The new Fastnet line ferry service from Cork to Swansea ( and also of course sailing from Swansea to Cork) begins in March and the ferry company website at http://www.fastnetline.com/special_offers.html is currently showing the following two special offers for March 2010 and one that continues through until June and then after the peak season right up until Christmas 2010.
Special Offer – Kids travel FREE! on Fastnet Line
That’s right – simply book at least one adult ticket with vehicle for travel during 2010
- and up to three children can travel with you free*!
*Bookings must be made before 1st April 2010, children must be under 16 on the date of travel, excludes cabin
Extra-special “Happy New Year” Offer!
Book before January 31st 2010 – and 1 adult & car can travel for only £89 / €99
on all dates from 1st - 31st March 2010 (inclusive)*.*excludes cost of cabin / seating
Enjoy a long weekend in Swansea, Wales or South West of England
Depart Cork Thursday evening arrive Swansea Friday returning on Sunday to arrive at 7.00 a.m with enough time to get to work after a restful nights crossing
For travel on any Thursday and returning on any Sunday evening from March to June and September to December 1 Adult & Car can travel for £ 89/ € 99 each way *excludes cost of cabin/seating
NEXT SPRING, WE’RE MOVING ENGLAND AND WALES FOUR TIMES CLOSER TO EACH OTHER.
DERREN BROWN, EAT YOUR HEART OUT.
British company Severn Link announces the first modern ferry service to connect South Wales and South West England
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Today, ferry operator Severn Link has announced plans to transform the lives of thousands of travellers within South Wales and the South West of England – with the creation of a regular fast, fun and affordable passenger ferry service between Swansea and Ilfracombe, due to commence operation early next year.
The Severn Link service will be the very first time a regular modern ferry route has joined the two shores of the Bristol Channel – creating a unique and much-needed connection between one of England’s most visited tourist areas and the populous economic and cultural hub of Wales. The Severn Link service is a bold new step to reconnect the communities, heritage and history of two areas which, despite lying within sight of each other, have never before had the opportunity within modern times to take advantage of their neighbouring status – whether practically, economically and socially.
Regular transport links between the two areas have, in modern times, been limited to road or rail travel, adding many hours onto travel times and many more pounds onto travel costs. By travelling via Severn Link ferry, travel times and environmental impact will be drastically cut – with its swift 34 knot, 360 passenger catamarans taking just fifty minutes to complete a journey which would take at least four times as long by car.
Severn Link is the brainchild of Chris Marrow, a highly respected marine professional and pioneer of international repute – and one of the few people in the UK with a proven track record in creating new ferry routes, all of which are in operation today. Chris has brought together a team of the highest possible calibre who share the Severn Link vision – including one of Britain’s top marine engineers, a world renowned fast ferry specialist and internationally respected financial expertise.
Speaking of the reasons behind setting up Severn Link, Chris said, “To my knowledge, there is no other comparable stretch of water in the world, linking similarly populated areas, which doesn’t have a heavily utilised ferry service – and market research1 has shown that there is a huge demand for this ferry route within South Wales and South West England. The Severn Link ferries will open up multiple opportunities – not just for ease of travel between the two regions for tourists, commuters and travellers, but also to help forge business links and bring the two neighbouring areas closer in many positive ways.”
Chris elaborated on just a few ways he perceived the Severn Link service as being beneficial to those living, working and travelling in the two regions. “Not only will the ferry service create easy travel to shopping and airport links in Cardiff and Swansea, it will assist with links to major sporting events and offer previously unviable day tripper and short break connections between the many tourist attractions throughout the wider areas of the South West of England and South Wales. Additionally we see Severn Link as instrumental in bringing the Celtic nations of Wales and Cornwall even closer together, including helping the thousands of families who are separated by the Bristol Channel to visit each other via fast, affordable and easy travel routes.”
The Ilfracombe – Swansea route is just the first route in a series of planned major destinations on both sides of the Bristol Channel, with plans for more exciting routes between South Wales and the northern coast of South West England currently in development and due to be announced next year.
Support for the forthcoming ferry service has been widespread with businesses, tourism chiefs and council dignitaries all lending their patronage. Councillor Chris Holley, Swansea Council Leader, said, “This is terrific news that comes in the wake of the announcement that the Swansea to Cork ferry is being reinstated. A fast cat service from Swansea to Ilfracombe would be a boost for the city’s tourism economy and would allow Swansea people easier access to Devon and the South West of England. The service would also introduce many visitors from the Devon area to Swansea Bay for the very first time where I’m sure attractions such as Gower would make a hugely positive impression and would encourage people to return. We’ve got so much in Swansea that would appeal to visitors. Investment in recent years has seen the opening of the £32million LC leisure centre, the National Waterfront Museum and the state-of-the-art Aspers casino. We’re fortunate to have first-class facilities and attractions that cater for all ages and interests.”
Leader of North Devon Council, Councillor Des Brailey commented, “This is fantastic news for Ilfracombe and will provide a tremendous boost to the economy as it presents so many opportunities for the town itself and the wider North Devon. This shows that external private investors have high confidence in the town and paves the way for a really exciting future for Ilfracombe.”
Swansea West Assembly Minister, Andrew Davies, spoke of the positive benefits the ferry service will bring to his constituency. “I am delighted that the Severn Link Swansea-Ilfracombe ferry will shortly be operating from the city. This will not only provide a welcome and regular service between south Wales and south west England but will also provide a number of good jobs for Swansea boosting the local economy and tourism. I wish it every success.”
The Severn Link website (www.severnlink.com) is now live and available to view destinations, ferry information, book advance tickets and discover further details about the company. You can also visit and follow Severn Link on Facebook and Twitter and get a preview of the ferry fleet on YouTube.
The service begins on 1st March 2010 – and is planned to operate year-round – for convenient travel both in and out of season.
Saves you 600km (375 miles) driving on a round trip and connects Cork direct to the M4 motorway (with hassle-free access to London, the south-west and the midlands)
Sailings between Cork & Swansea plannedsix nights a week, with additional sailings during peak periods and for special events.
Overnight sailings departing at 21.00 & arriving 07.00 next day – so you arrive relaxed and ready to continue your holiday or onward journey.
Efficient, straightforward on-line booking system (coming soon) – so you don’t have to spend hours ‘on hold’ waiting for an operator.
Over 300 Cabins and ample ‘Pullman’ seating, for a comfortable, relaxing trip
Capacity for 1,860 passengers, 440 Cars, 40 Trucks – plenty of room for commercial and leisure travellers alike
Extensive selection of Bars, Restaurants, Shopping, Cinema and Kids Area on board – not just a ferry crossing – more of a mini-cruise – your holiday starts the moment you get on-board!
Julia is currently docked in Cork City at Horgan’s Quay preparing for initial sailing – if you’re in the area, come and see her from the quayside – she’s impressive!
The Julia and Fastnet Line are owned by a co-operative of small investors – we aim to be the most customer-focused ferry service on the Irish Sea.
Visit the website for more information, to pre-register, to give us your comments and suggestions or to find out about partnering opportunities for Travel Agents and Group organisers with Fastnet Line
The Fastnet Line is the new passenger & freight ferry service linking Swansea in Wales with Cork in Ireland, replacing the previous service which stopped sailing in 2006.
It was a great example of how a community can get organised to prevent the big business ferry operators from cutting them off from important transport links. A local campaign was mounted and eventually succeeding in putting together a proposition to get the Swansea Cork ferry sailing again, this time as “The People’s Ferry”
Fastnet Line will provide holiday passengers with a comfortable overnight crossing in a fully-equipped ship, also carrying freight. Lorry drivers will be able to to rest overnight and cut out hundreds of miles of unnecessary driving in Ireland and Wales.
Fastnet Line to Swansea service from Cork will start on 1st March 2010 – the new ship MV Julia having been already purchased for only 7million Euros and now berthed at Horgans Quay in the centre of Cork City since 25th September 2009. Here she is sailing into the port of Cork with some commentary from the organisers .
The new Fastnet line Swansea to Cork ferry will begin on St David’s Day 2010.
It was hoped a new ship would run the route between Wales and the Irish Republic earlier than 2010 but the co-operative aiming to restart the service says it will not run until early next year now.
The delay has been blamed on the lengthy negotiations to secure the vessel and many travellers already having made alternative arrangements for this year, so it will now set sail for the first time on St David’s Day 2010.
Last month, hundreds of shareholders voted in favour of forming a co-operative to purchase the 340-cabin, 1,400-passenger ferry MS Julia to run the route.
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