in planning » North Sea Ferries 2019

Despite all the Brexit nonsense we have decided to venture onto the continent again this summer.
Living in East Yorkshire I have P&O North sea ferries running out of Hull to Rotterdam or Zeebrugge, not too far away.
Price, this year, for 2 bikes, one cabin and buffet meals both ways comes in at a hefty £477.
The advantages of this route are that we arrive in Rotterdam fresh and ready to go at 9.30am the next day after an overnight crossing. Also my friend does not have to take a additional days holiday as the ferry does not leave till 7.30pm.

I looked at the Dover option, a lot cheaper at about £100 for July. It does mean however, a 250 mile journey to get there and probably an overnight stop to catch the ferry at 11am. It would also mean either a long day for the return journey or another overnight stop along with concerns for bike security.
Factoring these costs would bring me to about £300.

We have decided to go from Hull again. I managed to get £30 off for being in the BMW club and was able to blagg a 4 berth cabin at no extra cost.
I know it cost a lot but I think its worth it for a stress free start to our sorte.

Being in Yorkshire has its advantages but choices for European travel are a little limited.

Alan

Use Stena Line Harwich/Hoek. Much cheaper, newer boats, better quality cabins, closer than Dover.

I did have a look,Gordon.
Bit of a pig to get to and still over 200 miles from me.
The Hull boats are a bit tired now but we'd rather spend our days touring on the continent than chewing our nuts off on crappy British roads.
Not sure if there will be any additional licenses required for Europe by July, might depend on which country you pass through.
Alan

Zitat von Alda im Beitrag #3

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I did have a look,Gordon.
Bit of a pig to get to and still over 200 miles from me.
The Hull boats are a bit tired now but we'd rather spend our days touring on the continent than chewing our nuts off on crappy British roads.
Not sure if there will be any additional licenses required for Europe by July, might depend on which country you pass through.
Alan

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I’m a North Shields to Ijmuiden man myself - aka Newcastle / Amsterdam.

This will be my 5th year using DFDS, with an extra 4 wheeler trip last year and last week for added fun.

The convenience outweighs any basic cost advantage that the channel may offer.

I have done the Hull out a couple of times a few years ago but was unhappy that there gave me ropes to tie down the bike (made me get my own ratchet sets). Living in the east of Cumbria I do the DFDS Newcastle to Ijmuiden which I like, get good help if needed and have a good sleep over night to be ready for the morning, then try and get out of Holland asap. Nice country lousy biking roads. be on the boat again in May to have a short bimble in Germany/Luxembourg.

ships good though if you want a meal especially dinner pre order, also I have always been lucky to find a voucher online that gets money off what is a pricey crossing though it is 15 hours long.

Graham

I have travelled to the Netherlands several times from Harwich with Stena Line and it has always been wonderful. Get an overnight ferry, book a cabin (you have to now- I used to sleep under the stairs!) and you get into Hoek first thing in the morning. Brilliant! Good food, excellent cabins, helpful staff etc. It might be a bit of a trek for some to get to Harwich but the whole experience is far better than any other route I have ever taken over the channel.

Zitat von midlife crisis im Beitrag #6

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I have done the Hull out a couple of times a few years ago but was unhappy that there gave me ropes to tie down the bike (made me get my own ratchet sets). Living in the east of Cumbria I do the DFDS Newcastle to Ijmuiden which I like, get good help if needed and have a good sleep over night to be ready for the morning, then try and get out of Holland asap. Nice country lousy biking roads. be on the boat again in May to have a short bimble in Germany/Luxembourg.

ships good though if you want a meal especially dinner pre order, also I have always been lucky to find a voucher online that gets money off what is a pricey crossing though it is 15 hours long.

Graham

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Graham
Things have improved since your trip. Bikes are housed in a separate alley away from errant cars. Straps and ropes are provided and fix onto steel hawsers which line the deck.
Food is good and plentiful and the beer not too expensive.
The cabins are small but adequate for one night, upgrades are always offered at additional cost.
As I haven't tried other options I am unable to compare, but generally we are happy with our lot.
Alan
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Thats good news, I am "stuck" with DFDS but reasonably happy with them as it is only 70 miles to the ferry port which is a lot less than Hull or harwich for me, and it will be roughly the same distance over the other side. happy that if I have to do Hull it is much better than before

enjoy the trips to Europe

Graham

+1 for the Newcastle (North Shields) to Ijmuiden DFDS option.
Did it in 2017 - pretty excellent, and good value for four of us heading for the Brno MotoGP.
All booked up again for this summer - for four of us - heading for the Brno MotoGP!!
Must try harder to come up with new ideas......