New Ferry to France (Launch Offer)

loyatemu

First Up wrote: »

I have absolutely no complaints about the Oscar Wilde, even in rough seas. Sailing from Dublin will be a nice feature also.

the IF Dublin-Cherbourg route does not use the Oscar Wilde - it's a new boat they're chartered that is quite similar to the Celtic Link/LD Lines boats.

I'd agree the Oscar Wilde could do with a refit, but it's not as bad as some are making out on this thread.

It is good that there is now so much choice for Ireland - France, one possibilty would be to use different routes for the outbound and return legs, giving much more options for departure dates & times

BenEadir

August 1

cormie wrote: »

Am I still getting a present from France Ben? I thought of you when I saw this thread having just given you that discount code a few days earlier but I actually thought it wasn't possible to cancel the booking without having to still pay

You're the man(?) Cormie

I just came across this thread by accident and I too didn't think I'd be able to amend my IF booking as I hadn't paid for a flexible option or anything but as I'd only paid the €100 deposit it allowed me to cancel the outbound leg, kept the same price for the "return" leg and applied the €100 I'd already paid against the reduced balance. Happy Days!!

I actually can't believe I'm getting a 3 week holiday in France for 2 adults and 2 kids in a great campsite in a large mobile home including return ferry for less than €2,900 :eek:

I'll upgrade that bottle I owe you to something drinkable

Ben

ShaunC

paddyp wrote: »

'light seas' is meaningless the roll motion is severe as the meta-centric height varies in a specific ratio e.g 1/2 1/4 to the natural roll frequency of the ship. Any ship can roll like the bejaysus in 'light seas' if the wave period is twice the roll period.

re: tourist tax it varies depending on area and time of year for point st giles it seems to be: between mid June and mid Sept): € 0,46 / night / person aged + 16 - € 0,23 / night / person aged 13 to 16 years old

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, sorry what? You lost me at "roll motion".

First Up

loyatemu wrote: »

the IF Dublin-Cherbourg route does not use the Oscar Wilde - it's a new boat they're chartered that is quite similar to the Celtic Link/LD Lines boats.

I'd agree the Oscar Wilde could do with a refit, but it's not as bad as some are making out on this thread.

It is good that there is now so much choice for Ireland - France, one possibilty would be to use different routes for the outbound and return legs, giving much more options for departure dates & times

Thanks - I hadn't picked up on that. The Epsilon does look more like the Celtic/LD boats. I see IF are describing it as an "economy" service. When I have a clearer picture of dates, I'll compare the options - including Celtic and LD, although I don't think St Nazaire will suit. Nice to have that flexibility though.

Johnny_Fontane

August 8

a little OT, but i'm trying to work out these French campsites. Prices in August are nuts. And you're in a mobile home. Got quoted like €1200 a week.

I have two kids who will be 5 & 3, but am getting offers of nice houses 15 minutes from the beach for like €800.

Are Campsites a better option for the kids?

Johnny_Fontane

August 8

bbam wrote: »

I hope it works out well..
We compared it last night and it would be a saving of about €700, but we're going with Irish Ferries anyway

For those booking it, enjoy France, its just magic for the hols.

I think if I needed to save further I'd be looking at the landbridge option first.

that is astonishing...youd take two ferries, and a six hour drive (and 4 hours more northerly in France) over saving €700? I think you're in the wrong forum.

Hey look, I'm not one of those people that scrimps on holidays generally, that looks for the cheapest option every time, but €700 is too much. Nobody can justify that kind of extra money. Did you tell your partner?

tennis12

First Up wrote: »

Reading back over the thread, the new service to St Nazaire looks like its heaven sent for families going to the Vendée. The savings are serious money and bring a lovely holiday within range for many. Great to see the bookings being made.

We've taken a number of Gites in the St Jean/St Giles area as well as further down near Les Sables and Talmont. It's bit of a trek from Roscoff with an early morning start so getting off at St Nazaire is brilliant. Even better for La Baule.

The sailing times (and ship) do look to be designed more for freight drivers than private cars though and I think the holiday will start when you get off the ship, rather than when you get on.

We don't travel with young kids anymore and nowadays we tend to favour Cherbourg and Normandy - more variety, culture and sophistication. We have made the Cherbourg - Roscoff trip a few times and that's nice too. The ideal for us would be to see Irish Ferries cut prices a bit but if you travel outside the school holidays it can be a good deal even now.

I have absolutely no complaints about the Oscar Wilde, even in rough seas. Sailing from Dublin will be a nice feature also.

But really looking forward to reports on the new LD crossing. Will anyone do it before the summer?

Where did you stay near les sables and talmont?
We used to stay in Pierre & vacances port bourgenay for years. Camping Le littoral is also a great spot on the road between les sables and talmont.
Miss those holiday days in the vendee. Don't know how my dad drove from Cherbourg to there in a 1988 escort xr3i 4 times with 3 small kids before we got the bigger family estate. This route would have been a godsend back then.

paddyp

Johnny_Fontane wrote: »

a little OT, but i'm trying to work out these French campsites. Prices in August are nuts. And you're in a mobile home. Got quoted like €1200 a week.

I have two kids who will be 5 & 3, but am getting offers of nice houses 15 minutes from the beach for like €800.

Are Campsites a better option for the kids?

If they have water slides and kids clubs possibly, also look for covered pool area you don't want to spend the whole holiday putting on factor 50.

From 14th of july you're competing with the 67 odd million french plus the irish, dutch, british so prices go bananans.

Even in high season you should be able to get beach chalets for €600 in municipal sites.

Found this yesterday camsite streetview

http://en.camping-streetview.com/

First Up

tennis12 wrote: »

Where did you stay near les sables and talmont?
We used to stay in Pierre & vacances port bourgenay for years. Camping Le littoral is also a great spot on the road between les sables and talmont.
Miss those holiday days in the vendee. Don't know how my dad drove from Cherbourg to there in a 1988 escort xr3i 4 times with 3 small kids before we got the bigger family estate. This route would have been a godsend back then.

I'd have to look it up. We were in the country - about 10k inland. Its a lot cheaper in off the coast.

I just looked at the options for early May; car, four passengers and 2 cabins.

IF to Cherbourg from Dublin €606
IF to Cherbourg from Rosslare €660
LD to St Nazaire £269 (about €316)

And I see the ID boat arrives in St Nazaire at 16.00. That's OK.

Wally Runs

August 1

Johnny_Fontane wrote: »

a little OT, but i'm trying to work out these French campsites. Prices in August are nuts. And you're in a mobile home. Got quoted like €1200 a week.

I have two kids who will be 5 & 3, but am getting offers of nice houses 15 minutes from the beach for like €800.

Are Campsites a better option for the kids?

My kids are 8,6 & 4 and we have been to both houses and camp sites in France over the last 5 years, which is better?

Hard to say, in the camp site you will have a pool, slides, play areas, kids camps and by and large a secure area for them to roam around. If you use all this really depends on you and your kids. We have found that in some cases you are paying for services you will not use; kids do not want to go to the camps, you are not happy for them to go to the pool alone etc. You are being asked for money for ice cream or crepes all day.

On the other hand in a house you may not have these facilities, you do have the beach and again depending on your choices you can have it to your self if you go AM, the French do not turn up until 12.00, by which time it is too hot for our Irish skin. There are plenty of playgrounds about, and I expect your kids may still be napping in the afternoon?

So which is better? I would say the house given the age of your kids now, but in a few years time a camp site. Do not forget it is your holiday too!

paddyp

First Up wrote: »

And I see the ID boat arrives in St Nazaire at 16.00. That's OK.

Arrives 19:00.

Johnny_Fontane

August 8

Wally Runs wrote: »

My kids are 8,6 & 4 and we have been to both houses and camp sites in France over the last 5 years, which is better?

Hard to say, in the camp site you will have a pool, slides, play areas, kids camps and by and large a secure area for them to roam around. If you use all this really depends on you and your kids. We have found that in some cases you are paying for services you will not use; kids do not want to go to the camps, you are not happy for them to go to the pool alone etc. You are being asked for money for ice cream or crepes all day.

On the other hand in a house you may not have these facilities, you do have the beach and again depending on your choices you can have it to your self if you go AM, the French do not turn up until 12.00, by which time it is too hot for our Irish skin. There are plenty of playgrounds about, and I expect your kids may still be napping in the afternoon?

So which is better? I would say the house given the age of your kids now, but in a few years time a camp site. Do not forget it is your holiday too!

yep, I agree, house it is so. They dont sleep in the afternoon, but I might!

bbam

Johnny_Fontane wrote: »

that is astonishing...youd take two ferries, and a six hour drive (and 4 hours more northerly in France) over saving €700? I think you're in the wrong forum.

Hey look, I'm not one of those people that scrimps on holidays generally, that looks for the cheapest option every time, but €700 is too much. Nobody can justify that kind of extra money. Did you tell your partner?

Yes.
She didn't even want to bother looking at the prices. When I said it was the same style ferry as Celtic Link.
I'll say again. These budget style ferries don't have the stability of the better ships. After 20 crossings it felt like we were in a live cattle shipment to France rather than a holiday.
We're saving well enough bringing our Caravan so I'm happy to pay for a decent crossing. The Oscar Wilde was designed as a cruise ship so passenger comfort was designed in. The Celtic Horizon style were designed to move people cheaply and feel like they were suited to shorter routes. If the crossing was 4-6 hours that would be fine. But for a 22hour crossing, no thanks.

MidlandsM

bbam wrote: »

Yes.
She didn't even want to bother looking at the prices. When I said it was the same style ferry as Celtic Link.
I'll say again. These budget style ferries don't have the stability of the better ships. After 20 crossings it felt like we were in a live cattle shipment to France rather than a holiday.
We're saving well enough bringing our Caravan so I'm happy to pay for a decent crossing. The Oscar Wilde was designed as a cruise ship so passenger comfort was designed in. The Celtic Horizon style were designed to move people cheaply and feel like they were suited to shorter routes. If the crossing was 4-6 hours that would be fine. But for a 22hour crossing, no thanks.

Think you've made your point repeatedly now.....it's beneath you even tho' its significantly cheaper.....dunno why your are here in Bargain Alerts so?

Johnny_Fontane

August 8

bbam wrote: »

Yes.
She didn't even want to bother looking at the prices. When I said it was the same style ferry as Celtic Link.
I'll say again. These budget style ferries don't have the stability of the better ships. After 20 crossings it felt like we were in a live cattle shipment to France rather than a holiday.
We're saving well enough bringing our Caravan so I'm happy to pay for a decent crossing. The Oscar Wilde was designed as a cruise ship so passenger comfort was designed in. The Celtic Horizon style were designed to move people cheaply and feel like they were suited to shorter routes. If the crossing was 4-6 hours that would be fine. But for a 22hour crossing, no thanks.

I accept that. Its not for everyone. The cabins are way nicer on the celtic horizon than the OW though. And I got a window too!

wextipp

Article about the new service in the Wexford People today. The offer is limited to the first 200 bookings. Well done to anyone who booked so far.

dockleaf

August 1

I've been going over and back on various ferries to France for more than ten years, sometimes 3 times a year. I've been on most of the ferries, Irish Ferries, Brittany ferries, celtic link, the old P & O and through the UK.

I've booked now with LD lines because for me the holiday never started on the ferry anyway! If you've seen the magician once or the kids shows... even our two kids can't be persuaded to go to the shows now. Am not much of a drinker, wouldn't go to the pub if you paid me. Since the food on Brittany Fs went down hill we made a habit of bringing food on with us anyway. IF were always poor. We bring enough for a dinner or lunch, depending on the times, plenty of fruit, snacks and liquids, sweets for the kids, a few books and magazines, the laptop plus a few games and movies. Go for walks on the deck every now and then and maybe go for a coffee. The times aren't great but as soon as you're on board, its the kids bedtime, then if you can persuade them to have a bit of a lie in, and you have breakfast and the games etc. It's manageable. Reading the article above, looks like there's going to be on board entertainment anyway. A cinema would be nice and would pass a few hours. And I'm saving over a grand which will keep me going quite nicely through the day, thanks ever so much! So many, many thanks OP!

Haven't accommodation booked yet, but already browsing. Will probably book somewhere around Nantes for the first night and then head south. We always go self catering, usually book through www.abritel.fr or various other sites online.

paddyp

MidlandsM wrote: »

Think you've made your point repeatedly now.....it's beneath you even tho' its significantly cheaper.....dunno why your are here in Bargain Alerts so?

Having said that if the weather is like this, we may be eating our words :P
http://www.irish-ferries-enthusiasts.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1368448083/2#2

I'll be making sure the kids are covered with motillium and have stugeron on hand just in case.

dockleaf

August 1

Have been on both Celtic link, P & O and IF in storms. Much of a muchness from a personal perspective!:eek:

ted1

You can all afford to kit your kids out each with good tablet like the nexus with the savings.

That will help pass the few hours that there not sleeping, eating, enjoying the open deck.

The tablets will also pass any time spent in the car. While the IF passengers have to listen to the usual "are we there yet?"

greenoverred

paddyp wrote: »

Arrives 19:00.

9/5/2013, 4pm arrival. Pity they didn't keep this time for the rest of the summer

MidlandsM

greenoverred wrote: »

9/5/2013, 4pm arrival. Pity they didn't keep this time for the rest of the summer

ahhh, 7pm's not too bad ......most campsites will let you check in after 9pm, if you tell them in advance from what i'm finding in my searches.

tennis12

MidlandsM wrote: »

ahhh, 7pm's not too bad ......most campsites will let you check in after 9pm, if you tell them in advance from what i'm finding in my searches.

Yeah 7 pm is fine.
When I worked on a campsite in Brittanny we had to sit on the desk at reception until 8pm, then return every hour until 11pm to check the message pad. Any arrivals not in yet we gave the keys to unit to 24 hour security with a map directing them to the unit and also we had a ECO which is emergency call out, one of us had the phone every night and were on call all night for emergencies but if you rang this you would be told what to do at any hour be it 3am or 5am etc.

greenoverred

MidlandsM wrote: »

ahhh, 7pm's not too bad ......most campsites will let you check in after 9pm, if you tell them in advance from what i'm finding in my searches.

Yes but 4pm would be better.

sylvanb

Had booked BF for the end of June for a three week stay, was coming in just shy of €1300. I was able to amend the booking from return to single without a charge so now going out with BF and back with LD Lines, saved €450 alone on the single fare plus we would of needed to book a hotel in France as it's 800km from our campsite back to Roscoff. Sailing at 2359 means we can check out of our campsite at our leisure, shortens the drive by 250 km.

In terms of campsites, we have gone with Keycamp the past few years, kids love the clubs so we're happy to stick with them, booking early is the way to go.

Thanks OP!

Lima Golf

July 4

I'm surprised the 200 places hasn't been filled yet. Does anyone know where I can get the best price for a keycamp campsite please or can I only book direct with them?

tennis12

Lima Golf wrote: »

I'm surprised the 200 places hasn't been filled yet. Does anyone know where I can get the best price for a keycamp campsite please or can I only book direct with them?

You can book through a travel agent but going direct will probably be as cheap.
Your holiday will be provided by eurocamp (holidaybreak) by the way.

First Up

paddyp wrote: »

Arrives 19:00.

According to their website, the May 2nd sailing leaves Rosslare at 18.00 and arrives St Nazaire next day at 16.00

grenouille1966

If you want to save a fortune on four or five star campsites or hotellerie de plein air, you need to book with WWW.sunelia.com

I am going on 20 June and coming back with LD lines on 16 July. Three bed 37 m2 mobile home with TV and decking including tourist tax for 2,200 euro. A no brainer. They have their own clubs enfants as well....in French I expect but you kids don't care anyway. They learn so quickly....nearly 70 million people in France alone at this stage with a booming population so a handy second language to have.

Key camp and eutocamp are also good but way more expensive....nearly double. Irish ferries and BF are rip off merchants so good luck to LD lines. Holiday will cost me 2,500 euro for 25 nights of top class accommodation and return ferry with jeep instead of 5000 euro with key camp/Irish ferries. Bonnes vacances!

phily0702

Sorry for the stupid question folks but I'm new to this ferry travel when I'm booking a 4 berth cabin and you need to select a number is that for the amount of passengers will be staying in cabin,also is it better to have an inside cabin our outside?

nkay1985

phily0702 wrote: »

Sorry for the stupid question folks but I'm new to this ferry travel when I'm booking a 4 berth cabin and you need to select a number is that for the amount of passengers will be staying in cabin,also is it better to have an inside cabin our outside?

It's the number of cabins you require.

The only difference in the cabins is that an outside one has a window but I personally just went with the inside one as it doesn't make a difference to me.

paddyp

First Up wrote: »

According to their website, the May 2nd sailing leaves Rosslare at 18.00 and arrives St Nazaire next day at 16.00

Sorry I had only looked at june july august. Thats a much nicer time, seems to be that time from the end of february to start of may. Some dates in july seem to be sold out already. I wonder did they limit it at all of will they release more places later.

grenouille1966

If you want to save a fortune on four or five star campsites or hotellerie de plein air, you need to book with WWW.sunelia.com

I am going on 20 June and coming back with LD lines on 16 July. Three bed 37 m2 mobile home with TV and decking including tourist tax for 2,200 euro. A no brainer. They have their own clubs enfants as well....in French I expect but you kids don't care anyway. They learn so quickly....nearly 70 million people in France alone at this stage with a booming population so a handy second language to have.

Key camp and eutocamp are also good but way more expensive....nearly double. Irish ferries and BF are rip off merchants so good luck to LD lines. Holiday will cost me 2,500 euro for 25 nights of top class accommodation and return ferry with jeep instead of 5000 euro with key camp/Irish ferries. Bonnes vacances!

First Up

nkay1985 wrote: »

It's the number of cabins you require.

The only difference in the cabins is that an outside one has a window but I personally just went with the inside one as it doesn't make a difference to me.

The Scintu seems to offer only 4 berth cabins.

paddydriver

July 4

grenouille1966 wrote: »

If you want to save a fortune on four or five star campsites or hotellerie de plein air, you need to book with WWW.sunelia.com

I am going on 20 June and coming back with LD lines on 16 July. Three bed 37 m2 mobile home with TV and decking including tourist tax for 2,200 euro. A no brainer. They have their own clubs enfants as well....in French I expect but you kids don't care anyway. They learn so quickly....nearly 70 million people in France alone at this stage with a booming population so a handy second language to have.

Key camp and eutocamp are also good but way more expensive....nearly double. Irish ferries and BF are rip off merchants so good luck to LD lines. Holiday will cost me 2,500 euro for 25 nights of top class accommodation and return ferry with jeep instead of 5000 euro with key camp/Irish ferries. Bonnes vacances!

Think we hear you now.. no need to post a few times.:rolleyes:

tyney

Thanks OP. All booked. We're off to France for the summer holidays. Really appreciate the heads up.:D

Tabnabs

bbam wrote: »

The Oscar Wilde was designed as a cruise ship so passenger comfort was designed in. The Celtic Horizon style were designed to move people cheaply and feel like they were suited to shorter routes.

It may sound better to tell the neighbours you're cruising to France, but the OW was designed as a ferry, on a relatively short route, in sheltered waters (Oslo to Kiel), so she's no converted Cunard liners, sorry...

While she may seem nicer, under the decks, she's a 1980s design and build.

tennis12

Tabnabs wrote: »

It may sound better to tell the neighbours you're cruising to France, but the OW was designed as a ferry, on a relatively short route, in sheltered waters (Oslo to Kiel), so she's no converted Cunard liners, sorry...

While she may seem nicer, under the decks, she's a 1980s design and build.

Visited the bridge on the OW a few years ago very luckily.
The captain told me that the front of the ship was round as it was designed for cold waters that were flat. The Normandy had a front on it that came to a point and that kind of design was far better suited to the Irish Sea.

Pretzill

This is an excellent bargain alert I travel to France about 3 times a year - always off season - always on Irish Ferries - I'm a bit suspect of celtic link and the comfort on board - having said that I've been on rough voyages with IF but a couple of brandies help - I do agree IF is getting a little tired now and I have had to change cabin 3 times on seperate voyages because of bad plumbing, however I do treat the sailing as part of the holiday - so I'm a bit of a comfort seeker.

But these prices are excellent I'm interested in how the trip to Spain works out - would the sailing length be a real pain? Would you have to dock in st nazaire and then get back on? These are rhetorical questions I must go and check it all out - because maybe I could actually afford to travel in the summer next year!

grenouille1966

Seems to be a bit of a problem here.....I posted only once but my comment about sunelia has come up about 4 times. Sorry about that!!!

Scartbeg

Thanks OP. Have just booked for 11th - 23rd July, 2 adults 2 kids for £259, about €320. Arrival at 7 p.m is late enough but for the cost I wont complain. Now to research campsites, first time visiting France with kids in tow!

FWIW, we travel to Scotland regularly and usually pay €350+ with Stena for a 3 hour crossing.

grenouille1966

Seems to be a bit of a problem here.....I posted only once but my comment about sunelia has come up about 4 times. Sorry about that!!!

Lima Golf

July 4

grenouille1966 wrote: »

Seems to be a bit of a problem here.....I posted only once but my comment about sunelia has come up about 4 times. Sorry about that!!!

Not again

Pretzill

Scartbeg wrote: »

Thanks OP. Have just booked for 11th - 23rd July, 2 adults 2 kids for £259, about €320. Arrival at 7 p.m is late enough but for the cost I wont complain. Now to research campsites, first time visiting France with kids in tow!

FWIW, we travel to Scotland regularly and usually pay €350+ with Stena for a 3 hour crossing.

We used to go dub/holyhead and drive to dover then dover/calais - it was quicker but sometimes it would be as much as 400 euro just to cross the Irish sea never mind diesel costs - but direct crossing to France is far more relaxing - I could never understand these big costs for relatively short crossings

I wouldn't mind LD shaking up the prices on the Irish sea crossings

The prices out of dover and hull are so much cheaper with less driving for access to Belgium and other destinations. Sorry for dragging off topic but competition is needed on our seas it's not for everyone but I find it far less stressful than flying.

Nemesis

I tried to book and pay in Sterling as it worked out even a little cheaper but couldn't get it to work.

So splashed out and paid in Euros for June 20th.

With 4 kids I cant really afford to fly anywhere so for 345.78 EUR for Car and family to go to France it's great value.

TY Bargain alert.

A few Boardsies beers aboard !

Please PM me with some good campsite info guys..those who have done the research.

I've been to the Vendee twice before and drove from Cherbourg but it seems there can be quite a difference in campsite quality.

dowtchaboy

holly8 wrote: »

off topic but ... Norfolkline was brill .. we went to liverpool one weekend, on a BA (€100 rt for 2+2+car) posted by yourself I think, a few years ago!! a great time on the boat

Agreed. I used the Liverpool route with campervan a few times with Norfolkline and/or P&O - freight guys anyway. No screaming kids running around banging on doors in the middle of the night thinking they are amusing, all you can eat plain food in the restaurant, professional drivers who got on and off the ferry quickly, and direct access to the motorways at each end. Perfect.

ScouseMouse

July 4

dowtchaboy wrote: »

Agreed. I used the Liverpool route with campervan a few times with Norfolkline and/or P&O - freight guys anyway. No screaming kids running around banging on doors in the middle of the night thinking they are amusing, all you can eat plain food in the restaurant, professional drivers who got on and off the ferry quickly, and direct access to the motorways at each end. Perfect.

Oh the memories

Fantastic boat. Staff friendly and chatty. No frills, free grub, overnight so could sleep. I have high hopes for LD lines. I could not face a boat to the UK, then a drive to Channel ports, then a boat, then a drive.

Yes it will be a long sailing, but its direct. Get on, few pints, bed, wake up keep kids occupied, get off. End of story.

paddylonglegs

Nemesis wrote: »

Please PM me with some good campsite info guys..those who have done the research.

I've been to the Vendee twice before and drove from Cherbourg but it seems there can be quite a difference in campsite quality.

First time camper in France as an adult here. If you search the other sections on boards there should be some recommendation for campsites.

I'm looking for a good site with pre pitched tents that won't break the bank. Somewhere along the coast south if st nazaire. Will have a 1 year old so kids club things aren't too essential.

L-M

Tabnabs wrote: »

Good thing that it's actually this ship so...





She has a service speed of 24 knots. Very standard for modern ferries. Sometimes a longer distance takes more time than a shorter one...

That looks like the exact same ship but in blue.

Tabnabs

Limerick man wrote: »

That looks like the exact same ship but in blue.

If I said a white A4 and a blue A6, would that analogy work?