Hamnavoe ferry

MV Hamnavoe is a Ro-Pax passenger ferry operated by the Scotland-based company Serco NORTHLINK FERRIES. The ship has a maximum capacity of 600 passengers and 95 cars (or 26 trucks/trailers). Launched in 2002, she currently serves the mainland Scotland–Orkney route Scrabster–Stromness, with a crossing time of 1.2 hours.

MV Hamnavoe is the only vessel serving the Scrabster–Stromness route and offers up to 6 crossings daily. Overnight sailings are available only in summer, when cabins can be booked in Stromness for early morning departures (6:30 am, arriving in Scrabster at 8 am). At both Scrabster and Stromness, new piers and walkways with lifts were built specifically for this ship to accommodate disabled passengers.

Cabins

As a cruiseferry, Hamnavoe has just 18 cabins (with 2 and 4 beds) plus 2 wheelchair-accessible cabins adapted for disabled passengers. All staterooms are located on Deck 5, air-conditioned, and equipped with en-suite bathrooms (toilet/shower/washbasin, hairdryer, shaving point), wall-mounted bunk beds (upper and lower, all with safety rails), bedside cabinet, small mirrored vanity (writing desk with stool), ceiling LED lighting, and tea/coffee-making facilities. Bed linens, towels, and toiletries are provided. The ship also offers reclining seats in the reserved lounge (aircraft-type seating, pre-bookable) and Sleeping Pods as a cheaper overnight option. Families with small children can request carrycots and baby cots free of charge.

Check-in opens 165 minutes before departure (Kirkwall), 120 minutes (Aberdeen, Lerwick), and 90 minutes (Stromness, Scrabster), closing 30 minutes prior to sailing. Staterooms must be vacated 30 minutes before arrival. Car drivers must check in at least 1 hour prior to departure.

B&B (Bed and Breakfast) deals start from GBP 40 per cabin (interior 2-bed, off-season). These packages are offered with Stromness departures at 6:30 am and 9 am, arriving in Scrabster at 8 am and 10:30 am. Passengers booking "Premium Bed and Breakfast" cabins receive complimentary Magnus Lounge access, while "Hamnavoe Bed and Breakfast" bookings include evening access before departure.

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

Facilities (mainly on Deck 6) include:

• Magnus Lounge – the ship’s cafeteria/snack bar, open year-round (6 am–8:30 pm), offering sandwiches, cakes, pastries, fruit salads, yogurts, ice cream, and drinks. Entry is at a surcharge per person (children 0-4 free). The fee includes complimentary tea, coffee, soft drinks, light snacks, and two vouchers for wine or beer. Newspapers, magazines, and charging points are also provided.
• The Feast – the main restaurant, serving breakfast (early crossings) and dinner (evening sailings). A children’s menu is available, with meals served in a ferry-shaped box. Children’s breakfasts are GBP 5 (all-inclusive) or GBP 3.50 (continental). Up to two children under 16 eat breakfast free with a paying adult.
• Midship Bar – bar lounge with live music performances.
• Video Games area – arcade machines and Xbox consoles.
• Viking’s Den – children’s playroom with TV (cartoons), bean bags, craft tables, toys, and games, plus complimentary supervised activities.
• Reserved Seating Lounge (Deck 6) – with Pullman seats, Sleeping Pods, and large TVs.
• Shopping (Deck 5) – boutiques and mini market offering duty-free alcohol, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, jewelry, fashion, footwear, watches, handbags, sunglasses, hygiene products, confectionery, toys, books, maps, knitwear, gifts, and souvenirs.
• ATM (Deck 5, Lobby) located next to Reception/Information Desk.
• Navigation Bridge (Deck 7, fore) – closed to passengers.
• Top-deck Heli Deck – emergency-use helipad.
• Other facilities – public restrooms (no showers), disabled toilets, baby changing rooms, outdoor decks, infirmary with 24-hour nurse service, and free WiFi in all areas.

Emergency instructions are displayed in cabins, on TV screens, and at assembly stations (muster stations). Life jackets are issued at muster stations. In emergencies, elevators are not to be used.

Pets on the ship

Pets and domestic animals are permitted on all NorthLink ferries. Dogs and cats must be housed in onboard kennels, while smaller animals (rabbits, birds, hamsters, etc.) must be kept in passenger-provided carriers.

• Animals are not allowed in cabins, lounges, or public rooms. Passenger access to kennels during the voyage is not permitted.
• Pets may remain in vehicles during the crossing but cannot be visited.
• Car passengers with kennels must escort their pets directly to kennels or designated outdoor areas after boarding.
• Foot passengers with kennels must report to Reception and will be escorted to the kennels.
• Passengers are responsible for delivering and collecting their animals from kennels.
• Guide dogs travel free of charge and are allowed in cabins. Assistance dogs are also permitted for disabled or mobility-impaired passengers.

Hamnavoe has 13 kennels (4 large, 9 small), located in a heated and ventilated room with a water supply. Each kennel has a rubber mat, and passengers are advised to bring blankets. Units must be booked in advance.

Car decks

Hamnavoe’s cargo capacity is 450 lane meters, accommodating 95 cars or 26 trucks/trailers, all on a single car deck (Deck 3). As freight, NorthLink Ferries can transport semi-trailers, lorries, cars, motorcycles (as freight only), caravans, camper vans, cargo containers, machinery, boats, industrial goods. Bicycles are transported free of charge on all routes.

Car passengers check in at the terminal and receive boarding cards and parking instructions. In Stromness, check-in is 9:30–11:30 pm. Vehicles are loaded by staff in the morning, and car keys can be collected at Reception afterward.

Car deck safety procedures:

• Passengers needing assistance should visit the 24-hour Information Desk.
• Apply handbrake, leave vehicle in park or 1st gear, switch off ignition, alarms, electrical systems, and lights. Gas cylinders must be off. Lock the vehicle.
• Take only valuables and essential hand baggage.
• Note vehicle location and stairway number before leaving the deck.
• Access to car decks during the voyage is prohibited.
• Smoking on car decks, in cabins, and lounges is forbidden.
• Wait for announcements before returning to vehicles.
• Do not start engines until instructed, to avoid pollution.

The shipowner, Serco NorthLink Ferries (founded in 2002, headquartered in Stromness, Orkney), is a Scottish passenger shipping company operating services between the Shetland Islands and mainland Scotland. The fleet currently includes the 2002-built Hamnavoe, Hjaltland, and Hrossey.