France Ferry & Campsite info (use Search function) mod warning post 1

josip

I was also skeptical but a search on Youtube finds a few cases that look bona fide, eg.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUeW3JJsFW4

It doesn't appear endemic but it must be fairly unpleasant to be curled up there cramped for 12-24 hours getting cooked in a black Exodus roof box.

When we used to travel with a roofbox, it was a tradition for our son to climb in when we mounted it on the car every June. It was find when he was 5, but by the time he was 17 it was less fun and more uncomfortable.

idontknowdoyou

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122207657#Comment_122207657

I used vivion app last year. You take photo of label and it gives a rating. We also like to try out a few different bottles in the supermarket and then buy what we like at the end of the trip

jopper

I’m departing from Cherbourg soon and would also love a list like this too. Have been scanning bottles in supermarkets like a mad man with the Vivino app.

CheerLouth

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122217546#Comment_122217546

Me too! I totally forgot I even had the Vivino app last year - remembered when I got home!

Officer999

Got notice today from Irish Ferries that our ferry crossing this Thursday, Dublin from Cherbourg has been cancelled due to industrial action at Cherbourg Port.

Very frustrating. First time doing the ferry crossing to France and had no idea this was a possibility. We’re now on an alternative route through Holyhead and Dover which is not ideal.

josip

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122219802#Comment_122219802

Make sure they put you on the Swift if early morning from Dublin fits your schedule. The time saving helps a lot. We rarely take the M6 Toll, not worth it. Fill the car in Dublin so you don't have to refuel at the expensive UK motorway stops. Pay for the Dartford crossing online on the day. Are they putting you on a ferry in Dover or the Tunnel? If you get the Swift you'll be able to make it to France by nightfall, how far in will depend on the age of your kids.

blackwhite

Striking is the national pass-time in France.

https://www.connexionfrance.com/news/updated-strikes-in-france-in-june-2024-and-how-you-may-be-impacted/660943

webpal

strange that IF have cancelled but Stena and BF are “on time”. I’ll be keeping an eye on this as we are sailing in 2 weeks.

Bummer1234

Sailing in 2 weeks myself so will also keep an eye out,

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122219802#Comment_122219802

Im guessing they are sending you from dover to Calais is it?

Peckham

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122219802#Comment_122219802

As a matter of interest did they offer you any compensation or money towards additional petrol costs?

Not their fault, so guessing they're under no obligation to do so

Officer999

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122219889#Comment_122219889

Thanks for the tips. Yeah we’re on the Swift. We’re getting the ferry from Dover to Calais. We have decided to stay near Dover Thursday night and get an early ferry to Calais on the Friday morning.

Any advice on where to stay near Dover would be greatly appreciated! We have a dog with us too.

Officer999

Yeah they have offered us compensation on fuel. Which is fair considering we now have to drive 6/7 hours depending on traffic across the UK. I personally was hoping they would give us some accommodation compensation because we are having to spent a night in the UK now. I know technically it’s possible to go from Dublin to Calais in one day but it’s not how we want to start the holiday spending that much time travelling in one go.

The other alternatives they offered were sailing on Saturday or a complete refund. Neither suited.

josip

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122220924#Comment_122220924

Sorry, we always stay on the French side. We psychologically need to get a foothold in Europe on day 1, more so since Brexit :)

Doggo does narrow the choice. We usually use Booking.com with a 'pet' filter

and then from the Results page search the map for a price/rating/location that suits.

That's another reason we try to stay in France, there are more dog-friendly hotels there than in the UK in our experience.

jopper

For the Cherbourg strikes, you could go from Roscoff to Cork on Brittany Ferries if that suited? There is a sailing on Friday night. Accept full refund from Irish Ferries and use refunded money on that sailing

webpal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122221284#Comment_122221284

are the strikes not in all ports?

idontknowdoyou

June 2, 6, 10, 12, 14, 18, 20, 24, 26, 28 have been posted online as strike dates at the French ports. Wonder will in continue through July?

lee_baby_simms

Damn. We’re due to sail out on the 28th and arrive on the 29th. I wonder will that sailing go ahead?

kindalen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122224100#Comment_122224100

Presumably you will be fine if you arrive on the 29th, strikes are on even days in French ports.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122219802#Comment_122219802

We got stuck on the return trip and are stuck in France until Sunday, managed to rebook to another date

Luckily the campsite had space for us to stay in our cabin the extra two days. Cost a fine premium, but we'll take it on the chin and enjoy the extra days of sunshine

I'd say it'll be a different story in the high season when everything is booked out

Check your travel insurance, there's usually an allowance for delayed travel. Ours is €15 per person per 12 hour period up to €300. It won't cover the full expenses, but it might take some of the pain away

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122219923#Comment_122219923

I've been to France 5 times and strikes caused some degree of replanning on 3 of them

Not the best success rate is it?

I do admire the French for not rolling over for anyone, but honestly I think the constant strikes are actually counterproductive because all the businesses have just accounted for the possibility in their costs and will just take it on the chin

blackwhite

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122224410#Comment_122224410

There was a 2 hour national strike across all ports held earlier this year to commemorate a regional trade union leader who had died suddenly.
It’s not to do with rolling over when it comes to French unions - it’s literally their first response to anything

rex_turner

Years ago, probably pre smart phone for us, we were due to sail from Roscoff. We did see one or two Irish cars flashing us on the road into Roscoff but didn't think much of it. Arrived at the ferry terminal - no one else there. At the check-in kiosk they told us there was a strike but the ferry was still leaving and we had to make our way to Brest. We managed to make it in time, ferry was docked at at industrial type port. Not sure if it was a local strike or what, but ended up just being a minor inconvenience. When we got home we realised that we had a got a text a few days earlier but had never spotted it.

josip

Arriving in France on the 18th of June but I don't think the Tunnel is affected by the strikes thankfully.

Heroditas

Looks like the industrial action is restricted to June currently:

https://trans.info/en/port-workers-and-farmers-protest-in-france-causing-traffic-disruption-388302

jopper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122221509#Comment_122221509

Not in Roscoff anyways. The Friday sailing Roscoff to Cork is all systems go

Fr Tod Umptious

We are due to leave from Cherbourg at 20:30 on the 12th, a strike day.

But the strike finishes at 16:00.

Does anyone with experience of this know if there is a knock on affect of the action that would delay sailings later in the day.

We have not had anything (email) from Stena Line about the strikes yet.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122225797#Comment_122225797

Irish Ferries emailed us saying the sailing was cancelled, so in the absence of any contact then you might be fine

Probably worth contacting them just to be sure

I wouldn't be surprised if there was at least some delay expected

webpal

Stena have a message now on their website about cancelling today’s sailing

Bummer1234

Any idea why todays stena boat from rosslare was cancelled? Because it doesn't get into cherbourgh until tomorrow friday when thats not a strike day. Is it French workers contracts or something?

blackwhite

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122226649#Comment_122226649

There's a strike in Cherbourg on Friday.

https://crisis24.garda.com/alerts/2024/06/france-unionized-dock-workers-to-strike-nationwide-june-4-28