I travel fairly frequently with P&O Ferries from Hull to Rotterdam or Zeebrugge as I really enjoy sailing and the mini break experience.
The ferries leave between 1700 and 2130 and you check in a few hours before. On board you are alocated a small but perfectly formed practical and comfy cabin. The crossing happens overnight and you are at your chosen dock early in the AM.
The prices are very reasonable and it is best to opt for all meals onboard at the time of booking. The food is a hot buffet type Restaurant and is all you can eat) It is always good qaulity with plenty of choice and there is a good salad bar and soups on offer.
There is also a more expensive Ala Carte Restaurant onboard. Finally there is a cafe that serves tea and coffee til 0100, sandwiches are also available.
The bars are open until around 0100 and the prices are mid range. there is a live band on each Evening and they are pretty good, quite similar to the club type cabaret style.
Generally the crossings are peaceful, but the wend crossing can be pretty lively with Stag and Hen type parties and the beer monster guzzling types( ohh what a snob i sound...
Bruges is a lovely tranquil place for a day out and Amsterdam certainly has it's own charms to offer.
The typical ferry trip is a 2 night sail and a full day in the chosen resort. You can of course opt for a night in the resort for an extended stay.
Service on the ferry is generally very good, although the Zeebrugge crossing is a larger, newer more stylish vessel, where the Staff are mainly Philipino very polite and helpful and tend to be a cut above the mainly Portugese staff on the other crossing.
The cabins are clean and well appointed and are all on suite with bunk type beds.
I would really recommend these mini breaks for a trip and my recent trip cost under £100 for x2 nights, all food onboard and return resort coach travel) read more