We compare Irish Ferries ships, cabins and onboard features so you can choose the France-route option that fits your travel day.
Choosing an Ireland-France ferry is a practical comparison, not simply a question of finding the first available sailing. The ship, cabin, vehicle, passenger mix and extras can all change how useful the crossing feels.
Irish Ferries gives the regional France store several named options to compare, but they do not all answer the same need. We have weighed the published onboard facilities and cabin information against the typical alternative of booking the simplest available crossing.
We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Key facts: W. B. Yeats is the strongest all-round choice for a fuller onboard day, while Ulysses makes sense when cabin comfort and ship facilities lead the decision. Isle of Inishmore and Isle of Innisfree are better treated as practical alternatives for a narrower route, pet or accommodation brief.
The France options separate by journey style
The first distinction is not a simple “best ship” ranking. Irish Ferries assigns ships to particular routes and sailing schedules, so the live booking flow decides what is actually available. The ship pages are still useful because they show the differences in advance, especially if you are comparing a standard seat with a cabin, Club Class or a more family-friendly setup.
- W. B. Yeats: the broadest mix of cabins, lounges, dining, cinema and family spaces in this comparison.
- Ulysses: a strong comfort-led alternative with several cabin formats, Club Class, dining and a two-screen cinema.
- Isle of Inishmore: a useful named option to check when the available sailing and cabin fit matter more than a long onboard feature list.
- Isle of Innisfree: the clearest alternative to investigate when pet arrangements or a simpler accommodation choice are central.
| Option | Published strengths | Best fit | Current price |
|---|---|---|---|
| W. B. Yeats | Cabins, Club Class, dining, cinema, family areas | Fullest onboard day | Check live sailing |
| Ulysses | Suite and cabin range, Club Class, cinema | Comfort-focused travellers | Check live sailing |
| Isle of Inishmore | Named ship alternative and cabin choice | Schedule-led booking | Check live sailing |
| Isle of Innisfree | Pet travel facilities and cabins | Pet owners and simpler briefs | Check live sailing |
W. B. Yeats carries the widest onboard brief
The strongest case for W. B. Yeats is breadth. Irish Ferries lists four-bed inside and window cabins, Club cabins, family options, an accessible cabin, Deluxe Suites and Premium Suites, including a balcony version. That makes the ship easier to match to a specific party than a service built around one standard seating format.
Its common areas also cover several travel moods. The ship page names the Innisfree Club Class Lounge, Hazel Wood Quiet Lounge, Drumcliff Promenade Deck and the Abbey and Peacock Cinema and Lounge. The W. B. Yeats ship page also lists free Wi-Fi subject to terms and sea-view areas.
- For families: the Salley Gardens Kids Room and cinema create alternatives to one shared seating area.
- For longer travel days: a cabin, promenade deck and named lounges make it easier to divide the crossing into stages.
- For comfort-led bookings: Club Class adds a dedicated lounge with refreshments and sea views, subject to availability.
The limitation is that breadth can add decisions. The fare changes with the sailing, vehicle, passengers, cabin category and extras, and the brand notes that selected bars and restaurants may not operate at all times of year. Check current W. B. Yeats availability before assuming a particular facility is included.
Ulysses makes cabin comfort the deciding factor
Ulysses is the better comparison when the cabin is more important than having the widest spread of named spaces. Its published cabin menu includes a two-bed window suite, two-bed window plus, two-bed window, two-bed and one-bed formats, alongside a disability-accessible option.
The ship page also describes Martello Club Class, a two-screen cinema, free Wi-Fi, panoramic sea views, bars and dining. The Ulysses facilities therefore cover the same broad comfort questions as W. B. Yeats, although the exact booking and route context still controls access and availability.
For readers comparing typical alternatives, Ulysses is a useful middle ground. A standard seat may be enough for a short or daytime trip, but a window cabin or suite gives families and overnight passengers a defined place to rest. Check the published Ulysses cabin options if sleeping space, privacy or reduced-mobility requirements are the main filter.
- Decide whether you need a bed, a window, accessibility or simply a quieter base.
- Compare the cabin category with the number of people and the sailing length.
- Confirm the exact facilities and current fare in the live booking path.
Isle of Inishmore and Isle of Innisfree solve narrower needs
The alternatives are not filler choices. Isle of Inishmore is worth checking when the available sailing, vehicle space or straightforward cabin requirement is the priority. It may suit a reader who does not need a long list of premium onboard features and would rather compare the live schedule first.
Isle of Innisfree deserves closer attention from pet owners. Irish Ferries publishes a dedicated Pet Den with access to an outside area, alongside cabin information. The pet rules and route requirements remain essential, so the page is a starting point for checking suitability rather than a guarantee that every pet arrangement is available.
Dining is another value question rather than a standalone winner. W. B. Yeats dining includes casual and waiter-service formats on its published page, while Ulysses dining also offers a choice of lighter and hot dishes. The brand says selected venues can close seasonally, which is why we would treat the live sailing information as the final word.
- Choose W. B. Yeats when family space, cabin variety and onboard choice matter most.
- Choose Ulysses when a cabin or suite is the central comfort decision.
- Check Isle of Inishmore when the schedule and practical fare comparison lead.
- Check Isle of Innisfree when a pet area and route-specific rules shape the booking.
Before you decide
For the broadest France-route experience, W. B. Yeats is our winner by use case: it gives families, overnight travellers and comfort-focused passengers the most ways to shape the crossing. Ulysses wins when the cabin is the priority, while Isle of Innisfree is the more relevant investigation for pet owners. Isle of Inishmore remains worth checking when the live sailing and simpler brief decide the value.
The honest limitation is that route assignment, availability and current pricing can change the result. Compare the exact sailing, vehicle, passenger details, cabin and extras before payment, and read the current pet or accessibility conditions if they apply.
Choose W. B. Yeats for the fullest onboard day, Ulysses for cabin-led comfort, and the alternatives for a more specific practical need.