5
Steam Packet: Manxman Ferry
The Isle of Man is an independent nation, not part of Great Britain. It has the oldest, continually sitting Parliament in the world. In a richly proud history, it was the first country to give women a vote in national elections, and only the second to have an openly LGBTQ+ Chief Minister.
And the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is the oldest ferry company still operating. The 'MV Manxman' is the newest Steam Packet vessel, having entered service in August 2023.
As such, you'd hope that they'd given full consideration to accessibility requirements...
And do you want a surprise? ...They have!
I've been a regular user of the Steam Packet for many years, since moving to the Isand in 1991. I'm writing this review literally sitting on board, sailing to Heysham (pronounced 'Hey' as in 'Key', not 'Hay' as in, err... 'Hay'.) Because I'm writing this review, I've tried to cover some aspects that ordinarily, I don't require or use, such as a visit to the 'Changing Places' toilet, just to be nosey.
There are three vessels currently in service on the Irish Sea between Douglas (capital of the Isle of Man) and Heysham (pronounced 'Hey' as in... ...oh, I've done that already), Liverpool (Weekends in the winter. Twice daily all week, in the summer), Dublin & Belfast (Summer only, but the Irish sailings are increasing lately).
'Manannan' is the fast craft, operating in the summer months only, mainly to Liverpool.
'Ben-my-Cree' ('Girl of my Dreams') is the old ferry, now used as back-up and on the Irish routes.
Manxman is the flagship vessel, and the focus of this review.
The starting point is the booking process. On the Steam Packet website, there is the option to select that assistance is required, and enter the support needed. (www.steam-packet.com)
If in a vehicle, you load with your hazard warning lights on, and will be directed to drive up a steep ramp. Leave a decent gap between you and the car in front, as they will need to do a hill start! You'll be directed where to park by someone at the top of the ramp. If you have a rear-loading wheelchair accessible vehicle, they will realise, and give you space, but if, like me, you drive, but keep a wheelchair in the rear of the vehicle, it is always worth telling the guys, or they will try and get you to reverse too close to the vehicle behind you! Not just people with disabilities or limited mobility require lift access, people with babies in pushchairs etcetera also park here, so it is easy for assumptions to be made. Top tip, if you have a modern vehicle, find out how to lock it, while disabling the movement/'internal' alarm, and remember to switch the hazard warning lights off. Every sailing, there are cars with alarms going off every minute or two, due to the vibrations. If you leave hazard warning lights on too, and you are asking for a flat battery! I travel so frequently that I have a pre-programmed 'button' to take me straight to the required menu.
There are two lifts on board, one on each side of the ship. Actually, there are three, but you won't be needing the 'Blue' lift. Make a note of your 'coloured' lift for when you return. If you've gone up the slope, you will be parked on 'Deck 5'. When disembarking, an announcement is made asking vehicle drivers to leave one particular lift free for foot passengers, but if I'm parked near this lift (the Red one, from memory) I ignore this, as I don't want to worry about finding wide enough spaces behind vehicles on the car deck to get across it. If you are in a wheelchair, just ignore it too, if anyone challenges you, say I told you it was okay!
If you are a 'foot' (or 'wheelie') passenger, there is a 'Curtesy Bus'. This is a wheelchair accessible minibus that will take you on-board. Again, it will take you up the slope and leave you near a lift. At Heysham (do you know how it is pronounced yet?) the bus will drop you right next to baggage reclaim. In Douglas, there is a short walk/roll though the waiting lounge to the baggage.
Once on-board, there are various options, including lounge 'upgrades'. To be honest, if you are travelling for a holiday, I wouldn't bother with the cost of upgrading. You'll get 'free' tea & coffee in these lounges, but there's enough to keep an occasional traveller busy elsewhere without paying more. But, if you are likely to just want to settle down and not move, then for about £25 these lounges are more comfortable.
There are six wheelchair accessible cabins. These are more cruise liner standard, rather than a four-hour ferry crossing, but if on the over-night sailing, it may be worth getting. They are in the region of £70 (cheaper on a daytime sailing than a nighttime one). Large double bed, pull down bed-settee, toilet and accessible shower. If two of you are thinking about a lounge upgrade, go the whole-hog and treat yourself to a cabin. THe highpoint of my then teen-age niece's holiday was having a shower in the middle of the sea.
The passenger decks are on three levels. Most passengers will be using 'Deck 7', which is where the shop, bar, cafe, and information desk is, as well as the main lounges and two pet areas. Unlike the Ben-my-Chree, the lifts can be used while at sea, so movement between decks is not restricted.
On 'Deck 7' there are two wheelchair accessible toilets and a 'Changing Places' style toilet, with an 'X/Y' hoist, changing bed and a shower, as well as a toilet.
'Deck 8' has the cabins and a couple of lounges that require upgrading, and two accessible toilets.
'Deck 9' is the outdoor deck, which is also where smoking & vaping is allowed. A glass rail allows some visibility from a lower wheelchair, although to be honest, with spray from the sea, it isn't exactly crystal clear. On a nice day, it is worth a visit to admire the views as you leave Heysham (pronounced 'Hey' as in 'Key...) or Douglas. Or in the Mersey. There is even a sign to help you spot whales & dolphins, among others. Another accessible toilet on this level.
What if you have a disability that doesn't involve your own wheelchair?
If travelling alone, I'd recommend a phone call to the Steam Packet beforehand to discuss your requirements. For passengers who are visually impaired, 'land-based' staff will guide you to the Courtesy Bus. On-board staff will then meet you on the car deck and take you to a seating area. They will discuss your requirements (food, drink etc) and pop back throughout the sailing to check if you need anything. Obviously, assistance animals are not confined to the 'pet' areas. The friendly on-board staff will come to you and assist you back to the courtesy bus when disembarking.
Before embarking.
Douglas: A small accessible toilet in the 'men' & 'ladies' toilets, and a 'proper' accessible toilet opposite the luggage reclaim. A 'Costa' cafe & 'W.H.Smiths'.
Heysham: Not a great cafe, with limited opening hours. A wheelchair-accessible toilet that is RADAR key-operated.
Liverpool: Newly built passenger terminal, so I'd expect decent facilities, but I've not been inside there yet.
Ireland... I haven't been to Belfast or Dublin since before I acquired a disability, so I can't comment, but they should comply with EU & UK(&NI) legislation.
In short: Don't moan about the cost. We know it is expensive, some of us live on the Island and are paying these prices all year round!
Beyond that, sailing on the Manxman ferry is actually quite stress-free and reasonably comfortable. The food is pretty decent and not a rip-off price. The on-board crew are excellent and helpful. If you are considering a holiday 'somewhere different', with its own laws and money, but nice and easy to get to, a ferry to the Isle of Man may tick your requirements?
Thank you to Claire for showing me the wheelchair accessible cabin for a photo.
The Isle of Man is an independent nation, not part of Great Britain. It has the oldest, continually sitting Parliament in the world. In a richly proud history, it was the first country to give women a vote in national elections, and only the second to have an openly LGBTQ+ Chief Minister.
And the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is the oldest ferry company still operating. The 'MV Manxman' is the newest Steam Packet vessel, having entered service in August 2023.
As such, you'd hope that they'd given full consideration to accessibility requirements...
And do you want a surprise? ...They have!
I've been a regular user of the Steam Packet for many years, since moving to the Isand in 1991. I'm writing this review literally sitting on board, sailing to Heysham (pronounced 'Hey' as in 'Key', not 'Hay' as in, err... 'Hay'.) Because I'm writing this review, I've tried to cover some aspects that ordinarily, I don't require or use, such as a visit to the 'Changing Places' toilet, just to be nosey.
There are three vessels currently in service on the Irish Sea between Douglas (capital of the Isle of Man) and Heysham (pronounced 'Hey' as in... ...oh, I've done that already), Liverpool (Weekends in the winter. Twice daily all week, in the summer), Dublin & Belfast (Summer only, but the Irish sailings are increasing lately).
'Manannan' is the fast craft, operating in the summer months only, mainly to Liverpool.
'Ben-my-Cree' ('Girl of my Dreams') is the old ferry, now used as back-up and on the Irish routes.
Manxman is the flagship vessel, and the focus of this review.
The starting point is the booking process. On the Steam Packet website, there is the option to select that assistance is required, and enter the support needed. (www.steam-packet.com)
If in a vehicle, you load with your hazard warning lights on, and will be directed to drive up a steep ramp. Leave a decent gap between you and the car in front, as they will need to do a hill start! You'll be directed where to park by someone at the top of the ramp. If you have a rear-loading wheelchair accessible vehicle, they will realise, and give you space, but if, like me, you drive, but keep a wheelchair in the rear of the vehicle, it is always worth telling the guys, or they will try and get you to reverse too close to the vehicle behind you! Not just people with disabilities or limited mobility require lift access, people with babies in pushchairs etcetera also park here, so it is easy for assumptions to be made. Top tip, if you have a modern vehicle, find out how to lock it, while disabling the movement/'internal' alarm, and remember to switch the hazard warning lights off. Every sailing, there are cars with alarms going off every minute or two, due to the vibrations. If you leave hazard warning lights on too, and you are asking for a flat battery! I travel so frequently that I have a pre-programmed 'button' to take me straight to the required menu.
There are two lifts on board, one on each side of the ship. Actually, there are three, but you won't be needing the 'Blue' lift. Make a note of your 'coloured' lift for when you return. If you've gone up the slope, you will be parked on 'Deck 5'. When disembarking, an announcement is made asking vehicle drivers to leave one particular lift free for foot passengers, but if I'm parked near this lift (the Red one, from memory) I ignore this, as I don't want to worry about finding wide enough spaces behind vehicles on the car deck to get across it. If you are in a wheelchair, just ignore it too, if anyone challenges you, say I told you it was okay!
If you are a 'foot' (or 'wheelie') passenger, there is a 'Curtesy Bus'. This is a wheelchair accessible minibus that will take you on-board. Again, it will take you up the slope and leave you near a lift. At Heysham (do you know how it is pronounced yet?) the bus will drop you right next to baggage reclaim. In Douglas, there is a short walk/roll though the waiting lounge to the baggage.
Once on-board, there are various options, including lounge 'upgrades'. To be honest, if you are travelling for a holiday, I wouldn't bother with the cost of upgrading. You'll get 'free' tea & coffee in these lounges, but there's enough to keep an occasional traveller busy elsewhere without paying more. But, if you are likely to just want to settle down and not move, then for about £25 these lounges are more comfortable.
There are six wheelchair accessible cabins. These are more cruise liner standard, rather than a four-hour ferry crossing, but if on the over-night sailing, it may be worth getting. They are in the region of £70 (cheaper on a daytime sailing than a nighttime one). Large double bed, pull down bed-settee, toilet and accessible shower. If two of you are thinking about a lounge upgrade, go the whole-hog and treat yourself to a cabin. THe highpoint of my then teen-age niece's holiday was having a shower in the middle of the sea.
The passenger decks are on three levels. Most passengers will be using 'Deck 7', which is where the shop, bar, cafe, and information desk is, as well as the main lounges and two pet areas. Unlike the Ben-my-Chree, the lifts can be used while at sea, so movement between decks is not restricted.
On 'Deck 7' there are two wheelchair accessible toilets and a 'Changing Places' style toilet, with an 'X/Y' hoist, changing bed and a shower, as well as a toilet.
'Deck 8' has the cabins and a couple of lounges that require upgrading, and two accessible toilets.
'Deck 9' is the outdoor deck, which is also where smoking & vaping is allowed. A glass rail allows some visibility from a lower wheelchair, although to be honest, with spray from the sea, it isn't exactly crystal clear. On a nice day, it is worth a visit to admire the views as you leave Heysham (pronounced 'Hey' as in 'Key...) or Douglas. Or in the Mersey. There is even a sign to help you spot whales & dolphins, among others. Another accessible toilet on this level.
What if you have a disability that doesn't involve your own wheelchair?
If travelling alone, I'd recommend a phone call to the Steam Packet beforehand to discuss your requirements. For passengers who are visually impaired, 'land-based' staff will guide you to the Courtesy Bus. On-board staff will then meet you on the car deck and take you to a seating area. They will discuss your requirements (food, drink etc) and pop back throughout the sailing to check if you need anything. Obviously, assistance animals are not confined to the 'pet' areas. The friendly on-board staff will come to you and assist you back to the courtesy bus when disembarking.
Before embarking.
Douglas: A small accessible toilet in the 'men' & 'ladies' toilets, and a 'proper' accessible toilet opposite the luggage reclaim. A 'Costa' cafe & 'W.H.Smiths'.
Heysham: Not a great cafe, with limited opening hours. A wheelchair-accessible toilet that is RADAR key-operated.
Liverpool: Newly built passenger terminal, so I'd expect decent facilities, but I've not been inside there yet.
Ireland... I haven't been to Belfast or Dublin since before I acquired a disability, so I can't comment, but they should comply with EU & UK(&NI) legislation.
In short: Don't moan about the cost. We know it is expensive, some of us live on the Island and are paying these prices all year round!
Beyond that, sailing on the Manxman ferry is actually quite stress-free and reasonably comfortable. The food is pretty decent and not a rip-off price. The on-board crew are excellent and helpful. If you are considering a holiday 'somewhere different', with its own laws and money, but nice and easy to get to, a ferry to the Isle of Man may tick your requirements?
Thank you to Claire for showing me the wheelchair accessible cabin for a photo.
