For me an overnight ferry is the perfect gateway to a European holiday. You can work or pack during the day. Drive or catch a train to the ferry. Dine onboard and then have a whole day in your destination. Read my Harwich to Hook of Holland Stena Line overnight ferry review for what to expect on board.
We have sailed on Stena Line ferries many times, the last time I was a guest of Stena Line
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Overnight on the Harwich to Hook of Holland Stena Line ferry
For a long time ferries were the only way I went abroad. Harwich to Hook of Holland has a special place in my heart. It took me abroad for the first time, a school trip to Germany. For me overnight is the way to go on longer crossings like UK to the Netherlands. You get on board in time for dinner, sleep and arrive early in the morning ready to get your travels underway. The crossing takes about 8 hours. In the morning you have the whole day ahead of you to explore or get some serious miles under your belt.
Getting to the Harwich – Hook of Holland Ferry by Train
Getting the train to catch a ferry at Harwich couldn’t be easier. Trains run from London Liverpool Street to Harwich International, both direct or an easy change at Manningtree, and take 1¾ hours. When you arrive at Harwich International the train platform is right next to the ferry check in. If you are travelling from Norwich (for instance) change at Manningtree. At the Hook of Holland the metro is a short walk away. No need for cash you can tap into the system with your debit card. Travel to Schiedam Centrum to connect to the Dutch rail system. In a couple of hours you can be in Amsterdam. Getting to Rotterdam is a doddle. Hop on the metro and about half and hour later you will be in the centre.
Driving to Harwich or the Hook of Holland to catch the Stena Line ferry
Driving to Harwich for us involves circumnavigating the M25, then up the A12, turning off just beyond Colchester. If you are heading from points north then the A14/A12 will be your way in. As you approach the port the way is clearly sign posted. At the Hook of Holland you are soon on the European motorway system.
On one family holiday. On arrival we drove into The Hague for breakfast and a swift explore. Then we headed up to Heemskerk, where we stayed in a castle, total driving time was just under two hours. On the way home we left Amsterdam after breakfast, then headed to to Delft. Had lunch and explored Delft and then drove Monster (yes really) beach for one last paddle. From the beach we drove the 10 minutes to the ferry where we had dinner on board. Total driving time was less than two hours.
Boarding the Harwich – Hook of Holland Stena Line Ferry
Boarding opens three hours before the ferry departs and closes forty five minutes before sailing. We like to get on board early and have dinner before settling down to sleep. When you arrive by train you walk a few hundred yards to the check in desk, have your passport checked and then walk on board. By car, your passports and tickets are checked as you arrive and then you drive on board.
On board the Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica
On long ferry crossings we prefer an overnight crossing and so always head straight to our cabins. Even on day crossings we book a cabin, that way we always a quiet space we can retreat to. Outside the cabins Deck 9 is a cornucopia of bars, restaurants and lounges.
Cabins on board the Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica
You have a choice of three classes of cabin. Cultural Wednesday have travelled in both Standard and Comfort, but never the swanky Captain’s Class.
Standard Cabins
Standard class cabins are the way that the Cultural Wednesday family have travelled most often. You can opt for an inside cabin or one with a window, we always go for the window option! They come in sizes that sleep from one to five. Bunk beds are deployed bookings over three people. You get an en suite shower room with toilet. Everything you need for a comfortable nights sleep and ablutions is close to hand. You do need careful co-ordination to get a family of four changed and through the bathroom as space is at a premium.
Comfort Class Cabin
I confess that prior to stepping foot in a Comfort Class cabin I was not sure that it was worth paying extra, as you are asleep for most of the time. What you get for your money is space. Not huge amounts of space but just a bit more. You also get a mini bar stocked with two cans of beer, two bottles of wine, sparking and still water and crisps … all of which can be consumed at no extra cost. Having now experienced comfort class I would definitely opt for it, especially if it was just Mr CW and I.
Waking up on board a Stena Line ferry
When to set the alarm always worries me on a ferry. Will my phone have changed time zones overnight? Is the time going forwards or backwards? No need to worry on board a Stena Line ferry. 90 minutes before you arrive the dulcet tones of Bobby McFerrin singing “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” plays over the PA system. I still set my alarm though! Make sure you allow time for breakfast as unloading starts as soon as the ship has docked.
Food and Drink on board Stena Line ferries
Deck 9 is devoted to your entrainment on board. Here you will find a bar, coffee shop, self service restaurant, family zone, children’s play area and a duty free shop. Snacks can be had from the bar and coffee shop with more substantial meals from the restaurant. I had Swedish meatballs that knocked the IKEA ones into a cocked hat. In the morning breakfast is served in the restaurant. You can have a full fry up. I chose pancakes with fruit and maple syrup with multiple refills of black coffee which was excellent.
Stena Plus Lounge – is it worth paying for?
You can buy access to the Stena Plus Lounge for a little extra or it is included in a fully flexible ticket. You will find the lounge on Deck 9. It has comfy chairs, complimentary hots drinks, soft drinks, wine, beer and snacks. If you fancy a more substantial meal you can order and pay from the the menu. In the morning there are hot drinks and pastries. We took our children in when they were older teens but younger children would probably be happier in the children’s play area. We are big fans of the Stena Plus Lounge. It is definitely worth it for an adult only party or with older teens. With young children I would opt for seats near the play area.
Booking a Stena Line Ferry
We always book via the Stena Line website. Book early for the best prices. You have a choice of buying tickets that can be changed or those set in stone. We always opt for flexibility, regarding the extra cost as an insurance fee. If you are travelling during school holidays book your ferry crossing before anything else, we didn’t one year and ended up driving hundreds of extra miles.
We have had many holidays book ended by a Stena ferry crossing. We have stayed within the Netherlands exploring The Hague, Frisian Islands and Brabant. Or ventured into Germany where we visited a repurposed blast furnace, Berlin, Colditz and Weimar. As a foot passenger I have travelled to Rotterdam for a weekend where I mooched around museums and saw great modern architecture.
