If it seems to you that airlines and high-speed trains are the only modern way to travel, and that ferries disappeared when the Channel Tunnel opened, you may be in for a surprise, as ferry operators linking the continent with British and Irish ports continue to expand their fleets and service.
Discover Ferries, a trade organization representing ferry operators, says there are at least thirteen new ships coming into service over the next three years for operators Irish Ferries, Brittany Ferries, Stena Lines, P&O and DFDS. Some are cargo oriented, some are ‘cruise ferries’ such as Irish Ferries’ new W.B. Yeats, above.
Ferries are attractive not only to those who want to take their car with them, but also to travelers starting from points far from London or the Channel Tunnel. And ships like the Yeats aim to attract even more by making the sometimes long routes a fun part of the trip. Last year, the ferries carried 38 million passengers.
