Hi,
does anyone know the cheapest cross channel ferry {Dover ?} with a car and caravan late July returning 3 weeks later?
Speed ferries are £50 any time return next summer {cars only}, P&O say caravans free, but thay want around £350 or the same crossing
Ta
Paul
Paul {Forest of Bowland}
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Perhaps a time machine would be more appropriate?
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> Perhaps a time machine would be more appropriate?
Exactly what I was about to write! :-)
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If you are a member of the Caravan Club they have some good deals, and the 'van goes free.
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Would second that. I think we paid £126 for car and caravan to go same time as you (July 2004!!) via Caravan Club with P&O. Last year had to book by Jan 7th I think. Saving is well worth CC joining fee (about £30?. CC doesn't restrict you on times of sailing either. We went early evening in July and came back middle of day end of August.
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Be very aware that Speeferries has only one boat. I took a week break in September this year with them. We got there ok, but got a call from them the day before we were due back to say there were engine problems and that all sailing had been cancelled for at least a week! We had to book our own ferry (Seafrance) to return because there WAS NO RECIPROCAL ARRANGEMENT WITH SEAFRANCE OR P&O! Although we got a refund for the return journey, it was a hassle and the last thing you want at the end of a nice holiday.
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> Be very aware that Speedferries has only one boat ... Although we got a refund for the return journey
Indeed. My folks received a phone call from Speedferries in September the day before they were due to leave home, because of the engine failure. As an aside, the caller informed them that the ferry was previously owned by the Australian Navy "and had had a tough life". Probably true, though probably unconnected with the failure, though made us smile.
Although the failure only affected their outbound leg, and they returned with Speedferries a few days later as planned, they have been given a complete free return trip to use within the next six months.
Excellent service, says I.
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Speedferries isn't much good for Paul and his caravan since their website states :-"SpeedFerries is carrying cars, motorcycles, mini vans, small motorhomes and cars with small trailers up to a maximum length (including car with trailer) of 7,0 m long, 2,0 m wide and 2,9 m high."
Best bet is to look out for special early booking offers from P&O, Seafrance or perhaps Norfolk Line. Chunnel is far too expensive (they quoted me nearly £700 last year). I still don't think you will beat Caravan Club, especially if you wait until December when special offers usually come out.
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I agree with the recommendations for the Caravan Club.
Over the last 4 years, P&O have always offered the best deals for caravans. They are always time limited and close in early January.
If you register on the P&O website and click through the "caravans go free" link, you will find that they offer the same prices as the caravan club.
The best fares are usually on the early morning and late crossings from Dover and before midday from Calais.
BTW, P&O allow caravan outfits to travel back from Calais on earlier or later sailings, provided you arrive at the port before noon.
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I agrre, to a point. We went right at the end of August, and it was horribly late, due to weather. The return was cancelled via a phone call the day before travel, so, as above, we had to book our own return. Travelling as part of a group, with 5 different vehicles, that was a pain. Their refund also took a very long time to come through, as they had not seen that I'd booked all 5 vehicles, so only refunded one crossing, instead of 5. It took them 2 letters, 2 emails and a phone call to notice this.
The free return promised was appreciated, but when we tried to take it up, we got to the barrier, and we were told that again it was cancelled due to "weather." It was a bit choppy, but nothing too bad - everyone else (inc Hoverspped) were going. It seems that unless it's millpond-calm, they don't go.
It's a shame, as I was all for them, but having been bounced twice, I'm not sure I want to risk it again.
O
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Just got back from using my free crossing. Was on time, no complaints! Apparantly, it was always suffering problems and getting delayed, they soldiered on until finally biting the bullet and taking it out of service to fix properly.
Since then they say that they've always been on time!
(BTW it was an Australian Navy boat before, and carried troops in and out of East Timor!)
Would use them again no problem.
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I bought a return ticket for car+6 people at an effective discount of 75%. We saved the Tesco 'deals' vouchers and bought the £396 ticket for £100 worth of vouchers.
Keep upright
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Become a member of the The Ferry Travel Club (do a google) they give discounts of upto 9% on all ferry, tunnel crossings. Cost is about £25 for 5 years, Also do other blinding holiday deals through the year as packages.
Jim
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Norfolk line?
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P&O have the most sailings per day (24 hour too) and are generally reliable. That's why so many freight operators use them, even though they are slightly more expensive than Norfolkline or Seafrance.
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I have used Norfolk line, and v.good it was too. Restaurant not big, but was cosy. Mainly used by lorry drivers with cars taken on as extra. It was almost run like a family unit. I would certainly use it again. Duty Free shop was counter service only, reminded me of shopping at Sainsburys in the 60's before it became a supermarket. You know "Quarter of PG Tips, 2 breast of lamb, a packet of atora suet, a Foster Clarkes beef cube and 8oz of english cheddar please" and they added up your bill on the grease proof wrapping paper in thick black pencil.
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Also a satisfied customer of Norfolk Line. Does what it says on the tin. Nice ferry, Midnight Merchant, with loads of room in the bar looking observation lounge looking forward. Ample exterior deck space (unlike Seafrance Rodent. A functional but efficient terminal at Loon Plage. In 2004 <£120 return out Sunday afternoon in mid july, returning late afternoon on 6 august for a Xantia estate with roof box.
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