Ferry discount a myth?
I've been a member for 3 years, and over the past 2, I've recouped my membership fee by getting discounts on Brittany Ferries Crossings (4 in total)
This year...twice when I have tried to book, the Caravan Club prices are actually MORE than the Brittany Ferry Website...I can't be bothered to waste my time ringing up for a price match.
Also, I was quoted a CC discount on my P&O crossing from Dover to Calais return...the discount was ONE POUND!
...and what I have now found with P&O..is that if you book with them once..they will send you offers that will far outstrip Caravan Club discounts in the future.
My final gripe, is the the CC will not tell you in advance what selected sailings have the biggest discounts (if any) in advance...unlike the Camping and Caravan Club site.
The membership isn't cheap (I don't actually want or need a paper magazine every month) and it's strange how UK CC site fees have risen, and prices are now a minefield with some altering rates four times in a single month...unlike their competitors who quote simple high and low seasons at a much more reasonable price.
Hmm....I won't be renewing my membership I think.
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.unlike their competitors who quote simple high and low seasons at a much more reasonable price.
Ae you talking about the CCC because their price structure is just as bad with their flexable prices,the only thing that does make a difference is their Age Concession Rate..
They also get there fair share of problems with ferry discounts.But when we went to France earlier this year their rates were much cheaper.
I personally think both the CMC and CCC do not get "latest prices" from the ferry operators.If you do find a latest offer the CCC will match it but you have to ring up and not rely on internet.
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I can't speak for other ferry companies but there there definitely are discounts on some Brittany Ferries sailings. If you click Overseas Holidays at the top of this page the section on Ferry Offers tells you which ones. And if you couple ferry with site vouchers that sometimes gives even better prices.
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In my opinion this misses by far the better "deals" that are out there. These include adding on 4 cheques or 5 select site nights, great if actually usable, and even if binned also can make some worth while savings.
Another, is showing some flexibility going for particular sailings, like those involving a late arrival and early departure time of day, day of week. Avoiding those that might be exploited for breaks using Bank holidays etc.
Experience, is a phone call is needed, not the easier keyboard booking option, if getting a "deal" is what you seek. You need time, it is not a IME a quick option.
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We have on occasion had a good deal, I always shop around for the best price and am flexible about the days we will travel on but will not drive overnight, very early in the morning or a late evening ferry.
Why, well we did all that years ago when living in Germany and our time on holiday was precious.
Nowadays we have all the time in the world so we travel at times that suit us and from ports that are convenient to where we live or where we are going.
If its a long ferry (over 6 hours) we prefer to travel at night, this means we have a sleep and arrive fully rested (usually)
When you live in Scotland like we do everywhere is a drive to the port, but we are quite happy driving to Plymouth to get the overnight ferry to Roscoff as this is one of the deals that is a good one.
Hull ferries used to be a good deal if you travel at the weekend but lately I've either missed the offers or they are just not there anymore.
Brittany Ferries have some good offers through the club but the Caen one (midday out and early morning back) doesn't really suit us.
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We have always got a discount on ferry fares but always book by phone. Frankly that seems to be quicker than the web site which is not that helpful and by speaking to the booking service we have got deals we had missed when looking up the details on line.
I know many people can see no further than the web, but my experience is that they are missing out badly on many European trips options and the phone call is no more difficult than web booking, probably easier.
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I have only one experience of booking a ferry through the club after many thoughts of taking the van abroad, we finally took the plunge. The first pass at pricing up the trip, which nearly stopped at the ferry price of £697 from Plymouth to Roscoff and back with one night crossing. However in light of the cost we decided to press ahead with the decision and replace our two week booking at Haycraft from 2nd Sept which was £375 for 14 nights. (anyone looking for a visit to Haycraft ?)
We have now booked 31nights in Brittany and Loire Valley 6 different sites from the CC Brochure and the above Ferry, with the Discount, the total cost was £889.
Only £514 more than Haycraft and 17 nights longer and only £192 more than the Brittany Ferry original price. which feels like a decent discount.
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Hi Dr Nigel,
We've found the same. Working crazy hours leaves little time for phoning around and chasing your tail. We tend to do our research late in the evening - and therefore online.
Membership isn't cheap. I've suggested to the club that they offer a magazine free membership. The magazine is of no value to us, the articles don't interest us, and they keep repeating the same areas, we'd rather not receive the mag.
We've found the site fees have risen too. We use the van to visit family and friends at weekends, and for a couple of weeks away in the summer. For weekends it's now competitive to stay in a travelodge type hotel (there are 5 of us), with ensuite and free wifi.
Caravanning has become an expensive way to travel in the UK.
Going abroad, we have children so must travel in the school hols, so no camping cheques can be used. Discount on early morning ferry was £10.
We very nearly didn't renew our membership this year, and probably won't next year.
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