DFDS Ferry Calais - Dover - ££ rinsed
Discussion
sunbeam alpine said:
Did you just turn up and buy a ticket or did you book in advance? That sometimes makes a big difference, although I've noticed that DFDS has got a lot dearer the last couple of years.
Hello SA, I got to the terminal after a very long slog up from the south, just after 4am and then booked. The first available crossing was the 8am one. The vessel was almost empty.
And agreed, DFDS have indeed got a lot ££ dearer over the last couple of years.
ksSmurfsarepeopletoo said:
Just booked a return ferry to France during half term with Irish ferries for £100.
Appreciate this is a regurgitation of an old post, but in case anyway was looking, DFDS currently have an offer on for day trips and 2/3 day breaks from Dover-Calais/Dunkirk, which remains as last year to be £100 return and appears to have availability during the upcoming 2 week Easter break. MattyD803 said:
Smurfsarepeopletoo said:
Just booked a return ferry to France during half term with Irish ferries for £100.
Appreciate this is a regurgitation of an old post, but in case anyway was looking, DFDS currently have an offer on for day trips and 2/3 day breaks from Dover-Calais/Dunkirk, which remains as last year to be £100 return and appears to have availability during the upcoming 2 week Easter break. Agree DFDS have got really expensive over the last couple of years - Newcastle - Amsterdam return around £480 inc inside cabin bunk & meals in 2022, this year the same crossing and package nearly £800!
Having said that, it’s a very civilised crossing and they don’t rip you off at the bar.
And they’ve just been criticised for paying some staff less than €5 per hour.
Making up for COVID methinks.
Having said that, it’s a very civilised crossing and they don’t rip you off at the bar.
And they’ve just been criticised for paying some staff less than €5 per hour.
Making up for COVID methinks.
MattyD803 said:
ferret50 said:
Far more civilized to use Newhaven-Dieppe, works best if heading south, though!
Having never done that route myself, I've only heard good things...however, on this occasion, we are heading to Belgium.Boxster5 said:
Agree DFDS have got really expensive over the last couple of years - Newcastle - Amsterdam return around £480 inc inside cabin bunk & meals in 2022, this year the same crossing and package nearly £800!
Having said that, it’s a very civilised crossing and they don’t rip you off at the bar.
And they’ve just been criticised for paying some staff less than €5 per hour.
Making up for COVID methinks.
I’ve just had this with DFDS Newcastle to Amsterdam - the exact date when I was looking (five days over May bank hol) was (forget exact) £946 for two people, 2 bunk inside cabin (cheapest) and car, return. Having said that, it’s a very civilised crossing and they don’t rip you off at the bar.
And they’ve just been criticised for paying some staff less than €5 per hour.
Making up for COVID methinks.
Same dates Hull Rotterdam P&O £460 or so. Same thing.
That’s not far shy of twice the price.
Where’s the difference? The cabin cost is the bulk of it. P&O are £98 (iirc) each way (we upgraded to a four berth outside cabin for a few quid more). DFDS cabin £350 one way and £250 the other - you could stay in a rather spiffy hotel for that much - not a tiny bunk bed cabin.
This isn’t some wacky thing to do with our travel dates - their prices have just gone through the roof all the time. They were previously about £100 more which was bearable and Mrs DS insisted due to the P&O scandal, but she’s had to swallow her principles as we can’t afford what will be £1100 at least after meals etc.
Dog Star said:
Boxster5 said:
Agree DFDS have got really expensive over the last couple of years - Newcastle - Amsterdam return around £480 inc inside cabin bunk & meals in 2022, this year the same crossing and package nearly £800!
Having said that, it’s a very civilised crossing and they don’t rip you off at the bar.
And they’ve just been criticised for paying some staff less than €5 per hour.
Making up for COVID methinks.
I’ve just had this with DFDS Newcastle to Amsterdam - the exact date when I was looking (five days over May bank hol) was (forget exact) £946 for two people, 2 bunk inside cabin (cheapest) and car, return. Having said that, it’s a very civilised crossing and they don’t rip you off at the bar.
And they’ve just been criticised for paying some staff less than €5 per hour.
Making up for COVID methinks.
Same dates Hull Rotterdam P&O £460 or so. Same thing.
That’s not far shy of twice the price.
Where’s the difference? The cabin cost is the bulk of it. P&O are £98 (iirc) each way (we upgraded to a four berth outside cabin for a few quid more). DFDS cabin £350 one way and £250 the other - you could stay in a rather spiffy hotel for that much - not a tiny bunk bed cabin.
This isn’t some wacky thing to do with our travel dates - their prices have just gone through the roof all the time. They were previously about £100 more which was bearable and Mrs DS insisted due to the P&O scandal, but she’s had to swallow her principles as we can’t afford what will be £1100 at least after meals etc.
I’d certainly look at Hull-Rotterdam for future crossings as it’s 140 miles rather than circa 300 miles to Eurotunnel, especially with that price difference.
And yes it was P&O rather than DFDS who were paying their staff peanuts. What is the Hull-Rotterdam crossing like - the Newcastle-Amsterdam is really civilised with decent food and reasonable bar prices (the duty free is pretty good too).
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff