This is revealed in a recent survey of passenger opinion carried out by Irish Ferries on their services to Britain and France.
A majority of female passengers surveyed said they would prefer to travel by sea - up from 42 percent to 57 percent since the research was last conducted three years ago.
Frustrated with tight controls on baggage and other restrictions imposed on air travellers, women now prefer the 'take as much as you want' freedom of ferry travel.
The introduction of the Beauty Salon onboard the Oscar Wilde cruise ferry to France combined with Club Class lounges with priority boarding on services to Britain with reserved seating and complimentary refreshments were quoted as major reasons. Mall style onboard shopping, free Wi-Fi, children's play zones and the avoidance of invasive security screening were also given as reasons to go by sea.
Declan Mescall, Irish Ferries' Head of Passenger Sales, says 'the changes introduced on our ferries are all part of the pampering we believe passengers deserve'.
