Stena Embla operates the lengthy Irish Sea crossing between Liverpool (Birkenhead) and Belfast with her twin sister Stena Edda (see blog link at the end). At times of operational need however, both vessels along with their third identical sister Stena Estrid (Holyhead/Dublin) can operate other routes within Stena Line's route network.
All three vessels are largely identical with an easy to navigate interior design hence the name of this blog 'Mirrored Simplicity'
Although Liverpool/Belfast is around an eight hour voyage there is plenty to keep passengers occupied. Let's take a look....
Our voyage commences in Belfast - the port is easily accessible for those of you who do not have their own transport; on this journey I used the shuttle bus from Belfast city centre which takes around 30min and costs a few pounds.
The bus transits an industrial estate and then proceeds down a duel carriageway into the port - the bus stop being right opposite the terminal; how convenient!
Foot passenger check-in at Belfast commences around two and a half hours before departure. I would strongly suggest you arrive at this time - the terminal is small and gets very busy therefore get there early, check-in and grab a seat in the Departure Lounge. A kiosk selling a selection of beverages and snacks along with a large wall mounted TV and WC facilities will keep you comfortable whilst you wait for embarkation.
A shuttle bus takes foot passengers the short distance from the terminal building to the vessel - a series of airport style baggage trollies are available outside the bus which are then taken aboard to store over sized luggage which is not required during the voyage.
As there is no dedicated foot passenger walkway onto the ship it is necessary for the transfer bus to drive onto the vessel's vehicle deck where foot passengers then ascend several flights of stairs up to the main passenger decks where the facilities are located.
Aboard Stena Embla passenger facilities are located on Decks 7 through to 9 and with the amenities located fore and cabins aft navigation aboard is very easy. The facilities run off a large, wide, level corridor therefore, if you have walking difficulties you will not have any issues.
Having decided to treat myself to the premium Stena Plus lounge, upon boarding I headed straight to this facility to grab 'the best seat in the house'. All three Stena 'EFlexers' are the same internally and having previously travelled aboard Stena Edda (see blog link at the end) I knew where the Stena Plus lounge was located - at the forward end of Deck 8.
Upon entry you are greeted by a duo of extremely polite, friendly and courteous members of staff who ask for your name, which is then 'ticked off' their manifest (this is if you pre-book in advance).
Passengers are handed a bus ticket which indicates what bus will take you from the ferry to the Birkenhead ferry terminal for disembarkation the following morning. If you are not handed a ticket please ask for one.
If this is your first time using Stena Plus the staff will show you around the facility, otherwise you are free to head to your preferred seat.
I already knew where I wanted to base myself for the next eight hours - one of the reclined lounger chairs covered with a 'fury rug style material' right at the front of Stena Plus adjacent to the HUGE forward windows overlooking the bow.
With two side tables and a nearby power socket to charge my phone and laptop, plus the complimentary beverages and snacks not too far away, this is the seat for me!
Other seating types within Stena Plus include individual free standing chairs and sofas all of which are divided by free standing display units and large screen TV cabinets so depending on the size of your party this lounge will be able to cater for your needs.
Direct access to the private WC facilities and exterior deck is available from Stena Plus, with the later accessed via a flight of stairs on the starboard side - a security code on the outer-side to only permit Stena Plus passengers back in..
Heading out for a moonlit stroll during the early hours with a hot cup of coffee from the Stena Plus lounge as you cross the Irish Sea really is special!
Stena Plus offers an extensive self service area for beverages and snacks. Complimentary wines can be obtained (subject to availability), hot and cold beverages and light snacks are available 24/7 plus one can obtain a meal from a dedicated meal which is brought to your seat (available at certain times and at a surcharge) - a separate dining area is within this lounge.
Let's checkout the rest of Stena Embla.
As we are at the forward end of Deck 8 let's walk to the aft end, go down to Deck 7 and walk forward, essentially doing a complete tour of the passenger decks.
You may wish to 'virtually' follow in my footsteps and watch my videos on YouTube channel: 'A2B via Sea, on TV'
Leaving Stena Plus behind us we walk aft passing a window lined, partial open plan lounge with large TV screens, which is divided from the wide corridor by a display unit on our right,
To our left we have the Hygge Lounge; another 'private' lounge which is accessed at a supplement, though unlike Stena Plus, snacks and beverages are not included in the price of the ticket therefore is a little bit cheaper to gain entry.
This lounge has a very peaceful atmosphere and consists of numerous seats with a foot rest, side table, individual reading light, USB port and three pin power socket.
Continuing aft, along the same corridor we pass a large children's playroom (presently closed owing to Covid-19) and occupying the same footprint on the opposite side of the deck is a large gaming arcade with a port/starboard corridor linking the two.
Dominating the midship section of Deck 8 is the Sky Bar.
Decorated in rich tones of dark brown with battleship grey furnishings, localised beige coloured carpeting and the occasional 'pop' of royal blue on the sofas, the Sky Bar has a warm and comfortable ambience and although a very large and open plan facility, it does have an intimate feel about it as the seating is arranged in clusters which suits couples, families and groups alike.
As its name suggests the Sky Bar offers excellent views of the passing vistas through the large windows which are on both sides, but also of the sky and passing clouds through the huge skylight which is set within a void space above Deck 9 - the walls of which has a large flat screen TV at one end, and an 'inside window' at the other which allows natural light to flood into the hall of Deck 9 where passenger cabins are located.
During night crossings the skylight is still a feature as the internal lights reflect off the glass creating a wonderful display.
Stena Embla is a large vessel as such there are many directional signs to assist passengers. A good feature is an interactive 'touch screen' computer where you can find your way around the ship and obtain information on specific facilities.
Just like her (almost) identical sisters Estrid and Edda, Stena Embla has two cinemas adjacent to the Sky Bar.
Located port and starboard, this facility is like being in a friends sitting room as unlike a traditional cinema with rows and rows of regimented seating, this facility has individual lounge chairs clustered around one of several large screen TV monitors which effectively subdivide each theatre.
All showing the same film, being in one of these movie theatres is far more comfortable and informal where you can essentially watch the movie but also chat to your travelling companion - quietly of course!
Heading back to the Sky Bar we descend a small staircase with frosted glass panels and proceed down to Deck 7 below. Let's take a look.........
Deck 7.
We arrive at what is essentially the hub of the ship.
To one side we have the main reception desk which is open 24hrs a day and next door is a counter service café where hot and cold beverages and cakes can be obtained.
Opposite, on the other side of the deck, is an open plan lounge with sea views. This is a good place to both enjoy your coffee and also 'people watch' as at some point during the voyage everyone aboard finds themselves here.
This aforementioned lounge is also an excellent meeting point, so if you are travelling with friends or family and you are travelling in separate vehicles, you can arrange to meet here.
The vehicle deck for cars is actually on the same level as the facilities on this deck - no climbing up several decks of stairs; all one needs to do is walk across the car deck, through a set of doors and you are in the hub of the ship - this is an excellent feature and particularly good if you have a large amount of luggage or perhaps have a child's push chair with you.
Going back to the information desk, this is where passengers who are not travelling in Stena Plus can obtain a shuttle bus ticket for disembarkation the next morning. TOP TIP get this immediately upon boarding as disembarkation the next morning commences once the lower vehicle deck is void of traffic and owing to space limitations on the busses, one could be waiting a lengthy time to disembark so, get the ticket as soon as possible to ensure you are one of the first to disembark.
Continuing our walking tour, proceeding forwards along the single wide window lined corridor we pass an open plan seating lounge to our left with the Stena Shop to our right. The later, although relatively small compared to the size of the vessel, is actually very well stocked and more than adequate for the route she serves.
A large selection of wines and spirits along with gifts and souvenirs can be obtained however, be-aware this shop is not open throughout the journey so listen out for announcements to prevent any disappointment.
Finally, continuing forward and passing numerous WC facilities - which are clean, well maintained and even have a lighting feature on the wall and relaxing music playing through the ceiling mounted speakers, we come to Taste Restaurant.
Taste is the only dining area aboard Stena Embla however, it can be forgiven there is no formal dining room aboard as the meals served here are very well presented, hot and good value for money.
The seating area encapsulates the food counter and offers excellent sea views from the windows which are on three sides; those on the port and starboard sides have HUGE circular windows which are a nod back to the portholes found on old ferries whilst those at the forward end offer virtually floor to ceiling windows (well, almost).
Free standing individual pine seating with differing coloured fabric bands are positioned on localised carpeting leaving hard flooring to denote walkways to/from the servery, whilst sofas can be found mainly near the children's playroom which, like that on Deck 8, is presently closed owing to Covid-19.
I was particularly impressed with the art work which effectively divides this full width space into smaller zones and comprises of a shoal of fish swimming in unison.
Taste is open throughout the voyage, even on the overnight crossings, although full hot meals are only available at certain times, for example an evening meal can be obtained upon boarding (which can be several hours prior to departure) until one hour after departure, and breakfast from one hour prior to arrival. Outside of these times light snacks can be obtained.
For those wishing to have a private cabin during the voyage Stena Embla has several types to choose from depending on your budget and requirements. These cabins can be found towards the stern of Decks 8 and 9.
As embarkation commences several hours prior to departure is is possible to get a full good nights sleep- very civilised!
Passengers are awoken around 60min prior to arrival when breakfast is being served in the Taste Restaurant.
Apologies for the below photos which were taken upon arrival in Birkenhead; they had recently been vacated by their occupants hence why they are not tidy however, they give an indication as to the size of each room.
Below - Deck 8 cabin corridor with the door to the exterior deck at the end of the corridor
Below (an inside cabin - no window): some cabins are large enough for a cot (prior arrangement with Stena Line)
Below: an outside cabin (with window)
Below: the most spacious rooms even have a small sitting room and direct access to the stern exterior deck.
Stena Embla offers some extensive exterior deck areas which can be found on
Deck 10.......
.......the stern of Decks 8 and 9 (note the large circular windows which are for the cabin suits which have direct access to these decks)........
.......and the port and starboard sides of Deck 7, the later offers kennels for those passengers travelling with their pets.
As mentioned previously, foot passenger disembarkation is via a courtesy shuttle coach - tickets obtained from the information desk on Deck 7 - and commences once the vehicle decks are clear of traffic. Here is a short video.......
We arrive at the Stena Line terminal in Birkenhead - a large spacious modern looking building where we pass through the customs and immigration formalities very swiftly.
Taxis are available to transfer passengers to where ever they need to go, alternatively the Hamilton Street train station can be reached in under a thirty minute walk, along with the River Mersey ferry which is the ultimate way to reach Liverpool City.........
In closing Stena Embla is a large, clean and comfortable vessel with a range of facilities for the lengthy voyage.
Connecting the two great cities of Liverpool and Belfast when travelling from A2B travel A2B via Sea #a2bviasea Why travel any other way?
Having read this blog may I suggest you take a look at YouTube Channel
'A2B via Sea, on TV' as a comprehensive 'walk about' tour of Stena Embla can be found. Links below.
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