DFDS Ferries
We have just took a crossing from Dover to Dunkirk 17/11/16 and the DFDS ferry was nothing better than a floating pig sty,
Here are just a few of the surprises that lay in store;
No lock on gents toilet cubicle (next to resturant and the door pegged open which is not hygienic.)
Ladies toilet 50% Out of order
Seating in a poor state of repair and very shabby (not helped by passengers putting their feet on the seats)
Couldnt care less attitude when I made a complaint whilst onboard.
I would suggest Avoid
Comments
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It must have gone downhill. Last travelled that route with DFDS about six years ago. Whilst not comparable with Cunard, I found it OK.
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Last travelled DFDS a couple of years ago and not as bad as described above. My main complaint was the food that is just left under the hotplate trip after trip until sold! We took our own sandwiches after that. Compare that to Stena where main meals
are cooked fresh for each customer0 -
There is a big petition online about DFDS ferries and dogs. Someone's dog died on a ferry journey and they want DFDS to change their policy. So this review is another reason they will not be on our list to use.
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Did DFDS policy have a significant bearing on the animal's demise?
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To be honest, the full facts are not clear. However DFDS insist dogs must remain in the car throughout the journey, and I got the impression that you cannot go down to visit them. It happened in the Summer months, very warm conditions, young healthy dog that died of heat exhaustion. Some ferry companies have much better policies regarding dogs, in fact I think some have a designated area where they can be taken. I am not that well up on dogs and ferries, purely because it isn't something we would do with ours. Chunnel would be our first option, but we are not that keen on taking them overseas at all to be honest. I do know that DFDS have not responded to owners or the petition, at least up to this date. Very sad for owners and dog, as I said poor thing was only young.
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To be honest, the full facts are not clear. However DFDS insist dogs must remain in the car throughout the journey, and I got the impression that you cannot go down to visit them. It happened in the Summer months, very warm conditions, young healthy dog
that died of heat exhaustion. Some ferry companies have much better policies regarding dogs, in fact I think some have a designated area where they can be taken. I am not that well up on dogs and ferries, purely because it isn't something we would do with
ours. Chunnel would be our first option, but we are not that keen on taking them overseas at all to be honest. I do know that DFDS have not responded to owners or the petition, at least up to this date. Very sad for owners and dog, as I said poor thing was
only young.Write your comments here...I think all ferry companies insist the dog stays in the vehicle and for obvious safety reasonss you are not allowed on the car decks for whatever reason. However susrely the onus is on the dog owner to make sure the car/MH is
well ventilated and the dog has access to plenty of water for the 90 minute crosing as you would if you just parked up somewhere.0 -
I am not sure about individual companies, some seem to have a small designated exercise area on board, others insist on kennels, others you have to leave them in your car muzzled (and pay for the privilege!). Only time we have used ferries with our dogs
is up in Highlands, CalMac ferries, and they allowed dogs up on decks, so we were happy. We checked everything out before we bought our tickets, wouldn't have gone had we to leave dogs in car below decks, just our choice.0 -
A good ferry company will supply "dog on board" stickers and will check the vehicles but owners really must ensure good ventilation, leave water and food if necessary. No idea about DFDS general standards but I hope the OP complained to the ships office
at the time?0 -
DFDS give a bit of advice, windows open a bit, but not enough for animal to escape. They suggest leaving water and food, but not too much in case of soiling!
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Its a few years since we used DFDS Dunkerque to Dover route, can't say I had any problems with it then.
Longer ferry crossings usually have kennels for pets, some even have cabins where pets can be kept and areas on deck for walking them.
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Thank you TG, I thought some companies had different policies.
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Thank you TG, I thought some companies had different policies.
When we travel Portsmouth to Santander we were pleasantly suprised with the setup on the Pont Aven, the dog kennels are always open for the owners to go in and see the dogs and on the open back deck there is a corralled area where you can sit with the dogs,
or take them for a walk. We don't have a dog anymore but was curious to see how they were catered for, they all look quite happy.
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Used DFDS this year, Dover/Dunkirk in April returning June, everything seemed fine then.
My only problem would be that quite a few passengers think it is fine to monopolise the most comfortable seats by stretching out to sleep, over at least 3 spaces, with their shoes on. On some crossings it can be difficult to find a comfortable seat.
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Used DFDS this year, Dover/Dunkirk in April returning June, everything seemed fine then.
My only problem would be that quite a few passengers think it is fine to monopolise the most comfortable seats by stretching out to sleep, over at least 3 spaces, with their shoes on. On some crossings it can be difficult to find a comfortable seat.
Write your comments here...you should try an overnight ferry from France to Corsica instead of booking a cabin they bring fulll sleeping gear on board and take over....
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For a true "rustic" experience, Greek Island hopping ferries are "interesting". One we found ourselves on later sank on another journey. Long time ago now, but something never repeated!
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As a retired ship surveyor, I always take a walk around and look at the lifeboats once we get aboard, surprising how many are not properly secured!
Nothing particularly dangerous, just technicalities, but would not have been approved if I was inspecting.
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Brittany ferries give pet stickers to all and designated dog park g areas where they can't be exposed to sunshine. If memory serves DFDS weren't aware of the dog and it was parked in direct sunlight
. I have done Dover Dunkerque with them and no problems.
Last September the most recent with dogs. I have never felt the car deck to be hot on any crossing I have made and would have asked not to be on open deck if it had been suggested.0 -
There wasn't much wrong with this crossing when it was Norfolk Lines but the last time we used it with DFDS in charge it had deteriorated and I tend to agree with the sentiments of the OP. Would never touch ferry foodexcept on long range Brittany Ferry crossings
and having developed an intolerance to wheat can't indulge myself on those but a couple of items still looked acceptable.0 -
Stena Harwich to the Hook have the best idea for those travelling with dogs and occupy a cabin, the dog travels in a kennel on the car deck and can be viewed from the television in the cabin.
DFDS make their money from freight, passengers just pay for the crews cream cakes!
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Brittany ferries give pet stickers to all and designated dog park g areas where they can't be exposed to sunshine. If memory serves DFDS weren't aware of the dog and it was parked in direct sunlight
. I have done Dover Dunkerque with them and no problems. Last September the most recent with dogs. I have never felt the car deck to be hot on any crossing I have made and would have asked not to be on open deck if it had been suggested. I can't imagine why DFDS wouldn't know that a dog is on board - generally you are put in a different queue, have a label to hang on your mirror, and seem to be put in an area with other pet carrying vehicles.
However, back to the original subject, we've travelled many many times on DFDS and where it hasn't been luxurious it has never been as described by the OP. The toilets are generally in a large area, with an outside door, and then inner doors to each cubicle - perhaps the door was left open to allow a floor to dry after cleaning - but I don't think it's a general thing. The toilets on ferries can be very easily blocked by excess toilet paper and if children are allowed to use them without supervision.
Yes, the Dunkerque route does tend to be used by sleeping passengers (who seem to have travelled a very long way before hitting the ferry) so is subject to more 'feet on seats'. I think they have attempted to deal with this (some sailings more 'heavily' than others) with little effect.
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You could always wake them and point out that as they haven't paid for extra seating, you will be occupying one and don't wish to damage their ankle sitting on it.
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Agree with the sentiment CY but I think I'd try to find a member of staff first for help.
Last time we were on a DFDS there was a steward only allowing people who were eating into front 'restaurant' deck area and it did cut down on the 'sleepers' taking over a bench seat
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There is a big petition online about DFDS ferries and dogs. Someone's dog died on a ferry journey and they want DFDS to change their policy. So this review is another reason they will not be on our list to use.
We put the dogs in the caravan with water for a long crossing and have had no issues.
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