Brittany Ferries
Does the price change, depending on the duration of travel? The standard flexible fare provides for any length of stay and can be changed without any amendment fee. For stays of up to ten days abroad, savings of up to 20 percent on the flexible fare can be made. For stays of up to five days, savings of up to 40 percent on the standard fare can be made. Each change to the original booking for these fares carries an amendment fee of £5 within 42 days of departure.
Condor Ferries
Does the price change, depending on the duration of travel? For the UK-to-Channel Islands route, the Monday to Thursday Saver Return offers a lower fare; a five-day return ticket on the UK to St Malo route is also a
lower fare.
A frequent traveller discount means 20 percent off crossings from the UK to St Malo, Cherbourg and the Channel Isles.
Condor claims to be the only cross-channel ferry operator still offering duty-free shopping – this is because all its services call in at the Channel Isles, which are not EU members.
Hoverspeed
Does the price change, depending
on the duration of travel? Price levels increase with the length of travel, from day trips, to over-nighters, three-day returns, five-day returns and lastly, standard returns.
Irish Ferries
Does the price change, depending
on the duration of travel? A five-day return fare is available: the return journey must
be made on or before the first return sailing after a 120-hour stay.
Isle of Man Steam Packet
Does the price change, depending on the duration of travel? A short break five-day returns start at £159.
Norfolkline
Does the price change, depending on the duration of travel? If travelling for five days or less, the return fare reduces to £159 (for our Trident), £179 (for our Kon-Tiki) and £199 (for our Hymermobil).
P&O
Does the price change, depending on the duration of travel? Five-day returns are cheaper on crossings to Calais, Rotterdam and Zeebrugge, as are five- and ten-day returns on crossings to Le Havre and Cherbourg, and seven- and 140-night returns on crossings to Bilbao.
P&O Irish Sea
P&O's Fleetwood-Larne and Mostyn-Dublin services are tidally restricted, which means the ship can
only sail when the tide is there for it to do so.
The company cannot therefore confirm an actual
sailing time for these services until 48 hours
beforehand. Would-be passengers should telephone P&O on 0870 2424777 for the correct sailing time.
It is essential to check in for these services at least
1 hour 15 mins before departure, as ships may sail earlier. Check-in time for Larne-Cairnryan and
Larne-Troon routes is 45 mins.
Are there any discounts or seasonal offers? The Super Apex fare, bookable 42 days before travel, must be paid at time of booking. No changes, amendments or refunds can be issued on these tickets.
Does the price change, depending on the duration of
travel? Four-day, six-day and single fares are available. Fares for longer than six-days' duration are worked out by adding two single fares together.
Red Funnel Ferries
Are there any discounts or seasonal offers? Red Funnel Holidays offers special inclusive breaks for motorhomes, with a five-night pitch at one of four
premier parks, electric hook-up and vehicle ferry
travel, from £92.
SeaFrance
Does the price change, depending on the duration of travel? Return fares within five days are cheaper.
Stena Line
Are there any discounts or seasonal offers? Stena's Caravan Special is valid on Superferry day sailings
for a motorhome or minibus, with or without a
trailer, up to any length and height, at £279 return. Additional passengers in the vehicle are charged
at £26 return. With the Family Special return fare savings are made if there are more than
two people in one vehicle. For example, the Auto–Sleeper Trident (quoted in our table, overleaf) with
a driver and four additional
passengers travelling on the same dates would be £278 return
(on either Stena HSS or Superferry boats). This works out at just £55.60 per person, compared with the standard fare of £264 for two people.
Swansea Cork Ferries
This ferry company now operates for 11 months of
the year, from mid-March to January 2004. Sailings
to and from Cork operate four times a week during the low season, and up to six times a week throughout the peak season.
Are there any discounts or seasonal offers? A Midweek Special, departing and returning any Monday to Thursday, starts at £180. A Sunday Saver, departing on Sunday, and returning Sunday or Monday, starts at £190. A Weekend Return, departing Thursday or Friday, and returning before the following Monday starts at £180. There's also an additional per-metre rate for motorhomes over 6m long.
Wightlink
Are there any discounts or seasonal offers? If a vehicle
is less than 6m long, saver fares are available: these
are based on a car plus four passengers. A mid-week special (valid for 15 days) starts at £74.50.
Does the price change, depending on the duration of travel? Special Day Returns are available from Wightlink for £42.60. Five-day Short Breaks start at £50.60.
• Use our chart to work out your best route and the cheapest price. This is published in the June issue of Practical Motorhome. For back issues Tel: 08456 777812
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