When is the best time to book a ferry

[chiz]

We are thinking about next years summer break and would like to go into Europe somewhere via Newcastle or Hull to Zeebrugge.

Is there anybody out there who is regularly booking ferries who could share how to get the deals and when is the best time to book the crossing?

Any help would be great!

[Bowton Lad]

Take a look in the ''Camping & Travelling'' forum where there are at least two threads where 2012 ferry prices are being discussed.

[donnieg]

We are also looking into ferry prices for next year and have deceided to go from Newcastle. Although it is afair bit more to go from Newcastle if you take the price of fuel to travel to Hull and back there will not be a huge differance.

[Silky]

I'm not entirely sure if it's the same with ferries, but with flights the earlier you book, the cheaper the prices (the airlines stagger prices so the first x number of seats are the cheapest, the next xx go up in price, and then so on and so forth through a number of bands). I suspect it's similar on most modes of travel to be honest so it's worth working out your route and booking it in advance - as well as a cost benefit, you'll probably have a larger choice of availability, especially if you're looking at any peak sailings.

Silky

[sinshelley]

We are thinking about next years summer break and would like to go into Europe somewhere via Newcastle or Hull to Zeebrugge.

Is there anybody out there who is regularly booking ferries who could share how to get the deals and when is the best time to book the crossing?

Any help would be great!

best time to book a ferry is as early as possible,ferry companies take into the price the length of vehicle height of vehicle and weather you are taking a trailer,we travelled to spain from portsmouth to bilbao took 2 days but didnt fancy driving through france cost was roughly £400,if you live near dover just turn up,avoid peak times go late at night or early in morning for cheapest crossings,Travelling abroad in ya camper is just BRILL lazey sunny days folowed by a lovely glass of wine and some local cuisene,hope this helped

[chiz]

Thanks for this. I think we shall book before Xmas to get the thing booked and also hopefully get the best deal.

Yep to go in a camper certainly appeals. Sun on our back, local food, local wine and new scenery every day.

Happy days

[MacWilliam]

We have tried every single possible ferry crossing from Plymouth to Rosyth..... from Santander to Rotterdam over the last 30 years, and reverted to take our time, and use the Dover ferries. A couple of nights in lovely campsites trying out English ales instead of trying to cross the island in one day at all costs makes for a more relaxed time. Dover is also an easier way of crossing. Book a ferry a month or two ahead and plan to be there couple of hours before your booking. That leaves plenty time for a set back like changing a wheel. If you turn up early, they'll usually let you board one ferry ahead if there is room on the deck.
Travelling with a dog makes Dover the port of choice for us for the time being. About 12 hours drive from Moray. Thank god they have finished the M20 down there.

[chiz]

Thanks for that. It is good to get the opinion of a fellow T25 owner who lives in Scotland. We are looking at maybe going from Harwich to Esjberg and then back through Amsterdam to Newcastle. We fancy Denmark and a couple of days at Legoland.

It is early in the calculations and is beginning to look a wee bit pricey but we will wait and see.

[syncro up]

Thanks for that. It is good to get the opinion of a fellow T25 owner who lives in Scotland. We are looking at maybe going from Harwich to Esjberg and then back through Amsterdam to Newcastle. We fancy Denmark and a couple of days at Legoland.

It is early in the calculations and is beginning to look a wee bit pricey but we will wait and see.

ahh just do it! it will be a great adventure, worry about the bills when you get back.

We travelled Newcastle - Amsterdam this year and the crossing was fine. we could have driven to dover (from Glasgow) for cheaper all in, but the time saved was worth it with the direction our route took.

Let me know how you get on with Harwich to Esjberg. I looked into that this morning with a view to a trip to Norway and the like in 2013.

[bideford]

I was just booking our return ferry for July/August (Portsmouth/St Malo) with Britanny Ferries online when I thought I would give the booking office a call to cheekily ask if they had any discount seeing as we sailed with them last year. They straight away gave me 10% off and completed the booking over the phone with a £25 deposit. Nice saving - it's not the cheapest of crossings!

[Andrew Evers]

Just called about the Harwick - Esjberg crossing as we're planning to drive up to Northern Sweden this summer. For me the wife and 5yr and 1 yr olds in a hi top travelling beginning August and coming back end of August is with the cheapest possible cabin £698. We're now thinking of taking the tunnel during the night for £60 return. Then drive up through France, Germany, Denmark and into Sweden taking a week each way to do the 3600 mile round trip.

[chiz]

I was just booking our return ferry for July/August (Portsmouth/St Malo) with Britanny Ferries online when I thought I would give the booking office a call to cheekily ask if they had any discount seeing as we sailed with them last year. They straight away gave me 10% off and completed the booking over the phone with a £25 deposit. Nice saving - it's not the cheapest of crossings!

When you say you only paid a deposit. Does this mean that you get a bit of time before you have to the full bill?

[bideford]

Yes - I pay the rest in June. Can cancel before then and only lose the deposit. If I recall correctly will get a refund (less deposit) up to 7 days before sailing - after then you get a voucher.

[chiz]

Well I phoned DFDS today to see what deals could be done on booking two ferry crossings. Harwich - Ejsberg and Amsterdam - Newcastle. Thinking that I would maybe get a deal for booking over the phone and booking two trips together and just maybe get away with just paying a percentage now and the rest later.

How naive was I. Charged 10p a minute plus local rate, no discount over the phone infact its cheaper online. No deals for booking two separate ferry trips and I will have to book them separately. Even if I could have booked it with the girl on the phone she would want it all paid up front.

Happy holidays I am still looking at 647 pounds for the two ferries. Ah well keep saving and book in February me thinks.