Wightlink Ferry travel fears

brightondave

We are booked as a family on a ferry late july from Portsmouth to the IOW.
The 45 min experience to get to our Airbnb cottage was meant to be a first time thing for our 5 year old granddaughter but it seems that everyone is not allowed on their various decks and you have to stay in the car all the duration of the journey and nobody is allowed to use the toilets.
The only exception are foot passengers who can use the lounges and outside decks.
Going to the IOW by this method is now ruined by these rules instigated by the Marine and Maritime people.
The only time people in cars are able to use the lounges and outside decks are when there is a truck that is carrying anything like oxygen or gas cylinders or a tanker.
So it's almost like all the sailings they have day in day out and all the different ranges of people they carry from toddlers to the elderly, you can't tell me that everyone that has travelled to date has never needed the toilet ever?
Also we are paying for the privilege for a 7 day return approx £246.
Sounds not a lot of fun 😬

[Deleted User]

Well....needs must I suppose!   45 minutes isn't that long of a journey.   Most people take longer to get to work.    I agree it won't be the same sitting in your car but your grandaughter will forget all about it once you reach the cottage.   Have a great holiday.

nyermen

Wightlink aren't exactly the favoured business of the island sadly.  There's no indication when they will reopen the lymington/yarmouth route either (more there than at a glance too).  They used to insist you left your cars for safety reasons (and not to encourage use of the shops surely not).
As someone with family on the island, I'm well aware of the importance of tourism to the island, so I hope it doesn't discourage you too much.  I agree 45 mins isn't long in isolation, but it can be when you've just done X hours to Portsmouth (or have X hours afterwards...).  If you can arrive early (highly recommended anyway), use the chance to stretch etc before the sailing.  If its a long journey back, then maybe look into somewhere to stop for a stretch before you set off (sorry I'm not so familiar with gunwharf quay, I'm normally lym/yarm route).

Incidentally, I got an email from Wightlink (as a frequent traveller) that mentioned the rules you quote, but then added "you won't need to put a covering on if you remain in your vehicle but if you need to head to our lounges you must ensure its on", suggesting that you may be allowed out (definition of "need" unclear).
Also unclear what they're doing about toilets.  45 mins is one thing.  3hours drive + 45 minutes is another thing esp with small ones.
Edit: Just seen your username.  Brighton -> Portsmouth isn't fun, unless the A27 has improved massively since last time I used it.

parcival

In the overall scheme of things, just get on with it and accept it..........

Alan_Bowen

There are toilets in the terminal in Portsmouth if you have concerns.

rosiesposies

park up the car, go to gunwharf have a walk around use the toilets and get on the ferry for 45 mins. the wightlink isnt what i would call a memorable experience OR fun. cafes are awful, as are the toilets. I wouldnt say the cost pays for the amenities on that journey!! be much better to arrive 1.5 hours before leaving and have a stroll around old portsmouth (hot walls have been refurbed and toilets are open and very clean) or gunwharf and have a good view of the spinnaker. 

MarySharpin

I went to the IOW last week on the Ferry & the trip in the car is fine, There was 5 of us in the car visiting my husband's mum . I would suggest you create a IOW Fun Book for your 5 year old grandchild of all the wonderful things you can do there & on the journey back, go through it and tick off the things you did. BTW - The cafe @ Portsmouth is opened as is the toilets.