Hi everyone, 

Let me tell you the story of a spontaneous, chaotic, budget-friendly, soul-filling trip we took, not for the destination, but for the journey with the best company. A Stena Line Ferry journey, to be precise. 

The Beginning: £32 That Changed the Week 

It all started when my sweetest friend Yashika spotted a special offer: a one-day return trip from Belfast to Glasgow for just £32, covering the Ferry from Belfast to Cairnryan and a coach straight to Glasgow. 
Cue for frantic texting, begging, planning, and what I proudly call a week of “intense recruitment.” 

We had a whole WhatsApp group buzzing with all the details. Terminal info, itinerary and what to pack on the description. I packed sickness pills just in case, passport obviously, some snacks, and a water bottle. Layering up was key since the AC coach could get freezing, and hey, it’s Scotland after all; better safe than sorry! Having the group made communication super easy, helped with carpool plans, and kept everyone checked in. Plus, it made the whole trip way more fun and connected! 

We ended up with a crew of 13 excited souls, until 2 dropped out last minute (Student life but important tip: group bookings get affected if even a few cancel, bear in mind). So, 11 of us were finally off and on board. 

The Morning Madness: 96 Bus Dilemma

Take it from me. Carpool to the ferry terminal. The 96 bus in the morning is crucial and missing it or a delay, could send your whole plan crashing and we don’t want to start the lovely day with tension. We learned it the hard way, but made it just in time. 

First Time on a Ferry 

We'd never taken a ferry before. We assumed it would be cold, turbulent, and boring, like sitting in an economy flight for 2.5 hours. All of us had a lot of these theories and more. But surprise:

• Multiple decks 
• A decent restaurant (not too pricey) 
• A dessert bar with cakes and ice cream (Do try their Muffin and Lemon cake) 
• A small cinema (Paddington in Peru was playing!) 
• A spa and a bar PS4 gaming zones 
• And open sky decks (kind of) for that Titanic moment we all want to recreate… 

Let’s just say, this wasn't a ferry. This was a mini-cruise party for all of us. 

Coach to Glasgow: Sleep, Snacks & Scenic Routes 

Post-ferry, we hopped onto the coach to Glasgow. Most of us knocked out after all the excitement, but the ones who stayed up got treated to some seriously gorgeous views along the way. Scotland’s countryside knows how to show off. 

Hello, Glasgow! Our Glasgow time was short but sweet: 

• A fantastic Indian restaurant, Chaakoo Bombay Cafe, near Buchanan station (ambience and staff were great) 
• A cozy visit to The Last Bookstore Bar, yes, books and booze, heaven! 
• A quick bus to the University of Glasgow with a wholesome matcha stop
• A stroll through the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum 

We had initially planned to hit up Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis, but group travel is unpredictable and we ran out of time. If you're going, don’t miss them! 

The Return 

The coach brought us back to Cairnryan at 6:15. The ferry was delayed by 30 minutes, but that only gave us more time for the real highlight of the day. 

Standing on the Sky Deck, watching the sunset melt into the sea. It was one of those moments you silently promise to remember for life. Calm. Golden. Perfect. You feel so light. 

All of us were laughing, scrambling for aesthetic shots, alone and in groups while the high winds turned our hair wild in every picture. 

No, I’m not getting paid to promote Stena Line. But Superfast Ferry VIII delivered an experience far beyond expectations. And I now get why people love cruises. 

Everyone was too tired and it was too late to bus it home after, so we called taxis, carpooled safe and simple back to our nests. 

Cost Breakdown

Here’s roughly what we spent: 

• Ferry + Coach (Return) - £32 
• Food (Glasgow restaurant) - £20–£30 
• Local transport (buses) - £5–£10 
• Ferry snacks & desserts - £10–£20 
• Drinks at the Ferry bar - £10–£15 
• Total: Around £80–£100 for an unforgettable day. 

Final Thoughts!

We’re already planning round two. Maybe Liverpool next time, with overnight cabins and more time to explore. Some of us want to redo Glasgow, but with a longer stay to see Scotland properly. But for me? That one-day trip, that Ferry ride, and that chaotic group of 11, made for the perfect escape (especially in this dissertation season). 

I was worried that with less than four hours in Glasgow and about 70% of the day spent traveling (starting with a 5:55 am taxi to catch the 7:15 ferry, then coach rides, check-ins, security, delays, and finally getting back home by 10:45 pm), we wouldn’t make the most of it. But what I didn’t expect was that the moments in between the catch-ups during wait times and coach rides, the laughter over silly games, the deep talks and dinner at the bar would become the most precious parts of the trip to me. 

I’ve always been someone who enjoys doing things solo, setting my own pace, soaking in moments quietly, not depending on anyone else to make it special. But this trip proved me wrong in the best way possible. It showed me that sometimes, it’s not the destination that makes the journey unforgettable, but the people you share it with. The right company turns ordinary plans into the kind of memories you carry for years. Every laugh, every shared snack, every silly photo in the wind made this more than just a trip to Glasgow. It became a reminder to me that the right people make the journey worth so much more. 

Until next time! Plan, Purchase, Pack and Peregrinate (yes, I googled that one to keep up with the alliteration madness!) 

Signing off – Florence Diana Charles, always learning, one journey at a time. Catch you in my next blog! 

(Photo credits to all my lovely friends who accompanied me to the trip especially, Priyank Patel and Shirley)

Find out more

Half a Day and My Whole Heart: Edinburgh Edition

A Snapshot of My Recent Travels from Belfast

My City Break from Belfast to London

Beyond Belfast

Florence Diana Charles MSc Clinical Health Psychology | Postgraduate Student | India Hi, I am Florence Diana Charles. I’m an interdisciplinary enthusiast who thrives in the in-between; where ideas blur and psychology just makes sense as it blends. I care about meaning: in people, in patterns, in how we think, feel, and grow. I’m endlessly curious, sometimes stubborn, and always trying, even on my busiest days. I don’t have it all figured out, but I’m here to keep learning, keep questioning, and keep showing up. Hope to see you around in my blogs!