Transport / Is a bed on the NorthLink boat ‘nice’ to have or ‘essential’?
One councillor says he is ‘irked’ by the language used on the redesigned NorthLink website around cabins on longer sailings
A SHETLAND councillor says he is “irked” at wording on NorthLink’s recently revamped website which says it can be “nice” to have a cabin on board its boats during longer journeys.
Alex Armitage said a “horizontal sleeping space isn’t just ‘nice’ – it’s essential”.
In response a spokesperson for Serco NorthLink Ferries said the company offers a “range of fares to suit all needs” and reiterated the message to book ahead during peak times.
The new NorthLink website includes a ‘booking advice’ page which includes a section called ‘do you need a cabin?’.
It says: “Cabins on board NorthLink ships are modern, clean, spacious and fully equipped with a toilet, shower, and television.
“Though cabins are not always necessary, it is nice to have somewhere private to lie down, especially on longer journeys. Pet-friendly cabins are also ideal spaces to share with your furry friend.”
It adds that NorthLink recommends booking a cabin, sleeping pod or reclining seat for the overnight journeys on its service – all of which are to or from Shetland.
The website acknowledges there are sailings where the boat is fully booked – a long-running problem for the service in peak points.
It also says the company, which operates the ferries on behalf of government agency Transport Scotland, is “proud to provide a lifeline ferry service for Northern Isles residents”.
The messaging that a cabin is “nice” to have on overnight journeys has not sat too well with local Green councillor Alex Armitage, who also attends meetings of Shetland’s external transport forum.
The overnight ferry between Aberdeen and Lerwick takes around 12 hours, or longer if it stops off in Kirkwall.
Armitage has raised concern before about the prospect of islanders heading south and driving off the boat tired after getting a poor night’s sleep in a pod or reclining chair.
“I think a horizontal sleeping space that is available to all passengers that want one is a necessary aspect of an overnight lifeline ferry service,” he said.
“Given that the only horizontal sleeping space is in the form of cabins, I’m irked to see this language being used. A horizontal sleeping space isn’t just ‘nice’ – it’s essential.
“The cabins on the boat are indeed luxurious, but for those that can’t pay the cost, or who are travelling alone, there should be another option for spending the night horizontally.”
Armitage said this is why he is campaigning for the option of Japanese style sleeping pods on future ferries.
It comes at a time when passenger numbers on the ferry continue to rise as demand grows, particularly from visitors.
With the opportunity to book a berth in a shared cabin no longer possible, people continue to offer up spare beds – or request ones – on a Facebook group.
An availability calendar function on the NorthLink website shows the number of cabins left on future sailings, with a number of days showing little or no availability during the peak month of July.
At the time of writing the Aberdeen-Lerwick route there are less than 20 cabins available for the month of July, although there are more for Lerwick-Aberdeen.
Availability also picks up in August and beyond.
There is positive news on the horizon, with two replacement NorthLink freight vessels set to offer capacity for up to 200 people during peak periods.
Although procurement is progressing, it will still be a number of years before the boats are in service.
A spokesperson for NorthLink Ferries said in response to Armitage’s concerns: “When it comes to choosing the right ticket, ferries are no different from planes or trains which offer long haul and overnight journeys.
“Given the range of journey times and routes on offer from NorthLink Ferries, we offer a variety of packages at different price points – to meet varying passenger desires and needs.
“Whether you’re looking for a private cabin for an overnight journey, a more budget friendly sleeping pod, or to simply travel as a foot or vehicle passenger with no added extras, NorthLink Ferries offers a range of fares to suit all needs.
“During peak travel times, booking ahead is essential to avoid disappointment.”
An islander discount is also offered to people living in Shetland and Orkney.
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