Oscar Wilde ferry

MS Oscar Wilde ferry (formerly Tallink Star) is a Ro-Pax passenger vessel currently chartered by the Ireland-based company IRISH FERRIES. The ship has a maximum capacity of 2080 passengers and 450 cars, or alternatively 120 trucks, trailers, or buses. Built in 2007, the vessel currently operates on the Wales UK–Ireland route Holyhead-Dublin via Cherbourg, France (crossing time 2 hours 15 minutes). Previously, the ship served the Rosslare-Pembroke route (crossing time 4 hours).

OSCAR WILDE operates a weekend roundtrip service on the Dublin-Cherbourg route, departing Dublin on Fridays at 18:30 and arriving in Cherbourg on Saturdays at 14:30. The return crossing departs Cherbourg on Saturdays at 18:30, arriving in Dublin on Sundays at 12:30. The ship’s summer schedule (starting in June) includes alternating weekend crossings, with departures from Ireland on Fridays and Saturdays.

Between 2007 and 2023, Tallink Star was operated by the Estonia-based company TALLINK-SILJA LINE, deployed on the Estonia–Finland route Tallinn-Helsinki (crossing time 2 hours). The ship also operated on the Estonia–Germany route Paldiski-Sassnitz.

In May 2023, following a drydock refurbishment, Tallink Star was renamed Oscar Wilde and deployed on the Rosslare–Pembroke route. In April 2023, Irish Continental Group / Irish Ferries announced a long-term charter agreement with Tallink Grupp. The initial charter (starting May 5) is for 20 months, with options for two additional 2-year extensions. Irish Continental Group also holds an option to purchase the vessel.

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Oscar Wilde has a total of 134 cabins (69 inside and 65 outside), each accommodating up to four passengers, with a total of 520 berths. All staterooms are air-conditioned and fitted with en-suite bathrooms. Bed linens, towels, and toiletries are provided.

• (Deck 8) 2x Handicap Cabins (for disabled passengers) are in the A-Class Outside category (size 8 m2). Each cabin is fitted with two beds (one fixed lower bed and one lower bunk), WC, shower, TV, and wider doors for wheelchair access.
• (Deck 8) 3x Pet Cabins (for passengers traveling with pets) accommodate 2–4 persons and include WC, shower, TV, and linoleum flooring. Pet cabins are in the B-Class Inside category (size 8 m2).
• Each outside cabin features one round porthole window (non-opening).
• Room service can be ordered up to 4 days prior to departure.

All cabins are equipped with wall-mounted bunk beds, a mirrored vanity table (writing desk with chair), and en-suite bathrooms with angled sink, wall-mounted toilet, shower cubicle, and hairdryer. The vessel also offers reclining aircraft-type seats, available for pre-booking.

All passengers must vacate their staterooms 30 minutes prior to arrival at the homeport. Passenger check-in closes 1 hour before ferry departure.

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

Onboard facilities aboard Oscar Wilde include:

• A La Carte Restaurant, a sit-down dining venue with an open kitchen.
• (Deck 8) Shuttle Buffet (self-service restaurant) with seating for 450 guests, located forward. Soft drinks, tea, coffee, wine, and beer are included in the buffet price. Breakfast is served on morning departures only, while the Swedish buffet is available on daytime and evening sailings. The buffet features themed food stations including Grill, Cold Table (meats and seafood), Green Market (salads), hot dishes, and desserts.
• (Deck 9) Burger King Restaurant with approximately 300 seats, serving freshly prepared burgers.
• (Deck 9) Yo! Frozen Yogurt Cafe, offering breakfast items, refreshments, frozen yogurt varieties, Greek yogurt, coffee drinks, smoothies, cakes, macarons, and baked goods.
• (Deck 7) Pub Seaport, serving a selection of beverages and classic snacks.
• (Deck 8) Snack Time (cafeteria, patisserie, and coffee bar) with 320 seats, offering hot and cold drinks, light snacks, pastries, yogurts, smoothies, sweet crepes, and meals. Coffee is brewed from freshly ground beans. A separate takeaway counter is also available.
• (Deck 9) Tivoli / Children’s Playroom (adjacent to Burger King), an indoor play area with TV, ball pit, and craft tables. Children can meet the cartoon character Moomin and the SILJA LINE mascot Harri Hylje (Harry the Seal). A separate PlayStation Lounge offers video games and arcade machines.
• (Deck 7) Supermarket / Traveller Superstore, a duty-free shop offering gifts, souvenirs, alcohol, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, jewelry, watches, sunglasses, leather goods, confectionery, clothing, accessories, toys, electronics, gourmet products, teas, and spices. Payments are accepted in cash and by bank cards. The shop is open during sailings and closed while the vessel is docked.
• Perfume Shop with a total retail area of 1500 m2, featuring leading fragrance and cosmetic brands.
• Trend Shop, offering accessories and fashion items from brands such as Lacoste, Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Sekonda, Sno of Sweden, Swarovski, Rotary, Pilgrim, Anne Klein, Edblad, Ti Sento, and Dyrberg/Kern.
• (Deck 9) Conference Room / Group Area with seating for up to 32 guests.
• (Lobby Deck) Wi-Fi service, ATM/cash machine (next to the Information Desk), small lockers for valuables, and access to medical assistance via Reception.

Midship on the top deck (Heli Deck) is a helipad used for emergency operations.

The vessel’s duty-free shopping area is among the largest at sea, covering approximately 1580 m2 (17,000 ft2).

Emergency instructions are displayed in cabins, on TV screens, and at assembly (muster) stations. Life jackets are issued at muster stations. In emergencies, the use of elevators is prohibited.

Passengers may upgrade to Club Class for EUR 16–18 per person. Club Class benefits include reserved seating, priority car boarding, access to an exclusive lounge, complimentary drinks and snacks, onboard shopping discounts (up to 25%), and power outlets.

The ship is equipped with kennels for domestic pets. Valid health documentation is required. Dogs must be leashed and muzzled during embarkation and disembarkation. Passengers traveling with pets always disembark last.

• On Ireland–UK routes, pets are permitted for both car and foot passengers but are not allowed on passenger decks.
• Car passengers may leave pets in their vehicles or in onboard kennels (free of charge, pre-booking required). Foot passengers must transport pets in cages or carriers, in which the animals must remain throughout the crossing.
• Irish Ferries participates in the PETS (Pet Travel Scheme). On Ireland–France routes, pets must meet all PETS documentation requirements. Check-in is at least 2 hours prior to departure. Fees per animal range from EUR 45 to EUR 100 per voyage. On these routes, pets travel only in kennels, not in vehicles. Pre-booking is required due to limited capacity. Visiting pets during the voyage is permitted only at designated times and under crew supervision.

Guide dogs travel free of charge with valid documentation and are permitted access to all passenger decks and public areas.

Car decks

The Garage Deck is divided into separate areas for passenger vehicles and freight, with loading on two levels. Two entry and exit lanes allow simultaneous operations for faster loading and unloading.

The passenger car deck is accessible during the crossing and has direct access to the upper level of the Traveller Superstore, allowing purchases to be taken directly to vehicles.

Car deck safety procedures include:

• Passengers requiring assistance should report to the Information Desk (open 24 hours).
• Apply the handbrake, place the vehicle in park or first gear, switch off the ignition, alarms, lights, and electrical equipment. Gas cylinders must be turned off. Lock the vehicle.
• Remove valuables and essential hand luggage only.
• Note the vehicle’s parking location, deck number, and stairway.
• Access to vehicle and cargo decks during the voyage is prohibited.
• Smoking is prohibited on vehicle decks, in cabins, and in passenger lounges.
• Return to vehicles only after onboard announcements.

To reduce air pollution, engines must not be started until instructed.

The ship’s charterer, Irish Ferries (fleet, founded in 1992 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland), is a division of Irish Continental Group (ICG) and operates passenger and freight ferry services between Ireland, the UK, and continental Europe.