Need to reduce my dependence of Le Shuttle

[PaulW2]

It is interesting how things are interconnected. The tunnel has had significant financial problems from the beginning and these have become compounded over time. And many of the ferry companies (the surviving ones - their business model is difficult too and some have disappeared) are probably only in the health they are in because the tunnel has to charge what it does.

If the tunnel could charge less there would be more traffic and more ferry companies would go to the wall. But it tried this, e.g. with the discount bulk tickets, and abandoned it.

There is probably only one certainty - the tunnel will continue to exist irrespective of the existence of any particular ferry company.

 

[Dorwyn]

There is probably only one certainty - the tunnel will continue to exist irrespective of the existence of any particular ferry company.

Yes, it can't sink can it? Well, it could flood I suppose

 

[Notts Archer]

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

I’ve been using the tunnel for many years and I’m still tempted to use it instead of the Bilbao/Santander link. Mainly because of cost, having a the dog and the unpredictable weather while on a ferry. Neither of us are good sailors .

 

[kingoftheroad]

From our experience, the ferries weve used in the past have not been very wheelchair user friendly, mainly, when it comes to getting to and from your van, due to their design.
On one trip, we got held up at the lift on the upper deck, it took over 10 minutes, before it was free of passengers for us to be able to get in, of course, by the time we actually got to the van, every vehicle in front had disembarked and our van was holding everyone up behind us, my wife was so embarrassed, she rushed and hurt herself in doing so, so for us the Tunnel is a no brainer, even though it costs a lot more.

 

[raymarg]

thought i would mention that Irish Ferries accept tesco vouchers on dover/dunkirk route

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[georgio]

The problem we found with the ferries and our dog was that as soon as the ferry hit a wave the car alarms went off and scared the dog, when we found this out it was chunnel for us.

 

[Saucer]

We’re looking on heading over in October (avec chien) and I’m surprised how expensive the shuttle is then. Nearly £400

 

[Peregrinator]

It all depends which way we are going, northern Europe we take the Tunnel, France or south into Spain Roscoff or Dieppe.

 

[Peregrinator]

The problem we found with the ferries and our dog was that as soon as the ferry hit a wave the car alarms went off and scared the dog, when we found this out it was chunnel for us.

Why did you not turn off the alarm?

 

[BikerGraham]

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.

Last year I did two return trips with DFDS from Newcastle to Ijmuiden. One with my son on our motorbikes and the other with the van.
Of the 4 journeys we had 3 issues with deckhands directing us for parking.

On one of them on disembarking at Ijmuiden, they had put a coach very close to us. Then directed my to leave first. At first I refused to love because of the manner of loading. It was obvious the coach should have moved off first. They insisted I move first and directed us straight into the high level mirror of the coach. It was all out of our sightings so we had relied upon the deckhands direction.

Absolute idiots. .

With the bike, one kept directing me close to the hull. Again I refused. She came to have a go at me follow which I then showed her that if I had done as she asked then when tipping the bike to the side to go onto its side stand. As it had to do. It would be damaged by the ships hull as not was too close. It was too close to go all the way over.

She then said, she had told me to go in the next lane. Well that would be using her left hand instead of right. Very apt. The absolute bare faced lies to save face.

Problem now is that with a trailer on the back it’s about £570 plus for the tunnel. Ouch

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[gus-lopez]

This means that by the time we're on the ferry I'm ready for a break, some food

This ^^^^^^^^

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?

Yes I just used to leave Alfie in the van from Dunkirk butwith dfds the boats are also open rear decks

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...

Yes even in June it is the same & I was thinking it was due to the dday dates?

Yes, it can't sink can it? Well, it could flood I suppose

I've never understood why the terrorists have not had a go?I can swim but I am not a mole.

thought i would mention that Irish Ferries accept tesco vouchers on dover/dunkirk route

When did they star sailing to dunkirk? I've just looked & can't see anything

Why did you not turn off the alarm?

It is other peoples alarms

 

[Two Owl Ones]

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.

sounds like a nightmare, we went with Brittany ferries didn't have any of the above problems

 

[MichaelT]

The problem we found with the ferries and our dog was that as soon as the ferry hit a wave the car alarms went off and scared the dog, when we found this out it was chunnel for us.

How did you know if you were in the passenger area?

 

[Minxy]

How did you know if you were in the passenger area?

The dog mimed it to them!

 

[Minxy]

The problem we found with the ferries and our dog was that as soon as the ferry hit a wave the car alarms went off and scared the dog, when we found this out it was chunnel for us.

Yes they do, idiots who just don't think and put the alarms on without a thought for pets in vehicles. You can also get lots of other clunks, bangs etc occurring during the crossing, our dog Lily was scarred for life so much so that it affected her every day normal life after that.

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[gus-lopez]

How did you know if you were in the passenger area?

On dfds you look over the back to the open deck at your mh to check dog is asleep & look at all the cars on the side ramps & deck with alarms going & hazards flashing.

 

[georgio]

How did you know if you were in the passenger area?

Because of the open deck on some vessals

 

[MichaelT]

Because of the open deck on some vessals

But you can't see inside a motorhome especially ours as we close blinds to help the dog.

 

[Rowls1958]

It’s the dog……
Which makes us use the tunnel

But P&O now have superb dog lounges, free coffee, soft drinks and water. Has its own direct lift from the car decks. Also it's own outdoor dog area as well with wash down etc. Have to give it to P&O they got this right !!

 

[Minxy]

But you can't see inside a motorhome especially ours as we close blinds to help the dog.

But you can still hear the alarms ...

Or maybe the dog was jumping up and pulling faces at the roof vent?

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[alex n]

But P&O now have superb dog lounges, free coffee, soft drinks and water. Has its own direct lift from the car decks. Also it's own outdoor dog area as well with wash down etc. Have to give it to P&O they got this right !!

we just returned yesterday with the dog . the lounge is the bees knees

 

[JockandRita]

Sadly, some people have really short memories.

"In March 2022, P&O Ferries terminated the employment of approximately 800 UK-based seafarers, replacing them with agency workers. This event sparked significant controversy and was widely condemned by unions, the government, and the public. The company justified the move as necessary to address financial difficulties, but critics argued that it was done without proper consultation or notice. "

The CEO of P&O Ferries admitted to breaking the law by not consulting unions before sacking 800 staff without notice and replacing them with foreign agency staff in 2022.

But hey, that's all okay, as I get a good deal on a ferry crossing with a pet lounge.

Jock.

 

[MichaelT]

Sadly, some people have really short memories.

"In March 2022, P&O Ferries terminated the employment of approximately 800 UK-based seafarers, replacing them with agency workers. This event sparked significant controversy and was widely condemned by unions, the government, and the public. The company justified the move as necessary to address financial difficulties, but critics argued that it was done without proper consultation or notice. "

The CEO of P&O Ferries admitted to breaking the law by not consulting unions before sacking 800 staff without notice and replacing them with foreign agency staff in 2022.

But hey, that's all okay, as I get a good deal on a ferry crossing with a pet lounge.

Jock.

Irish ferries did the same a few years before so P&O couldn't compete. I suspect Newhaven Dieppe is heavily subsidised by the French government and/or dieppe councils to keep it running. The tunnel is so expensive that it can't compete.

 

[Manic]

We’ve also changed from tunnel to ferry using the pet lounge facility and find you can get better travel time without going at silly o’clock to get cheaper price as on the tunnel.

 

[Backlanes]

Came over Harwich to Hook of Holland this time for trip to Italy. Considered tunnel but price was high and this routing suited us better anyway. Starting from Scotland would have preferred Newcastle departure but ferry about £1600, or Hull about £1200, so settled on Harwich at about £800 - night crossings as we were marginally pressed for time.

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[georgio]

But you can't see inside a motorhome especially ours as we close blinds to help the dog.

Yes but you can hear them barking and would you like to be in a motorhome with the alarm going ?

 

[Saucer]

I looked at crossings later in the year (Oct) and the tunnel was only marginally more expensive than the ferries, even P+O

 

[gus-lopez]

I looked at crossings later in the year (Oct) and the tunnel was only marginally more expensive than the ferries, even P+O

that is if you book now. Try booking the tunnel two days before?Whereas the ferry is usually the same price 2 days before ,as if booked now.

But you can't see inside a motorhome especially ours as we close blinds to help the dog.

Last one had an overcab & the dog always travelled at the base of the sloping floor in front of the drivers seat. On the occasions the sun might get to that spot he would just get up & go in the back

 

[MichaelT]

Yes but you can hear them barking and would you like to be in a motorhome with the alarm going ?

Well I can't see you can hear them with all the noise but whatever you say. I never set my alarm on a ferry so wouldn't affect my dog but other cars setting them could be noisy but each time we've left him he's been fine in an environment he knows and was always quiet when we went back on 4 or 5 hour crossing.

 

[Rick@62]

Why did you not turn off the alarm?

How did you do that please? Reason I ask is that this request was also tannoyed on the Dieppe to Newhaven ferry last week. They requested that all vehicle alarms be turned off or diactivated before they would depart.

I didn’t know you could do that, so can anyone advise as to how it can be done and still lock the vehicle up? My MH is a Fiat Ducato 2019.

Thanks.

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