Advice sought - kayaks on ferries

[bobfromalaska]

Hello all

Mick and I are hoping to go to Cornwall for a multi-sport/indpependent touring holiday this year and want to bring all our \"toys\" - including the two sea kayaks. We live in Kerry and plan to go by ferry either Rosslare - Pembroke (Irish Ferries) or Rosslare Fishguard (Stena Line) - UNLESS someone has a contact on the Cork-Swansea freight ferry who could allow us to travel on that?!?!

Anyway, I was just wondering whether any of you had any advice on the following:
1) Is one company more sea-kayak-friendly than the other - Stena or Irish ferries?
2) What\'s the best way to book a car with sea kayaks on? - Given how long we are with the 2 boats on the roof, it looks like I\'d either have to call our estate car with boats a \"camper/dormer/minibus up to 2.4m high\" or a \"van up to 2.4m high, up to 5.6m long\" (more expensive). OR, we say nothing, on the basis that another car\'s bonnet would fit behind our own car, under the kayaks...Any advice/suggestions?
3) We are ICU members through ISKA - does anyone know whether Stena or Irish ferries give discounts to ICU members (apparently they used to un the past,,,).
4) Does anyone know of a way a pair of kayakers in their own car can travel on the freight-only Cork-Swansea ferry? Maybe this is a stupid idea, but Cork is a lot nearer home than Rosslare, so I thought I\'d ask...?

I do plan to contact the ferry companies (re: kayaks on the roof-rack) and the ICU (re: possible ferry discounts) but thought that I would consult fellow sea kayakers first.

All advice greatfully received.

Many thanks.

Gerri

[DesKeaney]

Hi Gerri,
Re 1: no difference in my experience
Re 2: say nothing. I\'ve never had a problem.

[Conal]

Gerri,
Some freight ferries will take tourist traffic on a standby basis to fill unoccupied space on board, so it is worth enquiring about that possibility. Needless to say there is always the danger of the ship being full and you being left behind in Cork.
Conal

[bobfromalaska]

Thanks for that advice, Des and Conal. Much appreciated.