all and all. Enjoyed well during the summer, you must be well done !!! But it's good exhaustion. Long live the boats and especially the trains !!!
A bit late in the day, but... I think the Harwich/Hoek ferry is brilliant. I've used it on foot (train either end), cycling, motorcycling and in the car and, as you rightly say, you get a good night's sleep included in the price. It is very convenient for visiting my friends in Holland/Belgium and Germany. Another ferry you might want to try is the Plymouth/Roscoff - my local crossing. Roscoff is so unlike any other ferry port, it's well worth a visit. I used to like the ferry to Esbjerg, what a shame they stopped doing it. As ever, thank you for your wonderful reports; I'm recovering from pretty serious surgery and it gives me pleasure to see the outside world through your eyes.
I took the service in 2016; back then, the line to the station was still part of the main rail network, rather than the metro. The train I took was from Rotterdam Centraal, and continued on to Hoek van Holland Strand. Also, I recall having to take a buss off the ferry as the bridge at Harwich was being repaired.
Amazing review, I remember travelling on the ‘Amsterdamer Service’ from London to Amsterdam back in the 1980’s, when there was a direct inter-city service from the Hook of Holland direct you Amsterdam . The cabin service was excellent in those days too, with your breakfast served in your cabin. The restaurant’s were outstanding and great movies on the onboard cinemas. Your review takes me back I can say with pleasant memories. Thanks again for sharing your experiences with us all
Very nice video. I did the trip in the other direction back in 1990 when the Sealink ship on the day crossing was the Konigin Beatrix. The train from HvH had coaches going as far as Moscow (I changed at Rotterdam CS) and was hauled by an NS class 1500 loco (ex BR class 77 which hauled electric trains over the Woodhead route between Manchester and Sheffield until passenger services were scrapped in 1969 and the locos were sold to the Dutch; the route closed completely in 1982).
Great video. I used to make the overnight journeys harwich hook in the 60's on the konigen willemina and the st george. I think the George came to a sticky end in the med some years later with loss of life. I used to get so excited as a child waiting to board the boat train from liverpool st. Happy days.
I've done this as a round-trip as well: arrive around 9:00 in the centre of London, leave around 19:30. Without the outside cabin surcharge and with included direct trains to/from London, and a full business hours day + time for a pint in London at the end before travelling back a very good deal. Nice to see the buses from the ferry to the terminal in Harwich are now gone too :-)
I enjoyed the video very much, as all of them. Your descriptions of stations, etc. are a great bonus. For me, they are a part of the experience. I know The Netherlands well, because of work. My wife has family there. In The Netherlands, Not Holland. You always got it right, except in the title. Holland is a region in the West of The Netherlands. Don't worry about your troubles getting a ticket out of a machine. Some years ago, the Dutch introduced a system with a chargeable card. That means you have to check in and not forget to check OUT. If not, the card goes on deducting from the charge.The card is only available at restricted places and officially, they need your photo.Since the introduction, I rent a car when I am over there.
Wow this ship looks very nice cool to see a unique way to get to the UK Might be one to add to the list, you can definitely go and review more ferries and other unique transportation
Did this overnight crossing in 1988. Started from Liverpool Street, non-stop train to Harwich. The ship was the "Konigin Beatrix ". Had a 2 berth cabin to myself. Great nights sleep. At Hoek I got the train to The Hague, about 1 hour.
I agree that it is a fantastic way to travel. While it's a shame the rail-sea-rail ticket is not currently available, I'd rate the Harwich-Hoek ferry as one of the nicest starts (and ends) to a holiday and the best ever way to get to the continent.
It was an absolutely lovely video all around! I do enjoy trains and ferries so I would love to see more! I was surprised at how late the sun was up, since here it usually sets around 8:30 in the summertime. But lately it's dark all the time because of the fires.
Thanks! I guess we're used to it in northern Europe. Where I live, the sun only sets for about an hour in the summer months. Take care with all the fires going on.
Hi Dylan Excellent video!! I enjoyed the ferry boat ride!!! I would like to see more ferry boat rides!!! Thank you Dylan Stay safe on your trips!!! ☆☆☆
Really enjoyed this Dylan. Stena Hollandica is a damn cool vessel, I'd love to give it a go myself. Would definitely love to see more ferry vids from you.
That Stena ferry was as nice a vessel as most cruise ships. And yes, the fare was more than worthwhile, considering it was the equivalent of a travel charge and a hotel stay! Please, more ferry videos would be fantastic. I enjoyed the connecting train portions of your video as well. Have a nice weekend! 🌞
The cabin on the Stena ferry was way better than the 7 day cruise I was on last year.
I live very close to P&O Ferries in the Europoort area of the port of Rotterdam and every now and then just go to England for a weekend. Friday late afternoon I drive there, get our tickets, leave the car on the parking lot (or just have someone bring us). With eating...they changed the sailingtime, which used to be 7pm to like 8.30pm, it docks the next morning at 7:30, so it's a lot cheaper to just eat something at home. Next morning breakfast and then either go to York, stay in Hull, Sheffield and late afternoon going back to the ferry. Only downside is that you can't let your stuff in the cabin, they have a place to store it for you on another deck, but for the rest it's a great weekend! My g/f her kids love it too.
Not watched the whole video yet, but you can actually see the vessel laying across the river. Next to the passenger terminal and quay, is where Stena unloads cargovesslels, they kind of share that terminal.
As an American, I’m mesmerized by the idea of traveling so far without a car or plane. I’m envious.
seanmckeownyoung you have Amtrak and greyhound
@@s125ish Yeah, but you need a car to get there.
@@SpeedBird6780 car to get where?
@@s125ish To the station. (Or the bus stop in case of Greyhound.)
Straight line he's only going 200 miles. That's like taking the train from New York to Washington, or New York to Boston. As they say, in Europe, 100 miles is a long way.
Fun fact: part of the metro line from Rotterdam to Hoek van Holland used to be a proper railway, once even carrying international trains that would connect the ferry services to destinations as far as Basel, Geneva, Berlin or even Moscow. The advent of air travel and the opening of the Channel Tunnel would see these services disappear, though, and by the beginning of the 21st century, the line had degraded to a suburban railway carrying only local passenger trains. This trend would culminate into the line's recent conversion to instead accommodate metro services. Part of the line, however, is still being used by freight services connecting to the harbour area.
The Man in Seat 61 actually reviewed the Harwich-Hoek ferry when the suburban rail services were still running: th-cam.com/video/-r7IWUZ-8xI/w-d-xo.html
I took the ferry from Harwich to Hoek in 1992, and as you say it was a main line station then. On arrival I transferred to my sleeping compartment on the train to Moscow. I did make a video of the trip, of course it was VHS back then.
The Man from Seat 61 has made an updated video covering the trip by Metro from Hoek van Holland Haven at th-cam.com/video/fEokQZz0zr8/w-d-xo.html
I took this very overnight ferry 31st August, 2020, so less that 2 weeks ago.
I hadn't been here since around 2015 but from 2004 to 2015 or so, I used to do this trip 1-2 times a year.
I was really disappointed to see that the platforms away from the station building had been demolished and the line onto _Strand_ had been severed; seemed like a bit of a mess, with new construction only part complete.
However, back then, I did wonder if the platforms adjacent to the station building, as used here, were ever used as all 'proper' trains seemed to run onto _Strand_.
The road layout has been messed about with too, my Sat Nav wasn't up to date and ended up sticking me in the lorry hold, about 1-2kms or so up the road.
All very confusing and disappointing !
PS We also used to get the HSS Discovery. A ship that I really do miss. Such a shame that they only had an operating life of around 10 years.
@@lewis72 I'm not sure, but I suppose the platforms adjacent to the station were used for the long-distance trains, and those curving away were used for local trains to Strand.
I do know that they are currently working on the Haven-Strand section of the line, which is actually to be extended to the beach proper.
When I travelled on it in 1964, my train was a through train from Hoek to Hanover and Leipzig, which in those days was in Eastern Germany. Needless to say I got off before the East German boarder at Hildesheim. The Dutch trains were electric and changed at the German boarder to diesel hydraulic, I think (my memory can't always remember full details).
I did that exact trip last year, just the other way round, and I loved it. The ship is fantastic and the crew/staff are really nice.
Defintely the best way to cross the North Sea.
So, your best work to date. I know it helps having a good product and weather but you produced an informative and entertaining experience. I was impressed that you even got a moving metro train in shot as the vessel departed, luck or planning? Also, enjoy the real language used in captions, with references to tea time and other similar everyday expressions. Yes please, more ferry trips, maybe the UK to Spain or Portsmouth to Saint Malo, great arrival scenery if you are luck with the weather. Oh, I did notice the cycle tourists on arrival, its a great route to take you bike on. Cheers, Tim.
Thanks! Just luck 😅
Ferries are just fine as part of a rail trip! Great advert for Stena Line. Well done them!
The ferry trip was excellent. The ship was in superb condition. I've been on tired looking ferries.
Me too. I did the P&O one from Hull to Zeebrugge several years ago and while it was nice, it was in no where near as good nick!
@@DylansTravelReports жй
Stena seems to have a knack for keeping ships in pristine condition... I love it. I'd love them to return to Dover someday, not gonna lie.
Hi! I as living in Gothenburg, Sweden, headoffice of Stena Line and all of "Stena" am a frequent traveller with them. The ship you travelled with, the Hollandica and her sister the Britannica are the two largest passenger ferries in the world. One thing I always do when coming to a hotel or as you now to an overnight ship is that I study the emergency instructions on the inside of the door directly after I have put my luggage down and then I walk the emergency exit route to have done it in safe and sound conditions if something would happen later on. The Riva bar is a feature onboard all Stena overnight ferries and is always shaped as the high speed boats from Italy by the name Riva, from the beginning they were to be put in the same direction as the ship itself but somewhere in the history that got forgotten so on some ships they are in different directions, like here in 45 degrees angle to the ship. Stena Line also have a very pleasant rule that all the ship is restaurant area so in case like on your voyage the deck bar isn´t open one could buy drinks in another of the bars and bring it out on the sun-deck to have at departure. That´s not the case on for instance Color Line where every restaurant is its own area and you have to stay there with your drink.
Nice! Thanks for the info!
Color Line ferries (Color Magic & Color Fantasy) operating on the Kiel - Oslo routing are the world's largest ferries now.
In 2019 I did a trip to Ireland, but to get there I started in Paris and took trains to Liverpool. There I took a Stena Line ferry overnight to Belfast. I was impressed by Stena Line, and would absolutely do it again!
just adding me to the other comments requesting more ferry coverage,
Very well done! I enjoyed it. Please do more on ferries.
I took this trip ages ago, around 1978 or thereabouts. It was surprisingly similar to your trip in many ways, in spite of the passage of time. I ate the Smørrebrød of shrimp (delicious!) because I'm that odd American who doesn't typically eat hamburgers and fries (yes, we exist) but your dinner looked well prepared. I'd say even the cabin looked similar to mine. Prettier but comparable amenities. My one regret is that I fell ill with awful seasickness even though the sea was quite calm. The only remedy back then was Dramamine so I ended up sleeping most of the trip. Dang it. I would have loved to have stayed up most of the night exploring and meeting people. In case anyone can benefit from this, Bonine exists now. It works well without knocking you out cold. I don't travel without it.
It was certainly easier getting on and off the smaller boats back then. Like you, we enjoyed our meal leaving Harwich but then went to see a film which happened to be "The River Wild". It was only as we were well into the film that we realised the up and down wasn't just the film!. We spent most of the rest of the voyage in our bunks hoping to land soon!!
@@batman51 Oh, no! How awful you got seasick, too. You're right about getting on and off the boats. That has changed quite a bit. What I like is that the boats are much more stable nowadays, thank goodness. I can even travel on large bodies of water now, thanks to more stable boats and better medications.
U r helping me realise that one can plan tours with train travels at the centre of them
We went to Europe in 1965. There was no tunnel under the channel, and planes were very expensive. We took ferries to get from England to Denmark and from Holland to England. It was the CHEAP way to go. Funny how things change. But the ferry is still interesting and different.
Seeing all those 18 wheelers parked on the ferry was something else. And only a few quiet passengers. Incredibly clean ship. Bookmarking this one for future travel plans.
It's due to Covid. Normally in summer, there'll be a lot of vacation people with cars and caravans and bus tour passengers sailing on the ferries. This is the most quiet I've seen the ship. The lorry drivers have their own area to dine, they also turn in early because disembarkation starts over an hour earlier for them than it does for the other passengers.
The ships (Hollandica and Brittanica) have really friendly crews as well as well as being very clean.
The UK has a 2 week quarantaine rule for travelers from The Netherlands, that's why so few passengers are on the ship.
What a splendid session of ASMR! That room tour gave me tingles! Love your vids, relaxing as always, and you’ve proper made me wanna go on a ferry! 👍
I've taken this ferry many times visiting family in Germany and it's always lovely to be aboard. Nice to see things from a foot passenger's perspective too, since we always drive
In fact now that I look at the dates, you took the ferry from Holland the day before I did 😄
I haven't done this trip for nearly 40 years, wow its changed for the better. Its whetted my appetite to do it again. Let's hope I can. I'll have to wait until the crisis is over, I'll keep fit till then! Brilliant trip report, thanks.
Time to plan that trip Ernest.
It’s good to see that nothing has changed since I last traveled with stena line on this route. Brings back plenty of memories from over the years.
The last time I was on the Harwich to Hoek van Holland ferry was when I travelled across Europe on a TEE to Zurich from Utrecht. Will probably include the ferry in my European Holiday in late 2021. The ship looks great and the connections by rail look very good as well.
Dylan's video give a good overview of the whole ship. Well done.
Excellent Dylan ! Super trip you had but it’s for the experience what they charge you. I remember my trip from Dover to Calais in 2004. Though it was short but enjoyed it ! Keep coming up with such videos.
I have just discovered your channel. It's great. I love the no commentary format and you still get all the information you need. I enjoy travelling vicariously with you. Being from Australia and in Stage 4 lockdown because of Covid19, I wonder if I will be able to travel like you do, ever again. Keep it up. (Loved the ferry review).
Thanks! Of course you will be able to again. While the situation isn't great atm, I'm confident life will return to normal eventually.
I did the journey from London to Holland via the ferry in the early 90s.
Didn't realise this was still going.
Nice video
It was great to see a different perspective as I collect trailers from Harwich nearly everyday, so it was great to see Hoek Van Holland and Harwich from the boat.
I didn't expect a ferry to be like a cruise ship.
Eugene Danker the longer range ferries in the north and Baltic seas take a while to get where they’re going, so they need more than basic accommodations
You'll get the same experiences when traveling with DFDS, Viking Line, Tallink Silja etc etc.
That's why they're called Cruise ferries!
They are sometimes
Don't forget Brittany Ferries! I had a similar experience with them on the Plymouth UK to Santander ES crossing 🙂
I went across in 2019 and liked the cabin and slept well in the few hours i had.I'm glad to see the Dutch have finally sorted the metro out and yours stayed on the rails.I was dissapointed you couldn't go up to the front (bow) end outside but I suppose they'd say Health and Safety.I liked the trick with the card in the light.I would just say don't forget your bike.
Good one Dylan, becoming much like Seat61 in giving us a story plus good and bad! Thank you..
Much better than Seat 61. The Man lost it a bit in the last few years and started getting political. A real shame as he used to be good.
Delightful video! Enjoyed the tour! We took STENA in reverse a few years ago: London to Amsterdam. Sure hope to get to do it again!
Also took the ferry to Caen - would love a video of that journey... THANKS!
Well made travel video, thanks so much Dylan. I had some fond old memory with this trip some thirty something years ago. Keep producing quality video.
This was another very enjoyable presentation. Thank-you for sharing this with us.
Great observation regarding the early boarding for a full nights sleep, and I agree. Another thorough and helpful report. Thanks!
Great vid. I’ll be taking this route next year by car to Scandinavia and back. It’s not cheap, but with a few hotel stops along the way it’s a great adventure. Keep up the good work👍🏻🚢
Thanks! Sounds like a fun trip!
Excellent video, as always. I would definitely love to see more ferries in the future.
Sailed on the Hollandica last week and I have to agree that the cabin was brilliant (had a wonderful night's sleep). The crew were amazing too! Will definately be sailing this route again, I can't recommend it enough!
And yes, more ferry videos would be excellent, really like you channel btw.
Thanks! Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip!
Very nice Dylan. Thank you. I've traveled via Eurostar several times and flown across the channel a couple more times but I've never crossed on a ferry. So yes, more ferry reports would be nice. And yes, that porthole was indeed enormous. I'd probably pass on the exterior cabin charge though as most of the trip would be at night and I'd likely be sleeping anyway.
Haven't been on a ferry to/from UK for many a year but they sure have got better. A very good different video. Thank you.
I know you were traveling on a ferry, but this video reminded me of how much I miss cruising. That is a nice ship!
Hi Dylan,
I tell you my own experience as a result of your last video. In 1987 I traveled from Paris Gare du Nord to London, I made the Paris - Boulogne route by rail, then I crossed to Dover in the Hovercraft and from there to Victoria station. The return went to Folkestone and crossed the channel by ferry to Boulogne where the train to Paris waited. Attached pictures . Warm greetings from Argentina
Fausto Brindisi
Thanks for letting me share your journey
That’s a really comfortable looking cabin on the ferry - and when you awake you’ve already arrived with no need to rush your disembarkation. Hard to get better than this.
The best ferry trip I've ever taken was from the little port of Souris on Prince Edward Island (in Canada) out to the Magdalen Islands which are in the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and are part of Québec. I went at the end of May, well before the massive tourist crowds from Québec arrive and I was amazed when what looked like an ocean liner came rushing around the cape into the harbour in Souris. It was just lush inside. I had a drink in every one of the bars onboard, and ate a baguette with slices of smoked wild boar for supper with a delicious salad. The room was perfect and although there was hardly anyone else onboard it all felt so welcoming. That night the stars were brilliant and the Milky Way blazed. The 'Maggies' are these barren rocks that suddenly rise up out of the ocean as you approach them and seem like one continuous Ayers Rock in the middle of a watery nowhere but the people are very warm. The beaches to the north are stunning. There was an excellent restaurant open (though most weren't) in Cap-aux-Meules and I had to try the seal. Delicious. One night, I had an incredible filet of caribou. Going back I went by day and we came across a field of small icebergs which the ship just shoved aside with a kind of unnerving bang each time. We pushed through a crowd of whales all diving and rising again and then a French warship of some sort came racing up like a dog chasing a car - she was out of the French islands off Newfoundland, St-Pierre et Miquelon and even in Canadian waters she had to show us who was who. The whole trip was not even remotely expensive. Sadly, Dylan, no trains for thousands of miles though.
That ship was seriously nice - it makes a big difference sleeping on a modern ship. I spent two nights on a Fred Olsen mini-cruise last year, the ship was quite old and I hardly slept because it creaked like crazy. If you're looking for a ferry trip from the UK, the Isle of Man steam packet to/from Liverpool on the catamaran is quite a nice journey (about 3 hours, though I don't think you can visit if you aren't an IOM resident at the moment) or the Holyhead-Dublin route, that was sail/rail but may not be at the moment...
I used Stena a few times when I worked in the Netherlands - its a very civilised way to travel. The ferries are up to date and very clean.
Hi Dylan, just wanted you to know that I loved the video. It reminded me of going on a cruis ship. I hope you do more videos on ferry rides.
Glad you enjoyed 😁
I really enjoyed watching a ferry trip report. Congratulations on diversifying the means of travel. I enjoyed it very much.
Glad you enjoyed it!
in 'the old days' drove with the Warsaw Hook or Scandinavia express towards Hook of Holland and then by ship towards the UK or back (and from Harwich to or from London), as by day and by night.
Great job Dylan! You keep showing me so many interesting ways to travel around Europe. I can’t wait to travel again!
Thanks!
Up until 1997 Harwich- Hook of Holland was my gateway to Europe. After a day's work in London a train from Liverpool Street to Harwich, onto the boat (no travellators) , night on a boat smaller than in this film. In the morning a short walk to the platforms where a range of trains were ready : Stockholm in Sweden, the Berlin, Warsaw, Moskau train, Vienna via the Rhine Valley, the Harz express, Zurich.
Truly a gateway to Europe.
The ferry looks amazing! Far from the gauche cruise ships one normally thinks of, this is like a proper business hotel on water. I've stayed in hotels that weren't as nice as this! If someone were to offer a transatlantic version of this sort of service; not too many frills, but comfortable enough and priced competitively with airlines, I'd absolutely be perfectly happy to take 5 or so days to get to Europe if I could travel like this.
Great video. I did this ferry journey back in 2013 and it was the comfiest bed I've ever slept in.
Thanks! I agree, the beds are amazing!
Thanks Dylan for the info, very detailed information. Entertaining as well , well you stay safe.😷 and we look foward to the next vlog.
I actually waited for this post to come at 11:53 pm. Finally it didd :D im a biggest fan of you!!
I did it back in the days when it was a train from Rotterdam. Lovely ferry trip and much nicer than flying. The only problem for me was tavelling from the Midlands it was either a change of station in London or going across country, slow and several changes of train.
I did this same route in the mid 80s on my own as a 13 year old from Mönchengladbach to Truro.
I can't believe the amount of freedom I was given in those days.
Remember, that was before the days of mobile phones so I was completely out of contact between my dad putting me on the boat train in Germany about 5pm and then meeting my mum in Cornwall about 24hours later.
The big long gangway up to the boat with those funny glass domes at the joint of every section are the same ones that were there in 1986.
In them days, the ticket I got in Germany was for the journey all the way through to Cornwall.
At Harwich I just had to change it for the standard orange stripy BR tickets which was then used on the underground to Paddington and then on from there.
I didn't have a cabin on the ferry, I just slept in the ball pool in the kids soft play area.
Excellent report on a journey I've never made. Full marks to Stena - the ferry looked all but brand new; I've been on too many (other operators) which were very tired-looking. Look forward to your reports on all methods of transport! Thanks, Dylan! 😃
Thanks!
What an amazing ship! Very well appointed and elegant. Something to plan on.
Great video! I travel to Rotterdam frequently - it's one of my favourite cities. I've never sailed to Holland with Stena before but you've sold it to me! Fantastic stuff!
Thanks!
Always enjoy your videos. This one, especially because it included a ship. More of these please!
Glad you're enjoying 😁
I have used Stenna for many years, a perfect way to travel. 👍 😎
I like the ferries with the train videos.
Thanks for this very useful update. I wasn't aware that Stena Line had (hopefully temporarily) suspended the free rail ticket element, so I'll definitely bear that in mind when I use it next time.
Very interesting, thank you. Nice to see I'm not the only person spending a lot of time at the ticket machine. When I went to catch the train to the city from Schiphol airport the train door closed right in front of me & I thought I had missed the train. The next person behind just walked around me & pressed the green button & the door opened. I just made out like I was checking stuff before I got on. Felt like a real goose but that's why you travel, see new stuff & LEARN things.
Decades ago I travelled from Vlissingen to Sheerness. Older-fashioned ship of course but she also had a restaurant in the best position: above the bow right under the ship's bridge. Sea was rough, headwind 6 Beaufort. We had dinner while loads of water from the waves split by the bow were smashing against the window right next to the dinner table. For those like me who don't get seasick, that was a wonderful meal.
That was the predecessor. The ships moved to Rotterdam, later Stenaline bought the company.
That was a very interesting trip thank you for sharing your wonderful journey 🚢⚓️🚇🚆
Looks like an amazing trip i will be taking that one day when things get a bit better
Trains in our Europe are always amazing!
And they dont Cut ur hand off Like in america
Excellent video! Yes, more rail and sail videos, please!
Thanks!
Done this journey a few times now. It is excellent, by far the best way of travelling to Europe without a car. Eurostar from Ashford can be very unreliable, even without the pandemic, and the ferries to France no longer connect with public transport at either end Thanks for posting the vid :).
Fantastic review of the ferry, much nicer than expected, would be great to see more ferry reviews.
This was a really fun trip! I would love to see more ferry or ship journeys in the future!
Took this a few years ago and hope to do it again one day. Recommend it wholeheartedly. Well worth the price and a great experience! As mentioned, be wary of the ticket you get. I thought mine was rail and sail, arrived in Harwich to find out the 7 of us each needed to purchase the rail tickets to London's Liverpool St. A bit of a shock but we dealt with it.
Thanks, Dylan! Oh yeah, I wish I had more cruise ship videos. I also really like boats. Even if these are the trains that I prefer. You explained very well in your video, beautiful views of the boat and all and all. Enjoyed well during the summer, you must be well done !!! But it's good exhaustion. Long live the boats and especially the trains !!!
A bit late in the day, but... I think the Harwich/Hoek ferry is brilliant. I've used it on foot (train either end), cycling, motorcycling and in the car and, as you rightly say, you get a good night's sleep included in the price. It is very convenient for visiting my friends in Holland/Belgium and Germany. Another ferry you might want to try is the Plymouth/Roscoff - my local crossing. Roscoff is so unlike any other ferry port, it's well worth a visit.
I used to like the ferry to Esbjerg, what a shame they stopped doing it.
As ever, thank you for your wonderful reports; I'm recovering from pretty serious surgery and it gives me pleasure to see the outside world through your eyes.
I took the service in 2016; back then, the line to the station was still part of the main rail network, rather than the metro. The train I took was from Rotterdam Centraal, and continued on to Hoek van Holland Strand. Also, I recall having to take a buss off the ferry as the bridge at Harwich was being repaired.
Best way to travel is vicariously at the moment, thanks for these videos :-)
would love to see mor videos of Ferries services in the future . Enjoyed this one very much !! Keep up the excellent work !!
Great video as always. Definitely a fan of more ferry-related content!
Thanks!
Amazing review, I remember travelling on the ‘Amsterdamer Service’ from London to Amsterdam back in the 1980’s, when there was a direct inter-city service from the Hook of Holland direct you Amsterdam . The cabin service was excellent in those days too, with your breakfast served in your cabin. The restaurant’s were outstanding and great movies on the onboard cinemas. Your review takes me back I can say with pleasant memories. Thanks again for sharing your experiences with us all
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed!
Very nice video. I did the trip in the other direction back in 1990 when the Sealink ship on the day crossing was the Konigin Beatrix. The train from HvH had coaches going as far as Moscow (I changed at Rotterdam CS) and was hauled by an NS class 1500 loco (ex BR class 77 which hauled electric trains over the Woodhead route between Manchester and Sheffield until passenger services were scrapped in 1969 and the locos were sold to the Dutch; the route closed completely in 1982).
Great video. I used to make the overnight journeys harwich hook in the 60's on the konigen willemina and the st george. I think the George came to a sticky end in the med some years later with loss of life. I used to get so excited as a child waiting to board the boat train from liverpool st. Happy days.
I've done this as a round-trip as well: arrive around 9:00 in the centre of London, leave around 19:30. Without the outside cabin surcharge and with included direct trains to/from London, and a full business hours day + time for a pint in London at the end before travelling back a very good deal. Nice to see the buses from the ferry to the terminal in Harwich are now gone too :-)
I enjoyed the video very much, as all of them. Your descriptions of stations, etc. are a great bonus. For me, they are a part of the experience.
I know The Netherlands well, because of work. My wife has family there. In The Netherlands, Not Holland. You always got it right, except in the title. Holland is a region in the West of The Netherlands.
Don't worry about your troubles getting a ticket out of a machine. Some years ago, the Dutch introduced a system with a chargeable card. That means you have to check in and not forget to check OUT. If not, the card goes on deducting from the charge.The card is only available at restricted places and officially, they need your photo.Since the introduction, I rent a car when I am over there.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed! Rotterdam is in Holland (the province of South Holland to be precise.)
Beautiful ferry. I’ve been on Baltic roll-on, roll-off day ferries that I thought were quite nice, but the Stena Hollandica is exceptional.
William
The Stena Brittnica, Hollandica's sister ship is equally as good.
Really enjoyed this report, the ferry was interesting. Keep doing different things which will keep it interesting. xx
Glad you enjoyed 😁
I am stuck in Paris and seeing the ocean is spectacular! Thanks!
Just Amazing trip, no words.
One of the best videos.
Thanks 😁
Very nice trip, congrats Dylan! Sometimes is cool to see things that aren't that usual such us ferrys and Crusies :D
Brilliant video,definitely a trip I would like to do in the future.Keep these brilliant videos coming please
Wow this ship looks very nice cool to see a unique way to get to the UK Might be one to add to the list, you can definitely go and review more ferries and other unique transportation
Did this overnight crossing in 1988. Started from Liverpool Street, non-stop train to Harwich. The ship was the "Konigin Beatrix ". Had a 2 berth cabin to myself. Great nights sleep. At Hoek I got the train to The Hague, about 1 hour.
Really loved the longer multi train and boat in this case, videos
I agree that it is a fantastic way to travel. While it's a shame the rail-sea-rail ticket is not currently available, I'd rate the Harwich-Hoek ferry as one of the nicest starts (and ends) to a holiday and the best ever way to get to the continent.
This is one of your best videos ❤️👌🏿🙏🏽 with love from India 👍🏼
Thanks!
More ferries, please. Very much enjoyed it
Maybe try Liverpool to Belfast on Stenna. Ship is smaller but the cabins are just as comfortable
Glad you enjoyed! I was supposed to be doing that ferry in a few weeks but have had to postpone it.
Nice video.
Hey.. ‘I’m old enough to remember..” that I took Hovercraft from Dover to Calais. 👊🏻
It was an absolutely lovely video all around! I do enjoy trains and ferries so I would love to see more!
I was surprised at how late the sun was up, since here it usually sets around 8:30 in the summertime. But lately it's dark all the time because of the fires.
Thanks! I guess we're used to it in northern Europe. Where I live, the sun only sets for about an hour in the summer months. Take care with all the fires going on.
Hi Dylan Excellent video!! I enjoyed the ferry boat ride!!! I would like to see more ferry boat rides!!! Thank you Dylan Stay safe on your trips!!! ☆☆☆
Thanks 😁
Your welcome
Really enjoyed this Dylan. Stena Hollandica is a damn cool vessel, I'd love to give it a go myself. Would definitely love to see more ferry vids from you.
Glad you enjoyed!
Very very nice--thank you for the experience !
Glad you enjoyed 😁