New Ferry to France (Launch Offer)

Whats happening · 19-07-2014 02:15PM

July 4

Having originally booked LD and had to cancel due to the change in schedule I traveled with IF on the OW..

I personally would not say the ship is dirty per say, found the staff to be neither friendly / unfriendly however would agree it needs a refit, the upholstery in both lounges is showing a lot of wear, not surprising given the high volume of passengers.

Also hoping that LD operate a different schedule in 2015 with more family friendly sailings, no-one wants to be keeping same kids awake or moving them at 11-12pm for a return sailing when the excitement of going on holidays..

For me LD gives the opportunity to travel further south with a 3 hr head start over Roscoff / Cherbough

billie1b · 19-07-2014 02:23PM

MidlandsM wrote: »

I knew it that you are not man enough to apologize.

I will agree with your review of the OW, on it every year to France or return to Ireland with it, several times a year, anytime I have been on it, in low season or high season the ship is always filthy looking, the cabin decks constantly smell like puke, its over priced (family of 2ad 2ch, 2 cappachinos, 2 orange juices, 2 croissants and 2 yogurts €22, absolute rip-off), food from the restaurant was woeful for the price and most the staff are just plain rude and unhelpful. Ship is in a major need of a refurb or a new ship altogether, they are still having propellor shaft problems after 3 years, thats the vibration you get from the ship when sitting still or lying down. I said it before on a different forum and got attacked by posters but ill say it again, IF is expensive for shabby quality, they need to step their game up in the IRL - FRA route big time.

MidlandsM · 19-07-2014 03:29PM

First Up wrote: »

Waiting for something to apologise for. You created a deliberately false impression of the OW, to suit whatever agenda you are pursuing. False = untrue =?

For suggesting im a liar.....quite simple. Be a man, and apologize.

See the post above...my view on the ow is not exclusive...many many people here and elsewhere will tell you it an overpriced durty oul tub, crewed by bad tempered, ill mannered cretinous individuals.

First Up · 19-07-2014 03:53PM

Nope, won't be doing that (even if you could spell it properly). Your claims are too far removed from my experience (and of those I sail with) to be attributable to random variation. That also goes for others saying things like decks smell of puke etc.
If I use a ship a dozen times or more and NEVER encounter ANY of the the things you describe, I can reach only one conclusion. Your failure to acknowledge any aspect of a ship that serves thousands of happy customers a year smacks of either a vendetta against the company based on something else or (maybe and) a general resentment of people who don't mind spending a few bob more than you.
I know the type.

MidlandsM · 19-07-2014 04:08PM

First Up wrote: »

Nope, won't be doing that (even if you could spell it properly). Your claims are too far removed from my experience (and of those I sail with) to be attributable to random variation. That also goes for others saying things like decks smell of puke etc.
If I use a ship a dozen times or more and NEVER encounter ANY of the the things you describe, I can reach only one conclusion. Your failure to acknowledge any aspect of a ship that serves thousands of happy customers a year smacks of either a vendetta against the company based on something else or (maybe and) a general resentment of people who don't mind spending a few bob more than you.
I know the type.

Lol....There aren't many on here that spend more than me on ferry co's. The joys of living on an island.

Are you sure you are not part of a circus?...because you come across as a clown...with no backbone.

First Up · 19-07-2014 04:12PM

MidlandsM wrote: »

Lol....There aren't many on here that spend more than me on ferry co's. The joys of living on an island.

Are you sure you are not part of a circus?...because you come across as a clown...with no backbone.

As Bill O'Herlihey would say - we'll leave it there so.

bill66 · 19-07-2014 04:21PM

First up has never been on the LD lines ship so has no knowledge of it at all, therefore, it is safe to disregard anything he has to say about it, ignorance is bliss!

First Up · 19-07-2014 04:30PM

bill66 wrote: »

First up has never been on the LD lines ship so has no knowledge of it at all, therefore, it is safe to disregard anything he has to say about it, ignorance is bliss!

Correct, which is why I have said nothing about it, other than noting the journey time. As I understand, it is of similar design to the ship Stena operate to Cherbourg (which I have been on.)
Incidentally, I was amused to see someone say the food on the LD looked nice. They didn't eat it mind, but they were sure it was better than what they got on the Oscar Wilde!

bill66 · 19-07-2014 04:40PM

First Up wrote: »

I simply repeat that I have not had any experience of the OW that supports claims of dirt and I have always found the crew charming and professional. I can also testify that the food in the waiter service restaurant is excellent.
You have accused me several times of being an advocate for Irish Ferries, whereas I have merely offered my experience and advice. I don't mind spending a bit more for a better product or service. That is my choice - others see it differently. You seem threatened by that, which is entirely your problem.
The plain fact is that there are two different quality services available between Ireland and France and that is reflected in the prices. To pretend or insinuate that what you get on LD, the Epsilon or Stena compares with what you get on the OW or Brittany Ferries is just silly. -

Really! in this post you say you prefer paying more for a better service with IF. How do you know its better than something you have never tried. You then say its silly to sugest LD compares to IF, yet you have absolutley no knowledge of the LD ferry. I stand by my first post, best to ignore first up's comments, they are made from a position of ignorance.

First Up · 19-07-2014 05:19PM

bill66 wrote: »

Really! in this post you say you prefer paying more for a better service with IF. How do you know its better than something you have never tried. You then say its silly to sugest LD compares to IF, yet you have absolutley no knowledge of the LD ferry. I stand by my first post, best to ignore first up's comments, they are made from a position of ignorance.

Absolutely no knowledge? OK - let's see;

We have the reports from those who have used it - quite informative about cabins, dining, bar etc.
We have their website, with pictures of the ship's interior.
We have enough from those two sources to know that the ship is similar in design to the vessel Stena use to Cherbourg (which I have used.)
We can look at booking it, which reveals that on many sailings for the rest of the summer they have space for cars but no cabins left - reflecting a lower people/vehicles ratio.

So what does all that tell us? Well certainly enough to recognise the difference between ships aimed mostly at the commercial vehicle/driver market rather than the private car/family market. Of course either category can use either type of ship (the Oscar Wilde and Pont Aven have "Freight Driver lounges".)

It is neither imagined or prejudicial to differentiate between the two. It is perfectly logical that these differences be reflected in the prices. After that people can decide what they want.

Oh, did I mention that Irish Ferries advertise their Epsilon sailing (identical to the LD) as their "economy" option? Care to guess what that means?

vienne86 · 19-07-2014 07:02PM

I have travelled on the Oscar Wilde on average twice a year for the last 10 years approx. I have never had a problem with the ship or the crew. I find the cabins comfortable, which is important if you are travelling alone, as I sometimes am - I agree that the ship needs a refurb though - it's a bit shot. BUT I tend to travel off season. AND I think Irish Ferries charge stupid money in the high season. AND the Oscar Wilde is bloody slow. I used Celtic Ferries just once, and it was absolutely fine - I just found the lorry loads of calves a bit distressing - this was March. I have also used Brittany Ferries but while the ship is pretty smart and the food good, I think the cabins are crap. I hope to use the LDL Rosslare-St Nazaire crossing next time I go to France - I'm dying to try it - hoping that the sailing around Brittany will be nice. I'm not too keen on the schedule - arriving in France at 6 on Saturday makes shopping tricky and leaving at midnight to come home is not great either.

This thread has been great - thanks for all the contributions.

September1 · 19-07-2014 07:16PM

July 11

First Up wrote: »

Oh, did I mention that Irish Ferries advertise their Epsilon sailing (identical to the LD) as their "economy" option? Care to guess what that means?

I don't know, but I did search on sailing on 1 Nov and prices are (1 person with car):
31 Oct - Oscar Wilde 93 euro
1 Nov - Epsilon 159 Euro
2 Nov - Oscar Wilde 93 Euro

So it is confusing pricing policy.

However on 1 Nov night sailing on Epsilon costs the same as night sailing on Ulysses.

MidlandsM · 19-07-2014 07:19PM

September1 wrote: »

I don't know, but I did search on sailing on 1 Nov and prices are (1 person with car):
31 Oct - Oscar Wilde 93 euro
1 Nov - Epsilon 159 Euro
2 Nov - Oscar Wilde 93 Euro

So it is confusing pricing policy.

No, the simple answer is that the ow is the economy sailing.....lol

First Up · 19-07-2014 07:49PM

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??

September1 wrote: »

I don't know, but I did search on sailing on 1 Nov and prices are (1 person with car):
31 Oct - Oscar Wilde 93 euro
1 Nov - Epsilon 159 Euro
2 Nov - Oscar Wilde 93 Euro

So it is confusing pricing policy.

However on 1 Nov night sailing on Epsilon costs the same as night sailing on Ulysses.

There might be a typo on the website. It is showing the Oscar Wilde from Dublin and the Epsilon from Rosslare. Suspect it should be the other way round. The Rosslare-Cherbourg price is the €159.
If not, it might merit a Bargain Alert thread of it's own!

paddydriver · 19-07-2014 07:49PM

July 4

juneg wrote: »

You're welcome, I'm definitely going to order a cooler box myself for next year too. What kind would you recommend?

Not a clue.. went for the standard Thermos one. Not interested in the 12V plug in one's, though they could do a job in the boot of the car on some trips.

Saw this same one for some crazy prices whilst in France. Had considered it for way home. As it turned out we were well stuffed from brekkie

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thermos-Cool-Box-32-L/dp/B000TAOVY2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405799278&sr=8-1&keywords=thermos+cool+box

unkel · 19-07-2014 07:53PM

July 18

Hope you all arrived on time this evening! Was on the beach (on the other side of the Loire estuary from St Nazaire) from 3-4 but didn't see the Norman Atlantic come into view yet. Did see itcome in from Spain a few days ago

bill66 · 20-07-2014 07:12AM

First Up wrote: »

Absolutely no knowledge? OK - let's see;

We have the reports from those who have used it - quite informative about cabins, dining, bar etc.
We have their website, with pictures of the ship's interior.
We have enough from those two sources to know that the ship is similar in design to the vessel Stena use to Cherbourg (which I have used.)
We can look at booking it, which reveals that on many sailings for the rest of the summer they have space for cars but no cabins left - reflecting a lower people/vehicles ratio.

So what does all that tell us? Well certainly enough to recognise the difference between ships aimed mostly at the commercial vehicle/driver market rather than the private car/family market. Of course either category can use either type of ship (the Oscar Wilde and Pont Aven have "Freight Driver lounges".)

It is neither imagined or prejudicial to differentiate between the two. It is perfectly logical that these differences be reflected in the prices. After that people can decide what they want.

Oh, did I mention that Irish Ferries advertise their Epsilon sailing (identical to the LD) as their "economy" option? Care to guess what that means?

Ha ha ha, Same rubbish in this post as all the others. You were saying the same stuff before it even sailed, when you knew nothing and you still know nothing. Unlike you I have been on it and in my opinion it is miles ahead of the Oscar Wilde, for comfort, staff and price. I would guess most people who have tried this service would agree, but of course you know better.

First Up · 20-07-2014 08:32AM

bill66 wrote: »

Ha ha ha, Same rubbish in this post as all the others. You were saying the same stuff before it even sailed, when you knew nothing and you still know nothing. Unlike you I have been on it and in my opinion it is miles ahead of the Oscar Wilde, for comfort, staff and price. I would guess most people who have tried this service would agree, but of course you know better.

Thank goodness for choice mate.

You enjoy yours - and don't forget the sandwiches.

alastair · 20-07-2014 09:13AM

July 4

vienne86 wrote: »

I'm not too keen on the schedule - arriving in France at 6 on Saturday makes shopping tricky and leaving at midnight to come home is not great either.

There's an Auchan and a Carrefour Market close to the port when you arrive, allowing at least an hours worth of grocery shopping before the great Sunday shut-down kicks in. We were staying the first night in the Holiday Inn opposite the submarine pens (nice hotel with pleasant staff btw), and did a shop in the Carrefour Market alongside as soon as we had checked in. The return schedule is great for getting the most out of your final day, but it's a bit late to arrive in Rosslare (and most petrol stations are closed at that point too).

With regard to the great IF / LD debate. The LD ship had the benefit of a very recent refurb, so it really was clean as a whistle from top to bottom, staff were accommodating and cheery, and while you're not paying for, or getting, the added entertainment that comes with the Oscar Wilde price tag, it's hardly much of an economy to lose out on them. I know I made up my mind on the actual entertainment value of ferry 'entertainment' a long time ago - ymmv. Likewise ferry food is never going to be much of a selling point - the best and the worst all reside in territory that's not going to get anyone excited.

vienne86 · 20-07-2014 09:14AM

paddydriver wrote: »

Not a clue.. went for the standard Thermos one. Not interested in the 12V plug in one's, though they could do a job in the boot of the car on some trips.

Saw this same one for some crazy prices whilst in France. Had considered it for way home. As it turned out we were well stuffed from brekkie

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thermos-Cool-Box-32-L/dp/B000TAOVY2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405799278&sr=8-1&keywords=thermos+cool+box

Mine is Camping Gaz - love it. Two lids, one if you want to use the 12v power unit, the other just plain. I plug it in for the drive to Rosslare, with two ice packs inside, and leave it in the car for the crossing....the ice packs just about hold out for the journey, and I plug it in for the journey in France. Also have a converter to plug it in to the mains, but seldom use it. And I have also used it to keep food hot for a picnic - you just turn the 12 V connector upside down. Have had it for years.

tom traubert · 21-07-2014 10:07AM

July 4

Just an update for future travellers on the Norman Atlantic to / from St. Nazaire.

The Traubert family of 5 had two very comfortable crossings on the above and at a price (to us ) that imho could not and probably will not ever be beaten in the future. I agree wholeheartedly with all the positive reviews of the service posted to date and cannot really add anything extra that hasn't been said already.

One tip for families / groups of 5 (or more) who intend travelling soon. On our outward journey we deliberately checked in quite late. I'm surmising that because of this we weren't offered the opportunity to sell back our 2nd cabin. On our return journey we checked in early. We were asked to give up the 2nd cabin on that occasion and as a result received the 108e refund previously mentioned as well as meals x 4 for the 5 of us - probably 150e to 180e worth of food at their till prices. Our 10 yr old slept quite comfortably on the floor of our cabin using one extra duvet as a make shift mattress and another to sleep under.

So, to increase your chances of extra value (if you have two cabins booked) check in early folks.

Bon voyage to all yet to travel.

Preset No.3 · 21-07-2014 04:31PM

Is this the longest bargain alert thread for something's that no longer a bargain?

Stab*City · 21-07-2014 04:41PM

August 22

Preset No.3 wrote: »

Is this the longest bargain alert thread for something's that no longer a bargain?

Still a bargain I only book few weeks back and was half the price of the others.

First Up · 21-07-2014 07:19PM

Stab*City wrote: »

Still a bargain I only book few weeks back and was half the price of the others.

Were you able to get a cabin? Any sailings I looked at were sold out.

Stab*City · 21-07-2014 07:28PM

August 22

First Up wrote: »

Were you able to get a cabin? Any sailings I looked at were sold out.

Yes got cabins for both legs.

First Up · 21-07-2014 07:32PM

Stab*City wrote: »

Yes got cabins for both legs.

You did well. They seem to be scarce.

XsApollo · 21-07-2014 07:44PM

The Oscar Wilde is a horrible ferry to travel on, I agree with whoever said its a tub.
It's slow, loud and vibrates like my wife's best toy.
I never liked the ride on it either and stopped using it.

My favourite ferry was Celtic link. Nice fast,quiet ferry that handles rough seas well and excellent value . And the kids area in the seating area is a big plus.

I would use Brittany for roscoff and if didn't go with them I would go to Cherbourg on Celtic rather than get oscar to roscoff.

XsApollo · 21-07-2014 07:46PM

XsApollo wrote: »

The Oscar Wilde is a horrible ferry to travel on, I agree with whoever said its a tub.
It's slow, loud and vibrates like my wife's best toy.
I never liked the ride on it either and stopped using it.

My favourite ferry was Celtic link. Nice fast,quiet ferry that handles rough seas well and excellent value . And the kids area in the seating area is a big plus.

I would use Brittany for roscoff and if didn't go with them I would go to Cherbourg on Celtic rather than get oscar to roscoff.

Edit; Am actually land bridging through England as I couldn't get cabins on any of the main three.
LDlines never occurred to me even tho I read this thread ages ago.

unkel · 21-07-2014 09:14PM

July 18

Stab*City wrote: »

Still a bargain I only book few weeks back and was half the price of the others.

+1

Missed out on the intro bargains but still only paid 620 return for the 5 of us with seaview cabin. About half of what the competition cost. And none of them sail as far south. Will post my personal more detailed review when I get back, but LD lines get the thumbs up from me!

vienne86 · 21-07-2014 09:25PM

Preset No.3 wrote: »

Is this the longest bargain alert thread for something's that no longer a bargain?

Still a bargain - I am planning a trip for late August/early September and will be doing the outward leg on my own - this route is saving me nearly 100 bucks on that leg. I don't fancy it for the return, mainly because it just doesn't suit me to leave France on a Wednesday.

New Ferry to France (Launch Offer)

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