Caen ferry terminal
Anybody been through in the last couple of weeks?
Chatting to someone on site yesterday and she said it was pretty bad with lots of migrants about in town, outside of the campsite and along the river. We leave early on Thursday and spending Wednesday night @ Riva Bella and I'm a bit nervous of the situation. Last time we stayed there we both woke up suddenly in the night after hearing some noise under the caravan.
Hubby thinks I'm daft!!
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Hi, we were there for one night at Riva Bella in the beginning of June & will be there for 1 night before the ferry in a week’s time. No problems coming into France. There was a gendarme presence in Ouistreham & we did see a few immigrants, but no trouble whatsoever.
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Just returned from France via Ouistreham and noted a few migrants hanging around the Port area. but they were closely watched by the Gendarmerie.
Also noted that Customs were very thorough, and searched all vehicles and Caravans while waiting. Same applied to the HGV's
It looked a pretty well organised setup to me and that they were well aware of the increased migrant activity.
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We are here at Riva Bella now David. The site is much nicer than it was 2 years ago and so so busy today resembling a caravan club site with all the flashy new outfits
Yes there were some folks lounging about outside, kicking footballs having haircuts etc!! But it'll be safety in numbers in the morning with the number of Brits leaving @ 6.30am.
Oh and must remember to bring the step in and remove the towing mirrors. Is nothing safe.
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I have been out and back though Caen in June, and stayed at Riva Bella both times. The site is fine. Excellent check in arrangements, refurbished toilets and absolutely no hassle. As for the port the local gendarmerie have the approach roads and in particular the area before the embarkation area totally secure. No need for anyone to feel worried.
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We will be getting the evening crossing in September and haven’t been that route for 30 years. Presumably you can check in quite early and just park up awaiting boarding, or does it need to be nearer the departure time?
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Yes, you can arrive early and queue, but I'm afraid you won't board early. The ship arrives at Caen at 2130 and has just a 90 minute turn around time to unload, clean cabins, and re load for the 2300 departure. Then it's usually freight on board first, then solo cars, and finally motorhomes and caravans. At worst you may not be on board until ten minutes before departure. Sorry.
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Riva bella price structure has gone up dramatically. I stayed there on 4th June and the pitch cost me €17 with ACSI. I return to the Uk on 10th July which is now their peak season and the price is €34. Ouch! Will use Les Capucines down the road instead. So will not be worried about migrants
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Thanks. It’s actually the 16.30 crossing but it was the ability to enter the port rather than board early so the information is helpful.
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I got the 16:30 crossing recently, arriving about 14:15. Got directed to one of the boarding lanes and ended up in pole position. I was home and had the kettle on probably before they finished disembarkation. Had a cursory inspection by the gendarmerie whilst waiting.
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Unless you live south of London or in the south west it is hard to understand why you use this route. There is a better choice of crossings on the Dover-Calais route and it is over twice as expensive as the channel tunnel (ferries even cheaper) and only saves 150 miles on the journey south!
I have twice used the tunnel this year and never seen a sign of any immigrants. They have probably been totally put off even trying this route with all the efforts gone into deterring them.
peedee
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I don't find it hard to understand as I think that it depends on your dates. I have costed out a proposed trip to Beg Leguer in Brittany and by going on a Sunday [2nd September] and buying the CMC cheques package I got the ferry to Ouistreham for £303 while Calais ferry is £184.
But according to Michelin it is 200 miles further from Calais and Michelin's costing for the journey are £64 [return] against £192 [return] although I accept that was using the peage [£64 return]. So when you add the two together if you were prepared to drive 399 miles after crossing the channel in one day which we wouldn't, the difference comes down to £13. In our case less £15 for a campsite on route makes it actually £2 dearer to use Calais.
Even if you were heading south via Le Mans it is 100 miles further from Calais so there isn't going to be such a big difference.
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Beg Leguer is not really going south LTC! Going to west Brittany is totally different. Even the ferry to St Malo might be cheaper??? I only looked at an outward trip south via Le mans and didn't even take tolls into account, the route down to Rouen from Calais, the first 130 miles, largely being toll free anyway.
peedee
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The trick with the Portsmouth - Caen route is not to book blindly on line.
It will always be expensive in the peak holiday period, but other than that there are a few pointers for money saving at other times of year - use the day time crossings to avoid having to pay for a cabin on the ship, talk to the Club travel desk and ask if they have any Caravan Goes Free slots, and ask them too about reducing the fare by adding in a few of the Club's site vouchers to use over there.
And if all else fails I will give you a Club Voyage code for you to save 10% on the base fare - just ask the manager of this forum to give me your e.mail address.
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Off topic I know - so apologies !!
But to Jenny (Long time caravanner), you've made a very good choice with Beg Leguer. The site is very well kept with large pitches and many have good sea views.
The owner is a charming Frenchman who speaks excellent English. He should be back from his off-season trip to Guadalope (we missed him this year). Give him our best wishes !!
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Then ask Club Travel Desk if they can offer Motorhome for the price of a car. Sometimes they can.
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Tell 'em you want to travel on it, not buy it.
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With a car/caravan combination, I always add 4 site night vouchers (2 of which can be used at Riva Bella), and sail out on the Sat afternoon sailing, and back in on an 08.30 sailing. Less than £280 including £87 for site vouchers.
I you dont add the vouchers, the same sailings are at least double.
I always play around with theCMC online booking system to check prices, but as Eurotraveller says, the Club's travel service will usually point you in the right direction for cheaper fares
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Wow! Thanks Lagerorwine.I never look at Saturdays as I assumed that Saturday would be the most popular and therefore dearer. I have just costed out Sat. 1st September and it is £274 as opposed to £303 on Sunday 2nd.
I don't know if site vouchers are available on all crossings as we only have used Portsmouth/Caen and the afternoon crossing out and morning crossing back as they are the times that suit us but we have always bought site vouchers as part of the package for May and September.
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Saturday also has the advantage that, after a Saturday nights sleep, you get a full day travelling without HGVs on French roads, so can put 250-300 miles on without them breathing down your rear end.
Regarding site night vouchers, afraid I'm not sure which ones they work with, but fairly sure they don't reduce the price of Eurotunnel crossings.
In low season, the CMC vouchers are expensive.I was a dedicated Camping Cheque follower until now, but no longer, so as they reduce the price of a crossing, I'll be taking them regardless of value, as they save considerably more than they cost, so could be regarded as a freebie (as were Camping Cheques)
In high season, they are probably good value.
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Anyone contemplating the Club's Site Vouchers should be aware that in high season they "cost" two vouchers per night. Since they are £21.95 each, this high-season "cost" is £43.90. Not many site's charges are this high and I haven' been able to establish what the high season dates are for the sites in the scheme.
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