I have used both the regular ferry and the HSS within the last year.

The HSS is quite an experience - they claim it's the largest catamaran in the world, and going so fast in something so big is quite a strange sensation. The facilities on board are quite good - several restaurants (both a la carte and fast food), shops, a cinema and plenty of comfortable seats. We paid about 5 pounds (8 dollars) extra for seats in the panorama lounge, a quiet little oasis on the upper deck - definitely a worth while investment on busy sailings.

The regular ferry carries about 75% trucks and only 25% cars, and its facilities seem to be more geared to to truck drivers than to private travellers.

One thing we found quite irritating on the regular ferry (as non-smokers) was that most of the restaurant was a designated smoking area, with only a small corner being set aside for non-smokers. On our outbound journey the queue for the buffet stretched back into the main restaurant area, and we spent quite some time having to inhale smoke while waiting to get our food. Also, food service seemed to be somewhat chaotic and disorganised. (Food is included in the price of the crossing on the regular ferry - there is just one large room where everybody queues up, all very cheap and cheerful!)

However, despite those shortcomings the service on the regular ferry is quite adequate, and if you travel overnight you have the advantage of saving a night in a hotel.

I have heard that one of the two regular ferries is due to be replaced by a new much larger one later this year, and that the facilities on the new ferry will be much better than those on the existing one.



[This message has been edited by Aviatrix (edited 05-15-2003).]