Oscar Wilde ferry

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

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

In the period 2007-2023, Tallink Star was operated by the Estonia-based company TALLINK-SILJA LINE being deployed on the Estonia-Finland ferry route Tallinn-Helsinki (crossing time 2 hours). The ship has also operated the Estonia-Rugen Germany route Paldiski-Sassnitz.

In May 2023, following a drydock refurbishment, Tallink Star was renamed "Oscar Wilde" and deployed on the route Rosslare-Pembroke. In April 2023, Irish Continental Group/Irish Ferries announced a long-term charter deal with Tallink Grupp. The initial charter agreement (starting on May 5th) is for 20 months and can be extended for two 2-year periods. Irish Continental also has the option to purchase the vessel.

Cabins

As cruise ferry, Oscar Wilde has a total of 134 cabins (69 inside and 65 outside, max capacity 4 passengers) with a total of 520 berths. All staterooms are air-conditioned and with en-suite bathrooms. The ferry company provides bed linens, towels, and toiletries.

• (Deck 8) 2x Handicap Cabins (for disabled passengers) are in category A-Class Outside (size 8 m2), each fitted with 2 beds (1 lower fixed, 1 lower bunk), WC, shower, TV, wider doors (for wheelchair access).
• (Deck 8) 3x Pet Cabins (for passengers with pets) have capacity 2-4 persons, WC, shower, TV, linoleum flooring. Pet cabins are available in category B-Class Inside (size 8 m2).
• Each of the outside cabins has 1 round-shaped porthole window (non-opening).
• Room service can be ordered 4 days prior departure.

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

All passengers must vacate their staterooms 30 min prior to homeport arrival. Passenger registration ends 1 hour before ferry departure.

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

As facilities, the Oscar Wilde cruise ship offers:

• A La Carte Restaurant is a sit-down eatery with an open kitchen.
• (Deck 8) Shuttle Buffet (Self-Service Restaurant) has a capacity of 450 seats and is located in the ship's forward section. Here are offered soft drinks, tea, coffee, wine, and beer, which are all included in the buffet meals price. Breakfast is offered only on morning departures. Swedish buffet is available on all day and evening departures. The buffet restaurant has several theme-food stations, including Grill, Cold Table (meats, seafood), Green Market (Salads), Warm Dishes, Desserts.
• (Deck 9) Burger King Restaurant with ~300 seats offers fresh-baked burgers.
• (Deck 9) Yo! Frozen Yogurt Cafe offers breakfast, refreshments, and desserts. Passengers can choose from various kinds of frozen yogurt, Greek Yogurt, coffee drinks, and smoothies, along with cakes, macaroons, and baked goods.
• (Deck 7) Pub Seaport offers various drinks and classic snacks.
• (Deck 8) Snack Time (Cafeteria / Patisserie / Coffee Bar) offers 320 seats, cold and warm beverages, light snacks (including fresh-baked pastries, yogurts, fruit smoothies, sweet crepes) and meals (made-to-order food and ready-made options). Coffee drinks are fresh-brewed (from freshly ground beans). The Cafe also has a separate takeaway desk.
• (Deck 9) Tivoli / Children's Playroom (adjacent to Burger King Restaurant) is the ship's indoor playground area fitted with TV (for watching cartoons), Ball Pit Pool, craft tables. On each cruise, kids here meet the cartoon character Moomin and the SILJA LINE mascot Harri Hylje (Harry the Seal). Also here is the PlayStation Lounge (separate room for video games and arcade machines).
• (Deck 7) Supermarket / Traveller Superstore is a duty-free shop. Here at tax-free prices are sold special occasion gifts and souvenirs, alcohol (brand spirits, wines), tobaccos, luxury-brand perfumes and cosmetics, jewelry, watches, sunglasses, leather goods, confectionery, fashion clothing and accessories, toys, electronics and gadgets, gourmet sweets, Deli handmade teas, and spices. Special offers (shopping promotions) are offered on each ferry crossing. Payments can be made in cash or via bank cards (VISA, MasterCard, EuroCard). The shop opens in the morning (before departure) and closes in the evening (after the last arrival). The shop is also closed while the ship is docked in ports.
• Perfume Shop offers perfumes and cosmetics in a total space of 1500 m2. Here passengers will find the newest products from popular brands.
• Trend Shop offers the most recent trends, classic and fashionable accessories from world-famous brands. The store stocks a variety of bags, jewelry, watches and sunglasses from brands like Lacoste, Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Sekonda, Sno of Sweden, Swarowski, Rotary, Pilgrim, Anne Klein, Edblad, Ti Sento, Dyrberg/Kern
• Conference Room / Group Area (deck 9) has capacity 32 seats.
• (Lobby Deck) Wi-Fi service, ATM / cash machine (next to Information Desk / Reception). A nurse can be also reached via the Reception. Small lockers are available for valuables.

Midship on the top deck (Heli Deck) there is a helipad - helicopter landing area used in cases of emergency.

The cruise ship's duty-free shopping area is among the largest at sea, covering a total area of 1580 m2 (17000 ft2).

All onboard emergency instructions are displayed in staterooms, on the TV screens and at the ship's assembly stations (aka muster stations). Life jackets are issued at the assembly stations. In case of emergency, the use of elevators/passenger lifts is forbidden.

Oscar Wilde ferry passengers can upgrade to "Club Class" for EUR 16-18 pp. Club Class deals offer reserved seating and additional amenities. The list of extra perks includes priority car boarding, exclusive bar lounge, premium seating lounge, complimentary drinks and snacks, onboard shopping discounts (up to 25%), powerpoints.

The ship has kennels for domestic pets. Valid health cards for pets are required. During embarkation and disembarkation, dogs must be leashed and muzzled. Passengers with pets always disembark last.

• On voyages between Ireland and the UK, pets are allowed to board the ship with car and foot passengers. Pets are not allowed on any of the passenger decks.
• Car passengers can leave their pets in their vehicle or in the ship's kennels (free of charge, pre-booking is required). Foot passengers must transport their pets to and from the ship in either pet cage or other carrier. The animals must remain in the carrier for the duration of the trip.
• The ferry company participates in PETS (Pet Travel Scheme) system allowing pet animals to travel easily on ferries between European member countries without undergoing quarantine. Under PETS requirements, on voyages between Ireland and France, pets must have all the needed documentation in order to be able to travel. Pets check-ins are at least 2 hours prior departure. Each animal is charged EUR 45 / 75 / 100 per voyage. On these voyages, pets are allowed to travel only in the ship's kennels (cat boxes) and not in vehicles. As each ferry has a limited number of kennels/boxes, pre-booking is required. Visiting the pets during the voyage is allowed, but only at designated times and in the company of a crew member.

Guide dogs travel freely, but proper documentation must be provided by the owner. Guide dogs are allowed to travel with their owners, with access to all passenger decks and all public spaces.

Car decks

The Garage Deck is designed with separate for passenger and cargo vehicles areas. The loading is on 2 levels, with 2 entry and exit ways that can be used simultaneously for expedited loading and unloading.

The separate passenger car deck can be accessed also during the crossing. The garage also has direct access to Traveller Superstore's upper level, which allows purchased goods to be carried directly to the car.

Follows a list of car deck-related safety procedures:

• Disabled passengers or those requiring specific assistance should visit the ship's Information Desk (open 24-hours).
• Apply the handbrake and place the vehicle in park or 1st gear position. Switch off the ignition, alarm, electrical equipment, headlights. Gas cylinders, if any, must be switched off. Lock the vehicle.
• From your vehicle take only valuables and essential hand baggage.
• Make a note of your vehicle's location and garage deck number/stairway before leaving the car deck.
• Access to the ship's vehicle (cargo) decks during the voyage is prohibited.
• Smoking on vehicle decks, as well as in cabins and passenger lounges is forbidden.
• Wait for the onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle.

In order to avoid air pollution, don't start the engine until instructed.

The ship charterer Irish Ferries (fleet, 1992-founded, headquartered in Dublin Ireland) is a division of ICG (Irish Continental Group) operating passenger and freight ferries on routes connecting Ireland with the UK and Europe.