arriving early for ferries?

[kathyshack]

Has anyone any experience of arriving early for the ferry from dover to dunkirk, and managing to get on an earlier ferry? if so, do they charge an amendment fee?
Thanks,
Kathy

[Titus A Duxass]

Kathy,
They let us on an earlier twice so far.
We did make a change to one trip (a day later) and were charged 35 € by the ticket dealer scumbag.

The people at Norfolk Line said to booked direct through them next time as they only charge a fiver.

[pionte]

In the past I have arrived early for the Ferry and Train.... never been charged extra, if there is a space they will let you on, there is no point having a boat leave with spaces.

This is just my personal experience.. cant vouch that its company policy !

I was going to say dont rush and speed on the return trip.... police are wise to this and catch loads of brits speeding, but then I guessed you would be in the van... so no worries about speeding

Martin.

[Ian Hulley]

Norfolkline yes twice and both free, Sea France coming home a day early last year and they did charge €20 ... that'll teach em !

[project 2006]

Hi, I belive there is terms & conditions of fery opperatio that ensures all operators must (as far as practicable) allow customers the ferry before or the one after there original booking, could be wrong though. UK side I have arrived very early & late and had no problems however I did call in advance when laterer than one ferry. Coming home I have always had to pay for anything other than the +/- one ferry rule.

[Ian Hulley]

could be wrong though.

Yep, you're wrong.

If you read the small print on the booking confirmation it say's that the booking cannot be amended or transferred.

I remember the inquisition when Mark couldn't get poor old Max inocculated in time for the trip and had to leave him behind ... I thought the rubber glove of doom was going to make an appearance

[Zoe]

I got on early coming back Calais to Dover three weeks ago no charge that was with P & O. Only an hour early mind.

[ajsimmo]

We travelled with Norfolk line on our way to Germany. We arrived back at Dunkirk just over two hours before our scheduled time. At the 'checkpoint' we were told we could either pay an extra £60 to get on the next ferry or we could catch the one that left an hour before our booked time for free. Our return trip had only cost £50 so you can probably guess ....
Sat nav out, found a local MacDonalds open so late at night and enjoyed the extra hour translating the menu!
One hour earlier ferry for free.

[kathyshack]

Thanks guys! Were booked on a 2pm crossing, but as we decided to drive down night before and stay in a super cheap traveled, we could easily make 12 sailing i reckon....
Ta

[ermie571]

DFDS (was norfolk line) arrived at Dover early a couple of times, they have put us on an earlier ferry.
Also, twice from Dunkirk. On one trip i went to the booking office, they checked the next ferry and there was space so they moved us for free, and another time we just rolled up to check in and they checked us in.

At the end of the day, if you are early, and they want to charge you, and you don't want to pay, you'll just have to wait. But they never even asked us if we wanted to go earlier....just booked us on.

No experience of PnO

Em
xx

[Bowton Lad]

I was going to say dont rush and speed on the return trip.... pol
ice are wise to this and catch loads of brits speeding, but then I guessed you would be in the van... so no worries about speeding

Kathy drives a T5.

[pionte]

I was going to say dont rush and speed on the return trip.... pol
ice are wise to this and catch loads of brits speeding, but then I guessed you would be in the van... so no worries about speeding

Kathy drives a T5.

oh ! is it a 170BHP diesel !!

[AngeloEvs]

Arrived at Dover 2 hours early and was put on the Ferry shortly to leave - no extra charge!

I think we asked if it was possible and the nice girl checked on the Computer - it was as simple as that!

[California Dreamin]

DFDS (Norfolk line) No problems with one ferry before, we have done this about 5 - 6 times now, always FREE...try for two Ferries earlier and it's a no no unless you pay.

Martin

[hugomonkey]

done it at least 10 times and its never a problem, i just drive straight in and they put me on the next available crossing,
i always book a few hours later than planned just in case of traffic