An Isle of Wight ferry firm has been accused of 'ruining Christmas', while Wightlink has apologised and says it needs to carry out vital maintenance on its flagship vessel.   

There has been anger on Facebook because some passengers' bookings have been swapped to different times of day, due to a smaller ferry being brought in to replace Victoria of Wight.

Wightlink told the Isle of Wight County Press its larger boat is undergoing engine work, which means it is currently not in service.

Instead, the smaller St Faith is making the trip between Portsmouth and Fishbourne and that means some passengers have had their bookings moved.

Isle of Wight County Press: Wightlink's St Faith, en route from Portsmouth to Fishbourne, on the Isle of Wight.Wightlink's St Faith, en route from Portsmouth to Fishbourne, on the Isle of Wight. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press.)

In a Facebook group dedicated to cross-Solent travel, one passenger said changes on December 23 (from 10am to 6pm) had lost eight hours of family time.

The passenger asked: "Who schedules maintenance at Christmas? Are we being taken for mugs, or what?"

Another said a 3pm sailing was swapped to 1am, while a third said their loved ones had changed plans to travel via Lymington-Yarmouth instead.

What to do if your cross-Solent booking to the Isle of Wight has been changed

  • If your alternative booking is not convenient, Wightlink advises you contact its contact centre online HERE, or via 0333 999 7333 (for non business bookings) 
  • Customers can also rebook to another date, without charge, or request a full refund

Isle of Wight County Press: Wightlink's flagship Isle of Wight ferry, Victoria of Wight.Wightlink's flagship Isle of Wight ferry, Victoria of Wight. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press.)

A spokesperson for Wightlink said: "Our winter maintenance programme involves bringing vessels in and out of service depending on the work required and facilities needed ashore.

"As some ships are significantly larger than others, this means occasionally we will need to move bookings if we make any changes to our maintenance plan.  

"In this instance, we have decided it was essential to take Victoria of Wight out of service for engine maintenance, replacing her with which is a much smaller ferry.

"We have tried to minimise the impact on customers and apologise for the inconvenience caused."

Wightlink has offered passengers the chance to change dates, though some sailings are now sold-out in the run up to the festive season.

Work was last carried out on Victoria of Wight in February and March, and more is due in the New Year.