Stepping aboard Victoria of Wight, the flagship of Wightlink Ferries, certainly delivered the 'wow' factor!
Having travelled aboard current fleet mates St Faith and St Clare, two very nice ships in their own right, I wasn't sure how Wightlink could top the contemporary look of the later and the homely atmosphere of the former however, they certainly did - in spades!
Now, if you have read my previous blogs you will know I do not talk about engine horse power, capacity or anything remotely technical - a simple Google search will highlight many websites with this information. I focus on the areas passengers see such as the restaurants, bars, lounges, etc.
However, I am aware Victoria of Wight does have some very impressive characteristics!
Would you like to come aboard with me for a look around?
Let's start off on her lower vehicle deck and work our way up to the exterior decks.
As with her current fleet mates, foot passenger boarding in Fishbourne, Isle of Wight, is via her lower vehicle deck. Even this had the 'wow' factor owing to its size which looks considerably bigger than her fleet mates.
Ascending her forward stairs you will notice how bright the stairwell is; decorated with glass balustrades and wipe clean stainless steel hand rails.
We emerge amid ship forward on Deck 4 on the first of two large accommodation decks..
We are welcomed by a large fully carpeted seating area for the Wight Taste café which we will look at shortly - recessed florescent pink ceiling lights and large glass windows catches the eye. What an entrance!
Unusually the stairwells (which gives access to the upper level, Deck 5) are located adjacent to the windows which allows more floor space for tables and chairs however, to ensure natural light still floods into the saloon, glass balustrades have been used - very clever designing.
Walking forward a wall of glass curves around allowing virtually unobstructed views of the passing vistas; individual high backed chairs with their own separate foot stools face the windows on the port side whilst overlooking the bow are rows of four seated chairs which appear to be terraced so those near the back of the lounge still have views of the sea.
On the starboard side of the same area are comfortable sofas - ideal for groups travelling together or families.
Within the central core which houses the crew only area for the amenities, the Wight Taste counter service café is to port and offers a wall of well stocked display cabinets filled with sandwiches, rolls and bottles of cold beverages.
The seating for this area is around the stairs we have just walked up from the vehicle deck and along the port side windows opposite the counter where a full length bench style table lines the glazing - an ideal place to work owing to the amount of power sockets and I must admit, I caught up with work too (a working holiday for me!) - the WIFI aboard Victoria of Wight is very good.
Occupying the starboard side is another lounge with highly upholstered sofas and single chairs on localised marine blue patterned carpeting with hard flooring in the aisle giving access to the rest of the deck.
Walking aft along the hard flooring past the café (and aforementioned lounge) are further open plan lounges with highly comfortable sofas on welcoming carpeting beneath pink florescent recessed ceiling lights.
The stern of Deck 4 is designated as a pet friendly area where passengers can welcome aboard their pet dog so they do not have to remain within their vehicle. Hard flooring allows for efficient cleaning.
Foot passenger disembarkation (and embarkation) in Wightlink's Gunwharf terminal is via a flight of stairs within this area, which also is used for vehicle drivers and their passengers.
Access to the stern exterior deck with brushed metal tables and chairs can be obtained from here via electric glass doors, but I will come onto this in more depth later..
What a cracking ship, eh?!
Let's go up to Deck 5 using the stairs on the starboard side of the pet friendly zone.
We arrive at an open plan lounge with lime green and teal coloured tub chairs on royal blue patterned carpeting. Pine coloured hard flooring runs though this lounge to the rest of the facilities on this deck. Flat screen TV monitors are located throughout, both wall mounted and from the ceiling.
The port side of the same area offers the same style seating, though covered in differing fabric colours. In the picture below you can see the stairs which give access back down to the pet friendly zone.
Walking forward along the starboard side past the (closed) coffee bar we pass further lounges with sofas, individual chairs and adjacent to the funnel casing, high stools to allow those sitting here views of the sea over the heads of those seated below.
On the port side there is a family lounge with children's playroom with access to Deck 4 below by the Wight Taste Café.
The forward end of Deck 5, similar to the area down stairs, also offers rows of four seated chairs allowing views of the bow, the exception is the the terraced area which offers chairs facing each other with no barrier - a single raised platform.
Note the use of a florescent strip light marking the edge of the step to avoid falls. Very good!
The crossing between the Isle of Wight and the mainland is very scenic, hence the amount of large windows within the passenger decks.
Let's go outside and see how much exterior deck space is permitted for passenger use.
The access points are at the stern of Decks 4 and 5 - we need to touch a wall mounted illuminated pad for the doors to open.
The upper most deck offers bench seating on attractive decked effect flooring.
The lower decks offer fixed metal tables and chairs - there is even a telescope!
And there we have it. Victoria of Wight, the flagship of Wightlink.
She is a magnificent ship and I was genuinely sad to be disembarking. She is comfortable and modern and a real pleasure to travel on.
