Stena have axed HSS Discovery fast ferry!!

europa16

I can't believe Stena Line have axed the HSS Discovery between Harwich and the Hook of Holland.

We've got friends in the Netherlands, and the only way to see them is by going on the ferry. Hubby refuses to fly - says he doesn't want to kiss his a$$ goodbye 20000ft up, when a bolt falls off (yes, thank you Discovery Channel and National Geographic!!). Also, because we've got 2 kids, having the car is necessary.

The HSS Discovery is only 3 1/2 hrs - something the kids can managed. I cannot imagine the grief of being on a ferry with them for 6 1/2 hrs :eek:

Do Stena really think by making people travel for this amount of time is going to increase passenger numbers? Personally, I think they just shot themselves in the foot BIG TIME.

from_suffolk

As the Netherlands is our neighbouring country here in Suffolk, I too am dissapointed in its end and long lament the old ferry's when you left Harwich at 10.pm and arrived at 7.am next morning.
Unfortunately with the coming of the budget airlines this has lead to end of many cross North Sea and Channel services.
There is still the Hull Rotterdam service and as this is a night service your kids could be bedded down for the night.

Cumbrian_Male

NCL - AMS from North Sheilds with DFDS depart 5pm arrive 8-9am

or Dover - Calais and about 3.5 hr drive

jonesMUFCforever

Consider how much the ferry used to charge you for you and the car to travel against an 'easyjet' type of air fare and you will see why they have stopped the ferry.

arnie&caseysma!

Knowing how much Stena charge for crossings between Scotland and Northern Ireland, I think I would rather pay the cheaper air fares than use their ferries anytime......and I would rather 'kiss my a** goodbye at 20000ft' than die a slow and cold painful one when the boat goes down........and the flight would get you to Holland in half the time without any nightmare car journeys!

europa16

Thanks for the replies.

TBH, the cost for the HSS service (£190) is half that of a flight from M/cr to Amsterdam for the 4 of us (fuel surcharges taxes, etc = £300 - jet2) , then you've got the cost of car hire on top (approx. £200). This is one of the reasons for me not putting my foot down about flying before now!

It is, by far for us, the cheapest form of travel to Holland... and the kids love being thrown around the ferry when it's doing 40knots