I think the real winners out of all this are the Steam Packet Co, by encouraging all those bikers to book up for next years TT when they are on the island for a £10 or £20 deposit, knowing that possibly 20% of them won't be able to make it, due to other reasons, and all those sailings become available, and they keep all those deposits. Nice crafty move SPC.
I have been to the Manx GP. I think it was 1985/6 when all the ferries went on strike for the TT. It was a nice stress free holiday on the island, not just the racing but the Manx 2 day Trial was also on.
The only problem with getting to the Manx, is that i have been organising the annual Martin Jennings Memorial Run on the 2nd Sunday in September for the last 20 years, since Martins death in 1987 when competing in the Manx GP. Last year we had well over 1200 bikes and raised over £4000 for a new Children's Hospice to be built in Cornwall.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4heBrNXLZDs