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Post by costablancabika on Apr 3, 2007 19:32:47 GMT
We come over once a year on my 600 Div from Bilbao to Portsmouth in June to have some time sailing on our 23 foot boat around the Solent. It tends to be an expensive affair regards the ferry. However, last year a Spanish firm, Acciona Trasmediterranea, started their ferry service on the same route. Early this year, I looked at a June return using them through one of on-line ferry agents and for the 2 of us with an inside 2 berth cabin, the prices was a real cheap €258 return. Fantastic, but couldn't book it then - not that it mattered as I now find out. I also checked out P & O at the same time and their prices, though not as good, had come down by at least 40% from the previous year. So, I have just gone to make a booking and now find out that Acciona have ceased this route for some reason or other. Go back to P & O and for the same route and more or less same dates, they are charging a staggering €740  P & O must be wringing their greedy, slimy, sweaty hands in total glee that they have got the monopoly back on this route. You know, I think it is almost immoral! This is NOT a fair price. It is a bl@@dy rip off. Boy, am I cheesed off or what? NO, I am actually LIVID.  |
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Post by iooi on Apr 3, 2007 19:34:23 GMT
At that price it would be cheaper to ride........
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Post by 2old2boogie on Apr 3, 2007 19:41:56 GMT
That is an absolute rip off! I have used that route in the past and can't remember it being that expensive.
Do'nt Brittany Ferries still run the Plymouth - Santander route?
I agree with the other post. I'd ride up to Le Havre or even Calais rather than pay those prices!
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Post by ContourMac on Apr 3, 2007 20:38:10 GMT
Fly and hire a bike when you get here.
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Post by costablancabika on Apr 3, 2007 20:38:18 GMT
Still doing research. Just looked up the Sandtander-Plymouth route with Brittany Ferries. Shorter route with less than 20 hours crossing (but of course a ride up to Portsmouth).
And? Well, I almost take it all back P & O. Brittany Ferries route was ............... €826.50 GULP!
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Post by brandane on Apr 3, 2007 20:46:12 GMT
Totally agree re the prices being a rip off. I have used various ferry routes in the past with either the car or bike, but over the past couple of years have noticed that prices have shot up, especially on the routes where you need a cabin. OK, the ferries have been tarted up a bit compared to a few years back, but if I wanted to go on a cruise I would go on the QE2.. I just want a ferry to get across a stretch of water!!  For the cost of an overnight crossing to the continent with the bike, you can fly to the sun with accomodation for a week. Get real, P&O. . And to think that I used to work for them...  . |
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Post by 2old2boogie on Apr 3, 2007 21:07:43 GMT
Try the Portsmouth - Caen route, if you do'nt mind the long ride!
I've just tried a hypothetical mid June trip for 2 on a bike and came up with £202.50!!
Might be worth a look.
Jim
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Post by costablancabika on Apr 3, 2007 21:26:58 GMT
I've been trying to find out if Acciona will be getting back onto the Bilbao-Portsmouth route again but with no luck. Trouble is that we love the long crossing (even better when its rough in Biscay believe it or not). In addition, SWMBO always overloads the bike no matter what I say and a 2 day ride up to the French ports is a long slog for 2 folks who both are elegible for Saga holidays on a heavily laden bike.
If the worse comes to the worse, she'll fly and I'll go to Caen or cheaper still, use LD out of Le Harvre. I take the bike back in June as it is UK plates and I like to keep it MOT'd etc.
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Post by Ghoti on Apr 4, 2007 10:38:39 GMT
Have you thought about shipping the bike by freight and meeting it in the UK? If you get the bike to Southampton, you may be able to fly to very close (Eastleigh, probably known as Southampton Airport), or see if a member can run you from where you land to Southampton (for advice on getting favours, see most of Miscy's posts  ) |
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Post by ContourMac on Apr 4, 2007 17:39:12 GMT
Try the Portsmouth - Caen route, if you do'nt mind the long ride! I've just tried a hypothetical mid June trip for 2 on a bike and came up with £202.50!! Jim Run that quote again for easter then end July £120 & £320 respectively. Thats Fast Ferry though. They do make you pay in high season |
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Post by 2old2boogie on Apr 4, 2007 18:20:10 GMT
Thats quite a difference £120 to £320! the word 'profiteering' springs to mind. They all do it though. Holidays in particular, as has been well documented on these posts recently. Even our hospitals are at it now, you pay through the nose for parking and using their phone! And this is in NHS Hospitals. Not private! Privatisation through the back door, as I notice the phone scam is a private company making a healthy profit in the NHS. 'Maximising the profit on our investment!' their spokes woman said. And I seem to have strayed well OT! I'll sit down and take one of my tablets! |
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Post by costablancabika on Apr 4, 2007 19:13:38 GMT
And I seem to have strayed well OT! I'll sit down and take one of my tablets! No Codger! I am right behind you so don't worry about straying off. Also like you, maybe I should sit down as well - so can you lend me TWO of your tablets  |
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Post by 2old2boogie on Apr 4, 2007 19:48:10 GMT
Trouble is that we love the long crossing (even better when its rough in Biscay believe it or not).I can remember a Portsmouth - Bilbao trip on the Pride Of Bilbao in 2000 when it was such a rough crossing in The Bay that I was literally being lifted out of my bunk. Regarding my tablets: I'll send you two if you send me a litre of local sangria!! Jim
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Post by knight on Apr 5, 2007 17:54:39 GMT
We wanted to take the ferry down to Santander last year but couldn't believe the price. Shaz's cousin had paid about the same for a cruise in the Med. So we rode down and saw some nice places on the way. Age wise we are well into Saga territory.
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