DFDS ferry Newcastle-Amsterdam. How do I get a good deal on this holiday?

[WhiskyandRed]

Thinking of booking a family holiday to Europe by ferry, travelling from Newcastle to Amsterdam because it suits us as we live in the north. Had a look at the prices and they’re quite high even with an early bird offer — huge difference to Dover-Callais.

I understand that a big part of the price is the cabin because it’s an overnight, and I don’t want to be too tight about our accommodation because DC are still quite small and so sleep is really precious for me and my husband! So here are my questions for those who’ve travelled this route before:

—am I likely to get a better deal than 15% off with early bird booking? Should I just go ahead and book this now, or hang on for something else?

—is it worth paying for the much more expensive commodore cabin, if we can afford to?

—any other tips for making this a frugal and enjoyable holiday? (We’ll be camping when we get there.)

Following

why not fly its dead cheap. We are going next week flights were £45 quid each with easy jet flight only takes 1hr.

We paid 500 last year in Black Friday sale and about 750 the year before in march (both holidays end June).
We’ve never bothered with a commodore cabin. We do prebook dinner but don’t bother with breakfast. We travel Monday till the following Friday so ten days away.
It’s a lovely relaxing start/end to the holiday.
Once in NL we only need about Eu20/night for camping (we have a van) so the whole holiday is about £1k for three of us.

We bring food for tea with us and food for breakfast too. Ferry food bought once your onboard is very expensive, slightly cheaper to book before but we found it easier and much much cheaper to do cold tea and cold breakfast (fussy kids).

Commodore class is lovely, we did it once as kids. But actually a cabin with window was nice enough. Price wise I don’t know - we booked 15% off too, but quite last minute last time: so I’m interested in following.

Thanks everyone, this is all really helpful.

Flying is not so sensible when camping (we bring all our own kit) and it’s so handy to have the car.

Will definitely be bringing a picnic for dinner and breakfast.

Still considering commodore, though perhaps just a sea view will be enough.

Good to know they do a Black Friday deal! Missed that for this year, but will look out for it next time if this year goes well.

We just stayed in a basic cabin. It was spot on don’t think I’d pay extra for a sea view.

We have travelled on this route 3 times
We paid extra once for a sea view but wouldn’t do it again a basic cabin is absolutely fine
Food onboard is really expensive
We tended to take a packed lunch with us then stop at a service station when we got off the ferry

You can get 4% cash back by going through quidco

Ooo thanks riotingbananas!

Sounds like there’s a pretty clear consensus about the basic cabins being the way to go.

Op check out efteling if you your going by ferry up there! It's an incredible theme park!

Ooo, I looked it up, it looks magical!

We’ve never done commodore class and have done this a few times. Don’t pre-book dinner at the same time as your cabin; you often get an email a few weeks later with a half price dinner deal and we book it then 😊

Shop around dates and yes yes to basic cabin. Also worth looking at Hull to Zeebrugge as an alternative as it’s often cheaper.

Thanks pottering and cardi those are both good tips. Off to have a look at Hull crossings...