NorthLink Ferries Reviews 

So after turning up to the ferry last night to travel to Shetland, I was refused entry onto the vessel due to being removed from the boat on the 6th of November by the police for an alleged incident that I was not charged for. I had since travelled with them the following week with no issues and had not received any correspondence from northlink regarding my inability to use their sevice. I have a vehicle sales business in Shetland and until last night I had no knowledge of my ban, no letter, no email even though if been in contact with them last week to arrange travel that I had to cancel (due to weather). In the last year I have spent over £6000 using their services as it's the only connection to Shetland from Orkney that vehicle. This treatment is absolutely disgusting as how hard would it have been to inform me before I attended the terminal!

This company is an absolute joke and trading standards will be involved in resolving this issue

I booked the ferry to travel to Shetland for work. The booking system is straight forward and for 1 vehicle and passenger return with outbound cabin and return pod was £500. On the day of the crossing I received an email saying that if I was travelling for work to call the company. When I did I was informed that it was an additional £310 for a work vehicle. The call handler couldn’t give me an explanation of what the cost was for and I’ve had no response from emails. Of course as it’s on the day of departure you can’t make other arrangements so, they’ve got you by the short and curlies.
Interestingly my colleague travelled on the same route in an identical vehicle, was hit with the same scam but was charged £235.

We did Aberdeen to Lerwick on Monday this week.
What brilliant service from all the staff from check in to leaving the boat. All the staff were cheerful the food excellent.
Accommodation was great.
Well done Northlink

We've never taken a car ferry before, and were very impressed with the service. We changed our return twice during our stay on Orkney, and the staff did it instantly in a very friendly manner. The loading and unloading was seamless, the interior was way more comfortable than we expected and the food was good. We will definitely use them again when we return.

I am extremely disappointed at the standard of service offered both to local Island people who regard this ferry route as a lifeline service and for those passengers generally who are unable to get a reasonable night's sleep. Not only are the cabins unavailable during peak times they are FAR too expensive for the majority of islanders who need to get a reasonable night's sleep. The prices for a cabin are much higher than a nice comfortable hotel in Aberdeen like for example Jury's Inn and the Ibis. If you are not able to book a cabin you only have the option of a "reclining" seat or a "pod" which are extremely uncomfortable and do not allow you to stretch out horizontally thus allowing for a chance to sleep on the journey. The crew actively prevent you from lying on the floor by asking you to move at unearthly times during the 14 hour voyage. There are families I know of who are unable to have a holiday south during the school holidays because they can't book a family cabin and or get their car on the boat. Both the boat and the company are not fit for purpose and something needs to be done about it.

Northlink stops short of being excellent nevertheless they offer a good life line service with dedicated, committed and professional staff.

Firstly, may i commend Northlink and their staff for their professional, friendly, courteous and helpful approach to customers during our recent trips on Northlink Ferries. We were very glad to have also Friends and Family Discount without which the trip a break to see friends could be prohibitive.

I have to also add a positive that the restaurant food is high standard, generous and reasonably priced.

Although the trips were smooth, we found sleeping a challenge due to lights not being dimmed and noise around.

Although we looked at cabins, they were fully booked except the most expensive from Kirkwall to Lerwick. Locals on both Orkney and Shetland gave the very strong impression that the pods very much not worth the money. As a customer, i would like to feel refreshed especially returning back to work and having to be my best. This did not happen so we are disappointed with Northlink in this important aspect.

Northlink stops short of being excellent nevertheless they offer a good life line service with dedicated, committed and professional staff.

Firstly, may i commend Northlink and their staff for their professional, friendly, courteous and helpful approach to customers during our recent trips on Northlink Ferries. We were very glad to have also Friends and Family Discount without which the trip a break to see friends could be prohibitive.

I have to also add a positive that the restaurant food is high standard, generous and reasonably priced.

Although the trips were smooth, we found sleeping a challenge due to lights not being dimmed and noise around.

Although we looked at cabins, they were fully booked except the most expensive from Kirkwall to Lerwick. Locals on both Orkney and Shetland gave the very strong impression that the pods very much not worth the money. As a customer, i would like to feel refreshed especially returning back to work and having to be my best. This did not happen so we are disappointed with Northlink in this important aspect.

This review covers 2 crossings this year on 4th June Kirkwall to Lerwick and on 9th June Lerwick to Aberdeen. The ferry is a great way to visit Orkney and Shetland and is good for folk of any age and families however good preparation and consideration
for others and staff by travellers and better recognition of and provision for customers needs by Northlink Ferries would be appreciated.