Live status
What happens in a storm
- Retimed sailings: ahead of bad weather departures are sometimes brought forward. Irish Ferries shows these as “Early Sailing”, so check the status on the day before you leave for the port.
- Cancellations: single sailings are cancelled in severe wind. In March 2026 Stena Line also diverted some services to Liverpool with a coach connection after a technical fault blocked berths at Holyhead.
- Port closure: after Storm Darragh damaged two terminals in December 2024, Holyhead port stayed closed until mid-January 2025. Passengers were moved to other routes free of charge.
Sources: Travel Weekly: Holyhead closure · TravelExtra: disruption March 2026
Your rights
| Normal case | Severe weather | |
|---|---|---|
| Refund or rerouting | Yes, if cancelled or delayed over 90 minutes | Yes |
| Meals and refreshments | Yes | Yes |
| Hotel | Up to €80 a night, max. 3 nights | No |
| Compensation for late arrival | 25–50 % of the fare | No |
EU passenger rights for sea travel. Sailings from Holyhead fall under the equivalent UK rules. Ask the ferry company first.
Sources: Your Europe: ship passenger rights
Tips for a rough crossing
- Sit in the middle of the ship and low down, where it moves least, and look at the horizon.
- Book a cabin or lounge on night sailings; lying down helps against seasickness.
- Plan a buffer: do not book a tight onward train or flight on stormy days.
Scheduled sailings today
Lowest fare our check found for each sailing (checked on Thu 15 Oct). Final price on the booking page. Local time – the same in Wales and Ireland.
Lowest fare our check found for each sailing (checked on Fri 16 Oct). Final price on the booking page. Local time – the same in Wales and Ireland.
Lowest fare our check found for each sailing (checked on Sat 17 Oct). Final price on the booking page. Local time – the same in Wales and Ireland.
Lowest fare our check found for each sailing (checked on Wed 14 Oct). Final price on the booking page. Local time – the same in Wales and Ireland.
Partner link: we may earn a commission, your price stays the same.
Questions about cancellations
Is my Holyhead–Dublin ferry cancelled today?
Check the live status pages of Stena Line and Irish Ferries (links below). Our table shows the scheduled sailings, not live status.
Do ferries sail in strong wind?
Usually yes; the ships on this route are large cruise ferries. In storms single sailings are cancelled, delayed or moved to an earlier time. Irish Ferries marks such sailings as “Early Sailing” on its status page.
What are my rights if the ferry is cancelled?
You can choose a refund within 7 days or rerouting to your destination at no extra cost, and you get meals or refreshments while waiting. A hotel (up to €80 a night for up to 3 nights) and compensation for late arrival are not owed when severe weather caused the cancellation or delay.
I missed check-in because of a delay on the road. What now?
Stena Line puts passengers who miss check-in on the next available sailing. Contact the ferry company as early as possible.
Are there other routes if Holyhead is closed?
Yes. When Holyhead port was closed after Storm Darragh in December 2024, Stena Line moved passengers to Fishguard–Rosslare, Fishguard–Dublin, Birkenhead–Dublin, Cairnryan–Belfast and Liverpool–Belfast, and Irish Ferries to Pembroke–Rosslare.