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P&O Ferries


Henods

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We took the Hull - Zeebrugge route this year and was very happpy with it. In days gone by we used the old North Sea Ferries a lot between Hull and Rotterdam as it was the most northelry crossing for us 'oop here' until DFDS started the Newcastle Amsterdam route. We used both the large vessel and the small one when the big boat went to the Falklands war. Kids enjoyed all the trips.

 

This year we tried them again although it is now P%O. The boat on the Zeebrugge run is one of the old North Sea boats and seemed like being on home territory again. OK, maybe it is not as posh as some of the other gin palaces but was an excellent crossing and the service good. I admit that with old age we now take a Club class cabin although in days gone by with 2 kids mixed it with the lower decks happily. There prices are obviously higher than Dover - Calais for example but if you are driving from the north the time saved and the less stress does offset that. Plus if you add in the meals and cabin, it isn't so bad. You drive on the boat, round the bow and back out the stern again. There is a new boat on the Rotterdam route, much larger but we have no experience of it as yet.

 

One small hitch is that they use the old North Sea terminal for the Zeebrugge boat and this means locking in and out of the King George dock. Takes about 40 minutes. so slightly slower disembarking times. However, kids like to watch that bit.

 

When checking fares play with dates as Sundays are often much cheaper than other days.

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You are welcome. We like 'em, but others may disagree.

 

If you are a 'northerner' you may also want to have a look at DFDS from Newcastle as they do some good deals as well. The only slight 'snag' with them is that drinks prices are expensive. A glassof wine is about £6.

 

I have looked at all the options especially when many kinda 'gloat' about th cheapies they can get Dover-Calais but after adding it all up the difference in costs is not that significant, plus the less hassle of driving 700 miles to Dover is a blessing.

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No experience but out of curiousity I looked at the prices going out and returning Hull to Rotterdam, (was at one time considering a move North). My conclusion is that you northerners must be absolutely made of money if you use these routes as the cheapest quote with ordinary 4 bunk cabin (I guess that would mean sharing with two others) was an eye wateringly staggering £680. Thats out and back on a Sunday at unsocial times as well.

Even taking account of 1400 miles (quoted 700 miles x 2) of diesel at £7.00 a gallon and 25 miles to each of those that is only £392 add my crossing cost of £54 return equals £446 so a saving of £234 and only really worthwhile if you are going to Northern or Eastern Europe as it would negate some of the fuel/ time saving if you were going South.

Think I will stick to the Channel ports.

 

Not wanting to wind anyone up, just shocked at the cost.

 

Bas

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