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First Impressions - The promise of a
fast crossing at a decent price.
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The Port -
Speedferries have now moved
over to the old Hovercraft port in Dover's Eastern Docks having
their own check in area.
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Embarkation -
The boat itself is quite
tight and only takes cars, mpv's, vans and small trailers. You can
take a roof box but they charge extra a space is a premium. All the
cars are loaded up on ramps and the larger vehicles have to stay in
the main deck area.
-
Comfort -
The boat itself has plenty
of seats in standard class although you can book club class and have
your own area if you choose.
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Facilities -
There is a shop which sells
wine, spirits and handy items as GB stickers and bulb kits and
newspapers, maps etc. There is also a cafe where hot drinks and
sandwiches etc can be purchased. There is another coffee type bar on
the upper level.
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The Journey -
The journey is swift and
before you have time to read a paper, have something to eat,
stretched you legs and paid a visit, your over in Boulogne.
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Disembarkation -
Once over the other side
and you hit the Autoroute you save around 30 minutes from Calais and
LM takes around 4 hours at a steady 70 mph on the Autoroute going
via Rouen.
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Value -
Last year we paid £58 for
one vehicle in November and £78 for the second one in December. They
are doing flex tickets at the moment which can be cheap to purchase
and cost nothing to change booking nearer the time. Danger is you
may not be able to change due to demand that week.
-
Overall -
All in all it takes about
the same time to check in and board as it does with Sea France and
P&O but takes half the time to cross Le Manche and your half an hour
down the road. Only one thing I would stress is that if you book
stick to the size of vehicle you've booked. On previous trips we
have seen a couple empty their roof box take it off and put it
inside their Galaxy on top of their kids. Another poor chap turned
up with a trailer which exceeded the stated length. He ended up
going off to take a different ferry. Last year I tried to upgrade to
a over head vehicle (Roof box) but was quoted £90 each way extra,
Ouch.
