Calmac ferry

[Timbarnard61]

Anyone been measured lately by calmac .just priced up the Ullapool to Stornoway ferry £191.5 for 7 m as the van is and £91.35 under 6 m when i put reg number in it automatically gives all details correct apart from length which it gives as 6m (even the new uprated weight ).
Risk it and plead ignorance blame their system or do as the wife says .

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

Not been measured but bear in mind that there are no standby bookings for motorhomes so if you get caught they are very likely to cancel your crossing if it’s full and getting the next one may not be possible.

 

[G-RMPS]

If your wife is involved you already know the answer

 

[Clemmo]

Used CalMac 30-40 times in last 4 years. Never been measured.
They say “ no standby” for motorhomes to discourage folks just turning up.
We have been “ on standby” to Mull, Sky and Arran this year.
We have found CalMac keen to accommodate us… no problems
Clemmo

 

[irnbru]

Anyone been measured lately by calmac .just priced up the Ullapool to Stornoway ferry £191.5 for 7 m as the van is and £91.35 under 6 m when i put reg number in it automatically gives all details correct apart from length which it gives as 6m (even the new uprated weight ).
Risk it and plead ignorance blame their system or do as the wife says .

If I were you id chance it. In my opinion their pricing system is very unfair and ive been batting emails to and fro with the Transport of Scotland, not got anywhere but im creating them extra work in replying . for less than 4 inches they want 2 1/2 times the price , not justifiable in my book so 2 can play dirty...give it a go.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jo-jo]

We did that crossing in April. When we checked in, we were asked the length so we could be sent to the correct lane for loading. We weren't asked on the return trip.

 

[Puddleduck]

Sometimes there are marks on the ground so they have an idea of how long you are. We were measured a couple of times on the Stornoway to Ullapool route when it was very busy. Both times in the 5.99m Chausson but not when we had the 6.99m Sunliving (booked as 7m).

 

[Otter Spotter]

I know a couple of the crew on CalMac ferries and they do look at van lengths, they compare against the ferry structure and if the ferry is busy they may tackle you however if the boat isn’t full they tend to turn a blind eye as long as your not massively over the 6m, a 7m van with a bike rack will be a no no and they will extract the difference off you.
On Northlink ferries to Shetland and Orkney, a back box or bike rack on a 6m van will incur their higher charges. The ticket staff are trained to look for people trying it on.

 

[EuroTrotters]

They doubled the price of ferries a couple of years ago.

We are going as foot passengers to Islay this year and staying with a friend.

Which is a shame as we like to stay in the garden.

 

[Oldrat]

I bet their staff on the booths are pretty damn good at guessing a vehicle’s length.

They do it all day every day.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Timbarnard61]

Sounds to me its a bit of a hot topic thanks for yor responses still undecided . Sitting on campsite at Abersoch in lovely sunny weather contemplating next outing.

 

[TinaLes]

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

• Length-based pricing:
  CalMac charges based on the length of the vehicle, including any racks or towbars. This means longer motorhomes, which take up more deck space, will naturally incur higher fares.
  
  
• RET loophole and adjustments:
  The RET scheme, which was designed to make ferry travel more affordable, was found to disproportionately benefit larger vehicles like motorhomes, particularly those under six meters, while commercial vehicles were not included. This led to increased pressure to address the imbalance, resulting in higher fares for motorhomes.
  
  
• Deck space limitations:
  Ferry capacity is finite, and larger vehicles like motorhomes require more deck space. This can create competition for space, especially during peak seasons, and CalMac has to manage this effectively, often prioritizing lifeline services for islanders.
  
  
• Fares review:
  The Scottish Government has acknowledged the need for a wider review of ferry fares, including commercial vehicle fares, to address the issue comprehensively. However, adjustments to motorhome fares have been implemented as an interim measure.
• Lets all hope its an interim measure, I wonder how much business they have lost on their new pricing?, however it will no doubt be welcomed by locals who think its only fare that they are given 1st priority over holiday makers, especially if their business depends on it.
• Les

 

[Hezbez]

A couple of Calmac staff have told me they look for the orange marker lights on the sides of your van, this gives them a quick visual indication as to whether you are over 6 metres. Apparently vans under 6 metres don't usually have these lights.

 

[JockandRita]

A couple of Calmac staff have told me they look for the orange marker lights on the sides of your van, this gives them a quick visual indication as to whether you are over 6 metres. Apparently vans under 6 metres don't usually have these lights.

And they are more than likely correct Morag.
We pulled on to a Stellplatz in Germany, and was parked at the dump point waiting for a vacant slot. A seasoned and experienced German MH owner was chatting to me, and disputed my declared length for the ferry, ie, he counted the orange marker lights and told me exactly what length we were. I was shamed into admission..................but still didn't inform the CAMC.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Puddleduck]

Our Chausson was 5.99m and had reflective plastic things along the sides that were not lights. It was flagged up on an MOT that the side marker lights weren't working and I had to take one off to show they were reflectors and not lights. The MOT fail was withdrawn and reissued as a pass due to test operator error.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Puddleduck]

The food looks nice. You can keep the cider although chicken in cider slow cooked in the slow cooker is fabulous.

 

[Timbarnard61]

Just boarding at uig for 7 nights on outer Hebrides definitely had markings on ground with 6 m clearly written at boarding kiosk looks a bit rough out there !!

 

[Southdownswolf]

Just changed the ferries on our trip to the OH's over the next couple of weeks. As we (me) haven't finished our conversion yet, SWMBO has decided we are hiring a camper. Our van is about 6.4m, while the hire one is 5.9m, this has taken the trip price from approx £540 down to approx £260.
And they say length doesn't matter....