New Ferry to France

dfbemt

Celtic Link are replacing the Norman Voyager this October. From their www site......

Celtic Link Ferries are proud to announce the acquisition of a new vessel for its Rosslare- Cherbourg route. The new ship will take over from its existing ship the Norman Voyager in October 2011. This audacious move further reinforces Celtic Link Ferries commitment to offering an affordable and reliable all-year service between Ireland and continental Europe.
The new vessel will have more bars, more restaurants, more play areas than ever before. Cruising to France inexpensively will once again get even easier with Celtic Link Ferries.

I was looking at prices for a trip this September and they are coming in €220 cheaper than Irish Ferries - €350 v's €570.

New ship looks really well. If they can keep it clean they could be real competition....

niloc1951

We traveled on the Norman Voyager this year and it is a fine ship with very helpful and professional crew, the grub was very good and the ship noticeably very clean.
I wish Celtic the best of luck with their new ship, things can only go from strength to strength.
All we need now is for them to hang on the Norman Voyager and bring some REAL competition to the Irish Sea routes.

carcar36

just back from my holidays in France wonderful time with the family, travelled with Celtic Link Ferries from Rosslare. Checkin was easy and the car was full of bags and toys, we even had a roof box no extra charge in fact we brought our dog and there was no charge for her either. We had a cabin with a window, very spacious and most importantly clean there was plenty of room for the travel cot. The crossing was very busy but still staff were very friendly and accomadating, no problem heating up bottles and baby food, there is a microwave available in the restaurant area. Food in the restaurant was a bit slow but good quality and I am a fussy eater !!! Looking forward to our next trip to France next year any one know when you can book for next year??? :P

munchkin_utd

Thinking of getting the ferry from France to Ireland at christmas. (landbridge via england also being considered but its working out nearly as dear but with much more driving - 8 to 10 hours from Munich to Callais alone or considerably more if you get some bad jams)

The celtic Link website has no real info on their new ferry coming into servce in October except that its been bought!!
Is it going to be that much of an improvement over the pretty spartan ferry they have now? What all in the way of extra facilities is going to be offered?

To be honest their sailing times suit me slightly better, but I'd pay the wee bit extra to have a bit of comfort for the family on Irish Ferries compared to what Celtic link currently have.

unfit2006

Hi,

I have just been looking at the Irishferries site for a trip to France.
Car, two adults and cabin coming in at €168 each way anytime in Sept/Oct.
Not too bad. Dont know if Celtic can match this.

blokarter

Good information about the Celtic Link ferry.

I saw this ferry during our trip to France this August. It seemed to sail at about the same times as Irish Ferries.

If it is as good as other posters in this thread have said I will be looking into it as soon as the sailing times come out.


Thanks again for the info about the service.

Mark

munchkin_utd

unfit2006 wrote: »

Hi,

I have just been looking at the Irishferries site for a trip to France.
Car, two adults and cabin coming in at €168 each way anytime in Sept/Oct.
Not too bad. Dont know if Celtic can match this.

For Thursday Oct 6th they are €164 euro for the same journey.

I'll go back to my question and maybe hone it in a bit.
Celtic link currently have a very spartan service, with limited bar and restaurant opening hours amongst other things.
Is stuff like this going to improve with the new vessel being introduced next month?

After a 12 to 14 hour straight drive and getting up at 4 in the morning to set off from Germany, I wouldnt mind the guarantee of a couple of well earned pints on the ferry before hitting the sack for a kip! Which Celtic link currently doesnt seem to offer (but maybe with the new ferry that'll change? )

niloc1951

munchkin_utd wrote: »

For Thursday Oct 6th they are €164 euro for the same journey.

I'll go back to my question and maybe hone it in a bit.
Celtic link currently have a very spartan service, with limited bar and restaurant opening hours amongst other things.
Is stuff like this going to improve with the new vessel being introduced next month?

After a 12 to 14 hour straight drive and getting up at 4 in the morning to set off from Germany, I wouldnt mind the guarantee of a couple of well earned pints on the ferry before hitting the sack for a kip! Which Celtic link currently doesnt seem to offer (but maybe with the new ferry that'll change? )

I used Celtic Link again this year (out May, back June) and while the lack of carpets is different the polished floors gave a reassuring air if cleanliness, as for the bar there was no shortage of drink and the food in the restaurant was reasonable and of good quality. When I 'hit the sack' the bunk was comfortable and the cabin airy and spacious.

All in all I would rate Celtic Link's Norman Voyager over Irish Ferries (who I have used many times in the past) for value, service and comfort.

IMHO Celtic Link offer an efficient, comfortable and good value transit between Ireland and France and have no pretensions to emulate the QM2.

I am looking forward to travelling on their new ship Celtic Horizon next Spring.

munchkin_utd

niloc1951 wrote: »

I am looking forward to travelling on their new ship Celtic Horizon next Spring.

Next Spring?
Their website says October which is weeks away so in plenty of time for christmas!

BTW, (assuming that the Norman Voyager is what I'll be potentially on at christmas) is the current bar and restaurant the same thing, or does the bar actually open for longer than the reported hour and a half in the evening which the restaurant does?

EDIT:
An article from 2 weeks ago in a local paper proports that the new ferry is indeed due to come online in mid october
http://www.newrossstandard.ie/news/celtic-links-new-ferry-will-launch-in-october-2855338.html
Funny that the company isnt bothered on promoting in any way shape or form the improvements that they are introducing for these improved services which are now bookable online for late 2011/ early 2012!

Rory McCall of Celtic Link Ferries, which is owned by the O'Flaherty brothers of Kilmore Quay and Ramsgrange-based O'Leary International Transport, said that the new ferry, which will be 'faster, bigger and better', will be launched in mid-October.

Celtic Link, the low-cost operator between Ireland and France, stepped up its capacity and passenger offering when it bought the Norman Voyager in 2009, but just two years later Mr McCall said the demand is there to justify further 'significant investment'.

The company has seen a substantial rise in revenue this year, despite the worsening, wider economic environment.

' Things have gone exceptionally well and we want to keep building for the future now. There is a strong appetite for people to travel to France still and we offer people the chance to go there cheaper than our competitors,' said Mr McCall.

He said that the improved passenger facilities on Celtic Horizon include a play area for children, further and improved catering facilities, while there will also now be relative luxury of 'suites' on offer, along with the majority of traditional four-bed berth cabins.

Mr McCall said that the new ship will mean an increase of around 25 cabins, with a total of 130 available on the Celtic Horizon. Overall, the capacity will increase from around 550 passengers to 750 passengers.

While there is a strong emphasis on giving passengers the best experience possible, Mr McCall said that freight still accounts for the larger part of Celtic Link's revenue.

ValerieR

We travel twice a year to France and have been using Celtic Link many times. Granted the soon-to-be replaced ferry might be limited as far as communal space is concerned (Restaurant/Bar) but ... the ferry leaves late afternoon/early evening and arrives at lunch time ; as a consequence, the actual requirement for a communal space isn't that important really as you spend most of the crossing time in your cabin.

The food served is definitely excellent and good value compared to other ferry companies operating the same route
1. The staff is really friendly and helpful
2. They are overall cheaper than other companies going to France.
3. Celtic Link does not have restrictions as far as vehicle heights are concerned
4. Pets travel free. You can put them in designated kennels or keep them in the car if they are happier there.You can go and visit them for a quick pit-stop twice during the crossing (something like 9pm/9am).

Seemingly, the new ferry is the same size as the current one, only its layout is different with more amenities for the passengers and a few more cabins.

Celtic Link fills all the boxes for us ...

Valerie

Note: Not affiliated to this company whatsoever, just a happy customer.

T650

munchkin_utd wrote: »

Next Spring?
Their website says October which is weeks away so in plenty of time for christmas!

BTW, (assuming that the Norman Voyager is what I'll be potentially on at christmas) is the current bar and restaurant the same thing, or does the bar actually open for longer than the reported hour and a half in the evening which the restaurant does?

EDIT:
An article from 2 weeks ago in a local paper proports that the new ferry is indeed due to come online in mid october
http://www.newrossstandard.ie/news/celtic-links-new-ferry-will-launch-in-october-2855338.html
Funny that the company isnt bothered on promoting in any way shape or form the improvements that they are introducing for these improved services which are now bookable online for late 2011/ early 2012!

Solution : If it distresses you this much before you travel with them at all - don't bother . Seriously tho' just keep an eye on the website for updates, tis the way of the world these days.

the rambler

t650.................great minds think alike;)

niloc1951

munchkin_utd wrote: »

Next Spring?
Their website says October which is weeks away so in plenty of time for christmas!

Yea, the Celtic Horizon is due into service soon, but unfortunately I will to be able to 'hit the trail' again until the Spring .

T650

niloc1951 wrote: »

Yea, the Celtic Horizon is due into service soon, but unfortunately I will to be able to 'hit the trail' again until the Spring .

Am interested to see what the new ship looks like. Never sailed with Celtic Link before but others I have spoken to have been happy with service and price so I am considering using them for family France trip next summer.

munchkin_utd

T650 wrote: »

Solution : If it distresses you this much before you travel with them at all - don't bother . Seriously tho' just keep an eye on the website for updates, tis the way of the world these days.

the new Vessel is aparantly in service and travelled in from Cherbourg last night.
According to http://www.marinetraffic.com the Celtic Horizon is in port in Rosslare right now & the Norman Voyager is sitting on the river Tyne in England.

The Celtic Link website mentions nothing about the vessel being in service but from another source today is to be the official launch of the new vessel !!

Celtic Horizon is to be officially launched on the Rosslare-Cherbourg route on 24 October. At 27,552 gross tonnes, she is the largest vessel to operate the French route for CLF with space for 840 passengers, for 200 cars and 120 freight vehicles. Passenger facilities will be boosted with a greater choice of restaurants, bars and a play-zone for kids.
CLF are to charter Celtic Horizon for a five-years and the 25-knot capable vessel will takeover the existing thrice-weekly round trip sailing schedule from ro-pax Norman Voyager.

<snip>
As for Celtic Horizon, she was built in 2006 and spent her last season this year as Cartour Beta while on charter to C&T's routes between Naples and Sicily<snip>

During her Irish service, she will maintain Italian registry of Bari whereas her predecessor Norman Voyager changes flags from the UK to that of the French tricolour. Both vessels are similar as they share a ro-pax design which has proved popular for Italian shipbuilders Cantieri Navali Visentini.

http://afloat.ie/port-news/ferry-news/item/17101-new-celtic-link-ferry-on-re-positioning-voyage-off-africa/

unfit2006

Heading over sometime in November. Checked prices with both operators and the fares come in at €164 and €165. Might try out Celtic Link this time.

Does anyone know whether Celtic Link's fare on the Rosslare-Cherbourg route ever included food in the price, similar to the P&O Dublin-Liverpool crossing.

niloc1951

unfit2006 wrote: »

Heading over sometime in November. Checked prices with both operators and the fares come in at €164 and €165. Might try out Celtic Link this time.

Does anyone know whether Celtic Link's fare on the Rosslare-Cherbourg route ever included food in the price, similar to the P&O Dublin-Liverpool crossing.

Food is not included.
On the original ship MS Diplomat food was included as it was primarily a freight ship but since the newer ships now carry a significant proportion of 'tourists' food in no longer included in the fare.

BTW FWIW the MS Diplomat, formally known as MS Baltic Ferry was part of the task force of British ships which sailed to the Falklands in 1982

dfbemt

I've asked enough about Celtic Link and eventually plucked up the courage to use them late last month on the leg home from France. There were 2 of us and we didn't have the kids. My observations on our crossing on the Norman Voyager

- I would be reluctant to take the kids with me as there really is nothing for them to do on board.
- The ship is small.
- No way would I travel without a cabin. The reserved seating is beside the bar which is beside the restaurant. No area is sully enclosed so there is no way to block out the noise. Everybody in the reserved seating looked shattered the next morning.
- No newspapers in the shop.
- WiFi is expensive. In saying that, it wasn't working on IF on the way to France !!
- Food was ok. No real complaints but I think Irish Ferries is a bit better. Yes, you have to pay for it.
- We sat in the bar which had about 10 loud, mouthy, crass truckers standing there. We heard everything !! They were a model for a breath test when we got off in Rosslare !
- Cabins were clean and spacious but the brown fleece blankets ! Yuck !!
- Like Irish Ferries, bring your own pillows.
- Quick on and off. No problems with the camper.

It would want to be a big price difference for me to use them when we have the kids with us. On our own I would happily use them.

Looking forward to reports on the new ship.

killalanerr

^^^^ what he said ,report on the new ship please anyone ?

T650

The website could do with updating couldn't it.

martyc5674

T650 wrote: »

The website could do with updating couldn't it.

Website is poor. Food is much better than IF, we got food poisoning on IF last year and weren't really surprised. It has several restaurants which are very mediocre, they would be better with one good one.

As for kids we'd have been happy just to be on a boat when we were kids!!
All I can remember from IF was a play area that was an accident waiting to happen.. Cinema on CL and magic show.

Horses for courses but I'll be sailing with CL in future.

HereAndThere

I sailed CelticLink September this year and I couldn't complain.

We were on the Norman Voyager and planning to go again in May 2012.

Hope the new ship is as good if not better.

Yes the ships are smaller than Irish Ferries and as for kids not liking it, if you sail at night then there really isn't much time for the kids to complain about having nothing todo, put them to bed and get them to bring a good book/Nintendo DS for the couple of hours wake time they'll have.

T650

Summer months now open on CL website

Neonjack

Booked today for June/July. The price was exactly the same as Irish Ferries for the same dates.

unfit2006

I compared fares between both companies for June/July and have found them to be very similar.
The free return trip to the UK offered by Irish Ferries would certainly swing it for me when deciding, all else being equal. The return trip is worth €350.

irishllanaber

What prices are they offering for June/July ?

SARZY

June booked with Celtic Link.

About €100 cheaper than IF.

This is because IF change up at end of June for return trip.

Celtic link is same both trips.

Competition is great.

Now if Celtic Link put on a Boat to Fishguard. That would be fantastic.

eastmeath

Just back from France with them yesterday - their new ferry. I wasn't on their last one at any stage, but had heard it wasn't family friendly. The new one isn't either! The play area is the size of the average living room and has a handful of bits in it for the under 2's -useless. There are tv screens, but none are on. There used to be a cinema, according to the boat plan up on the wall, but when we checked it out, there was 'staff only' signs on the door - so it's not in use. There's a shop about half the size of my living room - DH thought he'd get a newspaper to read, but the choice was either chick lit or porn! Our DD (who's 6) walked back out of it again! So apart from the restaurant and bar - there's nothing.

It has been refurbished, but all surfaces are shiny, hard and cold. The entire place could be hosed down! There isn't a square inch of carpet or fabric. It's tiles, plastic, rubber tiles on the floor in the cabins etc., hard seating everywhere. It'll probably be fine in summer - it was damn chilly on Sunday night!

It took ages to check in, at Cherbourg - there were very few families - it was mostly male groups with battered vans and they were scrutinised and examined very carefully by customs and police. When we were finally boarding, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the ramp we had to drive up on the boat. I've been travelling to France for over 20 years - on various Irish Ferries and 2 different Brittany Ferries boats and I've never seen anything like the gradient and length of the ramp we were pointed to. They put our car on Deck 6 i.e. above the deck where the restaurant, shop, reception etc. are - outdoors on an open deck. Half way up the ramp, sweating profusely in case the car wouldn't make it, with the weight on board versus the sheer gradient, my husband admitted he was glad he wasn't driving and he doesn't believe our other car (smaller engine) would have made it. You can just imagine the gradient to get from Deck 1 to 6 in half a ships length - all I could see through the front windscreen was my bonnet - I couldn't see over it - I judged the position on the ramp by focusing firmly on my side window - once I didn't whack the side there, I figured the passenger side would mind itself. My husband admitted after we got off in Rosslare yesterday morning that there were dents and scrapes along the rails! This morning, we had to attemp 3/5 point turns to get our cars turned around to go back down the ramp - with others doing likewise whilst all trying not to hit each other. We could barely see through the windows with the spray acquired overnight at sea. Had to put the car through a car wash.

Food wise - there are no prices at all displayed and while our meals were reasonably priced - €10.90 each for a basic but well cooked burger/chicken or whatever with chips or rice and veg, our 6 year old's chicken nuggets and chips (small plate) were €8.90 plus €2.50 extra for her drink - no toy, no dessert - total rip off, for what we got. If you have more than one child, get an adult meal and two plates. Again at breakfast, no prices, no idea what it's going to cost and very difficult to choose what to get. No prices on display at the bar, but we got a couple of beers and it was €4.50 a pint, €1 for a bag of crisps - so that was as you'd expect and it was very tasty beer - pity about the passenger wandering around approaching people and trying to scrouge cigarettes! Cabins are spacious, blankets and sheets again on hte new boat rather than a duvet, and it was one blanket each - which wasn't enough last night - we were cold but could split the bedding from the spare bed in our cabin between us. Once we'd eaten dinner, there was nothing to do (8pm), so we took to the cabin, had movie night with our smallie with the portable DVD player and had an early night.

If it's going to represent a significant saving - I'd say consider it. It is a mode of transport though, rather than part of the holiday - with the other two providers, the holiday starts in Rosslare, with CL, the holiday starts when you get off in France. I love sailing with BF, but generally have to choose IF in summer due to cost and their food isn't great, but the kids love the entertainment and I admit that I find the cheesy dancers and singers help me wind down from a very hectic work life and get the hols off to a good start.

In order to get the key to our cabin, we all had to hand over either our passport or car keys - neither of which I wanted to part with (others were unhappy about it too, including the gentleman in front of me in the queue and the response to him was, 'why - have you a car full of stuff, ha ha ha' - not especially funny I'd have thought! - so I gave them the keys to our other car (parked in Meath at the time!)! The boat is very clean, as you'd expect 2 weeks in, the staff seemed fine - but prepare and have lots of snacks and entertainment with you.

Out of curiosity, I checked prices for our family group for dates next summer and they work out just €65 cheaper than IF - I wouldn't travel with them for that saving. It would need to be a lot more. It's a very grim fun-free experience.

killalanerr

eastmeath wrote: »

I find the cheesy dancers and singers help me wind down from a very hectic work life and get the hols off to a good start.

thanks for the report it sounds like its just the same as the old boat and with prices for next year coming in very close to that of IF i think i will stick with the cheesy dancers

unfit2006

As above, +1

corkbuoy

Celtic Link are great if taking your dog. No charge and you can leave them in the camper/car as against Irish Ferries who charge €70 each way for a large kennel.