Ferry firm Stena Line will launch its temporary weekend service between Holyhead and Belfast tonight and bookings are already looking positive.
The first trip on the Wales to Northern Ireland route by Stena Estrid leaves the Anglesey port at 11.30pm - with a return voyage the next day.
The crossing will take around eight hours - although unlike services to the EU there won't be any duty-free deals.
Stena said so far they had received 1,500 passenger bookings for the services and 530 cars - as well as positive freight sector interest.
These figures are expected to grow rapidly with little space on the Birkenhead to Belfast services.
The temporary service is currently due to run until Sunday July 18.
This will mean four fewer return trips on the Holyhead – Dublin route over these weekends.
Covid and Brexit had significantly reduced demand on the Wales - Republic of Ireland routes although freight trade had started to trickle back.
Furthermore, with present travel restrictions between Britain and Ireland in place, this new route will provide an additional travel option for people going between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Paul Grant, Stena Line Trade Director (Irish Sea) said: “We are delighted to be able to announce details of our new temporary service between Holyhead and Belfast.
"The much-anticipated summer rebound for travel is beginning and we are hugely encouraged by current booking trends.
"The current travel restrictions between Britain and Ireland have created a lot of pent-up travel demand so hopefully the addition of this new route will help provide another option for people visiting friends, relatives or taking a break as well as being an attractive option for our freight customers.”
