Now we are home after a fantastic week in Poland. We travelled home with the Polish ferry from Gdansk to Nynäshamn. It's a very convenient route because you don't have to drive through the whole of southern Sweden. But while the ferry has its advantages, it also has its disadvantages ...
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SharePoland ferry is smooth but boring
Taking the ferry between Stockholm (Nynäshamn) and Poland (Gdansk) is incredibly convenient. From Stockholm there is hardly any driving at all. The ferry leaves at 18:00 in the evening and arrives at 13:00 the next day. It will be just right with a dinner in the restaurant in the evening, and then you kill many hours by sleeping in the cabin. What is negative is that the ferry is so ... boring.
These are the old Gotland ferries that Polferries bought up, and they haven't spent much money (if any?) on keeping it fresh. Most things are worn out and the beds are rock hard.
After eating at the restaurant (which is ok, but not exciting) there is nothing to do except sit at the bar or look through the duty-free shop (which doesn't take many minutes). In other words, you need to pack a good book, tasks that can be done on a computer in offline mode or really entertaining company.
Stormy sea
The fact that no one has invested more in the ferry is perhaps due to the fact that it is mostly used by Polish lorry drivers. This is also reflected in the most popular restaurants. There is a real restaurant where you are served at the table, but it is often quite empty. The grill kiosk on the deck, on the other hand, is popular!
On the way home, this time it was stormy at sea, so it rocked quite well ... If you do not like it, you can either drive down through Sweden or take the plane. One option is to fly to Gdansk from Skavsta, but if you have your car or campervan with you, the Poland ferry is still convenient!
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Ditte says:
I totally agree. I no longer use these ferries. Do not feel so seaworthy if you compare ... But they have certainly passed their tests, otherwise they are probably not allowed to operate in Swedish waters.
But I can imagine driving a car to Skåne to get to Poland. I have all the time in the world...
Otherwise, flights seem smooth.
It has been a lot of fun to follow you on your trip to Poland and it has given me a taste for more. Absolutely!
29 September 2014 - 11:16
BP says:
Exactly. That ferry is a transport vessel for lorries and craftsmen working in Sweden. Polferries doesn't seem to be interested in refreshing the ships and making "cruise ships" out of them. Unfortunately.
If you make an excursion "at the bottom" where there are no cabins but dormitories for the drivers, you'll vomit - the smell of urine already meets you on the stairs, so to speak....
You may also have noticed that their website is incredibly difficult to navigate for anyone who doesn't speak Polish - probably on purpose.
But it's still smooth and the staff are very helpful, including upgrading the cabin...
29 September 2014 - 11:29
admin says:
Ditte, with your experience I can understand that you are not keen on the ferries anymore... Hopefully they fulfil all the rules and requirements. They are Swedish ferries from the beginning, but of course maintenance is required! We have travelled from Ystad too, but then you end up at the other end of Poland. If I didn't have the campervan with me, I would fly from Skavsta.
BP, they may not have the budget to freshen them up, but it's a shame... They could attract completely different travellers to a much greater extent! The website is a bit tricky, but I have noticed that it is very easy to book by phone. Then you get help and they always speak Swedish.
29 September 2014 - 12:54
Marina says:
Apart from the ferry journey, it looks like you had a great holiday!
29 September 2014 - 19:12
Matts Torebring says:
We have travelled Karlskrona - Gdansk in hard weather. We vomited for six hours in the rough sea. A whole week after that trip, I was so hoarse that I couldn't speak. Not a fun trip either.
29 September 2014 - 19:20
admin says:
Marina, yes the ferry is boring, but otherwise we had a great time in Poland!
Matts, oh dear, doesn't sound fun! That part is the most open water, and that's where it can be the stormiest.
30 September 2014 - 6:54
Marie says:
Hehe, yes I have travelled on these ferries three times & got food poisoning on at least two of the crossings. The last time we tried the á la carte restaurant, but with the same outcome unfortunately. It was slightly impractical as we had a few days to buy all the materials & furnishings for a kitchen & two bathrooms.
30 September 2014 - 8:57
Anonymous says:
You will travel from Ystad to Swinoujscie with the UnityLine shipping company and their boat Polonia.
So much better!
Or with the TT-Line from Trelleborg to Swinoujscie - I haven't tried it but it's apparently good.
Then there's another one that is apparently good-Stena Line from Karlskrona to Gdynia.
Polferries is the old shipping company that was the only one that existed before - you should have seen the boats in 1980!!!
22 August 2016 - 23:01