DFDS ferry

CannonDale · Jul 22, 2017

Off to France soon but still undecided if going ferry or tunnel. If going by DFDS you can book the california as a car.

Hotel California · Jul 22, 2017

Think the most Cali owners know this , when you book and fill in the mesures of your verhicle ( in my case 2m ) it says "car" automaticly ...

Jay586 · Jul 22, 2017

No, they don't. I'm on other T6 groups & it is discussed endlessly. Very helpful, thank you!

MyrtleMoo · 2024-10-04T12:34:50+0100

Just chipping in on this old thread, because when I searched around with the same question it felt like there were still conflicting answers. I emailed DFDS this morning just to be sure and got a similar reply within 15 mins. I went to great pains to explain the vehicle type and size so there was no misunderstanding. On the trip I was looking at, with exact same details, it would have cost +£200 more if I had to choose "Small Motorhome" or "Large Van" which were the only other options available.

RockinNRollin · 2024-10-04T14:19:45+0100

Meanwhile, earlier this year I got a categorical answer from DFDS that it "must match the vehicle type on your V5", i.e. "motor caravan", "so sir, that means your vehicle is a motorhome so please book accordingly". It did cost more. I did argue about it afterwards. I didn't get anywhere. I didn't want to risk any conflict/delay at the ferry terminal in the event of a jobsworth being pedantic, so I just booked in as a small motorhome and rolled with it. I won't be sailing with DFDS again anyway - late both ways and the standard of the vessel generally reminded me of a well-used travelodge.

babble · 2024-10-04T14:22:49+0100

i've travelled with DFDS with my California coast and now beach, averaging six return journeys a year for the last seven years, always booked it in as a high car. never had a single question asked. I found them cheap as chips, and I think they are overall one of the companies that offers the best service i've come across. (not perfect, but simple, straightforward and not fussy if you are late, early etc.)

Agnes_Cali · 2024-10-04T16:18:54+0100

I book it as high car no problem. Used them 4 times since I've got California at the end of June. I like the choice of two departure points in France and being able to take ferry up to 4h earlier or later. I prefer Dunkirk, because of lower traffic and shorter journey when coming from East.

secret lemonade drinker · 2024-10-04T17:26:00+0100

Same with P&O, high car, no questions asked. DFDS Newhaven to Dieppe did put me on the ramp, causing arse puckering when it lifted up

acer · 2024-10-04T17:40:52+0100

Do people find the ferry cheaper than the tunnel I wonder?

Doorbundle · 2024-10-04T18:05:08+0100

acer said:
Do people find the ferry cheaper than the tunnel I wonder?

I terms of sanity, it is much less expensive, as Mrs Db would need to be tranquilised for the tunnel journey.

acer · 2024-10-04T18:09:31+0100

Doorbundle said:
I terms of sanity, it is much less expensive, as Mrs Db would need to be tranquilised for the tunnel journey.

I fear mine would need the same treatment for ferry :sad

tedgina · 2024-10-04T20:40:06+0100

acer said:
Do people find the ferry cheaper than the tunnel I wonder? Yes DFDS offers a 20% discount for the over 60s only if you make a booking by phone,always have a good trip with them.

babble · 2024-10-04T22:58:25+0100

i purchased a 6 trip in a year multitrip thing about four years ago, and got sent a link to make my bookings. it gives me each trip for £69 each way, fully flexible tickets, but due to a glitch, even after i had spent all my prepaid tickets, i can keep using the link to book them if i pay. it's just kept working indefinitely, which is quite useful. i phoned them once to ask what was going on and they said: well, if it works, keep doing it. so i have! haha.

in any case, if you book in advance it is about half the price of eurotunnel. i get a good rest and food on the ferry, so it works well for me.