Info for anyone that has won a mini cruise with DFDS

Clare1985

Hi

Just thought this information may be useful. I rang DFDS just to clarify a couple of things. Just thought i would post incase anyone was interested.

:cool: Car Parking at the Newcastle port is £8 a day, they told me you dont need to pre-book this you just pay on the day.

Also I asked if it's cheaper to purchase your meals before you go or purchase them on board, they have advised me that it's the same price on board and when you pre-book, but if you pre-book they make a table reservation for you.

Hope this helps some of you

Clare x

fizzbomb

Thanks for info what a good idea to post this as so many have won these:beer: I myself go on these trips pretty often (twice so far this year) and it might be of interest that if anyone feels they would be hapy to do so there are plenty of other places nearby with free parking, including Hotel aprox 200metres from terminal you pass it on the only road to the ferry on the right hand side just after the royal quays outlet shopping which also provides 100s of free parking bays
Other thing is , You are not forced to buy the meals on board you can take a picnic meals/ snacks are expensive for what they are last time we went burgher and chips for the kids was £12 quid each drinks in the bar are however quite reasonable and entertainment is o k also food in amsterdam just around the same sort of prices as uk varied fom mcdonalds with its 99cent menu up to expensive , plenty cafes do toasties slices of pizza salads etc at very resonable prices, plenty to choose from near bus drop offs:j

Clare1985

Thankyou for that that Fizzbomb nice to share information as i have never done this sort of thing before. I cant wait.:j

fizzbomb

its good fun and there is loads to do in Amsterdam,
The bus /Sightseeing tour drops off opposite central Station right next to yhe pedestrian shopping area, there are also lots of bakers/ sandwichshops nearby for fresh supplies on homward journey, smokers will find cheap ciggs in duty free on board,although slightly cheaper in amsterdam the diff is only pennies doesnt seem worth carrying them around

Littletinker_2

If you eat on board it is pretty pricy so be warned, they have a sea food restaraunt and another one that does different food, I usually take something with me becuase it does work out quite expensive if you eat on board on the way there and back, however, breakfast is pretty cheap and nice on board

Clare1985

If you take your own food is there places you can eat it other than your own cabin?

debsy42

Don't do what me and my friend did when we went a couple of years ago. We went straight to the bar, spent all night there and around midnight when we were starving found that all the places to eat had closed :eek: We had no euros on us to get something out of the vending machine so we had to share a tub of pringles between us until we got into Amsterdam the next morning.

It was probably the most eventful trip I've ever been on, amongst other things my friends card got eaten by a cash machine and we overslept on the boat when it docked back in Newcastle and nearly ended up going back to Amsterdam :eek: However I can't wait to go again and will maybe see some MSE'ers on board.

scottishfreebiehunter

Thanks for above info guys much appreciated.

Are they cabins okay?clean etc ?
And as long as wine not to bad priced then okay by me,I am now going with my step mum as dad does not want to go.

flamingice

Oh thanks for the info, I am going with OH at the end of April will probably take some snacks then if they're expensive and just pay for the odd meal here and there.

fizzbomb

not allowed to eat own food in bars and eateries but there are other places , there is an observation lounge with tables and chairs is usually pretty deserted right at the front of the ship, its a great place to have a party if there are a few of you, also tables chairs outside depending on weather, and one or two other public spots with seats.

fizzbomb

the cabins are usually nice and clean but quite small/basic towels are provided and soap but little else.
there are also sockets continental 2pin type for anyone wanting to use a travel kettle for coffee / cup asoup etc but dont forget to take the adapter plug:beer: