Best earls on ferry crossing to france.

[richardstubbs]

Each to their own. We prefer to take a leisurely journey to the port, have a meal in the motorhome while waiting in the queue and not spend anything on board (a lot cheaper than 20 euros for two!). I agree that the meals may not appear very expensive if you are coming from south-east England but they are if you are coming from France (its the wine that makes the difference!).

Indeed, and that's why we all like motorhomes so much - you can do it your own way. I've just got a bit of a thing about ferries trains and planes - I like to get there nice and early and then wait and do nothing else until I board. No way could I make a meal in the back, I'd be too jittery, but as soon as I'm on board I relax. Hence the meal.

I think this minor fit of OCD-like behaviour comes from quite a lot of air travel a few years ago for work reasons, especially flying from developing countries where you've really got to be on the ball to make sure you're in the right place at the right time and keep hold of all your stuff. I have a vivid memory of running across the apron at Lima international airport in the dark towards an MD-11 as they started to pull the steps away. I got on; the next flight wasn't for a week! I've only missed a flight once, from Madrid (different job - Europe and North America) and we made a concious decision to do it because the meeting was going well and we knew we'd still get home that day. I avoid flying now; much prefer the motorhome

I don't suppose any of this is helping the OP find the best ferry deal though. Sorry.

 

[John H]

Reckless? Really, David, you must learn to be more measured. My point was simply that if you are on a crossing that takes less than two hours, then the comfort of cabins that you will not use or the relatively high price of food that you need not eat is not important. You turn that into dossing in public rooms and shopping in Lidl (not that there is anything wrong with that - I use that store a lot). Under the circumstances I described (rather than the ones you invented) then, providing the ship is seaworthy and the spot where you sit comfortable and clean, the cheapest deal is most definitely the most sensible. And, as far as the OP is concerned, I think we have established that the best deal is a moveable thing and the only way to get it is to check all routes for the date and time you want.

 

[John H]

Fair enough. I also do not believe in rushing anywhere and always arrive early at ferry ports so that we can enjoy a leisurely meal in the van or in a local restaurant. If you want to eat on the ferry then that is up to you but please do not assume that those who don't think it is good value are going for the cheap option rather than the best quality option. The way we do it gets us a cheap, refreshing and very good quality crossing.

 

[antiquesam]

It is always difficult to offer someone advice on what is good food. My tastes don't necessarily equate to someone else's and I wouldn't want someone to be unhappy with a restaurant I have recommended. As to whether one eats on a ferry or not is surely a matter of choice. On the rare occasions I use the Dover Ferries, for work, I do eat on board, because freight drivers have their own cafeteria, but I wouldn't dream of getting involved with the families and over enthusiastic holidaymakers in the other cafeterias and bars because that is not relaxing and I would rather ride the train through the tunnel than sit in that din. It's a bit like putting up with the hordes of school parties that take over the Brittany boats in the summer, preventing everyone else from being served and running around the bar like banshees. I'm old enough to appreciate a quiet life now.

 

[antiquesam]

Driving can be very solitary and, often, the only contact one has with other drivers is at truck stops or on the ferry, so the opportunity to enjoy a glass of something with others on a night ferry is looked forward to, when we can warn each other about thieves using gas to knock us out and what the gendarmes have done to persecute the poor drivers, before enjoying the pleasures of sharing a cabin with three other strangers.