Sleeping in the van on the overnight Portsmouth ferry to Le Havre

Well, I have to say my experiences differ. Flying for me is not an option as I have a dog ( I know you love them ;)) and carry kayaks, bikes etc. I can buy multi trip carnets on the Dover-Calais route which, though they are not significantly cheaper, make travel far more flexible as you do not need to plan for delays - if you miss a boat just get the next in an hour or so rather than pay a hefty extra to travel the next day. You can also depart at a time that suits you - not the ferry company. Since I started crossing to France 20 years ago the Western Channel crossings have steadily risen in price against Dover-Calais while vehicles have become more economical. Unless you are nervous of driving or see being on the ferry as enjoyable, which I certainly don't - cabin or not, I can see no advantage of the longer crossings.
 
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I am on that ferry on new years day ! I shall sleep on the long seats in the cafe,got my return crossing with a very large Iveco van for £109 ! bargin. Going to France for a month to do some work on my house in the loire valley and on my van, good time to leave the Uk for a bit me thinks !
 
I still don't see what difference that makes other than I have more experience of the shortcomings
 
I still love driving and I only like short Ferry rides and dislike tunnels so no contest for me, I love France so every extra minute I spend there is worthwhile and a night spent on a French Aire is far better than one on a Ferry.
 
I wouldn't dream of sleeping in the van. Those lorries have been known to move in rough seas, I just wouldn't risk being squashed. That said I did sleep in my car on the very first ferry crossing I ever did. I had no idea that it was not allowed. I put my head down and slept for about 12 hours, but I was young and needed the sleep.
 
There are a lot of large horseboxes travel on the Western Channel routes and they open the back of the vehicle up and come down to tend them during the crossing. Those horses are damned noisy b*gg*rs.
 
Wrong all of you! What you need to do is beat the drunks at their own game. Last long ferry trip I did was a boys trip to Shetland from Aberdeen which takes 12 hours. Did we book cabins? Did we hell. No. The evening started with a few beers on the top deck followed by a session in the bar where I ended up playing guitar in an REM tribute band that were on their way to a festival. This went on until 4am when the last person collapsed. I then snuck into the club lounge which was empty for 2 hours kip before nearly missing getting off the ferry as nobody could find me and when they did wake me.

Happy days

IT was the same when we all used to meet up and Holyhead and go to IReland on the midnight ferry. What I find funny is the crowd that spread out on the sofas at 6pm in the afternoon, claiming their space and pretending to be asleep. Whats that about!
 
Nowadays it takes me all night to do, what I used to do all night: if at all that is....
John
 
kid's play area on night crossings,entirely made of foam rubber,very comfy
 
Yes you might have a point there. The Shetland trip was about 8 years ago and even then at the tender age of 39 I seem to remember it took me 2 whole days to recover. Its still fun trying to keep up with the younguns and I can still do it but at a price! :)
 
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