Ferry Booked and Money Saved. (1 Viewer)

Feb 9, 2008
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Corby, Northants
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Adopting the principal that the earlier you book the bigger the saving, knowing that the big discount codes we used to get from Motorhome shows are a thing of the past I looked at prices for Dover-Calais return for next year. (Feb-June).
I looked at both DFDS and P&O and have now booked with P&O.

DFDS on their cheapest tickets - £258.00 (No flexibility).
P&O Standard Flexi both legs - £152.00 (full refund upon cancellation and no admin charge if changing crossing dates)

This is the first time I have seen such a huge discrepancy between the two companies on like for like sailings and yes, prices continue to creep up. I remember only a few years back we were getting return crossings for under £60. Sadly those days are gone forever I fear.
 

PhilG

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Mar 8, 2016
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How big is your van... dfds crossings are always cheapest, if you go at the right time of day.. never paid more than £140 return, even with my 7.5 tonner
 

suavecarve

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Aug 18, 2009
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Similarly looked for April and July and came to the same opinion about DFDS. Owing to new van arrival i had to use the over 7m category. Under 7 m and its close but over and Eurotunnel even without vouchers is shockingly cheaper. I also booked for Xmas. 2 of us on 2 computers booking exactly the same ferries on DFDS. They were charging me 130 quid and my colleague 80. I rang up to complain and tolf them i would now go to eurotunnel and they said "crack on" quoting consumer choice. P and O and dependant on where we go to Stena as well as he tunnel stand a very good chance now
 

Dave and Ginny

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Jan 31, 2013
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Not sure what size van you have but that seems a huge amount to me! I only ever book single crossing as never certain when we're coming back.

Just looking at booking for first week of October, not really wanting to go Dover/Calais so looked at Portsmouth. Found Portsmouth to Caen for £120 with CC...it was £127 direct with Brittany Ferries with a guest discount code.

Post edit...sorry, clearly I didn't read your post correctly, £152 seems pretty good!

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Dave and Ginny

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Jan 31, 2013
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Just tried the Dover/Calais using the CC booking system, out on 15th Feb in on 6th June and it came in on our 6 metre van at £107 return on mid morning crossings with DFDS.

For a 7 metre van it stayed the same price but for a 7.5 metre van it shot up to £253.80!!!

Be cheaper to book two 6 metre vans and four passengers!

How do they work that one out :LOL::rolleyes::cry:
 

Jaws

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Sep 26, 2008
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I have JUST started the exercise for next years winter jaunt..
Always check DFDS first.. What a wasted effort !
No idea what planet they are on but MASSIVELY more expensive than all other options.
 
Jul 29, 2013
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Just looked at Euro tunnel for end of November 7.2m van £68 one way the most expensive £86

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Jaws

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Sep 26, 2008
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I suspect the huge rise in ferry prices is at least in part to the new rules covering marine fuels.
 
Apr 22, 2013
911
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I did a price search yesterday for my 6.6m long MH, for October out on 5th back on 31st.
Tunnel £186
DFDS £116 Dover to Dunkirk
P&O £132 Dover to Calais

We will book one way tickets closer to the dates when we have a idea of the weather, the tunnel is a no-brianer in bad weather.
Booking singles adds a bit of flexibility.
 
OP
OP
PhilandMena
Feb 9, 2008
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How big is your van... dfds crossings are always cheapest, if you go at the right time of day.. never paid more than £140 return, even with my 7.5 tonner
Well clearly not in this case.! My Motorhome is no longer than 7 Mts. Reading the post above it appears I'm not the only one to find a price discrepancy. If you get a great deal with DFDS take it. By the way, are you aware you are entitled to the same compensation that a delayed or cancelled airline passenger would get if your ferry is delayed or cancelled! Happened to us with DFDS 2 years ago and they kept very quiet about it until I put in my claim. I received over £80. in compensation, plus an appology.

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OP
OP
PhilandMena
Feb 9, 2008
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Well, after reading the above posts I tried again with DFDS and here is the result.

Dover to Calais
Saturday February 25, 2017 at 12:15
2 Adults
Economy£129.00
Private Van < 4.35m x 7m
Calais to Dover
Sunday June 11, 2017 at 12:25
2 Adults
Economy£129.00
Private Van < 4.35m x 7m
  • Total price
    £
    258.00
  • You will note this is for a Private Van and not a motorhome and this is because the only option available on the drop down menu for a motorhome was a 10 Mt one, so I selected the van. I closed down the site logged on again and went through the same process, this time on the drop down menu I was offered more choice on Motorhomes and offered a much better deal.


Dover to Calais
Saturday February 25, 2017 at 07:40
2 Adults
Flexi£62.00
Motorhome <4.35m x 7m
Dunkirk to Dover
Sunday June 11, 2017 at 10:00
2 Adults
Flexi£87.00
Motorhome <4.35m x 7m
  • Total price
    £
    149.00
So, (this is more like it and explains why there was such a big discrepancy) a small clitch in the drop down menu.
 

Dave and Ginny

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Jan 31, 2013
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Dover to Calais
Saturday February 25, 2017 at 07:40
2 Adults
Flexi£62.00
Motorhome <4.35m x 7m
Dunkirk to Dover
Sunday June 11, 2017 at 10:00
2 Adults
Flexi£87.00
Motorhome <4.35m x 7m
  • Total price
    £
    149.00
So, (this is more like it and explains why there was such a big discrepancy) a small clitch in the drop down menu.


It would still seem though that the Caravan Club might be able to further reduce that by quite a bit maybe if your a member?
 

PhilG

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Mar 8, 2016
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Like i said, i wont go to calais , dunkirk is always cheaper, alwayz travel at 10pm.... been as cheap as £44 .

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makems

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Sep 23, 2011
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Just about! How are you getting on with the extention!
After a 2 week hiatus while we sacked the structural engineer, hired a new one, got a revised design, had steelwork re-made, we now have steel erected and rafters installed. Tiles go on next week amd then we can start on underfloor heating amd plastering. Full steam ahead now!
 

makems

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Sep 23, 2011
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@PhilandMena - close of play today....

image.jpeg

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Billggski

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Aug 6, 2013
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Always use the tunnel.
Tesco vouchers = free crossing
Frequent traveller = £43 + £11 for Moho each trip.
Only problem, the dogs cost a bomb!
 

Jaws

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And dogs have gone up to £18 this year..
The Chunnel does absolutely nothing for that money.. I thought it would go to DEFRA who man the pet check in but nope,, that is funded by DEFRA them selves according to the lady I spoke to in March
Total cost on DFDS inc dog and for a 9 mtr van was over £300 return. P & O about the same
Total cost inc dog on chunnel £192, less the £60 we got for the few Tesco points we have, £132..

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Mother Ship

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Feb 21, 2011
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Don't know if you know but DFDS do age concession price but not bookable on Internet, you have to phone, this is freephone number 0800 917 1201. Always found to be very efficient, pleasant & helpful & ticket emailed immediately.
 
Apr 22, 2013
911
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Since 2011
But may invalidate insurance, has been pointed out on here before.
What insurance would that be?
I've read through all the paperwork from Comfort, both last years stuff and this years renew notice (both of which were in my to do pile). I can see nothing other than "territorial limits" and the requirement to notify them of trips to places like Morocco and Israel. I have to ring them and make my renewal in the next couple of days so I'll ask them. I've not yet checked the breakdown cover which is through my Nationwide bank account but I'll dig it all out and check it before I book again. Thanks for the heads up.
 
Jun 22, 2012
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I think it's more your house insurance policy and some travel insurance policies.

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Aug 18, 2011
12,091
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derbys
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since 2007.Tugger before since 1970
Adopting the principal that the earlier you book the bigger the saving, knowing that the big discount codes we used to get from Motorhome shows are a thing of the past I looked at prices for Dover-Calais return for next year. (Feb-June).
I looked at both DFDS and P&O and have now booked with P&O.

DFDS on their cheapest tickets - £258.00 (No flexibility).
P&O Standard Flexi both legs - £152.00 (full refund upon cancellation and no admin charge if changing crossing dates)

This is the first time I have seen such a huge discrepancy between the two companies on like for like sailings and yes, prices continue to creep up. I remember only a few years back we were getting return crossings for under £60. Sadly those days are gone forever I fear.
Yes but 16 years ago it was £150 each way,,,BUSBY.

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