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Just had a return crossing, Dover -Dunkirk with Norfolk Lines,real surprise,very good service,very clean,reasonable food,on time both ways and only £67 return.Recommended.
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Yep, I'd agree. Used them once a couple of years back with a caravan. Certainly cheap, & on board food was great. Not a lot of facilities on board and a fairly long crossing. The worst bit was trying to find them when I wanted to come back - signage in Dunkirk could be better...
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Glad you've said that, I raised a recent thread about booking with Norfolk Lines for the beginning of April because EuroTunnel wanted to charge me £125 return.
The cynic in me suggest that Eurotunnel's loss of business and the £50million repair bill has to be paid for somewhere
Chris
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Agree with that smokie, signage in Dunkerque stinks. Led to a minor panic trying to find the ferry home a few years back. Other than that, I'd highly recommend then for a peaceful, stereotypical day-tripper free crossing. And no perfume shops.
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I used it a lot. I think they are great, but they need to sort out free for all between lorries and cars on the exit bends. Got terribly scraped by a left hooker when I was stationary in one lane and he cut in from left to right to go round sharp bend.
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Just booked the car and two passengers with Sea France for £64 return, Dover Calais.
Norfolk Ferries seem to specialise in trucks and ferries lack windows/portholes . OK if you are not claustrophobic.
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They now have enormous glass fronted bar/cafeteria areas at the front of all their new ships. Not like the old days! (When the food was really cheap and shared with the transport users). The best part is no coach parties.
p
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The signage has, in my opinion, improved, but is far from fool-proof.
As regards the ferries themselves, I've used them fairly often and found them comfortable even in choppy seas. However, on occasion the choice of food has been extremely limited and some loos have been unavailable or unacceptably unhygienic.
All in all, though, good value.
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LD Lines have taken over from Speedferries and go from Dover to Boulougne. Has anyone tried them?
I would rather drive from Boulougne than Dunkirk.
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Dunkirk is that bit further to travel and the crossing that bit longer if you're looking to get a wiggle on, but the boat we were on was fine, very bright and airy.
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"Just booked the car and two passengers with Sea France for £64 return, Dover Calais.
Norfolk Ferries seem to specialise in trucks and ferries lack windows/portholes . OK if you are not claustrophobic. "
Having tried Sea France and Norfolk Lines (both many times) its no contest for me. Norfolk lines every time (just taken advantage of their regular traveller offer too).
Sea france imo treat you as cattle, herd you on, set off and herd you off without any concern for your sailing enjoyment. And food, dont even bother!
Norfolk lines, imo, actually make the crossing an enjoyable and relaxing experience.
Far better quality for a similar price.
Lacking windows portholes is nonsense, they have magnificent views and seating, better than Sf in fact!
Norfolk lines downfall is occasional toilets out of order or in bad order, and poor signage in Dunkirk; but no faults on any other aspect.
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A timely post, we are booked with Norfolk Lines for a crossing in March, originally booked with speedferries who we used last year, but as they went pop had to rebook, and 6 crossings with NL was about the same price as they were with SF.
Have used Sea France before, whilst they were ok did not find them that good. SpeedFerries were good, nice and cheap and a quick crossing, shame they went bust!
Looking forward to our trip in March so good to hear the ferries are decent.
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I've been crossing for 33 years in my cars and I'd say that Norfolk Lines IMHO are the the best at providing a reliable and decent service. If you arrive early they will get you on the early boat if there's space and you can have one free change on a standard ticket. Used Speederries and liked the "fight the pirates" theme but never really looked forward to chilling out after a long drive to the port but enjoyed the price and speed! Used NL five times last year and found the loos fine, botas clean, staff good and the coffee half decent - why would you choose to eat on a ferry when you're leaving or arriving in France? Be prepared for a few leers if your partner is female, has only one head as there are a lot of East European lorry drivers is about the only negative thing I can think of.
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We have usually travelled for 12 years by Sea France and have absolutely no quibbles with them. As said, it is a matter of opinion. We eat on the Sea France ferry because it is a 5 hour drive to Dover from home and the break on the ferry is welcome.No incentive to try NL AFAIK. P&O was rather unpleasant last summer, compared to Sea France, and we were forced to queue on the stairs for grub.
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I think thats the key to it all, GWS... we've been using the Tunnel for the past 8 years for several reasons, firstly two of our group get seasick on a millpond, secondly speed, and thirdly convenience, we once managed to arrive, board and were on the road again in under an hour... something that you can't do with the boat... I've just booked this summer for £123 return, not as cheap as others, but for us the best option... and not that much more.
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I like the boat(s) if you are just going to calais or boulogne for a shoppy day.
But if you need to get somewhere, and bearing in mind you have already lost an hour of your day through the stupid time change, the speed of the tunnel wins hands down.
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