Thread #2867316
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Are they any good? Are they a nice way to travel?
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>>2867316
>What are ferries like?
depends on how long they take
usually goes something like
>wait in line with car for 1-6h
>mildly entertaining to watch others struggle, usually some sports car, and looking at the rest of the harbor (but heavily location dependent if you see anything)
>once on it, get out of the car and go up to resting areas
>on short ferries it's usually quite shabby
>longer journeys have nicer seats
>when weather is nice, go outside for a bit, leaving and entering ports is the interesting part
>inevitable go check once on your car because 10 car alarms are going simultaneously to check if it's yours and you don't want your battery to die
>once arriving, get back into car, wait then drive away
if you're on a bicycle or by foot, the waiting times are usually a lot shorter
>Are they any good?
more of a necessity
>Are they a nice way to travel?
i guess yeah
because it's the only way to get your own car with all your stuff to islands
but the actual ferry experience is usually mediocre at best
also avoid overnight ferries, god I hat them
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I took a lot of ferries to get to islands in the Hebrides and Orkneys, anything from short hops to hours long voyages. It was just me on foot so I do t know what it’s like with a car. I have a weak stomach but they’re very stable so I never felt like I was going to barf, even in rough seas. Going somewhere by boat is always an adventure.
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Ferries are generally an excellent, scenic, and comfortable way to travel, offering a "slow travel" experience superior to planes for sightseeing and relaxation.
They allow freedom to walk around, enjoy fresh air on deck, bring cars, and often feature amenities like restaurants, lounges, and even cabins for overnight trips.
Why Ferries are a Good Choice:
Comfort & Space: Unlike cramped planes, ferries offer room to move, stretch, and change scenery.
Scenic Views: You can watch coastlines, sunsets, and oceans from the deck.
Flexibility & Convenience: Easy travel with cars, motorcycles, or bikes, and often no strict luggage weight limits.
Amenities: Many ferries feature lounges, restaurants, shops, and sometimes play areas for children or cinemas.
Cost-Effective: Often, ferries are a budget-friendly alternative to flying, especially when factoring in luggage fees.
Things to Consider:
Time & Weather: Ferries take longer than planes and can be affected by weather conditions.
Seasickness: If you suffer from seasickness, prepare accordingly, though many modern ships are stable.
Food/Comfort: On some routes, food options might be basic, so bringing your own snacks is a good idea.
Overall, ferries are a fantastic way to turn the journey itself into part of the vacation, offering a relaxing, scenic, and unique alternative to traditional travel methods
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>>2867530
depends if you are in the third world or first world
there can be restaurants but they sometimes close in the off season (winter)
a lot of people take ferries because they have cars or motorbikes to transport across the sea
some ferries are just a few hours, people sit inside and scroll their phones, or if the weather's nice you can sit out on deck but there's never comfy chairs out on deck
sometimes they are sleeper ferries where you can buy a cabin (or be stuck in a dark room of noisy people in a recliner chair if you are cheap) and sleep the night away
solotraveljapan has a lot of great ferry videos
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>>2867530
>What do ferries provide?
Some are just transit, some are for pleasure. What kind of ferry journey are you considering?
>Do they have buffets, bars or restaurants?
Some do, some don't. You can look up information about specific ferries you're considering.
>What people do on ferries? Do people just stand around aimlessly until they reach their destination?
What do you think?
Serious questions welcome.
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>>2867530
overnight ones usually have some kind of restaurant. nothing too fancy. just basic foods like cereals and eggs for breakfast, sandwich for lunch, and basic dinner like noodles or pizza. one in canada i went on had fish and chips. one in japan i went on had curry.
some have bars or other entertainment stuff, i've been on one with a karaoke room and arcade in japan. the bars are usually just a kiosk with some seating.
most have a store on board where you can buy snacks, alcohol, souvenirs, and magazines.
in my experience, most people just sleep, sit around with their travel partners. a lot of people drink. not much else to do at sea. a lot of them have deck access or even some scenic viewing area. very common for people to buy a bottle and just hang out, drink, and look at the scenery.