hips don't lie: Ferry holidays: Starting your break by ferry has never been easier

By

Frank Barrett, Mail on Sunday Travel Editor

PUBLISHED:

09:21 EST, 3 March 2013

|

UPDATED:

09:23 EST, 3 March 2013

If you’ve never been on a car ferry, this is the year to give it a try. That’s the message being promoted by ferry operators for National Ferry Fortnight, which runs until March 16.

With the theme ‘ferry familiar’, the campaign encourages travellers to experience ‘the ease, value and flexibility of ferry travel’.

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Still a ferry good idea: explore everywhere from the British Isles to Europe – and relax while you’re on board

More than 34million passengers travel by ferry annually to and from the UK, and ferry companies have invested millions in modern, versatile fleets and upgraded services.

Operators say that with the addition of spas, first-class lounges and fine dining restaurants on board some ships, travelling by ferry has become a much more luxurious experience.

It also allows passengers to avoid the hassle of flying – the nightmare queuing at airports for security and check-in, the stringent requirements and charges surrounding baggage … With check-in times from just 30 minutes, you can avoid long-winded security check-in procedures.

Simply drive on and relax on board with a good choice of dining options, shopping and play areas before driving off refreshed and ready to enjoy your trip.

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Short hop: Stunning Freshwater Bay on the Isle of Wight

And while flying no-frills may seem the cheaper option, ferry companies argue that at many times of year they offer better value.

Book online and as early as possible to benefit from great value prices – from as little as a pound a mile between the UK and France for a family of four with a car. Or why not travel with a group of friends? European festivals are right on your doorstep and ferry operators can arrange packages including campsites, cottages and self-catering accommodation.

With a choice of fare options from economy to premium, ferry travel offers much more for less.

Check-in and travel policies are flexible and for those needing to make a quick getaway, why not try priority loading, which ensures you are first on and off? With your bike, car or caravan, the world really is your oyster by ferry. Exciting destinations within Britain, including Scotland, and further afield on the Continent await and with your own wheels you have the chance to explore hidden gems that are off the beaten track.

Ferries are also a perfect way of discovering the British Isles, particularly for dog-owners. A trip to the Isle of Man or Channel Islands means that Fido, Rover or Sooty can come, too. Or if you wish to travel to the Continent, the family pets don’t have to be left at home for the holidays. If they have a pet passport (for travel outside the UK and Ireland), then they are welcome on many of the ferry operators’ routes.

You’ll even find many pet-friendly hotels, BBs and campsites at your destination. For great advance booking and last-minute offers, visit discoverferries.com – a one-stop shop for up-to-date information and news about travelling by ferry that provides comprehensive details of routes from the UK to Europe, Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Scottish Isles, Isle of Man and the Isle of Wight.

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The 12 ferry operators that are members of the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) are:

Brittany Ferries, brittanyferries.com; Caledonian MacBrayne, calmac.co.uk; Condor Ferries, condorferries.com; DFDS Seaways, dfds.co.uk; Irish Ferries, irishferries.com; Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, steam-packet.com; MyFerry Link, myferrylink.com; North-Link Ferries, northlinkferries.co.uk; PO Ferries, poferries.com; Red Funnel, redfunnel.co.uk; Stena Line, stenaline.co.uk; and Wightlink, wightlink.co.uk.

National Ferry Fortnight: Treats and bargains galore

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Shipshape: Model Kelly Brook at the launch of the DFDS service to Calais

DFDS

Seaways (dfds.co.uk; 0871 574 7235): During National Ferry Fortnight, a

20 per cent discount is valid for all ferry crossings on DFDS

Seaways-Dover-Dunkirk, Dover-Calais, Newcastle-Amsterdam,

Harwich-Esbjerg, Newhaven-Dieppe and Portsmouth-Le Havre – for travel on

selected departures until October 31. This means Channel ferry tickets

for a car and up to four people start at less than £24 each way and £116

each way on the North Sea.

DFDS Seaways is also offering a 40

per cent discount on its two-night mini cruises to Amsterdam from

Newcastle, and from Harwich to Esbjerg in Denmark, with prices from

£47pp available on selected departures. DFDS operates up to 44 sailings a

day between Dover and France, four between Newhaven to Dieppe and two

between Portsmouth and Le Havre as well as daily sailings from Newcastle

to Amsterdam and up to four crossings a week between Harwich and

Esbjerg.

MYFERRYLINK (myferrylink.com; 0844

2482 100): The newest operator shipshape: Model Kelly Brook at the

launch of the DFDS service to Calais on the Dover to Calais route.

Launched last August, it offers up to 16 daily sailings on two modern

superferries, the Rodin and the Berlio , custom-designed for the

Channel. MYFERRYLINK has a children’s play area for two- to

eight-year-olds on both superferries. It’s called the Play one and is

located by Le Relais self-service restaurant, where parents can relax

with a coffee or meal.

Fares for a car and up to nine people

start from just £29 each way online for any duration of travel, and

from £25 return for a day trip.

RED FUNNEL (redfunnel.co.uk; 0844 844

9988): The original Isle of Wight ferry company with roots stretching

back to the 1820s. Based in Southampton and serving East Cowes, it

operates 24 hours a day, 364 days a year with a fleet of passenger and

vehicle ferries. On board there’s a wide range of food, a bar and

relaxing lounges with TVs and free wi-fi. You can book online up to two

hours before departure. The cheapest fares are always found online and

there are no hidden extras. The price you see is the price you pay, and

you’ll be sent your ticket by email.