Ferry Operators - France - Ireland - more (merged)

YorkshireBoy

We went with Keycamp to the Vendee region in May 2000. We "upgraded" to the Portsmouth/St Malo crossing with Brittany Ferries (saves 250+ miles each way compared to Dover/Calais) and travelled on the MV Bretagne. This vessel had at least 4 bars, with full Cabaret in one.

From memory, the price then was £160 but this included a cabin both ways (£60 out at night and £10 back during the day). You can reduce the cost by booking a reclining seat in one of the salons but I wouldn't recommend it (very cramped & noisy). Brittany Ferries used to insist you "bought" a cabin or chair if one was available - they don't like people sleeping in the corridors!

Just a point on the prices, a lot of my friends have, over the years, booked a 3 day out of season camping break and not even checked into the campsite - just to get a good price on this particular crossing!

In summary, book it, I don't think you'll get a better price in August.

YB

Babbler

The local paper in Portsmouth is doing Britanny Ferries breaks from Portsmouth starting at a fiver. Not sure what the deal is as only saw it on the front page briefly but I believe its similar to the sun. Gives you a car upgrade for £20. Will check on Monday. Token collect though...

Quinny_2

Excellent.Keep them coming.

It would seem though,that on the face of it,the camping companies seem to get a better deal,than going on your own,but I haven't been in touch with any of the ferry companies direct,to see what prices they charge,only through their websites,but they seem expensive.

Ken.

rhartley

Your price seems very good indeed.

I travelled from Portsmouth to Cherbourg with Condor Ferries last August and it was easily the best deal I could find on that route: £209.59 booked through Ferrysavers. That price was for a 14 days return ticket for a mid-size MPV with roofbox and rear bike rack, driver and 4 passengers.

I have to say that the boat itself didn't have anywhere near as much room for passengers as you get on the vessels used by some of the better known operators. I would recommend taking a cabin if you value peace and quiet. On the positive side, the food was good value and very tasty.

Incidentally, I've used Ferrysavers twice now and found them to offer great deals. However, you have to play around with your departure dates in order to find the very best offers when using their online quote facility. I seem to recall that the Condor sailing we used was only operating on Sundays last year and I nearly missed it when doing my research.

Websites: https://www.ferrysavers.com and https://www.condorferries.co.uk

Quinny_2

I've just tried Ferrysavers,and the best price I could get was £430,and the dearest was just a whisker short of £500,and these were like yours,travelling in August.!!!! A lot for just 1 car,and 4 passengers.

Not only that,I was flexible as to which of the English ports,and French ports I was prepared to travel from/to,and also times,including night time,although,yes,I would have to have a cabin,but I took account of this.

I even used a discount code I was given by a friend,still to no avail.

It would seem the holiday comapnies can command better discounts,and while I could book my ferry at short notice if I went independently,and maybe saving a few pounds,the same can't really be said about the holiday,due to supply and demand.

Even taking a night ferry,booked through the holiday company,and having a cabin,is still cheaper.

gloves

I've planned a holiday in Brittany, we're staying at a cottage but your ferry cost of £220 is much lower than I could find. Where did you get this quote?

Quinny wrote:

We have picked a camp site,and through them,a return ferry was £220.

Nobby_Nomates

Just recieved Ferrysavers new discount code for 2005, as a valued customer

Just had a quick look at what I paid last year, and 2005 prices a lot cheaper with the code than I paid in 2004. Works with short breaks or longer stays on a number of ferry routes from the UK

New 2005 code TC5

https://www.ferrysavers.com

tiff

How much is the discount Nobby?

lfc84

i cant get it to give me any quotes. Tried various routings and it just tells me to contact the call centre

lfc84

also when i enter 1 adult it "tries" to give me a quote for 3 adults !!

has anyone got it to work ?