Need to reduce my dependence of Le Shuttle

[Reallyretired]

Tunnel for us because of the dog. Otherwise would be Newhaven Dieppe every time, cheaper and nearer.

 

[Jewellbags]

This year will be the first trip going out via tunnel and back from Cherbourg to Pompey . Tunnel tescos vouchers and £19 , ferry £200 (£219 in total) and saves me all that fuel , 2 nights and a tunnel ticket

 

[ukfetchfan]

We used to always use DFDS Dover-Dunkirk. However, one day as we loaded in our 9m van plus 3m trailer with car we were directed by the Deckhand into a particular line for parking. At the last moment he indicated for us to change lane (probably just caught sight of the trailer) and although we did get across to the lane he wanted us in the two units weren’t quite straight. However we were completely within the marked lines. He indicated for us to back up and pull forwards straight. However by now other vehicles are behind us so it couldn’t be done. We parked and left.
On returning off we drove- only to find the air had been let out of both of the rear inside tyres.
Not impressed! - and I guess the Deckhand had the last word.
Tunnel for us every time now so no-one can interfere with the vehicle.

 

[SteveE]

We’ve only used the tunnel because of the dog, now dogs! How do the shorter crossings work with dogs? Can you stay in the van with them, or do you have to leave your van?

 

[Richard n Ann]

We’ve only used the tunnel because of the dog, now dogs! How do the shorter crossings work with dogs? Can you stay in the van with them, or do you have to leave your van?

On the ferries they stay in the van. All humans have to leave the vehicles.

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[SteveE]

Guess we’ll be sticking with the tunnel then, thanks for letting me know.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Guess we’ll be sticking with the tunnel then, thanks for letting me know.

It's only 1.5 hours. Bod is fine, she's probably using the quiet time for a snooze anyway

 

[TwistNShout]

We always used the train, until it became far more expensive. Used irish ferries the last couple of trips, nice an easy, though I wouldn't bother with one of their breakfasts again. We always stay in Dover p&r the night before and catch an early train/ferry and used to eat breakfast on the train.

 

[MichaelT]

Ho

We've stopped using the tunnel because of the cost. We now use P&O Dover to Calais and buy a season ticket package. Buy three returns in advance at £172 per return for up to a 7 metre motorhome. Pay a supplement for extra length by every 0.1 metre. Works out £50 per metre, so for our 8.1 metre motorhome it's £227 return. Book online and full flexibility to reschedule or cancel and have the trip put back in your wallet.

Works for us and not had any problems yet. Perhaps takes 90 minutes longer than the tunnel each way, but that's only if the tunnel is running smoothly! I've wasted more time than that at the tunnel on a few occasions. The time saving on the tunnel is not worth the extra cost to us.

There's also a pet lounge on P&O if you need it.

How long do the tickets last please?

 

[G7UXG]

MichaelT 12 months from purchase date.

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[Two Owl Ones]

Its a relaxing ferry for us over to Caen, it cuts out quite a few hours driving and tolls and we have a pet cabin with the dog. A really peaceful 6 hour crossing, you can get a shower in your cabin room, there is a bed and you can go and get food and have a walk around. It is part of our holiday and we really enjoy it and the dog enjoys being with us the whole time

 

[JockandRita]

Guess we’ll be sticking with the tunnel then, thanks for letting me know.

Surely leaving the dog/s in the MH (in their happy environment), for the short crossing, is no different to leaving them at home in the kitchen/utility room, whilst you pop out to the shops?
Our dog was in the MH for the full duration of a 3.5 - 4 x hours crossing to Rosslare, without any problems or stress for him.

We were always of the frame of mind that "he lives with us, we don't live with him".

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Alli46]

We’ve only used the tunnel because of the dog, now dogs! How do the shorter crossings work with dogs? Can you stay in the van with them, or do you have to leave your van?

You have to leave them but P & O (& I think Irish Ferries on one ship) have pet lounges. They are lovely, with little booths & an outdoor area for toileting. It also has free coffee & soft drinks. Our diff loves looking out of the window on the crossing.

 

[Garry - June]

Happily used dover to calais (Irish ferries) for years now. Average price about £122 each way for a 7.5 metre van and 2 adults.

I did use Newhaven - Dieppe in March as it was cheaper with the 20% discount but looking at booking it in June is is much more expensive (£400ish return)

I've used the tunnel in years gone by but never particularly enjoyed it, Fine if you are in a real rush. It's just a means to an end but as most of my trips now are leisurely an extra hour or so on a ferry, chilling, shopping, looking at the views is much nicer.

Be aware that the Newhaven/Dieppe crossing is a huge amount more expensive for daytime crossings... I think our return trip in July would have been around the £400 mark during the day but choosing the 23.59 crossing it reduced to £130...

 

[Garry - June]

We have always used the ferries. (now, Brittany Ferries).

What is this tunnel thing, I keep hearing about?

Its the thing that's like the shorter Ferry crossings to France that save an absolute fortune on Brittany Bilbao/Santander prices..

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[Two Owl Ones]

Surely leaving the dog/s in the MH (in their happy environment), for the short crossing, is no different to leaving them at home in the kitchen/utility room, whilst you pop out to the shops?
Our dog was in the MH for the full duration of a 3.5 - 4 x hours crossing to Rosslare, without any problems or stress for him.

We were always of the frame of mind that "he lives with us, we don't live with him".

Cheers,

Jock.

quite agree.... we had a Labrador for many years and his temperament was very chilled, he would stay anywhere without us. Now we have a Toy Poodle and it's a very different situation now, he is very anxious and we struggle to leave him alone, even in the motorhome, the environment he knows. The crying when he is alone doesn't stop, no matter how much training we have tried over 3 years, Ronnie the problem child ..... off to our doggy psychology classes now .... to be told what we've done wrong

 

[Riverbankannie]

We’ve only used the tunnel because of the dog, now dogs! How do the shorter crossings work with dogs? Can you stay in the van with them, or do you have to leave your van?

On the P&O Dover Calais crossings there is a bookable pet lounge. Numbers restricted. It is very good and free water, soft drinks and tea and coffee. A small deck area too for a little walk around. We found it very good and cheaper option to the tunnel.

 

[JockandRita]

quite agree.... we had a Labrador for many years and his temperament was very chilled, he would stay anywhere without us. Now we have a Toy Poodle and it's a very different situation now, he is very anxious and we struggle to leave him alone, even in the motorhome, the environment he knows. The crying when he is alone doesn't stop, no matter how much training we have tried over 3 years, Ronnie the problem child ..... off to our doggy psychology classes now .... to be told what we've done wrong

I genuinely feel for you.
Maybe you need to get Graham onboard, from Dogs Behaving Badly.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Grianan]

quite agree.... we had a Labrador for many years and his temperament was very chilled, he would stay anywhere without us. Now we have a Toy Poodle and it's a very different situation now, he is very anxious and we struggle to leave him alone, even in the motorhome, the environment he knows. The crying when he is alone doesn't stop, no matter how much training we have tried over 3 years, Ronnie the problem child ..... off to our doggy psychology classes now .... to be told what we've done wrong

Our 75% poodle-cross is also very dependent … she watches intently for our return when we leave her in the van at the supermarket and moans loudly when we come back.

It’s different at home where she can be left with our other dog - but he doesn’t travel so stays at home with relatives.

If the price difference was enough I may try a ferry with a pet lounge though.

 

[delia]

Tunnel for us, mainly for our 3 border collies who are very sensitive to .... everything, but also for me as I get sea sick.

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[Dorwyn]

If the price difference was enough I may try a ferry with a pet lounge though.

Is it cheaper in the pet lounge then?

 

[Two Owl Ones]

Our 75% poodle-cross is also very dependent … she watches intently for our return when we leave her in the van at the supermarket and moans loudly when we come back.

It’s different at home where she can be left with our other dog - but he doesn’t travel so stays at home with relatives.

If the price difference was enough I may try a ferry with a pet lounge though.

yes we feel it, with our Ronnie, if he is with both of us he is relaxed, but even if one of us leaves the house he is on pins and won't settle. The ferry we would recommend it for sure, we have done the pet lounge on the Dover to Calais crossing too but we now prefer to sail 6 hours to Caen and then we are in the area we like to be without 6 hours drive, fuel, and tolls, for us it works out great

 

[Two Owl Ones]

Is it cheaper in the pet lounge then?

if i remember correctly it was £12.00 each way

 

[SteveE]

Thanks for all the info. Will give it some thought, our dogs are usually pretty good left alone (as long as they are together)… was just worried that the ferry might freak them out especially if it’s a bit choppy and the usual loud noises of ferries around them. When we have some dates set for our summer trip I’ll do some research and compare the costs. Cheers

 

[Two Owl Ones]

I genuinely feel for you.
Maybe you need to get Graham onboard, from Dogs Behaving Badly.

View attachment 1054667

Cheers,

Jock.

ha ha we have tried, graham is fully booked

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[Two Owl Ones]

Is it cheaper in the pet lounge then

Thanks for all the info. Will give it some thought, our dogs are usually pretty good left alone (as long as they are together)… was just worried that the ferry might freak them out especially if it’s a bit choppy and the usual loud noises of ferries around them. When we have some dates set for our summer trip I’ll do some research and compare the costs. Cheers

The short crossing from Dover - Calais was fine, and our dog is nervous, nothing bothered him. The 6 hour crossing was quiet and steady, June time at least... not sure about during the winter months Our motorhome didn't move whilst parked either, they are strapped down securely and parked perfectly (we were worried about damage, but didn't need to be) We also took a chance with the Ferry as we suffer from sea sickness, but everything was fine, we would highly recommend to anyone, it was great. Looking forward to our next trip

 

[Dorwyn]

Sorry, that was a joke. The way I read the post I thought it sounded as if it was cheaper to cross in the pet lounge than in a private cabin! My wife always says I have a funny sense of humour.

 

[AlanandMayya]

I am going through the tunnel in just over a week and whilst checking my passport could see it will be the 8th time in the motorhome in 21 months. It was never a problem until 3 years or so ago when the frequent traveller ticket was available and you could return for around £125. Now it works at almost £400 a trip, so 8 trips at £400 is over £3000. Never seems a problem when booking the individual trips, however, now I look at it cumulatively it seems excessive and I feel I should to reduce my dependence on it and look at ferries. I am aware of the cheapies eg Newhaven, and I have perhaps put too high a value on the convenience and ease of the tunnel. Anyone else moved back to the ferry and do you regret it?

We always used the tunnel (convenience) until last time - the ferry is so much cheaper. Enjoyed the ferry trip, so did our dogs (both old and a bit grumpy). They are much happier up on deck than staying in the van in the tunnel. I doubt we'll ever use the tunnel again.

 

[LaurenceM]

I am going through the tunnel in just over a week and whilst checking my passport could see it will be the 8th time in the motorhome in 21 months. It was never a problem until 3 years or so ago when the frequent traveller ticket was available and you could return for around £125. Now it works at almost £400 a trip, so 8 trips at £400 is over £3000. Never seems a problem when booking the individual trips, however, now I look at it cumulatively it seems excessive and I feel I should to reduce my dependence on it and look at ferries. I am aware of the cheapies eg Newhaven, and I have perhaps put too high a value on the convenience and ease of the tunnel. Anyone else moved back to the ferry and do you regret it?

As I’ve got two dogs , the tunnel check in process and quick transit is so good I can’t see us ever going for the ferry option.

 

[Landy Andy]

We’ve only used the tunnel because of the dog, now dogs! How do the shorter crossings work with dogs? Can you stay in the van with them, or do you have to leave your van?

You can go with some ferry companies and take the dogs into a dog lounge. We did this for our Xmas / New Year holiday with P@O. Won’t do it again. The dog lounge was dire, full of people who have no control of their dogs, can’t stop them barking, peeing, and pooing. The owners raid the coffee and free drinks like it the end of the world. And at the start and end of your crossing you get to share a nice ride in the elevator with these people and their dogs.

Never again thanks.

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