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

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Comments

  • #11702
    random_banter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 616 ✭✭✭random_banter


    Fantastic advice on this thread, thanks all.


    We are off soon on W.B. Yeats, two weeks on Île De Re at Sunêlia Interlude. I am wondering if anyone has experience of boarding Irish Ferries Dublin - Cherbourg and can advise how early we may be able to board (with car)? Couldn't see a priority boarding option. We have a 9 month old and ideally would like to get them settled and napping as early as possible in the afternoon in cabin. Departure 4pm and latest check in 3pm but no other info. Would it be worth showing up at 1pm for example to be first in the queue when they start to board? Cheers.



  • #11703
    Fann Linn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,073 ✭✭✭Fann Linn


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123490327#Comment_123490327

    It's really pot luck and depends on the amount of freight, camper vans, caravans and motorbikes which are booked. In the past I've landed there with hours to kill and have been boarded last and conversely, I've seen lads fly in just as the gates are being shut and they're boarded ahead of me. I'd suggest if you're there 90 mins or so before departure, have a nice word with the person on the kiosk and explain your situation and they may place you at the back of the disabled/special needs lane and you may be placed beside a lift and boarded mid way through the loading process.



  • #11704
    TrailerBob
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,521 ✭✭✭TrailerBob


    We also have a 9 month old along with the other 2 loons, so getting on quick would be a help. We have speedy exit booked, which keeps us on the lower deck so I'm not sure how fast it'll help load, but hopeful.

    Last year we arrived at the port just before 2, had 10 cars there before us and were the second last car put on the ferry.. disgusted but pure bad luck. I reckon we lost an hour in Cherbourg being nearly last off aswell. It seems your arrival time has little or no bearing on boarding.



  • #11705
    Toots
    Administrators, Business & Finance Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 16,981 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Toots


    I’ve found it hit and miss as well with the boarding. We did cork to Roscoff on Brittany ferries last year. Outward leg we got to cork about 2 hours prior to departure. Had planned for a long wait in the car before boarding but we more or less drove straight on, but there were others who were there ahead of us who were still sitting on the quay for another hour at least. On the return leg we were also there a good two hours prior to departure but were one of the last cars loaded on.



  • #11706
    random_banter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 616 ✭✭✭random_banter


    Thanks all. Handy to know the experience is varied but a good idea to have a word at the kiosk.


    Will report back on île De Ré and any questions just ask. First time getting a mobile home as we camped in a tent (before baba) the previous time. We stayed in Flower Camping Bel Air (beside La Flotte) that time and the place was basic but comfortable and well located with nice service. Very short walk to the village and had bike rental for the beach which is all you really want in Île De Ré.



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  • #11707
    idontknowdoyou
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 60 ✭✭idontknowdoyou


    I think off hand if you choose priority disembarking in cherbourg you are one of the first ones on I Dublin.



  • #11708
    CuriousCucumber
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 463 ✭✭CuriousCucumber


    I think it's the same on the Cork/Roscoff route. I've priority disembarkation, and we've been told to arrive earlier than usual. If we dont, there's no guarantee that we get our priority disembarkation



  • #11709
    ollaetta
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,891 ✭✭✭ollaetta


    Priority disembarkation is great and we always book it if available. You have to wonder about some people though, a few years ago coming back into Dublin everybody was in their cars and ready to disembark except for the gobsheens from the car in front of us. Whatever they were doing they didn't show up for ages and totally defeated the purpose of booking priority.



  • #11710
    Evil_g
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 576 ✭✭✭Evil_g


    Hi folks, we're sailing from Cherbourg at 16:30 on Sunday the 20th of July. We're going to drive up to Normandy from the Vendée on the 19th.

    We've a five year old and a three year old, so I think we'll bring them to see the Bayeux tapestry on the morning we sail, but other than that I'm looking for ideas on where to stay / what to do.

    Accommodation options seem somewhat limited in Bayeux itself, so maybe we should look at Caen?

    I don't even know what we're looking for. Maybe cheap and cheerful, but I'd splash out if someone recommended something special, with things to do with the kids.

    Any recommendations would be welcome. Thanks in advance.



  • #11711
    browne_rob5
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 498 ✭✭browne_rob5


    We've a similar journey and going to travel up and stay at the Novotel in Rennes Alma the night before and visit alligator bay on the morning of the ferry departure. Haven't been but heard good things.



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  • #11712
    Heroditas
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,720 ✭✭✭Heroditas


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123500938#Comment_123500938

    Personally, I wouldn't bother bringing a 5yo and a 3yo to see the Tapestry. They won't appreciate it and they certainly won't remember it so go another time when they're older.

    Book somewhere to stay in Caen instead, try to get there early afternoon and view the castle. Have a nice dinner there that evening and spend a short while in the markets on the Sunday morning and then head to Cherbourg for the ferry.

    Keys and Co in Caen was where we had breakfast last year and I'd highly recommend it



  • #11713
    the_amazing_raisin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,112 ✭✭✭✭the_amazing_raisin


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123500938#Comment_123500938

    I agree with @Heroditas the kids will probably be bored and start annoying you guys. Something to save for when they're teenagers perhaps?

    I'd recommend taking a look at Airbnbs in the area, seem a lot easier to find than family rooms in hotels. We were looking up a bunch when we got stuck in France because of a ferry strike, although we managed to extend the campsite in the end

    Alligator bay seems fun, kind of wish we'd done it. There's also St Malo which is somewhat of a detour but has a fair number of hotels, a great aquarium and the old town is lovely to walk around

    There's also a bunch of theme parks around. We had thought of going to Cobac park but went to Ange Michel instead on the way to the ferry

    "The internet never fails to misremember" - Sebastian Ruiz, aka Frost



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