Ferry Travel The Facts

Ferry travel is something that is most prevalent in the oceans of Northern Europe in areas like the Baltic Sea and the North Sea.



But it can also be found for crossings of the English Channel, the Irish Sea, the Mediterranean, and the North Atlantic. The ships used for ferry travel are referred to as cruise ferries. They are ships that have the features, amenities, and passenger cabins that a cruise ship has, but are also capable of transporting vehicles. While many people do use the cruise ferry as a type of cruise holiday, for others it is just a means of transportation.



Most people, especially North Americans, think of ferries as small boats that are very "no-frills" and used strictly for short voyages back and forth to Staten Island from Manhattan, for instance. However, in Europe the ferry has grown well beyond this concept in both size and aesthetic design. In fact, in Europe what is known as the cruise ferry is the king among ferries.



Ferry companies offer one and two night round-trip voyages and assertively market them as mini-cruises. These days there are just as many passengers using them for a mini-holiday as there are using them for pure transportation from one body of land to another.



There are definitely some differences between short ferry travel excursions and a full-blown cruise. Because their trips are cheaper and shorter, food is not normally included with cruise ferry trip. There are fast food restaurants and upscale restaurants on board, but the meals aren’t included in the fare. The cabins tend to be quite small as compared to ships geared especially for ocean cruising.



Despite this, there are those who consider ferry travel as an interesting and fun way to get from place to place in Europe. Here are some examples of cruise ferry lines and the short holiday options they offer.



1. Eastern Baltic – The cruise ferry Silja Galaxy can accommodate 2800 passengers and is the newest ship for Tallink, Estonia’s most successful ferry company. This ship has an artfully painted hull and its amenities include a disco, two show lounges, several bars, a cafeteria, and a restaurant for fine dining. You can choose between a small inside cabin or a balcony suite.



The Silja Galaxy travels from Turku, Finland to Stockholm, Sweden. The trip takes about 10 hours and includes one night on the ship.



2. Western Baltic – The ship The Color Fantasy is the flagship of Color Line from Norway and is the world’s largest cruise ferry. In fact, it makes even some mainstream cruise ships look small. It is famous for its indoor promenade; perfect for a ship that sails where the weather can be bitterly cold for part of the year. Because of its size, it boasts lavish suites as well as small cabins. There are also eight restaurants, a variety of bars and lounges, and a show lounge that could compete with a Caribbean cruise ship.



A voyage on the Color Fantasy takes 19 hours from Oslo, Norway to Kiel on the Northern coast of German.



3. Western Europe – Pont-Aven, one of Brittany Ferries’ ships, can carry 2400 passengers and is one of the most luxurious cruise ferries, resembling a French hotel. Pont-Aven is based in Plymouth, England and makes the 20-hour trip to Santander, Spain.



Another example of ferry travel includes the cruise ferry line Grandi Navi Veloci that travels between Genoa Italy and Sardinia.



More articles like this can be found at www.CruiseHolidaysGuide.com



Ferry Travel article by Alicia Chewe