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New Ferry to France (Launch Offer)

12467…30

Comments

  • #152
    cormie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,838 ✭✭✭✭cormie


    I was telling my dad about this as he loves to go to France camping but he said there's no way he can plan that far ahead unfortunately. Does anyone know if he was to book it now for a peak time sailing and change the dates later, will he be stuck paying the regular price as well as any amendment fee?


  • #153
    Qwerty?
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,246 ✭✭✭Qwerty?


    July 18
    cormie wrote: »
    I was telling my dad about this as he loves to go to France camping but he said there's no way he can plan that far ahead unfortunately. Does anyone know if he was to book it now for a peak time sailing and change the dates later, will he be stuck paying the regular price as well as any amendment fee?

    Yes, That's what the terms are saying unfortunately.


  • #154
    cormie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,838 ✭✭✭✭cormie


    Ah, what a pity, thanks for letting me know!


  • #155
    First Up
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    Qwerty? wrote: »
    Cheers OP, I spent the day thinking about it... but couldn't resist.

    Heading to France again next July--- Irish Ferries wanted €1080:eek:, Celtic Link were €972:rolleyes: and LDlines were €326:D.

    Looking forward to getting some first hand reports on the ship, facilities etc. 22 hours is a long time, so there would need to be some "diversion". Their website gives little information, beyond saying there is "a" bar and "a" restaurant. The Oscar Wilde and Pont Aven are good ships, so we'll have to see how this one compares.

    Great to see some competition on the route. LD may not end up being everyone's cup of tea but a la Ryanair, they might help start a bit of a price war.

    I wonder will they get much business over the winter? St Nazaire is grand for the Vendee etc. but not much there off season, nor is it on the main transport routes. To be watched with interest.


  • #156
    irishrver
    Closed Accounts Posts: 60 ✭✭irishrver


    July 4
    I booked the ferry on Friday night and so far no conformation email back from ld lines, took a screen shot of the booking but as yet nothing, did everybody get their booking conformation email ?


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  • #157
    frash
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,580 ✭✭✭frash


    July 25
    irishrver wrote: »
    I booked the ferry on Friday night and so far no conformation email back from ld lines, took a screen shot of the booking but as yet nothing, did everybody get their booking conformation email ?

    Yes.
    Check spam folder maybe?


  • #158
    cambasque
    Registered Users Posts: 116 ✭✭cambasque


    anyone know, for the future, if they will run all year round ?


  • #159
    Eight Ball
    Closed Accounts Posts: 906 ✭✭✭Eight Ball


    irishrver wrote: »
    I booked the ferry on Friday night and so far no conformation email back from ld lines, took a screen shot of the booking but as yet nothing, did everybody get their booking conformation email ?

    Got mine as soon as I booked. Maybe give them a ring.


  • #160
    redmissb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 281 ✭✭redmissb


    August 1
    Got my confirmation straight away too.


  • #161
    irishrver
    Closed Accounts Posts: 60 ✭✭irishrver


    July 4
    Yes I checked the spam filter sent off a email to ld yesterday so just waiting for them to reply,thankfully I took the screen shot so I at least had reference numbers to quote


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  • #162
    schemingbohemia
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,606 ✭✭✭schemingbohemia


    I'm hoping they put some later dates up, last sailing back to Ireland seems to be 3 September at the moment, my folks spend the whole summer over there and don't come back until October so Celtic Ferries are usually well priced (as they head over in May) but this would leave a much shorter drive to their house in France.


  • #163
    delboy76
    Registered Users Posts: 137 ✭✭delboy76


    Was looking at booking this but not sure what size car to book. We have a Corolla Verso but do not have the roof box yet so I was wondering what size should or would cover me?


  • #164
    billie1b
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,816 ✭✭✭billie1b


    delboy76 wrote: »
    Was looking at booking this but not sure what size car to book. We have a Corolla Verso but do not have the roof box yet so I was wondering what size should or would cover me?

    Up to 1.85 would be fine


  • #165
    nkay1985
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,975 ✭✭✭nkay1985


    cambasque wrote: »
    great looking prices for this boat:D

    for people wanting to holiday in france, especially self catering, try boncoin.fr the ordinary french person books directly with the owner through this, it"s like buy n sell, but in french, tap in where you want to rent in, location de vacances, and hey presto, cheapest way to find a rental in france IMHO you can always throw the writing onto a google translation....:p

    If you view it in Google Chrome it should auto-translate.


  • #166
    paddyp
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,927 ✭✭✭paddyp


    First Up wrote: »
    St Nazaire is grand for the Vendee etc. but not much there off season, nor is it on the main transport routes.

    Its about 50km from the route you'd be taking from roscoff to most of south west, andorra, spain, portgual and 250km closer to those destination in fact its closer or the same distance to 98% of the area of france than roscoff, its even closer to rennes, lorient, st. malo, mont saint michel. I don't see anything but advantages in the location unless you only want to visit that 2%.


  • #167
    Johnny_Fontane
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,098 ✭✭✭Johnny_Fontane


    August 8
    Glad that everybody is getting involved on this......this may be my finest BA of all time.

    Seeing some very good value on Airbnb, but they want the money upfront. Terrible value from some of the campsites. €1500 for a week in a mobile home in a campsite. eh, no thanks!


  • #168
    paddyp
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,927 ✭✭✭paddyp


    Johnny_Fontane wrote: »
    Seeing some very good value on Airbnb

    Definitely best bargain alert ever thank you.

    Better not bring the wife here she might be tempted to feck off with choclatier owner :P:

    https://www.airbnb.ie/rooms/2048625?checkin=04-07-2014&checkout=05-07-2014&s=4eb2
    original.jpg


  • #169
    tennis12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 158 ✭✭tennis12


    Great offer, we used to always use Irish ferries or Celtic link for our family trips to France since 1998. Always got terrible value and we went to the vendee, our last trip was 2 years ago as me and my sister were too grown up but this route would have been a god send and we always said crossing over that fine bridge in st Nazaire what a great route it would be if one was set up.

    Anyway last year I worked on a campsite near my st Michelle, agree with booking direct with campsite or try some English companies, lifestyle holidays have a limited amount of campsites but are cheap and cheerful, canvas holidays can sometimes be competitive eurocamp is the new keycamp once this merger becomes complete and kel air are worth checking. Lifestyle holidays were UL to half as cheap as our units on the campsite sometimes, and no kids club but still had all the benefits of the campsite pools etc


  • #170
    Dai John
    Registered Users Posts: 218 ✭✭Dai John


    There is a holiday village near Limoge www.lechat.nl. stayed there a couple of times,good facilities and reasonable price. Most of the chalets are owned privately but rented through the site owners.


  • #171
    irishrver
    Closed Accounts Posts: 60 ✭✭irishrver


    July 4
    Got the email conformation at last had to ring France to get it they do not have an Irish land line yet. Roll on the summer, it will be interesting to see how we get on next summer it can not be as bad as the old Celtic link(p&o line) ferry ;)


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  • #172
    First Up
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    paddyp wrote: »
    Its about 50km from the route you'd be taking from roscoff to most of south west, andorra, spain, portgual and 250km closer to those destination in fact its closer or the same distance to 98% of the area of france than roscoff, its even closer to rennes, lorient, st. malo, mont saint michel. I don't see anything but advantages in the location unless you only want to visit that 2%.

    I was thinking more of Cherbourg as a comparison for the commercial traffic.


  • #173
    grenouille1966
    Registered Users Posts: 146 ✭✭grenouille1966


    I booked my holiday to Pointe st Gilles in Benodet (5 star) already. Saved a fortune by going through the campsite run by Sunelia. 21 June to July 16, large three bed Mobile home (family pacific) with TV and decking etc for 2,200 euro all in. Keycamp UK costs 4000 euro whereas Keycsmp Ireland costs 3,700 euro for similar accommodation with no TV. Fabulous camping.. have been there before.
    Have booked LD ferry (rosslare- st nazaire)for 325 euro with 4 berth cabin/Car . Boat looks fine. Paris over 1,200 euro to the Irish Ferries robbers in 2012. I have saved approx 2, 400. Euro on campsite and crossing. See WWW.sunelia.fr


  • #174
    grenouille1966
    Registered Users Posts: 146 ✭✭grenouille1966


    grenouille1966 wrote: »
    I booked my holiday to Pointe st Gilles in Benodet (5 star) already. Saved a fortune by going through the campsite run by Sunelia. 21 June to July 16, large three bed Mobile home (family pacific) with TV and decking etc for 2,200 euro all in. Keycamp UK costs 4000 euro whereas Keycsmp Ireland costs 3,700 euro for similar accommodation with no TV. Fabulous camping.. have been there before.
    Have booked LD ferry (rosslare- st nazaire)for 325 euro with 4 berth cabin/Car . Boat looks fine. Paris over 1,200 euro to the Irish Ferries robbers in 2012. I have saved approx 2, 400. Euro on campsite and crossing. See WWW.sunelia.fr


    That should 'I paid over ' not Paris over.;

    The campsite is WWW.sunelia.com not fr.

    They have campsites all over France ....4 and 5 * and they are brilliant. You will save loads.


  • #175
    MidlandsM
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 5,737 ✭✭✭MidlandsM


    grenouille1966 wrote: »
    I booked my holiday to Pointe st Gilles in Benodet (5 star) already. Saved a fortune by going through the campsite run by Sunelia. 21 June to July 16, large three bed Mobile home (family pacific) with TV and decking etc for 2,200 euro all in. Keycamp UK costs 4000 euro whereas Keycsmp Ireland costs 3,700 euro for similar accommodation with no TV. Fabulous camping.. have been there before.
    Have booked LD ferry (rosslare- st nazaire)for 325 euro with 4 berth cabin/Car . Boat looks fine. Paris over 1,200 euro to the Irish Ferries robbers in 2012. I have saved approx 2, 400. Euro on campsite and crossing. See WWW.sunelia.fr

    thanks for the link, I note it mentions "tourist tax" to be paid on site ......how much a night would that roughly be?


  • #176
    wextipp
    Registered Users Posts: 344 ✭✭wextipp


    Looking at some old posts on boards from 4 years ago it seems LD lines used to operate out of Rosslare before and then pulled out. It looks like Celtic Link took over the route then. http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=63322533
    Seems strange that they are coming back in when Celtic are still operating to France from Rosslare.


  • #177
    Eight Ball
    Closed Accounts Posts: 906 ✭✭✭Eight Ball


    MidlandsM wrote: »
    thanks for the link, I note it mentions "tourist tax" to be paid on site ......how much a night would that roughly be?

    In my experience the tourist tax is very low, 6 euro a week per person if I remember correctly.


  • #178
    First Up
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    wextipp wrote: »
    Looking at some old posts on boards from 4 years ago it seems LD lines used to operate out of Rosslare before and then pulled out. It looks like Celtic Link took over the route then. http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=63322533
    Seems strange that they are coming back in when Celtic are still operating to France from Rosslare.

    From what I can see, the old LD service was out of Le Havre and mostly for freight. I saw a post in the old thread suggesting LD and Celtic are one and the same but I don't think that is the case. I think the boat Celtic use is chartered from LD and is the one that used to do the Le Havre run.
    Interesting that they reckon the market is big enough to support four operators. It has to be good for the customer.


  • #179
    Wally Runs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 586 ✭✭✭Wally Runs


    August 1
    The booking engine seems to be the same between LD and Celtic, I wonder if Celtic have leased this too from LD?


  • #180
    First Up
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    juneg wrote: »
    Now the question is will Brittany ferries reduce their extortionate rates to reflect the fact that they have 2 new routes to compete with this month??
    Wally Runs wrote: »
    The booking engine seems to be the same between LD and Celtic, I wonder if Celtic have leased this too from LD?

    There must be some tie-up so. But they are offering different routes. Both look like they are mainly catering for commercial traffic - no frills.


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  • #181
    wextipp
    Registered Users Posts: 344 ✭✭wextipp


    First Up wrote: »
    From what I can see, the old LD service was out of Le Havre and mostly for freight. I saw a post in the old thread suggesting LD and Celtic are one and the same but I don't think that is the case. I think the boat Celtic use is chartered from LD and is the one that used to do the Le Havre run.
    Interesting that they reckon the market is big enough to support four operators. It has to be good for the customer.
    It seems that LD lines did charter the boat to Celtic and then LD Lines sued Celtic for 4 million.
    http://forums.bfenthusiasts.com/showthread.php?t=10870
    It's an interesting development.


  • #182
    bbam
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,410 ✭✭✭bbam


    First Up wrote: »
    From what I can see, the old LD service was out of Le Havre and mostly for freight. I saw a post in the old thread suggesting LD and Celtic are one and the same but I don't think that is the case. I think the boat Celtic use is chartered from LD and is the one that used to do the Le Havre run.
    Interesting that they reckon the market is big enough to support four operators. It has to be good for the customer.

    It would appear that both ships are virtually identical in design & size...
    We travelled with Celtic Link last summer and swore never again... We found the ship very unstable even on light seas...
    WE've travelled Ireland-France about 10 times (so that's 20 crossings) and by far this was the most unenjoyable ship to travel in..

    Checking the stats on the Oscar Wilde its shorter and only a few meters wider but its design seems to make for a far more stable enjoyable crossing... Its part of the holiday so I'd prefer if it was a nice ship to cross in..

    Then the Pont Aven is even more comfortable but prices have been crazy, so hopefully the competition will help all round...

    And then the crossing is 22 hours, I think this is pushing it for a ship with little/no entertainment on board.. For us, I just don't see the cheaper price being worth it if its likely to spoil my holiday.


  • #183
    First Up
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    bbam wrote: »
    It would appear that both ships are virtually identical in design & size...
    We travelled with Celtic Link last summer and swore never again... We found the ship very unstable even on light seas...
    WE've travelled Ireland-France about 10 times (so that's 20 crossings) and by far this was the most unenjoyable ship to travel in..

    Checking the stats on the Oscar Wilde its shorter and only a few meters wider but its design seems to make for a far more stable enjoyable crossing... Its part of the holiday so I'd prefer if it was a nice ship to cross in..

    Then the Pont Aven is even more comfortable but prices have been crazy, so hopefully the competition will help all round...

    And then the crossing is 22 hours, I think this is pushing it for a ship with little/no entertainment on board.. For us, I just don't see the cheaper price being worth it if its likely to spoil my holiday.
    I'm inclined to agree. We count the trip as part of the experience and don't mind spending a bit more to eat in the proper restaurant etc. We've been on the Oscar Wilde in pretty rough conditions and it handles very well.
    That said, I wouldn't mind if the extra competition sharpens the prices a bit.


  • #184
    MidlandsM
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 5,737 ✭✭✭MidlandsM


    /\ you two boardsies strike me as those posters who bang with the "ohhh, I never fly Ryanair, I always go Aerlingus" on other threads......

    Newsflash....No one cares about the oscar wilde and its restaurant, this is Bargain Alerts after all......it's about the Bargain!


  • #185
    First Up
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    MidlandsM wrote: »
    /\ you two boardsies strike me as those posters who bang with the "ohhh, I never fly Ryanair, I always go Aerlingus" on other threads......

    Newsflash....No one cares about the oscar wilde and its restaurant, this is Bargain Alerts after all......it's about the Bargain!

    Fair enough and I'll be very interested in reports on how people find it. But I don't see what's wrong with comparing what's available. People can make their own choices after that.


  • #186
    billie1b
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,816 ✭✭✭billie1b


    MidlandsM wrote: »
    /\ you two boardsies strike me as those posters who bang with the "ohhh, I never fly Ryanair, I always go Aerlingus" on other threads......

    Newsflash....No one cares about the oscar wilde and its restaurant, this is Bargain Alerts after all......it's about the Bargain!

    Off topic slightly and I apologise in advance, but the Oscar Wilde is in bits, holds well in the water but really needs a total rehaul or Irish Ferries should consider getting similar to the Ulysses on the route, much better ship


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  • #187
    loyatemu
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,112 ✭✭✭✭loyatemu


    MidlandsM wrote: »
    /\ you two boardsies strike me as those posters who bang with the "ohhh, I never fly Ryanair, I always go Aerlingus" on other threads......

    Newsflash....No one cares about the oscar wilde and its restaurant, this is Bargain Alerts after all......it's about the Bargain!

    true, but there are pros and cons - the new route involves being on the boat for a full day rather than just overnight (as is the case with all the existing routes). If you have kids you'll find it tough to keep them entertained (and you'll probably end up spending extra cash on food and drink).

    Then you arrive in France in the evening, so you've fairly limited time to get to your destination (most campsites won't let you check in after 9 or so).

    As others have said, hopefully the competition will force the other operators to look at their prices.


  • #188
    MidlandsM
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 5,737 ✭✭✭MidlandsM


    First Up wrote: »
    Fair enough and I'll be very interested in reports on how people find it. But I don't see what's wrong with comparing what's available. People can make their own choices after that.

    it's a no fills approach, like a ryanair of the seas. But big savings.

    The Scintu is a run of the mill ro-ro ferry like many in service, built in 2009 - so not an old boat, and is very similar to the Norman Asturias that LD runs from Poole to Saint Nizaire...there is quite favourable reviews here of that boat and its standards....
    http://www.directferries.co.uk/ld_lines_norman_asturias.htm
    Interior Video here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uj32kYGdtg

    The Norman Asturias is a 2007 build ferry, and the dimensions/stats are near identical, and the interior and facilities will be similar also, adequate to be fair for the price paid.
    The Scintu is actually going to be renamed the Norman Atlantic in January 14', to match up with the Asturias it seems.

    I've done my research and crunched the holiday cash numbers, and I'm happy with what I saw. So I'm booked, €320 odd €'s, rosslare-st nazaire return, car, 5 people, 2 cabins each way.....how bad ehhh, and the savings have afforded us to book a 5 star camp site.....so, we might have to endure no frills for a day going out and back, but it'll be 5 star all the way in france whilst there......so, ferry travel and 5 star campsite - all for the price of what Irish Ferries would have charged just for the ferry alone. :P

    That is what its all about.......a real billy bargain!:)


  • #189
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    billie1b wrote: »
    Off topic slightly and I apologise in advance, but the Oscar Wilde is in bits, holds well in the water but really needs a total rehaul or Irish Ferries should consider getting similar to the Ulysses on the route, much better ship

    It's a completely different boat for a different route.

    The French route requires a night ferry, more cabins than vehicle decks.

    I was surprised when Irish Continental sold the Pride of Bilbao which they had leased to P&O, I know that it is was an old ship, though it was well kept, and is currently serving the Stockholm St Petersburgh route, I wasn't on the Oscar Wilde so I cannot comment on it.

    It certainly is great seeing more competition on the Continental route.


  • #190
    billie1b
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,816 ✭✭✭billie1b


    NoDrama wrote: »
    It's a completely different boat for a different route.

    The French route requires a night ferry, more cabins than vehicle decks.

    I was surprised when Irish Continental sold the Pride of Bilbao which they had leased to P&O, I know that it is was an old ship, though it was well kept, and is currently serving the Stockholm St Petersburgh route, I wasn't on the Oscar Wilde so I cannot comment on it.

    It certainly is great seeing more competition on the Continental route.

    The Oscar Wilde is in bits, cabins are small and disgusting, the cabin decks smell like puke, filthy dirty, its an awful pity when they purchased it they didn't go with a similar ship to the Ulysses, the Ulysses has at least 3 decks on it that could be converted to cabins, its a beautiful ship and puts the OW to shame.


  • #191
    Johnny_Fontane
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,098 ✭✭✭Johnny_Fontane


    August 8
    bbam wrote: »
    It would appear that both ships are virtually identical in design & size...
    We travelled with Celtic Link last summer and swore never again... We found the ship very unstable even on light seas...
    WE've travelled Ireland-France about 10 times (so that's 20 crossings) and by far this was the most unenjoyable ship to travel in..

    Checking the stats on the Oscar Wilde its shorter and only a few meters wider but its design seems to make for a far more stable enjoyable crossing... Its part of the holiday so I'd prefer if it was a nice ship to cross in..

    Then the Pont Aven is even more comfortable but prices have been crazy, so hopefully the competition will help all round...

    And then the crossing is 22 hours, I think this is pushing it for a ship with little/no entertainment on board.. For us, I just don't see the cheaper price being worth it if its likely to spoil my holiday.

    People are saving between 500 and 1000 euros and more with caravans. I saved 725, my accommodation came to 800 for a week in august in a three bedroom house with all the mod cons 20 minutes from the beach.

    This is bargain alerts and this is one hell of a bargain alert. As I side note, I sailed on the celtic ferry last week and it was very stable, the cabins were very comfortable (much better than Oscar Wilde) and it was a very pleasant crossing.


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  • #192
    bbam
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,410 ✭✭✭bbam


    MidlandsM wrote: »
    /\ you two boardsies strike me as those posters who bang with the "ohhh, I never fly Ryanair, I always go Aerlingus" on other threads......

    Newsflash....No one cares about the oscar wilde and its restaurant, this is Bargain Alerts after all......it's about the Bargain!

    I think that's unfair.
    We have different expectations. I'd like to enjoy the crossing with a bit of space and a choice of restraunts and take it as a night of my holiday. We found the Celtic Horizon cheap and nasty rather than a bargain.
    I hope this route works out well and serves to push prices down.


  • #193
    ScouseMouse
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,070 ✭✭✭ScouseMouse


    July 4
    I paid 350 euro return for 5 people on Celtic Link for the October mid-term break. Had a few really nice days around the normandy beaches.

    It is basic, but we knew what we were getting. We had a big feed in The Bailey, Enniscorthy on the way down, so we didnt need to eat. We have to be careful anyway as the wife needs gluten-free.

    We did check the ferry out for breakfast but we were not confident so left it.

    Now I have this booked for the 28th June and for what I paid - 350 euro, I can now afford to bring granny and get something much more fancy than I originally planned.

    Some movies for the kids on the laptop, along with a good book, maybe a few pints. I wont be long passing that time away. As someone else mentioned, IT IS a long time, but I will have 700 euro extra in my pocket.


  • #194
    First Up
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    billie1b wrote: »
    The Oscar Wilde is in bits, cabins are small and disgusting, the cabin decks smell like puke, filthy dirty, its an awful pity when they purchased it they didn't go with a similar ship to the Ulysses, the Ulysses has at least 3 decks on it that could be converted to cabins, its a beautiful ship and puts the OW to shame.

    A pretty extreme (and in my experience extremely inaccurate) description of the OW. I have used it many times and invariably find it a very pleasant and comfortable boat.
    Maybe this is not the right place, but I don't think serious criticisms like this should be let pass without getting other views.


  • #195
    billie1b
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,816 ✭✭✭billie1b


    First Up wrote: »
    A pretty extreme (and in my experience extremely inaccurate) description of the OW. I have used it many times and invariably find it a very pleasant and comfortable boat.
    Maybe this is not the right place, but I don't think serious criticisms like this should be let pass without getting other views.

    I agree, its not the right place, we'll leave it at that, maybe when this new ship comes into service a forum will start up about the differences, good and bad.
    Back ontopic though, if I could I would of booked my holidays to France for next summer with LD but haven't got the spare cash at the minute, kinda really pissed about it, would say a good few euros


  • #196
    bbam
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,410 ✭✭✭bbam


    I hope it works out well..
    We compared it last night and it would be a saving of about €700, but we're going with Irish Ferries anyway

    For those booking it, enjoy France, its just magic for the hols.

    I think if I needed to save further I'd be looking at the landbridge option first.


  • #197
    paddyp
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,927 ✭✭✭paddyp


    bbam wrote: »
    We travelled with Celtic Link last summer and swore never again... We found the ship very unstable even on light seas..

    'light seas' is meaningless the roll motion is severe as the meta-centric height varies in a specific ratio e.g 1/2 1/4 to the natural roll frequency of the ship. Any ship can roll like the bejaysus in 'light seas' if the wave period is twice the roll period.

    re: tourist tax it varies depending on area and time of year for point st giles it seems to be: between mid June and mid Sept): € 0,46 / night / person aged + 16 - € 0,23 / night / person aged 13 to 16 years old


  • #198
    First Up
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    paddyp wrote: »
    'light seas' is meaningless the roll motion is severe as the meta-centric height varies in a specific ratio e.g 1/2 1/4 to the natural roll frequency of the ship. Any ship can roll like the bejaysus in 'light seas' if the wave period is twice the roll period.

    re: tourist tax it varies depending on area and time of year for point st giles it seems to be: between mid June and mid Sept): € 0,46 / night / person aged + 16 - € 0,23 / night / person aged 13 to 16 years old

    Don't stabilisers help?


  • #199
    BenEadir
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,539 ✭✭✭BenEadir


    August 1
    Thanks for the bargain alert OP.

    I had originally booked to sail out with Irish Ferries on the Saturday to Cherbourg getting to our campsite in St Jean De Monts Sunday evening around 6pm (have done it a few times) and returning Aug 16th Roscoff to Rosslare total of just over €811 including a 4 berth outside cabin each way using the "FranceC14" discount code which I thought was pretty good value compared to previous years which have been up to €1,100 but this bargain alert made me change my booking as my campsite booking is Sat 26th July to Sat July 16th so with Irish Ferries I was losing the first day of the holiday by not getting in until Sunday evening.

    I'm now going out with LD Friday night the 15th getting to my campsite Saturday evening around 8:45pm for €165 with a 4 berth outside cabin and I changed my Irish Ferries booking to just the return leg.

    Overall I'm gaining an extra day's holiday AND saving €250 at the same time :D

    I know the LD is no frills but we went with Celtic Link last year and found it very comfortable to be honest. My kids are 9 and 13 and whilst they used to enjoy all the razzamataz of the shows etc on the Oscar Wilde they are now quite happy reading books, watching movies, playing cards/chess or just chilling listening to music. If the LD is anything similar to the Celtic Link it will be fine. The key is to be prepared so bring lot's of food (which can be kept cool/fresh in a picnic cool box) and lots of entertainment plus an extra couple of pillows.

    Cheers all. Great bargain alert. I love Boards!!

    Enjoy France everyone.

    Ben


  • #200
    cormie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,838 ✭✭✭✭cormie


    Am I still getting a present from France Ben? I thought of you when I saw this thread having just given you that discount code a few days earlier but I actually thought it wasn't possible to cancel the booking without having to still pay :)


  • #201
    First Up
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    Reading back over the thread, the new service to St Nazaire looks like its heaven sent for families going to the Vendée. The savings are serious money and bring a lovely holiday within range for many. Great to see the bookings being made.

    We've taken a number of Gites in the St Jean/St Giles area as well as further down near Les Sables and Talmont. It's bit of a trek from Roscoff with an early morning start so getting off at St Nazaire is brilliant. Even better for La Baule.

    The sailing times (and ship) do look to be designed more for freight drivers than private cars though and I think the holiday will start when you get off the ship, rather than when you get on.

    We don't travel with young kids anymore and nowadays we tend to favour Cherbourg and Normandy - more variety, culture and sophistication. We have made the Cherbourg - Roscoff trip a few times and that's nice too. The ideal for us would be to see Irish Ferries cut prices a bit but if you travel outside the school holidays it can be a good deal even now.

    I have absolutely no complaints about the Oscar Wilde, even in rough seas. Sailing from Dublin will be a nice feature also.

    But really looking forward to reports on the new LD crossing. Will anyone do it before the summer?


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