Getting the ferry to Rotterdam anything we need to be aware of ?

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Decided yesterday to book a ferry to Rotterdam and have booked a site on the outskirts of Amsterdam . It’s the first time out of the UK so what will we need that we may not be aware of ? I’ve ordered a European hook up converter , we’ve two full bottles of gas , passports got 4 months left on it . Do you need a warning board on the bikes in
Holland ?
 
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Just check that 4 months left on your passports is long enough now as think you need 6 months. Hopefully I’m wrong:unsure:
 
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Boarder said:
passports got 4 months left on it .
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That's cutting it fine :) you are allowed a minimum of 3 months! But check when they were issued. You can only have a maximum of 10 years from issue to the date you arrive. Some have fallen foul of this rule.
 
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UK stickers NOT GB. App - MYLPG.eu to tell you where you can get LPG in europe. Be aware that there are diffrent speeds on the motorway during the day 0700 to 2000 hrs in places. Don't rely on your satnav as it will have the higher speed on it.
 
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It’s 3 months from the day you leave luckily 👍 I only remembered after we booked that I was going to renew it when we flew back from Portugal last week .

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Boarder said:
It’s 3 months from the day you leave luckily 👍 I only remembered after we booked that I was going to renew it when we flew back from Portugal last week .
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The expiry date will be spotted by Dutch passport control at Hook of Holland, I've passed through 4 times this year, and both in and out I've had a few questions.
Your passports will be stamped in and out

I was under the impression you needed 6 months, but if you can get away with 4 months, then go for , but you will be asked your return date, which I presume is under one month.
  • Remember to take all your van documents including your E111 and driving licence
  • You need to fill in the Covid form (and get the app on your phone) Not asked for it on any trip, but rules can and do change overnight.
  • Don't fill the fridge with meat and dairy
  • Gas off before you board the ship
  • Mobile phone to flight mode whilst on board to save expensive international phone charges whilst out of GB and NL phone range
  • Make sure you know where you are going as you exit the port, left, right, or straight on.
  • Don't bother with meals on board, the way out at night it's too late to eat and daytime on way back it cheaper to eat off ship.
 
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I did that route a week or so ago. Plenty to do on the ship compared to some. Music, cinema, casino etc. WiFi was broke on my trip. Download a few films of you want something to watchin your cabin.

Remember and take note what deck and exit gets you back to your van.
 
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:pink:

We have not toured in Holland but I worked there for 6 m9nths in the 1970's. Lovely place with lovely people. Most will speak good English as it is their 2nd language .the road in ans around cities can be a bit manic but if you travel outside peak it should be OK. The Dutch expect a big foamy head on their beer, so expect short measures. The place is very flat with 0lenty of bridges over canals. There is a big Indonesian influence to their food which is very good. Try and get on a trip around the Amstel brewery which is good.

If you go into Amsterdam on foot beware when crossing the main roads. There are bike lanes, car lanes and tram lanes. All controlled by lights but at different times. Bikes come at speed and quietly and there are thousands of them.

The floating Chinese restaurant is worth a visit as well as the durex museum. Lots of fun to be had and walking along the canal 8n the red light area is always worth a chuckle.
 
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Roundabouts:
Cyclists have priority at all times.
(If you hit one, it's your fault by default and very difficult to prove otherwise)

Which means as you approach a roundabout and see cyclists, they are 'on' the roundabout, even though they are on an outer cycle lane. You need to stop and give way.

Cyclists would be very surprised if you are such a bad driver that you proceed before they do (same as you cutting up a a car already on a roundabout)

A line of small triangles painted on the road means you give way.
I'll leave you to look up the signs 'Dremples' and if you spot a wild rooster or a glad rooster get ready for some good vibrations.

1661285296977.png
 
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Don’t drink alcohol if driving as it is normal for all drivers to be breathalysed as they go through passport control on arrival into the Netherlands.

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stewartwebr said:
Don’t drink alcohol if driving as it is normal for all drivers to be breathalysed as they go through passport control on arrival into the Netherlands.
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Is this new? Have never been breathalysed.
Back to OP hope you have the right length on your booking form. Relies on the CAMC once and they had put the manufactures lenght despite being told we had a bike carrier and were longer. would have been cheaper booking direct with P&O and correct length. They do come out and measure.
 
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Probably only need to worry about the hoards of rowdy partygoers/hens/stags on the boat! The rest will be plain sailing 🤣

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which route are you travelling? Hull to Rotterdam, good sail that one, beware the stags and hens, and inside cabins are like coffins :eek:.

when you finally get to amsterdam, make sure they use 3 papers for your roll ups :unsure:
 
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We used that crossing in June and will use again in 3 weeks time, I’d advise you to get on the boat as early as you can due to passport control in Rotterdam. It took us 2 hours in June to get through as they put the Motorhome’s in the 3rd lane that had to enter the 2nd lane, this on top of checking all U.K. travelers passport, on first so off first and save some time.
In June the diesel in Netherlands was around €2.50 so I’d put some in at Hull
 
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If you're taking your mobile phone or a laptop to watch a film in the cabin, you may want a 'continental travel adapter' so you can plug your charger into the cabin mains sockets, I'm sure they sell them on board if you forget.

And they probably won't sell seasickness pills, so if you might need them, make sure you buy them before you go on board.
 
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stewartwebr said:
Don’t drink alcohol if driving as it is normal for all drivers to be breathalysed as they go through passport control on arrival into the Netherlands.
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Be careful of that coming back to blighty, we went on a mini cruise a few years ago as foot passengers leaving car in car park and on return plod were on the exit road pulling folks over

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There is a lot of time limited free parking so make sure you have a blue card parking fisc on which you record your time of arrival. Available from pfs and convenience stores and possibly on board the ferry.
 
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Brains said:
The expiry date will be spotted by Dutch passport control at Hook of Holland, I've passed through 4 times this year, and both in and out I've had a few questions.
Your passports will be stamped in and out

I was under the impression you needed 6 months, but if you can get away with 4 months, then go for , but you will be asked your return date, which I presume is under one month.
  • Remember to take all your van documents including your E111 and driving licence
  • You need to fill in the Covid form (and get the app on your phone) Not asked for it on any trip, but rules can and do change overnight.
  • Don't fill the fridge with meat and dairy
  • Gas off before you board the ship
  • Mobile phone to flight mode whilst on board to save expensive international phone charges whilst out of GB and NL phone range
  • Make sure you know where you are going as you exit the port, left, right, or straight on.
  • Don't bother with meals on board, the way out at night it's too late to eat and daytime on way back it cheaper to eat off ship.
Click to expand...
Thought E111 only applied now to brits living in Europe at the time of Brexit?

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Margaux2 said:
Thought E111 only applied now to brits living in Europe at the time of Brexit?
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For travellers E111 was replaced in 2006 by EHIC cards which are valid until their expiry date then should be replaced by GHIC cards.
I think for residents there are different rules
 
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Jo662 said:
Just check that 4 months left on your passports is long enough now as think you need 6 months. Hopefully I’m wrong:unsure:
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It does say 6 months on our government's travel advice.
You may be refused travel (if they notice).
 
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Margaux2 said:
Thought E111 only applied now to brits living in Europe at the time of Brexit?
Click to expand...


No, it's as philann has said about a GHIC card.
I used mine in February when I had a motorcycle accident in the Sth of France and ended up being carted away by ambulance to hospital.
But I did get a invoice from the hospital a few months later.
 
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Jo662 said:
No, it's as philann has said about a GHIC card.
I used mine in February when I had a motorcycle accident in the Sth of France and ended up being carted away by ambulance to hospital.
But I did get a invoice from the hospital a few months later.
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You are both right. For overseas residents an equivalent is issued by the country that you are residing in.
For UK resident's they are valid till they expire then GHIC which I red is not as good.
 
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Captain Birdseye said:
You are both right. For overseas residents an equivalent is issued by the country that you are residing in.
For UK resident's they are valid till they expire then GHIC which I red is not as good.
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Luckily iv never had to use the EHIC card,but the GHIC was fine when i needed it without question 👍
 
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