STICKY carpet, a seventies make-up and truckers everywhere - a scene synonymous with many freight and passenger ferries, but not Norfolkline's new, swish Lagan Viking vessel.

I was impressed when I boarded the ship at 9.30am on a Friday morning. It was bound for Birkenhead and I was bound for a weekend of craic in Liverpool, Manchester and Warrington!

The interior surprised me, it was glamorous - reminiscent of a small Italian cruise ship. Alright, maybe I'm going a bit OTT but it was pretty. It was also pretty spotless too.

Reflective tiling, shining mirrors and red, yellow and blue seating had a Mediterranean feel to it but then that's not surprising - it's an Italian-built vessel and if anyone knows about style - it's the Italians!

I made my way to the bar before being called for breakfast.

Daylight

The restaurant was styled simply, it was clean and uncluttered while the menu served all the right food you could need to set you up for an eight-hour daylight sailing.

All the fry gear in the world satisfied hungry truckers, while toast, cereals and fruit were there to please the more health-aware passengers. The food was included in the price of the trip which was a bonus.

An eight-hour journey to Liverpool may seem a bit much when Northern Ireland travellers have the choice of hopping on a no-frills flight to John Lennon Airport, but if if you want to take the car it's a much more relaxing way to cross to the Mainland than the long drive down from Scotland.

Nap

For £20 extra, tired passengers looking for a cat nap can grab a cabin - this is especially convenient for those travelling with children.

In fact, the Lagan Viking is very kid-friendly. Its cinema screened two childrens' films on the way over - amounting to probably half of the journey time - and then that coupled with a children's play area complete with ball pit and a two hour sleep means parents are that little bit more stress-relieved.

Shop

After breakfast I took a walk around the ship. The staff were chatty, pleasant and very helpful. I made my way to the shop, a small amenity stocking perfumes, gifts, a magazine and newspaper collection and some confectionary.

The bar remained opened for most of the journey and served a selection of sandwiches and soups.

Then there was the en-suite cabins. Sleeping four, they come with towels, bars of soap, crisp bed linen and more mirrors. They were comfortable and relaxing, in fact so much so, I indulged in a four-hour sleep in the middle of the afternoon - just the right requirement for anyone planning to go out on the town that evening.

The sailing was smooth and although lasting eight hours, it was nice to have a chilled out, unhurried trip across the water.

The sailing times are very convenient for anyone wishing to have a weekend break in England or Wales, but I'd advise bringing some reading material or something to entertain yourself along the way as it can be a bit tedious.

Quay

Leaving at 10.30am, we arrived around 6.30pm in Birkenhead, with disembarkation taking place at about 7.30pm - so if you're expecting to be picked up at the quay allow for an hour or so after arrival.

And although Lagan Viking is a bit of a Sunday driver - it's hard to fault it. The timing allows for a evening out, while the departure time means a ridiculously early start need not be the case.

Coming back my sailing hours were from 10.30pm til 6.30am, with disembarkation about 40 minutes later.

Irish

The Dublin Viking is an older much more travelled vessel with an Irish charm and a traditional style. And this ship, not normally on the Birkenhead-Belfast route was completely different to its sister vessel.

The restaurant was smaller, but well-equipped all the same. It had one bar, whereas the Lagan Viking had two. Its cinema screened only one film because of the night-sailing.

It was a busier journey, in fact, it was filled to capacity with many failing to get a cabin, but the staff were at hand with quilts and pillows for those taking up the bar, cinema, etc, for their night's sleep.

This time round my cabin had a window, it was again older in style, with a wooden make-up but all the same, clean and tidy.

A word of warning though for those travelling with cases. At the Birkenhead end, baggage is put away and stored until arrival at Belfast, so be sure to carry some hand luggage so as not to be caught out like myself.

Evening

Evening sailings are inclusive of a four-course dinner, with vegetarian options available on request.

All in all, Norfolkline was a pleasant, alternative way to travelling to the UK Mainland, and with fixed prices - if you are travelling at short notice - it's definitely a cheaper option.

Day sailings cost £30 per adult during peak season (July-August) and £20 and £26 at other times. This includes breakfast and a three-course lunch. Children under four go free, while older kids travel at a cost of between £10 and £15. Daytime cabins will cost an extra £20.

For motorists, prices start at £95 for a car and up to two passengers.

Evening sailings for foot passengers begin at £40 per adult - this price includes a cabin, four course evening meal and a full breakfast - while motorists' prices start at £155, again for a car and up to two passengers.

BY EMMA DEIGHAN