Hull - Zeebrugge Ferry

[DMN]

Does anyone have any experience of this ferry? I normally drive down from York to the south coast, but thought next year I'd save some driving hours and get some extra sleeping hours instead.

Is it a decent serivce? Last time I sailed from Hull it was the 1980's.

[Hammond1073]

Surely the drives half the fun?..

Were going from Doncaster and crossing through the Eurotunnel on Thursday, getting us to Le Mans Thursday evening

[Voldemort]

As a fellow Northerner I use it whenever possible for the return journey. There is little stter than ending your holiday with the M25/Dartford and your choice of A1 or M1 roadworks so we usually return to Hull and get home in an hour.
On the way out I'll use whatever route offers the best compromise to route and wallet.
The PONSF experience varies. If you're on a boat with three stag parties it can get pretty tedious quickly but there are enough bars/lounges that you can find a quiet area (if that's what you want). You will be woken at 0600 with announcements mainly designed to get you to go to the cafe for breakfast. The cabins are small, clean, shower is great! Don't bother with their 'duty free' or other shopping opportunities.

[ellroy]

Used it every year, for about 8 years.

Much nicer, much shorter and who the hell enjoys the drive down south, M1, M25 etc? Roadworks, scameras, bad lane discipline, elephant racing etc? That's not enjoyable or if you find it so you're very weird in my opinion.

Much nicer to have a decent meal, a few beers and wake up fresh on the other side with about an hour and a bit drive on decent French roads to the same place you'd have got to going via Dover.

Use it, you will not regret it and will not go back to the hell of the journey south.

[SEE YA]

Done the other routes, going to try Plymouth next year got a cabin.
Overnight ferry, then just under three hour drive to the track.

[surveyor]

The cost always puts me off. It's substantially more - and still seems to leave a chunk of driving on the other side...

[DMN]

It is a bit more, but I'll save two tanks of petrol by not having so far to drive. So it should work out about even.

Hopefully they'll be no stag/hen parties... get enough of them in York as it is.

[ellroy]

Bno to seen a stag or hen do in the boat ever. Loads of LMers, truck drivers and holiday goers sans kids given the time of year.

Sometimes you get a school trip on board, but pick the right bar and they're no where to be seen.

[RONV]

DMN said:

Does anyone have any experience of this ferry? I normally drive down from York to the south coast, but thought next year I'd save some driving hours and get some extra sleeping hours instead.

Is it a decent serivce? Last time I sailed from Hull it was the 1980's.

Hi, its great the boats have engines now we use it twice a year May and September on our classic runs and saves us 350 miles and a hotel both ways a great meal on board arrive 09-00 the off into France feeling fresh after a good nights sleep. For years we used Dover and since 2007 we have used Hull-Zeebrugge and find it a lot easier no M25. I have already booked for 1st May for our run to Bordeaux with the French Capri Club for their AGM at Arcachon 5th-8th of May but we make it a two week trip with 8 hotels and good food and drink. Next trip is in September to Angouleme Circuit des Remparts another great two weeks in France. Ron.

Edited by RONV on Saturday 28th November 20:12

[AshW]

Voldemort said:

As a fellow Northerner I use it whenever possible for the return journey. There is little stter than ending your holiday with the M25/Dartford and your choice of A1 or M1 roadworks so we usually return to Hull and get home in an hour.
On the way out I'll use whatever route offers the best compromise to route and wallet.
The PONSF experience varies. If you're on a boat with three stag parties it can get pretty tedious quickly but there are enough bars/lounges that you can find a quiet area (if that's what you want). You will be woken at 0600 with announcements mainly designed to get you to go to the cafe for breakfast. The cabins are small, clean, shower is great! Don't bother with their 'duty free' or other shopping opportunities.

We have used this for the last few years, its easy, fun and does save time.

This year we plan the same, down via the chunnel and back to Hull

[bazjude2998]

Hi,since the early 90,s we,ve tried most routes from N.Wales to Le Mans .A much nicer drive is either down to Portsmouth or Plymouth sailing to either Cherbourg or Caen We have always made a week of it.Earlyish morning ferry and a night out in Caen.Some small reasonably priced hotels near the railway station.Caen is a very lively night out.Note of caution if you don't know the area get a taxi back to your hotel certainly don't walk alone.The route back to the railway station from the town can take you through the red light district,at 2.00am can be a bit intimidating.Ferries are more expensive than the Dover crossing but a shorter drive and a pleasant 5 to 6 hour cruise if it's a calm day.What ever way you choose you,ll enjoy.Last point I reckon the French should pay for all ferry crossings!Without the Brits they wouldn't,t have a race.Regards Baz

[bazjude2998]

Hi,since the early 90,s we,ve tried most routes from N.Wales to Le Mans .A much nicer drive is either down to Portsmouth or Plymouth sailing to either Cherbourg or Caen We have always made a week of it.Earlyish morning ferry and a night out in Caen.Some small reasonably priced hotels near the railway station.Caen is a very lively night out.Note of caution if you don't know the area get a taxi back to your hotel certainly don't walk alone.The route back to the railway station from the town can take you through the red light district,at 2.00am can be a bit intimidating.Ferries are more expensive than the Dover crossing but a shorter drive and a pleasant 5 to 6 hour cruise if it's a calm day.What ever way you choose you,ll enjoy.Last point I reckon the French should pay for all ferry crossings!Without the Brits they wouldn't,t have a race.Regards Baz