You can make a booking by:
As our system is ‘ticketless’ you will not need a paper ticket. When you make a booking we will give you a reference number. We will send a confirmation of your booking by email, fax or post. Please quote your reference number or name when you check in.
It is a legal requirement for our passenger manifest to show the name, age group and gender of every passenger. Date of birth is only required to verify children’s or pensioner’s qualification for concessions.
No. Unfortunately NorthLink are unable to accept bookings for children aged 15 or under unless accompanied by a responsible adult.
Yes. You can make a booking online by visiting our website at www.northlinkferries.co.uk and clicking on "Make a Booking".
Residents of Orkney and Shetland, and travel agents, will be asked to login with their customer ID number and password before they make a booking.
Yes. Call our reservations staff on 0845 6000 449. If you can tell them your current customer ID number and password then they will change the password for you. Passwords must be eight characters long.
Please complete the Islander Registration form and we will send you a letter reminding you of your customer ID and password. Alternatively you may request a reminder letter by calling our reservations number.
At the terminal please go to the Check-in desk. You will be notified when the ship is ready for boarding. Please note that once on board you may not come ashore again prior to sailing (this is a Marine Law requirement)
We will provide staff to assist passengers when required. Please let us know in advance.
Covered walkways are now in use at all ports.
Passengers may check in and board in Aberdeen and Lerwick any time from two hours to thirty minutes prior to departure. At Kirkwall you should check in and be waiting to board when the ship arrives as the ‘turn round’ time is only 45 minutes.
In Stromness and Scrabster please check in leaving plenty of time for boarding. If you are leaving Stromness on the early morning sailing and have booked a cabin you may board between 21.30 and 23.30 the previous evening or between 5.45 and 6.15 on the morning of departure.
Whether you are a foot passenger or driving a vehicle your check in times will be explained when you make your reservation.
On certain routes we are pleased to offer ‘Valet Parking’ (available Lerwick to Aberdeen, Aberdeen to Lerwick, Kirkwall to Lerwick and Kirkwall to Aberdeen routes only). For a small charge we will arrange to load your car whilst you board as a foot passenger. On arrival in either Aberdeen or Lerwick we will unload your car and leave it, locked, in the terminal car park. You may then stay on board to enjoy a complimentary breakfast and leave the ship at your leisure, collecting your keys at the check-in desk. The spaces available for this service are limited, so advance booking is essential.
If you are travelling with your car, please take only your overnight requirements with you. For safety reasons there is no access to car decks during sailings. If you are a foot passenger, your baggage should be checked in at the terminal. You will place it on to a trailer and it will be taken on board for you and stored. Upon arrival it will be unloaded. Please keep any items you need onboard with you as there is no access to checked-in baggage during the voyage. Labels for luggage will be issued at check in. Please note that whilst we take every possible care of your baggage, it is left at your own risk.
A Left luggage facility is available to passengers who are booked for the same day's sailing from 08:00 up until 2 hours before departure. Luggage must be labelled for the onward voyage (eg Kirkwall or Lerwick). It is the responsibility of passengers to transfer their own luggage from the left luggage facility to the luggage trolleys. All items of baggage are left at the owners risk and maybe subject to searching if regulations require.
Passengers are advised that a number of items that could be adapted or intended for use as an offensive weapon are not allowed on board ship without valid lawful reason. These items include:
If you require further information or intend to travel with any of the above items please contact a member of staff for guidance or visit NorthLink Ferries Ltd, Kiln Corner, Ayre Road, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1QX Tel: 01856 885500 Fax: 01856 879588 Email: info@northlinkferries.co.uk
Pets may be left in (ventilated) vehicles but consider the length of your journey and be aware that you cannot have access to the car deck during the voyage for safety reasons. Kennels for dogs and cats are available for a small charge and should be booked in advance. If you have a number of pets they may share kennels, according to size. The kennel room is heated and ventilated, and there is a water supply. You may visit your pets in the kennels during the voyage, and there is access from the kennels to the open decks should you wish to exercise your pet.
With the exception of support dogs, animals are not allowed in public areas or cabins.
We have purchased an animal accommodation system, purpose built for our vessels, from a major supplier. Each ship will have 13 kennels of varying sizes;
4 x large animal unit 800mm (width) x 1400mm (depth) x 1000mm (height)
9 x small animal unit 500mm x 700mm x 600mm
The units have solid walls, ceilings and floors, with wire mesh front gates, and are raised from the floor to avoid draughts and for ease of cleaning.
Booking directly with NorthLink Ferries on www.northlinkferries.co.uk is cheaper than booking 
with another website and we never charge for any amendments made to your booking!
