Stena Line Lounge: The best place to be on a night sailing across the Irish Sea when there’s no bed in sight?
Spending a year in Belfast brought me lots of new experiences. One of my favourites? The convenient little adventure of using the Stena Line ferries to zip between Northern Ireland and the Mainland.
The service between Belfast and Liverpool is a fantastic little ferry service. There’s a choice of two daily departures: a day or night sailing. The night crossing leaves late and arrives early. Perfect, right?
Well, almost. There is a twist to the tale. Sailing overnight does not guarantee a cabin. Unlike some services where a cabin is mandatory on an overnight crossing, you can just book the ticket and hope for a good spot for the night once on board.
If there’s no cabins available and you don’t fancy stretching out on the seats (or a yoga mat on the floor. Yes, I’ve done that one!) in the public areas on board, the next best option is to get booked into a Stena Line lounge.
There’s two options and I’ve tried them both. Here’s my honest review.
The Hygge Recline Lounge
Described as ” a calm space with comfy reclined chairs, soft tones and lighting and large (muted) TVs “, the pre-bookable Hygge Lounge is the one that’s designed to allow passengers to get some downtime.
In order to ensure that relaxed, restful atmosphere, the Hygge Recline lounge only welcomes guests aged 8 years and over. The lounge is located to the interior of the ship with no windows, creating a cosy and cocooned little space.
It’s a pleasant space, accessed with a door code given to you at check in. Here’s what I think you need to know:
- The Hygge Lounge is pre-bookable with limited capacity, but there’s no allocated seating. First come, first served. This is great for foot passengers who board by bus slightly earlier than car passengers, who are at the mercy of the loading schedule.
- The seating in the lounge does vary from that shown online, where images show a lovely lady in a seat with a privacy screen to either side. The actual seating is in a 2 or 4 configuration with nothing in-between.
- Each seat has individual sockets, USB plugs and a small storage area.
- Seats are described as ‘pre-reclined’- fixed in a semi reclined position and not adjustable.
- There are no specific amenities or facilities. Toilets are located opposite, outside the lounge.
- The Hygge Lounge includes complimentary hot drinks but no cold drinks or water. You can purchase these onboard or bring a bottle, there’s free water refill stations at the port.
Stena Line Lounge/ Hygge Recline: Did I Actually Get Any Sleep?
I did, and honestly, more than I thought I would.
A few niggles: The fixed seat- ‘pre-reclined’ in Stena Line speak- is awkward. The fixed, semi reclined seats are neither up nor down, leaving you to do your best to find comfortable. I woke up a few times to readjust myself in my non-adjustable seat.
No toilet facilities in the lounge means you do hear some coming and going. Can’t be helped, but not ideal.
On the plus side, this Stena Line lounge gives you a small, relatively peaceful space on the ship to call your own for the night. As the service departs fairly late in the evening, you can get onboard, grab a complimentary drink and just get settled.
If there’s no cabins available and you want a space to call your own rather than joining the other cabin-less passengers trying to grab the best spots in the public areas, this is not a bad option.
How Much Does the Hygge Recline Lounge Cost?
As of February 2026, you can pre book access to the Hygge Recline lounge for £28 per passenger.
The Stena Plus Lounge
Stena Line lounge option two: The Stena Plus Lounge.
The Stena Plus offers passengers the opportunity to, “Enjoy even higher levels of comfort, style and service in our exclusive Stena Plus Lounge”. Like the Hygge Recline Lounge, this one is also pre-bookable and only open to guests aged 8 years and over.
This lounge is also accessed via a door code, but unlike the Hygge Lounge, there are staff on hand to welcome and check you in. Here’s what I think you need to know:
- The Stena Plus Lounge is a much larger and busier space than the Hygge Recline Lounge. Seating is a mix of cosy sofa seats and more traditional table and chairs arrangements. In common with the other lounge, there’s no reserved seating. Just bag a spot!
- A lot of the seats are fixed to the floor, but spin. No big deal…until you try to sleep in one!
- A range of complimentary drinks are included, just help yourself. Hot drinks machines, all the teas and well stocked fridges of cold soft and alcoholic drinks are available throughout the sailing. There’s some extra nice touches too, like flavoured syrups for your coffee.
- Snacks are a mix of wrapped items ( crisps & biscuits, mainly) and fresh items like cheese, salad and cake laid out buffet style. On night sailings, this is replaced in the morning with a light breakfast buffet.
- If you fancy something more substantial, the Plus Lounge also offers a hot meals menu, for which you pay extra.
- The Stena Plus Lounge is located at the front of the ship, giving great sea views and a sense of space. On a night sailing, it also might mean you’re up with the sun.
- Free WiFi is available alongside a range of magazines and newspapers.
- This lounge does have it’s own toilets.
Stena Line Lounge/ Stena Plus : Did I Actually Get Any Sleep?
The answer on this one is: not a lot and not comfortably. Ultimately, I think this Stena Line lounge is a great concept, but it’s really best suited to a day crossing. Let me tell you why.
First of all, the lounge layout. It’s big and it’s busy. The self service style means there’s people moving about, most of the night. You don’t know how loud a coffee machine or sliding fridge door can be until you’re trying to sleep in a room with one.
The seating is not designed for sleep. There’s a few lounger style chairs by the windows but they are quickly snapped up. Staff are in the lounge very early ( 05.30 ish) to prepare for the breakfast layout, so even if you do get comfortable, the window for sleep is short.
I also noticed that quite a few passengers seem to book the Plus Lounge as a place to relax and graze before retiring to either a cabin or elsewhere. It’s not a bad idea, but it does create traffic and also means you don’t know which seats are available until late.
Conclusion: This one is best for a relaxed day sailing with unlimited snacks, drinks and big sea views. If there’s no cabins and space in the Hygge Recline Lounge, this might be next best thing for car passengers if you really don’t want to chance getting a place to stretch out elsewhere.
How Much Does the Stena Plus Lounge Cost?
As of February 2026, you can pre book access to the Stena Plus lounge for £30 per passenger. This represents great value given that snacks, drinks and a light breakfast are included.
View and book sailings between Belfast and Liverpool with Stena Line here.
Stena Line Lounge Between Liverpool & Belfast: FAQ’s
Are either of the Stena Line Lounge options available to families?
Passengers under the age of 8 are not permitted in the Stena Plus Lounge or the Hygge Recline Lounge.
Is my dog allowed in the Stena Plus or Hygge Recline Lounge?
No, only assistance dogs are allowed on board. If travelling with a dog and using a lounge, you’ll also need to book a kennel. The kennels cost £15 per dog and are accessible throughout the crossing.
Are there any shower facilities available to lounge users?
There are no showers or bathrooms available. There are toilets and, of course, sinks for a quick splash and tooth brushing.
Do I need to pre-book lounge access?
There may be availability to buy access at check in, but advance booking is highly recommended. Both lounges have limited capacity and these sailings get very busy.
What should I bring to make my Stena Line Lounge experience as comfortable as possible?
Wear something comfortable, have a few layers. The Hygge Recline Lounge is very cosy, but I found the Plus lounge to be cool. A blanket, eye mask and ear plugs/ headphones. Baby wipes for a quick freshen up.
Don’t forget your sense of adventure and/or humour
I hope this honest review of the Stena Line lounge options is helpful if you’re considering booking on for an overnight crossing. If you’d like to know more about sailing with a bed for the night and your own space, particularly if travelling with a four legged friend, you might enjoy reading about my experience of spending the night in a pet cabin.
Sailing with Stena Line: Belfast-Liverpool with A Dog
Helen x
Well, we really need to revisit Ireland sometime soon. So I’ll definitely be bearing these suggestions in mind. Thanks!
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment, appreciate it! Would love to make a return journey myself this year, so much I didn’t get to in my time there.
A very practical guide. It wouldn’t have occurred to me that I might not be able to reserve a cabin, nor that this sort of alternative might be available.
Pre- Belfast, I thought cabin booking was mandatory as it is on other routes. Now I know it’s just preferable!
This is very interesting, I’ve never seen it before where you can’t reserve a cabin for an overnight crossing. The lounge definitely sounds like it’s best for the day time, and those half reclined seats look frustrating for getting comfortable in!
I know, I actually thought it was mandatory, as it is on most North Sea routes. I’d definitely take a cabin if there’s one available. If not- pick a lounge!
Suspect the semi reclined chairs were designed by folk who never need to use them 😆
Well, your review is much different than the one I was expecting, which would have included no sleep, sore back etc. But I did giggle that you call the England Mainland, since it is an island too 😊 Maggie
Thanks, Maggie. I picked up Mainland from the locals in NI and it just stuck with me 😊
Even the bad parts sound fun! Another idea to add to my travel wishes!!
It’s definitely a fun experience, if you can take it as it comes ! Thanks so much for taking the time to read & commenr, appreciate it 😊
My only overnight ferry experience is to Shetland when we had a cabin – much preferable! It’s also a longer crossing so there is an advantage in using the night to travel. When we went to Belfast we travelled during the day and I think given the length of the crossing I would always do that.
I saw the night ferries going up to Shetland from Orkney when we stayed up there. I’d love to do that one. The day crossing to Belfast is definitely the more relaxing option, I think.
Interesting, as always. We’ve crossed overnight once in recent years but booked one of the 4 ensuite, double bedded cabins available – lovely but would have appreciated earlier boarding as we needed sleep after the long drive north!
It is a late on and early off route. We were lucky never to have far to go either side. I did enjoy trying all the different options, pet cabin for the win though!
Ahh like others I thought that most people would have booked a cabin, but these are perhaps good ideas if on a budget ,maybe. X
I think most sensible people do book a cabin, we just got caught out with last minute plans. That sailing gets so busy! Funnily enough if there’s more than two of you, the lounges aren’t great value. A cabin for four is about an extra £70 , but lounge for four would be about £120.
Stena Line know what they’re doing!
I’ve travelled with Stenaline many, many times, and most of my routes were from the Island of Ireland to either Scotland or Wales. I’ve yet to take a ferry to Liverpool. For a second there, I had to scratch my head trying to figure out what you meant by Mainland. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
Haha, sorry for the confusion! I like travelling with Stena Line, I’ve been looking at some of their sailings further afield for a Summer van adventure. Think I’ll definitely try to get a cabin though! Thanks for reading and leaving a lovely comment, Aiva x
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Interesting post. Every time we travel to France we book a dog friendly cabin. I don’t I could sleep in a lounge area.
Honestly, if I had the choice I’d always take the cabin. Even if just to avoid putting my dog in the kennels, I like him with me! But military life often means last minute plans and what do you do when there’s no cabin…suck it up in a lounge! It was an experience, that’s for sure!
Thanks for this useful and interesting post. I can fall sleep anywhere if I’m tired enough, but I still think I’d prefer a day crossing, enjoying the fresh air up on deck, and pay for a hotel room at the other end.
Always an adventure trying out all the options!