NorthLink Ferries is now taking bookings for 2010 – some two months ahead of normal – allowing customers to plan ahead more easily and, also, for the first time to factor dry-dock maintenance periods into their bookings.

The company also announces today that, following Scottish Government timetable amendment permission, extra Kirkwall calls have been added to the 2009 winter schedule for Christmas and New Year.

All 2010 pre-booked requests already received from passengers have now been inputted to the booking reservation system and confirmations will be issued to those customers. Only those customers wishing to make a new booking need to contact the company.

Details of the 2010 fares schedule are also available on the NorthLink website. The Scottish Government has approved a schedule which sees 2010 fares pegged to an average increase of only 2.2 per cent.

At NorthLink’s request, the Scottish Government has also approved the additional Hatston calls over the Festive period, details of which are below:

• Monday 21 December (Southbound): will be Lerwick-Kirkwall-Aberdeen.
• Tuesday 22 December (Northbound): will be Aberdeen-Kirkwall -Lerwick
• Monday 28th December (Southbound): will be Lerwick-Kirkwall-Aberdeen.
• Monday 4th January 2010 (Southbound): will be Lerwick-Kirkwall-Aberdeen.