Top Tips for Travelling with NorthLink Ferries

We have gathered here some of our ‘insider’ tips to help ensure you get the best from the NorthLink Ferries service to Orkney and Shetland.

• Book in advance – Secure cabin and vehicle space on the sailing that you want by booking early. If you have booked in advance your check-in will be much quicker.
  You can book online at any time, using your credit or debt card, here at www.northlinkferries.co.uk
  Alternatively, call 0845 6000 449 any time between 0800 and 2000 every day, including weekends. UK calls are charged at a local rate and you will talk to knowledgeable and friendly operators based in Orkney and Shetland.

• Cabins – Book your berth or cabin in good time. Even with the extra cabins, there are still sailings where we are fully booked, but there are also many sailings where there are beds free on the ship and passengers choose to camp out on seats or the floor. With berth prices starting from just £18.90 we would always recommend that you take a bed for a much more comfortable overnight journey.
  You can also take a cabin on the Scrabster-Stromness route: ask about our summer B&B offer and special day sailing rates.

• Double check your onward travel connections – Check timetables and leave time for planned onward connections whether by coach, train or air.

• Check-in and boarding – Bring photographic ID – from May 2008 NorthLink will require passengers to be able to identify themselves through acceptable photo ID before boarding passes can be issued.

• Pay attention to advertised check-in times – Whether foot passenger or car driver, customers presenting themselves after the published check-in closure time cannot expect to be allowed to travel.
  Have your booking reference number with you at check-in – It helps us to board the ships more quickly and helps you to avoid unnecessary queues.

• Taking vehicles – If you require special assistance or have restricted mobility please let us know in advance. We will do what we can to ease access to the lifts from the vehicle deck or make alternative arrangements for putting your car on board if you would prefer to board over the walkways. On busy sailings you may be directed to park on the lower car deck. Again, those with mobility restrictions should be aware that there is no lift access from the lower deck and you should let us know if this will create difficulty for you.

• Towing – Please let us know the nature of the tow and the overall length of vehicle including tow. Towed horseboxes or livestock trailers must be identified and booked in advance.

• Vans, pick-ups or towed trailers – Used for business or carrying goods for commercial purposes must be declared in advance and should travel at commercial rates.

• Sailing information – We offer up-to-date information on all scheduled sailings on our operational news page online, at www.northlinkferries.co.uk and over the phone on 0845 6000 449, where you should select option one, followed by the option for the route/departure that you are interested in. This is particularly important during the winter months where adverse weather can affect sailing times. If you give us email and phone contact details then we can keep you informed of any changes to your scheduled sailing. Where a mobile number is given with your booking, you will be alerted to any changes to your sailing by SMS.

• Worried about travel sickness? – We know this is a worry for some passengers. We would generally recommend that you avoid heavy meals or alcohol immediately prior to or during the crossing, and that you try to find a place towards the middle of the ship to reduce the motion as far as possible.
  Take a berth if you can, the cabin decks (Deck 5) generally experience less motion than the public areas on Deck 6.
  Consider trying travel sickness tablets, they certainly work for some but, as with any medication, you should follow the guidance carefully and seek proper medical advice as appropriate.

• Take out appropriate travel insurance – There are lots of travel policies offering good value for money for cover for many of the basic risks of travel, including disruption to sailing schedules, knock-on costs of extended delays or cancellations and loss or damage to baggage.

• Behaviour - Please note that if you appear under the influence of alcohol (or drugs) you’ll simply not be allowed on the ship.