Short sea crossings can be tough. A number of routes can be taken where a few hours in a lounge, reading the paper or drinking coffee can be a respite from driving, but some routes are long enough to demand a cabin. One of these is the route from Esbjerg in Denmark to Harwich in Essex, across a North Sea with some of the worst weather in the world, a route lit by the flares from oil rigs and characterised as across one of the busiest sea lanes anywhere. An alternative route to Scandinavia, Newcastle to Bergen, was closed by the company in 2008 due to rising fuel costs and lack of demand, although it is much missed by many.For many Brits driving to northern Europe (Scandinavia or North Germany and beyond) the route to Denmark avoids the need to be unwelcomed by the French as well as saving many hours on motorways. The route to Esbjerg from Harwich runs on complementary demand for freight and passengers, but drops in winter from 3 sailings a week to two. The ship was full on my voyage as the trip coincided with Danish school holidays
The Sirena entered service on this route in 2003, with passenger numbers upgraded from 200 or so to 605. Passenger accommodation was added to additional decks, at some expense to accommodation for freight drivers, although a large chunk of the ships space is still freight oriented.
Cabins were redesigned on a slightly smaller footprint and three standards introduced , Standard, Sirena and Commodore
