cross channel ferries please

[sfxmum]

hello as per tittle may have have experiences and recommendations for cross channel ferries please
many thanks in advance

It depends where you are going and where you live. We are in the South West so tend to do overnight crossings, which I find work pretty well although you don't get much sleep.

thanks we live in London but were thinking of doing Dover to Calais possibly very early morning mostly so that the drive to destination is over before evening

I agree with your plan. I've done that crossing loads of times and it is best to get over early. One thing we used to do was stay the night before in Dover at a cheap hotel and then be ready first thing (around 6am). Saved adding a couple of hours driving in the night but obviously adds money.

thanks any particular company or are they all pretty much the same?

We did Dover to Dunkirk recently, with Norfolk Line, Our fare total was £29.02 and thought that this was just because it was March but did some trawling and we could get this fare in August as well, depending on what time we travelled.

thanks must keep looking the prices I have seen so far are higher than that

We did Portsmouth-St Malo at Christmas and did the day crossing and the night crossing to compare.

The night crossing was WAY better and I would rather poke my eyes out with sticks than do the day crossing again with the DC's. Yes, you don't get much sleep, but you get a good few hours which is better than trying to entertain kids with fuck all entertainment options for 8/9 hours.

big vote for the eurotunnel here - if you're going early in the day its usually pretty cheap (and quick) -also if you turn up early they bung you on an earlier train so you can get going -its folkstone to calais tho

suwoo sounds traumactic was thinking very early morning, breakfast on board, it has been a good 20 years since I used a ferry

poppy tunnel and flying have been ruled out by dh, it is his birthday trip so no argument from me

I hadn't been on a ferry for about 18/19 years either. We chose to arrive in St Malo as its only 1 hour away from mum and dads in Brittany.

It took us 16 hours door to door which is not a good bet when compared with Ryanair!

If you can do a short crossing then great, but DS also cried nearly all the way home in the car.

I will then blame dh I think

I think the place where we are staying is only a couple of hrs drive from Calais so it should not be too bad

Well that sounds ok then.

I've been on Brittany and Stena and both were absolutely fine.

If you are going over to Calais, I'd do the shortest crossing possible as it is no great fun with LOs. Also, if the journey is a few hours and they have the posh lounge, I always pay because you can get some peace and quiet away from all the other passengers.

thanks that sounds like good advice, how about Sea France? any experience?

We have done ferries a few times, but when we went Eurotunnel, we said we'd never do ferries again. (Long waits/ not particularly nice ferries/expensive food) Take a picnic. Open the car doors, stretch your legs, go the loo. You'll be there before you can say 'boo'

We went Seafrance last year (as part of a MN prize) and it was fine. Hadnlt sue a channel car ferry before so no comaprison but it was nlt too crowded and plenty of room to sit and move around. Previously had used ht tunnel but would use ferry again as the kids liked the space - we sat and played cards.

thanks all the quicker the better I am sure
I would do the tunnel but not having my way this time

i use Dover/calais ferriesd a lot and they re all much the same - just book the cheapest. My dcs have been travelling on them since they were babies and it's easy to keep them entertained for the 1.5 hrs you're on there for!!

Food isn't great but I usually get an early morning ferry on the way out and get them breakfast, then dinner on the way back. They're happy with sausage and chips!

There is now only one boat a day in each direction Portsmouth S. Malo so you have no option but to do one day and one night crossing (this may not be true in very high season)

OP are you ruling out the Eurotunnel for any reason? I found it hot and puky but it's very quick and you don't have to get out of your car which can be a blessing or a curse depending on whether DCs are awake or not.

thanks both I am ruling the tunnel and flying also night journeys, all at dh's request and I am fine with it, dd is nearly 4 so should be ok for a short journey

actually need to book it today as it is the last thing left to do

I have very nice memories of going on the tunnel but first class with meals each way all very civilised and fast

If you are still debating, we have done Dover - Dunkerque with NorfolkLine, a couple of times. Very efficient, clean, comfortable ferries (although the journey is only 1hr 45m) and cheaper than other routes we checked. Last summer, July over and August back, was £70 for a car and 4 passengers. Thought that was pretty good, especially for such an efficient and quick service. Only neg so far has been that each time we have tried to book online, have got so far and then needed to phone as couldn't get any further - however, if you explain to the rep, they will waive the extra charge which a phone booking usually incurs. Good service