There are always nerves that come with any sort of border crossing trips but thankfully the Polferries ferry from Poland to Sweden was really easy. Due to being in there area we found the ferry check in lane for cars/bikes and joined the small queue of people that had got there even earlier than us. It was a lovely sunny day so we just got to sunbathe for a bit whilst waiting for check in to open. It opened at 4.30pm for the trucks, then shortly after for cars. Then we sailed through after having our passports checked we were given boarding cards. Turning left we were parked in our own lane by the ferry and had the boarding cards for us and our bike scanned before being let on first and put in the cargo hold behind the lorries. The ferry staff were straight on us trying to put straps on the bikes, so we quickly pulled all our luggage out the bike so they could strap it down. Once it was secure we managed to squeeze passed the truck with all our luggae to make it to one of the passenger doors/elevators- needing to travel up to the 8th floor to find our cabin. On the 8th floor we were greeted by a member of staff who directed us which was to go.
Our cabin was pleasant for an evening- twin beds, with small desk area, places to hang things and a private bathroom with shower. After removing all our layers we explored the boat- finding the various restaurants/bars. There was a outside deck area on our deck, then deck 7 had the buffet cafeteria, shop, a la carte restaurant, reception, piano bar and pub bar. There was also a casino with a couple of tables set up, slots, air hockey and some general games and a disco bar. There were even some children’s play areas dotted about. Deck 9 had the airplane seats- that you can use if you don’t want to pay for a cabin- these actually looked comfortable for sleeping and there were plenty of showers/toilets dotted about if you were really on a budget.
We treated ourselves to a coffee in the piano bar- which faced forwards so we could watch the boat leaving and travelling up the canals and into the sea. From the upstairs deck we also then got a view of us leaving the land completely behind and being fully at sea- but it was quite windy so we didn’t stay out there long! At reception we collected vouchers for our pre-booked breakfast the next morning. We looked at our options for dinner- either the buffet or the a la carte restaurant, however we couldn’t figure out how much the buffet was going to cost or for what so we ended up just treating ourselves further to the a la carte restaurant. We were cheap there though- only having a main meal and without a drink as we wanted to buy a beer later in the evening. There was a decent selection in the restaurant of dishes as well as the set menu they had on offer and things didn’t end up being too expensive. Dave had falafel and vegetable patties with salad and potato chips and I had chicken supreme with vegetables, tapenade and potatoe fondant (99zl in total). It was really nice to have meals with a decent amount of vege/ salad. Plus we also got to eat from the free salad bar- so even more salad and veg which was a bonus.
In the evening we headed back to the piano bar- which now had a piano player (who was also a bad singer). It provided a nice atmosphere to start with but got quite loud as the evening went on. In there we caught up on notes, wrote some blogs and worked on videos. When we felt done for the evening and a bit overwhelmed from the music we headed to the ‘pub’ bar next door for a beer. I had a few cash zlotty left and manage to work out exactly 2 beers for the price. Back in the cabin we watched a film and then headed to sleep. For being on a ferry the night was very calm and quiet and we slept well.
In the morning we were glad to wake up naturally/ with our own alarm. Last time on the ferry from the UK to holland it arrived so early they woke us up at 5am so we were grateful that they didn’t make announcements on the ship until around 9.30/10am. Armed with our breakfast vouchers we headed to the canteen area to try and figure out breakfast as we thought this was what we had paid for. Only to be told when we got there that the pre-paid breakfast buffet was in the a la carte restaurant- bonus! They had a really good spread- cerals, eggs, sausages, various pancakes, pastries, standard ham/ cheese spreads and various other things we didn’t know what they were. We filled our plates several times too many and made the most of having pre-paid for breakfast. Very full we went back to the room to pack up before heading back to the piano bar to read for a few hours- as the boat wasn’t due to arrive into port until 12pm. At 11ish we put on our bike gear and had a quick peak outside as we started to go past various islands getting closer to shore. We had to be out of our cabin by 11.30am so afterwards we grabbed all of our stuff and sat in the lounge until we docked. Then it was a quick shuffle down the stairs back to the cargo port.
Dave managed to figure out how to take the straps off the bike, as there wasn’t anyone about to help us this time. We packed up the bike and after several times of having to reverse to go into different lanes and then to around the other side of the boat we were off. As the boat had come from a schengen country there was no passport control this time, just a drive through customs where we stopped more as we weren't sure if we needed to. A quick flick of our passports and asking how long we were staying and we were in Sweden and now off to our next house/dog sit in Stockholm!
Thanks
Alex
Comments