2022 Ferry Pricing

One possibility with ferry pricing/capacity is that UK ports could be starting to lose out as new routes direct from the Republic of Ireland  to the Continent are opening up reducing the number of trucks using the channel routes from the UK? Just a thought!

David

Just noticed that Irish Ferries operate a Dover/Calais service and that they take Tesco points.  So that is two companies on that route (Irish and Eurotunnel) where you can use £5 of Tesco points against £15 of the fare; so £100 of Tesco points gets you a £300 fare. 

 commeyras,

check the small print on the Tesco vouchers. Different operators have different maximum limits on what you can cash in per leg of your trip. £35 in vouchers for £105 of travel is fairly common, whilst for Irish Ferries it is £25 in vouchers for £75 of travel per leg.

Another odd one is you cannot start a Eurotunnel crossing from France on the voucher scheme.

On a side note. If you travel via DFDS then an over 60's discount of 20% is available if you phone your order through. I think the 0330 587 8787 number is subject to a 13p per minute charge though, unless somebody knows different, With the 20% it undercuts the C&MC prices.

Colin 

I think you're right but as you say, long long ago. My very dim understanding was that it carried French onion and garlic sellers with their bicycles but that may be the rosy glow of nostalgia......

BB wrote "..downside is I won't get to have breakfast on the seafront with CY"

Probably just as well. I'd be a bit ill-humoured as you'd be sneaking off to the sun and I wasn't.

AD wrote "I still have the discount membership with P&O dating back to shareholder deals"

Me too but I haven't found that I get any benefit as the price seems the same for 'Joe Public'

Same feelings re Caen. Made even worse going out by the hour change, worked out very expensive per hour for the cabin and I didn’t feel particularly rested for a days drive. We preferred St Malo out and Caen back, as at least then the hour worked for you. Plus, when tenting we used to park in the car park, go for a meal in a local restaurant and then join the queue when they started check in. St Malo was never that good for back when tenting, as so few night sailings. Although now we have a MH that’s just what we are going to do, straight off the boat and to Rookesbury Park.

BB said

however, our January crossing to St Malo (Poole not running till April) at £250 compares against last time's £150 to Cherbourg...however, we get to be 150+ km closer to our destination and the ferry time gets us there after breakfast rather than after lunch, so several hours extra daylight to make use of that head start.

The advantage St Malo has, is you get a nice cabin and a good sleep, so the £100 extra isn't bad £65 of that for the cabin. That means you pay £35 more to get an extra 150 + km nearer your destination  win win.

I think I've mentioned it before  but coming from Scotland it doesn't really matter where we get a ferry its always going to be a bit of a drive.

Newcastle to Amsterdam is the nearest 4hrs but if going to the South of France or Spain a bit of a drive on the other side.

Hull to Rotterdam (Zeebrugge no more) 7-8 hrs great for northern Europe but again a bit of a drive if going South.

Harwich to Hook we don't like as its not where we want to be and getting to Harwich is a pain, the timings of crossing don't suit either.

Dover requires either 1 or 2 night stopovers depending on time of crossing. Again great for northern Europe. We've recently just used the tunnel both ways and been to Spain. It suited us fine in that when we set off we didn't have a destination in mind. It just evolved as we toured. In winter though it might be a bit of a drag.

Haven't done Newhaven but it would require 1 or 2 nights stopover and timings aren't great.

Portsmouth to St Malo, we like, timings are good going out if a bit pricey, not so great for coming back. Requires at least 1 night stopover.

Portsmouth to Caen, not done going but have used it many times coming back. if its the morning coming back we can get home with just 1 stopover.

Portsmouth to Santander/Bilbao, depending on timings its at least 1 night stopover usually 2. Expensive but if weather good enjoyable. The benefit is it gets us where we want to be (Spain) with a break from driving in between.

Plymouth to Roscoff, used it a couple of times and like it. Its a 2 night stopover when towing but could manage it with 1 night if using the MH and leaving home a bit earlier. We have taken the Pont Aven crossing as the timings are a bit better. Not used it coming home just going. 

When we take in cost of fuel and campsites coming and going, there really isn't an awful lot of difference in any of the crossings for us. Time isn't usually a factor as we are not in a hurry. OH hates being idle so for him the tunnel crossing was great. Doesn't make much difference to me as he does all the driving. 

I think its the initial shock when you see the price of the long crossings. Especially for us as we have that 2 day drive and stopover getting to/from the port.

Personal choice but I don't like the mad dash, I prefer the take your time and tour. We haven't done a winter trip to the sun yet maybe that would change my mind 

 After several years of the caravans go free and the resultant late night pitching and early morning leaving at/from les Pommiers we've gone soft and now have overnights - usually still Portsmouth - Caen - with an overnight cabin as said. Absolute luxury, and for us living in the (English) midlands we can leave home late afternoon / early evening and are back by mid-day so saving a lot of wasted time in the UK. Pluse the eraly morning start into France is great and allows for a substantial first day.

Expensive yes but worth it to us.