Thoughts please

Leavemealone

More general travel question. 

I live in the Isle of Wight UK. We are served by two independent car ferry companies as the only way for car and passengers to move between island and mainland. 

For many years we are at the time and financial mercy of these companies. A problem we choose to accept if we wish to remain residents of IOW. 
However over the last few years these services have become not only more expensive but especially this year both services have become increasingly less reliable than is acceptable to a point where they are causing real problems rather than inconveniences. 

My question is their T and C’s do not sufficiently cover my quandary. 

We have an international flight from Heathrow which departs at 12.10 pm. I had originally booked for a ferry time to leave the island at 4am first trip of day other than commercial sailing. This should give us plenty of time but with the increasingly unreliability of booked sailings with late notice delays or even cancellations I really cannot accept this will happen without problems. Even with compensation I would not receive anywhere near the total cost of holiday and having spoken to insurance they cannot confirm any cover. 

The only option is to overnight in Heathrow hotel which is not only expensive but as 2 passengers are elderly and disabled not easy to organise either. 

We made the booking in January when both services were much more reliable but things have really deteriorated since then - this has even made an appearance in parliament as it is such a problem. 

My question am I missing a workaround or am I ‘up the street without a paddle’ and will have to accept there is nothing I can do but hold my breath and maybe lose my whole trip purely because of bad service. 

Leavemealone

https://www.countypress.co.uk/news/24569423.isle-wight-ferry-crisis-continues-cancellations/?ref=ebmpn&nid=1529&block=article_block_a&u=616b4559dc1e39483a58f55a1f69d154&date=070924

tacpot12

The workaround is to get to the mainland before and stay in a hotel that isn't as expensive as the ones around Heathrow. If you stay somewhere that is an 60-75 minutes away from Heathrow, you are certain to make your flight. You'll have a much wider choice of hotels. 

Brie

I'd suggest heading for any premier inn or similar between Southampton and Heathrow.  You don't need to be close to the airport but just across the ferry bit.  If you leave Southampton by 8 you "should" be there in time for your flight.  (I'm in Bournemouth so know what the M27/M3 can be like.)

maman

Perhaps others can advise whether they are any hotels/B&Bs you could stay in that would also park your car while you're away and take you to the airport. 🤔

A simple solution would be to stay in Southampton and drive to Heathrow. 

TheBanker

Leavemealone said:

More general travel question. 

I live in the Isle of Wight UK. We are served by two independent car ferry companies as the only way for car and passengers to move between island and mainland. 

For many years we are at the time and financial mercy of these companies. A problem we choose to accept if we wish to remain residents of IOW. 
However over the last few years these services have become not only more expensive but especially this year both services have become increasingly less reliable than is acceptable to a point where they are causing real problems rather than inconveniences. 

My question is their T and C’s do not sufficiently cover my quandary. 

We have an international flight from Heathrow which departs at 12.10 pm. I had originally booked for a ferry time to leave the island at 4am first trip of day other than commercial sailing. This should give us plenty of time but with the increasingly unreliability of booked sailings with late notice delays or even cancellations I really cannot accept this will happen without problems. Even with compensation I would not receive anywhere near the total cost of holiday and having spoken to insurance they cannot confirm any cover. 

The only option is to overnight in Heathrow hotel which is not only expensive but as 2 passengers are elderly and disabled not easy to organise either. 

We made the booking in January when both services were much more reliable but things have really deteriorated since then - this has even made an appearance in parliament as it is such a problem. 

My question am I missing a workaround or am I ‘up the street without a paddle’ and will have to accept there is nothing I can do but hold my breath and maybe lose my whole trip purely because of bad service. 

Most hotels have accessible rooms these days for the elderly and disabled. If they can get a flight (and presumably are staying somewhere at the other end of the flight) they should be ok. Ring in advance to discuss your requirements.

As others have said, look for a hotel between Southampton and the airport, it will be cheaper and you can have a nice meal in the evening. 

Also - most travel insurance covers additional costs as a result of public transport delays on the way to the airport. Not ideal as you miss part of your holiday or might miss whatever it is you're flying for. Personally I'd get a hotel, but if you decide on the early ferry then I'd look for another insurance policy that includes the cover you need.

Leavemealone

Thank you to be honest had not thought of cheaper hotel. Trouble is just realised that if we stay further away we will also have to get a room for driver of our car who is taking car home or get taxi to airport and more money to be spent. It just feels so unfair to have to pay all this extra through no fault of our own. 

I think there is a major problem brewing and we might all end up only being able to fly or use smaller non car carrying services. All vehicle carriers are prioritised for vital supplies. They are even trialing drones to get medicines over! Ferries from Portsmouth/Southamton are cheaper to Continent. This crossing mile for mile is the most expensive in the world. Every government promises to address problems but never do. Nice place to live but travel and don’ get me started on NHS!  Again thanks for suggestions. 

Hoenir

Leavemealone said:

Trouble is just realised that if we stay further away we will also have to get a room for driver of our car who is taking car home or get taxi to airport and more money to be spent. It just feels so unfair to have to pay all this extra through no fault of our own. 

You don't want to spend the extra money to ensure the holiday goes ahead. Yet would prefer other ferry customers to cover the cost of your trip should it not be possible. Is that fair when it's absolutely nothing to do with them at all. 

Leavemealone

I am really sorry but I do not understand your comment. I know there is always a risk when posting that I will run the risk of being trolled but I would really like to understand what I have implied for you to make this unnecessary and frankly insulting response. 

maman

We can't resolve the issue of the reliability of the ferry service from the Island (irritating though it may be for IoW residents) but it's not unusual to have a stay over in a hotel before flying out on a holiday.

Now you've explained that you have a driver, they could take you anytime the day before and wouldn't have to stay over. They could drive you to a hotel near the airport and return the same day. 

Leavemealone

Thank you I understand and agree that it is not unusual and even when ferries were reliable we did indeed choose to travel to the mainland the previous day for convenience. The trouble is being many years older now and wheelchair disabled things need to be thought out a bit more😟.  With respect to your point if the driver did not stay overnight he and the car would have to cross on ferry that evening and then return hopefully if our original required ferry was actually running to time? or have I misunderstood.  

I know that I will have to go with whatever works regardless of cost but I feel that this might be unique set of circumstances not unknown to us residents of IOW but it just feels there ought to be a little more help available to people in these kinds of circumstances. I have lived here most of my decades so do know and expect these problems and unfortunately this circumstance does not seem to be covered.  

Once again thank you to all who have given suggestions.