Stena Line has announced a successful maiden voyage for the Stena Hollandica, travelling across the North Sea from Harwich to the Hook of Holland. The result of Stena Line’s largest ever investment of over GBP375 million, the Stena Hollandica is the first of two new Superferries to operate from Harwich to the Hook of Holland, with the Stena Britannica planned to arrive in October 2010.
The Stena Hollandica and the Stena Britannica are the largest ferries of their type in the world at 240 metres long – more than twice the height of Big Ben.
A wide range of passenger facilities includes buffet and a la carte restaurants, bar, cinema, media room, Internet corner and the Stena Plus Lounge, a dedicated ‘quiet zone’ with complimentary hot and cold drinks, nibbles and newspapers. The media room and Internet corner allow passengers to read magazines and keep in touch with the latest local and world news on television or online. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship throughout the crossing, as is mobile telephone reception.
Each Stena Line Superferry has 538 cabins with ensuite bathrooms, featuring Hans Grohe fittings, and all cabins have wider-than-average Dux beds and satellite television. Upgraded cabin types are also available, with the Captain’s Class cabin offering double bed, complimentary mini-bar and flatscreen television.
Each new Superferry can carry 230 cars, 300 freight vehicles and 1,200 passengers: there are dedicated areas onboard for children and teenagers, and dogs can travel in comfort in one of 12 kennels. There’s even a sundeck with a bar for drinks and relaxation with an ocean view.
The Stena Hollandica and Britannica incorporate environmentally-friendly features as part of Stena Line’s Energy Savings Programme. Catalytic convertors, an energy-efficient hull design and energy-efficient engines all contribute to a reduced environmental impact overall, as does special solar film on the windows which excludes up to 82% of the sun’s heat so that less energy is required to cool onboard areas.
Departing twice daily, the crossing takes approx 6.5 hours with a choice of day or night sailings in each direction. Departures from Harwich leave at 09:00 and around 23:45 each day, and at 14.30 and around 22:00 from the Hook of Holland.
Lead in fares start at just GBP49 one-way for a car and driver, plus GBP12 per additional adult or GBP6 per additional child (up to 15 yrs, under fours travel free). With a similar pricing structure to low fares airlines, as the cheaper fares sell out, the prices on popular crossings will rise, so those booking early make the largest savings. Cabins for overnight crossings start from GBP18 per person one-way, based on two sharing.
About Stena Line
Stena Line is the largest ferry operator in Europe and one of the largest in the world, with more than 450,000 people crossing the North Sea between the UK and Holland with the company every year. In the UK alone Stena Line, which operates Europe’s most comprehensive route networks, offers two daily crossings on its Harwich to Hook of Holland route as well as over 30 daily crossings on its five different routes to Ireland (Stranraer to Belfast, Fleetwood to Larne, Holyhead to Dublin, Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire and Fishguard to Rosslare) providing fast and efficient crossings with excellent onboard services and facilities.
Website: http://www.stenaline.co.uk/