Just spoke to Julian, who was asking about this. Earlier in this thread there was mention of another hotel. Obviously there is no point in that any more - the Europa is where it's at. It has 400 rooms, is the cheapest, and is where the event is, so no need to think about it - just book it!:
http://deloreanowners.org/index.php?P=73Both me and Julian reckon we would stay 3 nights in Belfast (Thursday arrival), and I think that is going to be the consensus.
Regarding ferries - there are two routes for us UK people - either Scotland or Wales. Via the Stena Line website you can actually book the Stranraer route now, but not the Holyhead one yet.
As an example, from my house it would take 7.5 hours to Stranraer (10 minutes on the other side), or 5.5 hours to Holyhead, and 2 hours the other side. So for me about the same, although the Stranraer route would involve driving through the North of England
Stena Line:
Holyhead:
Based on the current timetable, the only option is 13:50 17:05 (£89ish) - gets you into Belfast for 7pm. I would leave home at 7.30am
and coming back 13:15 15:14 (£114ish) - leave Belfast 10.30am, gets me home at 9pm
7.5 hours to Stranraer 17:30-20:20 (£69). I would leave home at 9am - get into Belfast for 8.30pm
Coming back 11.45 - 13.45 high speed one (£79). Leaving Belfast at 11am, would get me back home at about 9.30pm
I would recommend booking the hotel/event now, at least.