It was the second of three HSS 1500 class of high-speed ferries developed and introduced by Stena Line from 1996 onwards.

A specially designed linkspan provided ropeless mooring and allowed quick loading, unloading and servicing.

[10] Stena Voyager spent the majority of her career sailing on her original route between Belfast and Stranraer, apart from short periods covering for her sister ships.

[10] On 28 January 2009, a lorry carrying ferrous sulphate powder burst through the stern doors of the Stena Voyager shortly after departure.

The new pair of vessels would provide a passage time of 2 hours between Scotland and Belfast and be fitted out with "passenger facilities similar to an HSS".

Jeremy Clarkson, ostensibly having missed the ferry, tried to leapfrog a Renault Twingo on the departing Stena Voyager.