I couldn't spend time in Southampton without going aboard some Red Funnel ferries, which operate the sixty minute shuttle service to Cowes (east) on the Isle of Wight.
If you have read my website 'Welcome' page you will know I tend not to plan my trips; acting to ensure no bias, I just travel on as many ships as I can in the time I have available and write a blog on whatever ship comes along to assist YOU in finding the best ferry for YOUR needs.
There are presently three passenger ships and one freight ferry operating the shuttle service to Cowes from Southampton - acting as a relay across the Solent, as soon as one ship departs the berth another arrives, sometimes having been waiting patiently off the quayside.
You may get a friendly wave from one of the bridge officers!
You will also pass one of the sisters in the approach channel.
Fancy a quick trip to the island to check-out Red Funnel ferries?
Let's start at the beginning.
The terminal building in Southampton (T1), which is located at the landward end of the Town Quay, is closed for refurbishment so we need to utilise the ticket machine at the bottom of the foot passenger walkway to obtain our day return ticket - all very simple and we have our ticket printed in less than a minute.
To ensure no bias I tend not to pre-book, instead just getting aboard whatever ship comes along next. However, with no signage I wasn't sure what time the next ship departs.
With no staff visible and with the Red Falcon alongside the berth let's try our luck and walk up the open gated gangway towards the ship - I have no prior knowledge what time the ferry will depart so all is pretty much trial and error. Fortunately this ship is due to depart within the following fifteen minutes and we are actually the first to be aboard - hoorah!
There are three conventional car ferries operating the Red Funnel route between Southampton (T1) and Cowes (East).
Bit of background information for you.....
We will be travelling southbound on the Red Falcon and returning on the next ship which happens to be the Red Eagle - two very much identical ships to the travelling public (other than one has a green coloured funnel and one red) and I'm sure most won't realise there is some slightly differing colours on the fabric of the upholstery within some of the lounges - I'm sad like that and notice these things - therefore, I have combined the two ships into a single blog as essentially the two ships are the same..
(Red Falcon - green funnel)
(Red Eagle - red funnel)
Red Falcon and Red Eagle (along with running mate Red Osprey) have an unusual appearance owing to the fact the wheelhouse is amid ship and not at one end. The result being the ship saves valuable time not having to turn off the berth to face the direction of travel, though it also means you are not quite sure which end is forward!
Let's go to the Isle of Wight and back
Let's go aboard as a foot passenger, find somewhere for a coffee and have a leisurely look around. I will meet you at the top of the gangway in Southampton so we can go aboard together.
Southampton foot passenger walkway
So, we board the ship, enter a small hall and ascend a flight of stairs to our left - mind your head on the Red Eagle as there is low ceiling clearance if you are on the tall side.
Let's grab a coffee - the coffee shop/bar is at the other end of this deck.
So we can get our barings, these ships have a very simple design making navigation for the passengers easy. At either end of the deck there is a lounge (a bar located in one and an information desk/office in the other) and between the two there is a large café/shop.
'Steam' - the name of the beverage outlet, is located in the lounge 'closest to the Isle of Wight' (I wont say whether it is fore or aft as it depends in which direction the ship is sailing), but it is a popular facility with a good well stocked display cabinet at one end of the counter.
The main colour scheme of this counter is light brown with a light brown (or burnt orange depending on the ship) backdrop behind the counter.
(Red Falcon)
In 'normal' times drinks and snacks can be consumed within the adjacent lounge which boasts bar stools clustered around the corner windows next to the bar - the views of the passing vistas are second to none but if you are scared of heights avoid sitting here as the sea is a long way down, particularly if sitting on the stools!
Alternatively, you could occupy one of the many comfortable sofas, tub chairs, upholstered canteen chairs or lounge chairs which are available within this lounge.
The décor within this facility is low key with pastel tones of green, grey and beige with the occasional 'pop' of burgundy on some of the tub chairs. The green coloured faux leather lounge chairs reminds me of the old Ostend Dover ferries Prins Albert and Princesse Marie Christine from the 1970's, which I kind of like!
(Red Falcon)
(Red Eagle - note the differing colour scheme and the display cabinet at the other end of the counter compared to Red Falcon)
(Red Eagle)
(Red Eagle)
(Prins Albert lounge chairs - old Ostend/Dover ship)
(Red Eagle - note the bar stools next to the windows; the sea is a long way down!)
(Red Eagle)
(Red Eagle)
Let's continue exploring.
A surprise feature is a huge Sainsbury shopping outlet which literally dominates the amid ship section of the ship, though on the internal deck plans it is advertised as 'Refuel'.
Sainsbury is an open plan 'walk through' facility if you want to walk fore/aft through the ship; the high density shelving units creating what is essentially a corridor through the shop.
(Red Falcon)
(Red Falcon)
(Red Eagle)
(Red Eagle)
(Red Eagle)
If however you wish to walk around the shop the incredibly narrow aisles can cause an issue during capacity crossings of the Solent; the highly well stocked shelves creating an 'Aladdin's Cave' of goodies.
An excellent selection of snacks, beverages and souvenirs are available for purchase within Sainsbury and if you would like something more substantial
along one side of this facility is a hot food counter where, among other items, pasties can be purchased.
At just under £7 for a pasty and hot drink it wasn't cheap however, I have never tasted a pasty so good! Sampling the chicken, bacon and leek, it was absolutely gorgeous! Piping hot and incredibly tasty!
As in Steam Coffee Shop nothing can be consumed within the ship. As such you must take any drinks and snacks out onto the exterior deck to consume owing to Covid-19 restrictions - this is advised when you purchase items and over the ships' public address system prior to departure.
Let's continue walking through Sainsbury and past the information desk/ship's office/foot passenger embarkation stairs. Note, the internal deck plans show the information desk and office as a 'Steam Coffee Outlet'.
(Red Falcon)
A large lounge with a very similar layout to Steam at the other end of the deck can be found adjacent to the office, with the exception of having no bar stools. On one side of the lounge is a mothballed outlet which looking at the internal deck plans aboard showed it being an information desk/shop?
(Red Falcon)
(Red Falcon)
(Red Eagle)
(Red Eagle)
How are you finding the crossing so far?
Plenty of seating throughout, a bar and extensive shop. Not bad for a short journey of around an hour.
Let's go up stairs and see what is up there.
At one end is another Steam Coffee shop (let's call this the 'Southampton end', but I won't say whether this is fore or aft as again it depends on which direction the ship is travelling) with a very similar décor to that found downstairs. The only exception is that this is a dog friendly facility meaning if travelling with your pet, they are more than welcome to come in here rather than remaining alone in the car.
The whole facility has hard flooring enabling quick, easy and efficient cleaning during 'turn around' times in port between crossings and having a catering facility located here too means persons within do not have too leave their dog unattended to obtain refreshments..
(Red Falcon)
(Red Falcon)
(Red Falcon)
(Red Eagle - note the bench sofa is a different colour to that aboard Red Falcon)
Pretty much every ferry has a gem - a facility which you would not expect aboard your ship, or one which has the 'wow' factor. Red Falcon and Red Eagle have such a facility.
(Red Falcon)
(Red Falcon)
The Signature Lounge has dark wooden fixtures and fittings with localised carpeting beneath highly upholstered and comfortable sofas with dark brown leather or light grey fabric coverings. Individual soft lighting, planters, nautical globes and artefacts on shelving units create a nautical flavour within.
Signature Lounge has wrap around tinted windows on three sides allowing privacy for those within as the main public exterior deck is on the other side. I have been informed by a crew person the cost of entry is around £10 per person however, owing to the fact no drinks or snacks are available due to Covid-19, the cost has been reduced to £5 per person.
(Red Falcon)
(Red Falcon)
(Red Falcon)
Exterior deck space is plentiful with wooden benches available and a dedicated smoking area to one side.
(Red Falcon)
(Red Falcon)
(Red Falcon)
(Red Falcon)
(Red Falcon)
(Red Falcon)
(Red Falcon)
(Red Eagle)
(Red Eagle)
(Red Eagle)
(Red Eagle)
Both Red Eagle and Red Falcon offer comfortable surroundings for the relatively short sixty minute domestic crossing from Southampton to the Isle of Wight. And, I have got to say I absolutely adore these windows which can be found throughout both vessels.
(Red Eagle)
The terminal in Cowes (East) is very welcoming
Out side of the terminal adjacent to the vehicle ramp there is a very informative historical overview board, which is well worth a read........
........along with others throughout the town.
When it comes to embarkation in Cowes (West) we are required to wait at the bottom of the gangway within the terminal until the gate is opened and we can proceed up to the ship.
There are two gates; one side of the gangway for disembarking foot passengers and one side for embarking passengers.
If the embarkation gate is not opened by a member of the ships' crew and time is getting close to departure, ask someone within the terminal to open the gate. Alternatively, proceed up to the vessel via the 'down' side, as I have been advised sometimes the ships' crew only open the one and during these times of Covid-19, there are not usually any employees within the terminal.
You will note from the picture below there is no difference what side of the gangway you walk up as the 'divide' between embarking and disembarking 'disappears' half way up.
If you are in Southampton and fancy a good value for money day return to the Isle of Wight for a completely different change of scenery, I would recommend this leisurely crossing.