How are any Fuel Surcharges applied?
How do I get the cheapest fares?
Will clearing my cookies help me find a cheaper deal?
How do I book a Special Offer online?
How do I check timetables?
Can I travel with my pets?
What is the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's policy for groups travelling with children?
What age can a child travel unaccompanied?
Can I send a car on your vessels unaccompanied?
Can I charge my electric vehicle on board?
Are there charges for payment by debit/credit cards?
What is the latest check-in time for a sailing?
I have not received my ticket. Can I travel with just a booking reference?
Do I have to upgrade when making the booking or can it be added at a later stage?
How do I get a refund if I need to cancel a booking and will there be a charge?
Can I change my dates once I have booked for any reason?
I (or someone in my group) have restricted mobility. Do I need to make special arrangements?
How long are the crossings?
What if I travel as a foot passenger, but come back with a vehicle?
What if I take a trailer or caravan in one direction only?
Can I stay with my vehicle during passage?
Can I bring additional fuel within my vehicle?
Can I charge my Electric Vehicle (‘EVs’) on board during the crossing?
My EV is damaged and needs to travel to the UK or Ireland for service
Does the Company carry scrap EVs?
Why does the Company need to identify EVs within the booking system?
Will I be charged for luggage?
What luggage restrictions should I expect?
Can I take my bicycle with me?
Do I need a passport to travel?
Why do I need to give a mobile phone number and/ or email address?
Do I save more when I book online?
Why do I need a password, how do I change it and what happens if I have forgotten it?
I have lost an item of property after travelling with IOMSPCO, how do I claim this back?
Can I sail if I have a medical condition?
Why do I have to give names of everyone travelling on my booking?
All advertised prices or quotes include any fuel surcharges or rebates currently applicable at the time and no further fuel increases or rebates will be applied after a ticket has been purchased.The level of surcharges or rebates incorporated in fares is reviewed and varied every three months and any changes only apply to new bookings. The level of surcharges or rebates applied accurately reflects changes in fuel costs incurred and forward fuel prices and is audited by Isle of Man Government.
Special Offers are sold on a ‘first come , first served’ basis and prices will vary over time according to bookings and variations in the level of demand. The Reservation system will automatically show you the cheapest fare available at any given time.
In general booking early gives the best choice of special offer fares and it can be cheaper to travel midweek or outside of special events or holiday periods. Short break special offers are usually cheaper than ‘any length of stay’ offers.
There is no need to clear your cookies. The Reservation system will automatically show you the cheapest fare available at any given time.
To check on the expected departure and arrival times for today’s sailings, please visit our Latest Sailings page. To take a look at our full sailing timetables, please visit our Timetables page.
Our online booking system is set up to quote the cheapest fare available at the time of booking. If you are not being quoted a Special Offer fare then it means that the allocation of Special Offer fares has already sold out on your requested sailings.
Pets may travel in your vehicle on either our conventional vessel Ben-my-Chree or high speed craft craft Manannan, free of charge.
Dogs and cats may travel with passengers who wish to use the pet facilities available on board our conventional vessel the Ben-my-Chree and a charge of £15 per pet per journey will apply. We advise passengers that cats should be carried in an appropriate carrier and all other types of domestic pet will only be permitted at the discretion of the Company and will be charged accordingly. Further details can be found here.
Pet kennels are available on both vessels for a small charge of £10. Pet kennels can only be booked directly through our Reservations Team or by visiting any of our ports.
Only specially trained assistance dogs are permitted in all passenger areas on board our vessels and travel free of charge.
Please note: A pet is classed as a domestic animal such as a cat or dog. Animals raised in an agricultural environment will be classed as livestock and would need to be booked with our reservations team.
Pets Travelling to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (and other EU countries)
It is your obligation to ensure that you aware of all conditions for pet travel to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. You can no longer use a pet passport issued in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) for travel to an EU country or Northern Ireland. You can still use a pet passport issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland.
When travelling to an EU country or Northern Ireland, your pet needs:
- A Microchip
- A valid Rabies Vaccination
- An animal health certificate (unless you have a pet passport issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland)
- Tapeworm treatment for dogs if you’re travelling directly to the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland
These requirements also apply to assistance dogs.
It is your responsibility to ensure that all of the entry conditions are met. It is important that you check the EU regulations to the Pet Travel Scheme by visiting www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad
A Pet Passport is not required when travelling to/from England to Isle of Man.
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company defines a group as more than 8 people travelling together on one ticket. Groups of eight or more must be booked via the Reservations Team either via email or telephone. Groups including children (0-15 years) must adhere to the following ratios of adults to children: Up to 10 Children, 2 Adults. Above 10 children one additional adult for every five children. Maximum group size for one booking: 50 children, 10 adults.
Children under the age of 16 years old must be accompanied by an Adult (over 18 years old). 16 or 17 year olds may travel unaccompanied, but may be required to provide proof of age.
Unfortunately electric vehicles may not be charged on board Isle of Man Steam Packet Company vessels, however there are a number of electrical charging points available to the public throughout the Isle of Man, for details on their locations and those found near our ports in the UK & Ireland, please visit Plugshare’s website.
Permission must be given by the port and would be on a stand-by basis. Contact our Reservations Team on 01624 661661 for details.
There is no payment transaction fee for payment by Debit or Credit Card.
Foot Passengers: Please check in a minimum of 25 minutes prior to departure. Vehicle Passengers: Please check in a minimum of 45 minutes prior to departure. Minimum check in times may vary and passengers should ask at the time of booking.
Please note that services may depart up to 15 minutes before scheduled departure.
Please note that longer check-in times are required over the TT and Manx Grand Prix period. Please confirm at your time of booking.
Yes, just hand your booking reference in at the port in exchange for a ticket or at the check-in desk in exchange for your boarding card.
You can upgrade at any time before you travel or on-board subject to availability.
All Special Offers: Unused portions of Special Offers are non-refundable and non-transferable. Day Trip Fares: Unused portions of Day Trip Fares are non-refundable and non-transferable. Save as provided in Regulation 1177 of 2010, all Refunds are made at the Company's sole discretion.
To apply for a refund of a Standard Fare booking, please contact our Reservations Team on 661661 (IOM), 08722 992 992* (UK) or 0044 8722 992 992* (ROI & Outside UK) within 6 months of the outward travel date. Cancellation charges will apply.
Alterations to Standard Fare bookings or journeys may be made subject to availability. Changes to a higher tariff or any amendment fees incurred must be paid for at the time of alteration.
Alterations to Special Offer Fare bookings are subject to an online amendment fee of £5/ €6 per person (must be registered online), or offline amendment fee of £10/ €12 per person. You must also pay any increase in the fare applicable. No refunds or credits will be given.
Ben-my-Chree: There is lift access to the passenger accommodation deck from the car deck for passengers boarding in a vehicle. For passengers boarding without a vehicle, there is a gangway to access the craft. If you require assistance, please advise us prior to travel of your requirements, either online (page 3 of the booking process entitled "passenger details" under the section "assistance") or via our Reservations Team on +44 (0) 1624 661661.
Manannan: The fast craft Manannan has access to passenger lounges via a ramp forward and a lift at the stern door to the main passenger area. The main lounge has two tables designated for wheel chair users. There is a second lift to the reserved seating lounges from the main passenger deck.
Please note that lift access is unavailable whilst our vessels are at sea.
Please inform us if you require assistance at the time of booking.
For further information please email [email protected] or contact our Reservations Team on 661661 (IOM), 08722 992 992* (UK) or 0044 8722 992 992* (ROI & Outside UK).
Please review our Special Assistance page for further information.
Isle of Man to/from Heysham - 3 hours 45 minutes (Ben-my-Chree)
Isle of Man to/from Liverpool - 2 hrs 45 mins (Manannan)
Isle of Man to/from Belfast - 2 hours 45 minutes (Manannan), 4 hours 45 minutes ( Ben-my-Chree)
Isle of Man to/from Dublin - 2 hours 55 minutes (Manannan)
All crossing times are approximate and depend on weather and tidal conditions.
Yes this is possible, although it is necessary to book this as two separate reservations, one way as a foot passenger and one way for a car and driver. Please email [email protected] or contact our Reservations Team on 661661 (IOM), 08722 992 992* (UK) or 0044 8722 992 992* (ROI & Outside UK).
To obtain the online discount, we would advise you to make a booking for a car/high car on our website and then call us with the booking reference number and we will add the trailer or caravan on to the booking for you, subject to availability. Please email [email protected] or contact our Reservations Team on 661661 (IOM), 08722 992 992* (UK) or 0044 8722 992 992* (ROI & Outside UK).
No, passengers are not permitted to remain with their vehicle on the vehicle decks during passage. Passengers must vacate vehicles prior to departure and only return to their vehicles when informed that the vehicle decks have reopened by a member of the ship's crew.
The carriage of fuel containers and empty fuel containers is restricted under international safety legislation. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency permit a maximum of only one 5 litre UN Approved container of fuel per vehicle. Passengers wishing to carry a larger volume of fuel or larger empty containers must declare these to us at least 24 hours in advance at [email protected] or on 01624 661661 and may be required to travel on a designated Dangerous Goods sailing.
The Company does not permit any charging of Electric Vehicles on any of its vessels. This includes electric bicycles and scooters.
You are responsible for ensuring your vehicle is in a fit state to travel. The Company can refuse loading of any vehicle for safety reasons. Vehicles with obvious defects found at check-in or loading can be refused loading. Damaged EVs must have all batteries disconnected before travel, with a certificate from a competent individual to confirm the vehicle is safe to travel.
You are responsible for ensuring your vehicle is in a fit state to travel. The Company can refuse loading of any vehicle for safety reasons. Vehicles with obvious defects found at check-in or loading can be refused loading. Damaged EVs must have all batteries disconnected before travel, with a certificate from a competent individual to confirm the vehicle is safe to travel.
The Company collects and analyses a range of information about trends, preferences and behaviours in order to provide a better service for its customers.
There are no additional fees for checked-in or hand luggage.
Aside from general restrictions highlighted in section 14 of our Terms and Conditions, there is no current restriction on contents of hand luggage.
Passengers are permitted to bring one item of hand luggage on board, we advise no bigger than a large handbag or small rucksack. Passengers must be able to comfortably carry their own hand luggage on board without assistance and must be able to stow luggage on their lap or under their seat at the request of on board customer service staff.
The Company reserves the right to insist on hand luggage being checked in at its discretion. Checked in luggage must weigh under 23kg. The Company strictly reserves the right not to carry luggage heavier than 23kg due to Health and Safety guidelines.
Bicycles can be carried on all of our sailings for a small fee. Space is limited, therefore please include your bicycle, tandem, tricycle or recumbent when making your booking via the 'extras' page during the booking process. Passengers are advised to dismount and push their bicycles when embarking or disembarking from the vessel.
Passengers do not need a passport to travel to the Isle of Man but are advised to take a form of identity. A driving licence, citizenship card or utility bill will usually suffice.
If you supply us with your mobile telephone number or an E-mail address, we can keep you informed of any alterations to your sailing, whether caused by adverse weather conditions or operational factors. We will also use your email address to send your booking confirmation to you.
Please note that we DO NOT use your mobile number for marketing purposes.
Special Offers: When you book online you receive a discount of £7.50 per foot passenger, £7.50 per motorcycle and £15 per 4-wheeled vehicle.
Standard Fares: You will receive a 2% discount when booking online.
Vans and other commercial vehicle types cannot be booked online and therefore do not qualify for the online discount.
You can make a booking without the need for registering an account with us during the booking process. However if you register with us and set your own password we will be able to provide a more efficient booking process during your next booking which will not require repetition of your data entry.
To change your password please click on 'My Account' and log in with your existing password, you will then be given the option to change your password.
If you have forgotten your password, click the 'Forgot Password?' link when you are asked to login and follow the instructions. We will then send you the correct password to your previously nominated email address.
If you have lost an item of property please contact us by email [email protected] or you can telephone 01624 661661 or 08722 992992
Travel by sea in adverse weather conditions can be stressful and unpleasant. Passengers with known or suspected health problems, complicated pregnancies and passengers undergoing medical treatment are advised to seek medical advice before making a reservation and before travelling.
The European Passenger Registration Directive means that ferry companies cannot set sail until they have details of all passengers travelling on their vessels. We need the name and gender for all passengers travelling on each leg of the journey.
*Calls to this number are charged at 11 pence per minute, plus your telephone company’s access charge.
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