Irish ferries Cherbourg - how long to disembark

aquarius10

Hi

Travelling rosslare - cherbourg in June this year, we are due to arrive at 11am in Cherbourg. Can someone please advise how long it takes to disembark the ferry, how long should we allow ?

We are travelling to DLP and want to book dinner for that night, it's a 4.5hr drive and want to allow time for delays etc.

Any tips would be appreciated it's our first family holiday by ferry !

_Brian

aquarius10 wrote: »

Hi

Travelling rosslare - cherbourg in June this year, we are due to arrive at 11am in Cherbourg. Can someone please advise how long it takes to disembark the ferry, how long should we allow ?

We are travelling to DLP and want to book dinner for that night, it's a 4.5hr drive and want to allow time for delays etc.

Any tips would be appreciated it's our first family holiday by ferry !

You should be on the open road within 30 minutes of the ferry docking. On occasion over the years it may have taken a little longer but nothing significant.

Jamie2k9

Arrive for check in in Rosslare or Dublin nice and early to be off near the top of the queue in France.

aquarius10

Thanks it's Rosslare we are leaving from.

Also where is best to get breath tests and light deflectors from ?

We got free high Vis jackets for kids & adults from the RSA website which was very handy

coylemj

aquarius10 wrote: »

Thanks it's Rosslare we are leaving from.

Also where is best to get breath tests and light deflectors from ?

We got free high Vis jackets for kids & adults from the RSA website which was very handy

Last time I saw the breathalyzers in Halfords they were about €5 for two on the rack at the checkout. I think they're much more expensive on the ferries - captive audience/panic purchase.

Can't find them on the Irish Halfords website, they're here on the UK website, make sure to include 'NF' in any search on Amazon etc., that's the French standard they must comply with.

http://www.halfords.com/car-seats-travel-equipment/driving-accessories/breathalysers/alcosense-single-use-nf-breathalyser-twin-pack

At least one hi-viz jacket must be in the saloon of the car, the aim being that the first person who gets out after a breakdown/accident will be wearing one. When you hire a car in France there's always one in the glove box.

veetwin

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Arrive for check in in Rosslare or Dublin nice and early to be off near the top of the queue in France.

This didn't work for me last year. I was one of the first cars to board but took over an hour to disembark. I was still overtaking Irish cars two hours down the road and I drive fairly fast. Worth paying to be one of the first off if time is an issue IMHO.

ollaetta

Irish Ferries now offer a Speedy Exit option. It's on the Upgrades page and the blurb reads: 'Speedy Exit' vehicles will be placed in a special lane on either deck 3 or 4 and will be one of the first 20 cars or motorcycles to disembark.

Handy if you really need it but a bit of a swizz at €20 per crossing though.

Rasmus

It is quite quick getting off - it's the traffic that can sometimes get you. Saying that, I would give it 45 mins before you are making good time on your way to your destination.

jay0109

So if you don't book the speedy exit, whats the best strategy to get out quickly at Cherbourg when boarding at Rosslare ....get there how long beforehand?
Do they wave you to a certain deck and you've no choice but to take it? Do inside lanes for example go first etc?

P. Breathnach

There doesn't seem to be a best strategy, and the crew have full control of embarkation and disembarkation. That said, it's unusual to have to wait more than 30 minutes from docking time. And the boat is usually near enough on time for most crossings.

For your breath testers, you can get them in any French supermarket for about €1 each. You can make your own light deflectors with insulating tape.

coylemj

jay0109 wrote: »

Do they wave you to a certain deck and you've no choice but to take it?

Yes. When you check-in at the booth, they will tell you which lane to go into, then when you get to the head of the queue, a crew member on the dock near the ramp will tell you which lane to use when boarding, then you drive on board and another crew member on that deck will guide you forward to very close to the vehicle in front. Where they put you depends on the mix of cars with and without trailers, vans, motor homes, big SUVs etc., it's really pot luck. The disembarkation is pretty efficient, I wouldn't be too wound up about it.

Carawaystick

I think the breath tester law got rolled back a few years ago, it turned out Sarkozy's buddy got the law passed as he had the patent to make the breath testers in France...

It's a good idea to have a hi viz vest in the car and a warning triangle and spare bulbs (if you can change them on the side of the road) here anyway; I think it is a reasonable law to bring in here.

ollaetta

Sorry for veering off topic but I'd hate to have to change the bulbs on most cars on the side of the road. Sliced a chunk off a finger once trying to access the mechanism to release the lights compartment cover.

iano.p

It took 45 minutes the last time for us. But some of that was people just been slow and taking there time. I would pay the 20 euro for fast exit if you are in a rush.

aquarius10

Think we'll save the €20, we are not in a rush really, just wanted to book dinner in Disney for that night, should be safe enough to book 8pm sitting ? Thanks