Speedferries experience

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Mon 14 Jun 2004 10:57
Speedferries experience - PR {P}
Ive just got back from an 8 day break in Europe and I went from Dover-Boulogne using the new Speedferries service.
Thoroughly pleasant experience and I wouldn't hesitate to use them again.
Check in was painless, plenty of booths open. The vessel itself was larger than I expected, with all the facilities you would expect, bar, food,(no hot meals) and French duty shop. All of which with less choice than a ferry but more than adequate for a 50minute crossing.
Boulogne isn't quite as convenient as Calais and we got a bit lost trying to get out, but it wasn't too bad, and getting back into the port was very easy since the port was signposted very well at every junction.
All this for £65 return, so you cant go wrong (P&O wanted £240, Eurotunnel £300)
My only "gripe" (and its a slight one) is the fact that they only go every 3 hours or so which means potential long waits, although having said that Boulogne had a nice cafe waiting room and excellent toilet facilities.
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Mon 14 Jun 2004 11:14
Speedferries experience - BazzaBear {P}
Cheers for the info PR, glad to hear it. My parents are driving down to Dover today to catch their service.
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Mon 14 Jun 2004 11:37
Speedferries experience - terryb
Useful info PR, thanks.

As one who was suggesting BRers should look at them as a competitive alternative to the big boys, it's nice to know they have delivered. I'll be using them for the autumn day trips.

--
Terry
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Mon 14 Jun 2004 12:40
Speedferries experience - BrianW
Boulogne isn't too bad to get out of once you know your way, and it's 20 miles nearer the sun!
However, the first time we went there we missed the exit and spent 20 minutes driving round the commercial port in the wee small hours of the morning in pouring rain!
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Mon 14 Jun 2004 13:48
Speedferries experience - Soupytwist
Good to know as I booked a return trip for a week in August over the weekend. Not quite as cheap as yours but I had to sort the aoccomodation out first and it was still much cheaper than the others.

Did you pay the extra £10 for Premier service? I did largely to get the priority on / off which is handy if you've got a little child.
Matthew Kelly
No, not that one.
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Tue 15 Jun 2004 16:37
Speedferries experience - Hawesy1982
Speedferries is the one with a set crossing fee that doesn't rise with the numbers of days you are away right?

If thats right it beats P&O etc hands down for 5-dayers
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Tue 15 Jun 2004 16:59
Speedferries experience - PR {P}
Thats right. The pricing policy is similar to that of budget airlines, the price rises as the sailing fills up. The length of time you're away is of no interest to them
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Wed 16 Jun 2004 16:17
Speedferries experience - Mapmaker
A tricky business model when you're competing directly with a non-budget ferry company. As your prices approach theirs, people will start to move over, given the inconvenience of 3-hourly sailings, smaller duty-paid shops etc.

(P&O, Tanqueray Gin £10.50 per litre, on offer this month - bargain)
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Wed 16 Jun 2004 17:19
Speedferries experience - Collos25
Not really only 6.85 euros 70cl in my supermarket in Dresden and a good Scotch for 5.65euros 70cl
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Wed 16 Jun 2004 17:20
Speedferries experience - Mapmaker
Tanqueray? You sure? Or a ropey own brand. Bangernomics doesn't work in the drinks cabinet, you know...
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Thu 1 Jul 2004 09:58
Speedferries experience - Febus
70cl Tanqueray bought yesterday at Eroski supermarket in Pamplona for ?9.05 which works out around £6 at current rates.

Can anyone find it cheaper!

BTW good to hear some feedback about speedferries, as an expat I'm sick and tired of being ripped off by the other operators.
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Thu 1 Jul 2004 09:59
Speedferries experience - Febus
Assuming of course the Dresden product wasn't Tanqueray...........
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Thu 1 Jul 2004 12:23
Speedferries experience - Mapmaker
Lucky devil, in Pamplona!
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