St. Nazaire Suggestions, help, Ld Lines, campsites

redmissb

billie1b wrote: »

Is it still restricted to public areas also? Last time I was on you couldn't use it in the cabins, only the main deck

It's available in the premium suites and 5 star cabins.

billie1b

redmissb wrote: »

It's available in the premium suites and 5 star cabins.

Is that only new? I had premium on the way back from Cherbourg last year and no wifi, just onthe decks. I even asked the girl at the desk and she said for 'legal' reasons its restricted fromthe cabins.

redmissb

I don't know, we definitely had wifi in premium on the way out last July. I remember the steward giving me the code on the way home too in the 5 star cabins but don't think I used it.

billie1b

redmissb wrote: »

I don't know, we definitely had wifi in premium on the way out last July. I remember the steward giving me the code on the way home too in the 5 star cabins but don't think I used it.

Cool thanks, something to enquire about on the next sailing, was seriously bored out of my ding dong after a couple of hours on board with nothing

MidlandsM

My view is this....im going on holiday. Its a chance to switch off, no mobile ringing, no work, no hassles and being offline will enhance the disconnection from the daily grind the other 50 weeks of the year.

nkay1985

I'm on what appears to be the first sailing on June 20th. Just gotten our itinerary completely finalised today.

This will be my first time bringing my car to the continent so just wondering if any of you have a handy checklist that you use to make sure you have everything you need? Places to buy the stuff you might not have etc.

Thanks!

First Up

nkay1985 wrote: »

I'm on what appears to be the first sailing on June 20th. Just gotten our itinerary completely finalised today.

This will be my first time bringing my car to the continent so just wondering if any of you have a handy checklist that you use to make sure you have everything you need? Places to buy the stuff you might not have etc.

Thanks!

High viz jacket
Fire extinguisher (in car, not in boot)
Spare bulbs
Warning triangle
Breathalyser kit

Halfords or Ashgrove or any motor factors will sort you out.

First Up

redmissb wrote: »

That's true, the wifi on the Oscar Wilde last summer was so bad we didn't bother with it at all.

It is pretty poor alright. Last crossing we made there was about 300 French students, all uploading to Facebook and whatever. System completely overloaded.

billie1b

nkay1985 wrote: »

I'm on what appears to be the first sailing on June 20th. Just gotten our itinerary completely finalised today.

This will be my first time bringing my car to the continent so just wondering if any of you have a handy checklist that you use to make sure you have everything you need? Places to buy the stuff you might not have etc.

Thanks!

Hi-viz jacket also in car, not in the boot, insurance documents, owner documentation, spare bulb kit

MidlandsM

First Up wrote: »

High viz jacket
Fire extinguisher (in car, not in boot)
Spare bulbs
Warning triangle
Breathalyser kit

Halfords or Ashgrove or any motor factors will sort you out.

As usual, first up is full of misinformation.

No fire extinguisher is required by law in france. Save your cash and dont bother. No requirment for spare bulbs either but a good idea to have. Get a set of beam benders to stick on your headlamps.

Re;breathalysers...no fine xan be imposed for not having one, so id not bother either.

Now, we sit back and await a barrage of bs from first up..... he hates to be wrong. LOL

wextipp

Handy list here to download.

Hope I'm butting in on the MM and FU continuing little tiff.

MidlandsM

wextipp wrote: »

Handy list here to download.

Hope I'm butting in on the MM and FU continuing little tiff.

That where i sourced my info, so thanks for that.

First Up

MidlandsM wrote: »

As usual, first up is full of misinformation.

No fire extinguisher is required by law in france. Save your cash and dont bother. No requirment for spare bulbs either but a good idea to have. Get a set of beam benders to stick on your headlamps.

Re;breathalysers...no fine xan be imposed for not having one, so id not bother either.

Now, we sit back and await a barrage of bs from first up..... he hates to be wrong. LOL

Yes, if your car goes on fire, Midland will be on hand to put it out.
Forgot to mention the bream benders but you only need them if you are driving at night and if you are using them, make sure they are properly fitted.

MidlandsM

First Up wrote: »

Yes, if your car goes on fire, Midland will be on hand to put it out.
Forgot to mention the bream benders but you only need them if you are driving at night and if you are using them, make sure they are properly fitted.

Ha, the mickey mouse fire extinguishers you buy in a factors are useless, a car will be well gutted in no time...youd be as far on urinating on it on the side of the road.

nkay1985

MidlandsM wrote: »

Ha, the mickey mouse fire extinguishers you buy in a factors are useless, a car will be well gutted in no time...youd be as far on urinating on it on the side of the road.

So I should ensure I have my penis on me at all times? And does it also need to be in the car and not in the boot?

MidlandsM

nkay1985 wrote: »

So I should ensure I have my penis on me at all times? And does it also need to be in the car and not in the boot?

LOL

redmissb

nkay1985 wrote: »

I'm on what appears to be the first sailing on June 20th. Just gotten our itinerary completely finalised today.

This will be my first time bringing my car to the continent so just wondering if any of you have a handy checklist that you use to make sure you have everything you need? Places to buy the stuff you might not have etc.

Thanks!

Make sure you have adequate breakdown cover:)

nkay1985

redmissb wrote: »

Make sure you have adequate breakdown cover:)

Right, so about that, what's the story? Do I need to take out some additional insurance or something?

billie1b

nkay1985 wrote: »

Right, so about that, what's the story? Do I need to take out some additional insurance or something?

Most insurance policies will cover you for 30 days of European driving on your policy as standard, just ring and find out if you have it and then ring a day or two before you leave and give them your arrival date into France and arrival date back to Ireland. Your insurance policy might also offer European breakdown cover (if your car breaks on the side of the road/needs a tow and what not), if not AA do good cheap cover, better peace of mind when you are on your holidays

Whats happening

nkay1985 wrote: »

Right, so about that, what's the story? Do I need to take out some additional insurance or something?

No issue driving on the continent in terms of motor insurance.. Most over between 30 - 60 days cover as standard t&c's.. However most breakdown cover included only covers you in Ireland + UK..

You will therefore need a separate policy in case you need it.. AA quoted by €129 for two weeks, but got same cover when booking Irish Ferries for €33

alastair

Out on the 27th June sailing.
Night in St. Nazaire
Drive down to La Rochelle area next day.
Then a day or two there before driving over to Limoges area.
Then driving up to Le Mans for the classic 24 hour race weekend.
Then heading back down to St. Nazaire via Loire Valley / Vineyards/Chateaux
Back on the 9th sailing.

ScouseMouse

alastair wrote: »

Out on the 27th June sailing.
Night in St. Nazaire
Drive down to La Rochelle area next day.
Then a day or two there before driving over to Limoges area.
Then driving up to Le Mans for the classic 24 hour race weekend.
Then heading back down to St. Nazaire via Loire Valley / Vineyards/Chateaux
Back on the 9th sailing.

Thats a great sailing to be on. I drink Heineken/Miller/Vodka. Not fussy.

Thats all.

Cheers

redmissb

Whats happening wrote: »

No issue driving on the continent in terms of motor insurance.. Most over between 30 - 60 days cover as standard t&c's.. However most breakdown cover included only covers you in Ireland + UK..

You will therefore need a separate policy in case you need it.. AA quoted by €129 for two weeks, but got same cover when booking Irish Ferries for €33

The AA are expensive that's for sure. I used www.roadrescue.ie last year I think. Just got another quote from them now, €69 and it includes onward travel and vehicle repatriation. Whichever policy you choose check exactly what's covered, don't want any nasty surprises in the event of a breakdown!

Qwerty?

redmissb wrote: »

The AA are expensive that's for sure. I used www.roadrescue.ie last year I think. Just got another quote from them now, €69 and it includes onward travel and vehicle repatriation. Whichever policy you choose check exactly what's covered, don't want any nasty surprises in the event of a breakdown!

What about VHI Multitrip Travel Insurance including Motor Breakdown? Its coming in at €165 for 5 of us - seems a good idea to have the two things on the one policy?

redmissb

Do you need to be with VHI to get that? Must check it out. I didn't take out health insurance last year as I thought we'd be ok with EHIC but think I was mistaken there! Apparently in a lot of countries it covers gp visits etc but France isn't one of them, you have to pay upfront and then claim it back again.

Qwerty?

redmissb wrote: »

Do you need to be with VHI to get that? Must check it out. I didn't take out health insurance last year as I thought we'd be ok with EHIC but think I was mistaken there! Apparently in a lot of countries it covers gp visits etc but France isn't one of them, you have to pay upfront and then claim it back again.

Just talking to them there, you need Private Health Insurance with any provider, not necessarily VHI.

MidlandsM

Im looking forward to seeing the serpent of the sea.

http://www.panoramio.com/m/photo/89314516

unkel

That's a cool yoke. Should be near enough to our local camping too, n'est-ce pas?

It's massive, 130m long and only his head / shoulders are visible at high tide

Linky

ScouseMouse

Hiya guys and gals.

Planning my routes now as I have a week to go. Got an issue with distances!

I get off the ferry, and go south about 2 or 3 hours to my camp. Then I have a massive drive to Disney, about 500 km according to the various websites.

Does anyone have any experience of long distance France? Is it worth jumping on the motorways, paying 41 euro in tolls, or going the alternate routes paying no tolls. Seem to be marginal time wise. What is the speed limit anyway? I'm getting various options of this way and that way, just looking for observations.

For what its worth, here is my start and destination. All timings would be earlyish start out.

Departing Saturday morning (after a week of camp), heading to Disney.
So. La Josephtrie 17320 St.Just-Luzac Charente-Maritime France to Eurodisney.

Then a few days there till Wednesday and an early depart back to St Nazarre for the ferry.

I am only investigating the routes at the moment. Hope I can avoid Paris city, its meant to be mental.

Qwerty?

You staying at Sequoia Parc? Lovely spot.

Definitely worth using the Motorway and paying the toll. The private tolled motorways are 130kph iirc. NOrmal ones 120kph.

Just have a good satnav (I use Copilot on my phone), and aircon, and the journey should be fine if the kids are good travellers

MidlandsM

Loading up the car tonight. Nearly ready!

ScouseMouse

Qwerty? wrote: »

You staying at Sequoia Parc? Lovely spot.

Definitely worth using the Motorway and paying the toll. The private tolled motorways are 130kph iirc. NOrmal ones 120kph.

Just have a good satnav (I use Copilot on my phone), and aircon, and the journey should be fine if the kids are good travellers

How strict are they? Is there any leeway, or do you just do what everyone else is doing?

Qwerty?

superscouse wrote: »

How strict are they? Is there any leeway, or do you just do what everyone else is doing?

Tbh I didn't really go over that because of roofbox and having half a vineyard in the car. Also I didn't want to bring on any hassle considering how poor my French is.

This day 3 weeks I'll be packing, can't wait

nkay1985

MidlandsM wrote: »

Loading up the car tonight. Nearly ready!

You're well prepared so! I figure I'll do any last bits this evening and tomorrow morning and load up then probably. Late enough sailing sure and I don't have far to travel from Waterford.

irishrver

They tend not to be very strict on the motorway but it is a time issue from the time you enter the motorway to when you get off is recorded on the ticket so if you go to fast the police fine you at the toll booth, it is for that reason you see the bikers and sports car drivers stop for a coffee along the route. The kids will love Disney mine (teenagers/adults ) want to go again this year

MidlandsM

nkay1985 wrote: »

You're well prepared so! I figure I'll do any last bits this evening and tomorrow morning and load up then probably. Late enough sailing sure and I don't have far to travel from Waterford.

We've 2 hours or so drive down....tell me, how are we all gonna know each other at the bar tomorrow night?


Secret boardsie wave ??? ,LOL

nkay1985

MidlandsM wrote: »

We've 2 hours or so drive down....tell me, how are we all gonna know each other at the bar tomorrow night?


Secret boardsie wave ??? ,LOL

I honestly have no idea! Not like we're going to have wifi to be throwing posts up or anything.

MidlandsM

nkay1985 wrote: »

I honestly have no idea! Not like we're going to have wifi to be throwing posts up or anything.

Nemisis will be there too.....hmmmmmm, ok....i'll wear a tee shirt with snap on on the front.......and mines a carlsberg! ,he he

alastair

irishrver wrote: »

They tend not to be very strict on the motorway but it is a time issue from the time you enter the motorway to when you get off is recorded on the ticket so if you go to fast the police fine you at the toll booth, it is for that reason you see the bikers and sports car drivers stop for a coffee along the route.

The timed toll tickets thing is seemingly just an urban myth. The police just pick out drivers/riders that were caught by speed traps earlier, and the toll booths offer a handy location for doing just that. Still though - speeding is probably unwise, regardless.

mrsoft

Qwerty? wrote: »

Tbh I didn't really go over that because of roofbox and having half a vineyard in the car. Also I didn't want to bring on any hassle considering how poor my French is.

This day 3 weeks I'll be packing, can't wait

You on 11th July sailing? Im on that one too.

Mines a heineken. If there no heineken I'll have the money instead

nkay1985

Now that I think of it, have any of you ever bought a pre-pay sim in France for the purposes of mobile internet? If so, can you recommend a good option? When I went to Poland for the Euros, I just went to a newsagent's in the train station and they were selling sim packs from Orange. Very cheap for a certain number of minutes, calls and 1GB internet, I think it was. Was wicked handy. Wouldn't mind doing something similar in France.

unkel

Have a great holiday lads

billie1b

nkay1985 wrote: »

Now that I think of it, have any of you ever bought a pre-pay sim in France for the purposes of mobile internet? If so, can you recommend a good option? When I went to Poland for the Euros, I just went to a newsagent's in the train station and they were selling sim packs from Orange. Very cheap for a certain number of minutes, calls and 1GB internet, I think it was. Was wicked handy. Wouldn't mind doing something similar in France.

As far as im aware, prepay customers in France have to sign a contract too, I was gonna do it two years ago but couldn't cause of this. Just used my Irish mobile, it may have changed

MidlandsM

unkel wrote: »

Have a great holiday lads

Thanks. Will update on the ferry in coming days.

Qwerty?

nkay1985 wrote: »

Now that I think of it, have any of you ever bought a pre-pay sim in France for the purposes of mobile internet? If so, can you recommend a good option? When I went to Poland for the Euros, I just went to a newsagent's in the train station and they were selling sim packs from Orange. Very cheap for a certain number of minutes, calls and 1GB internet, I think it was. Was wicked handy. Wouldn't mind doing something similar in France.

There is a whole thread on this in bargain alerts. It's called the lebara SIM. There is also the option of three.Co.uk but you need the three SIM for a month beforehand.

ScouseMouse

I ordered that lebara sim and it never turned up.

However, I do have an english 3 sim card in a spare mobile I use for data in the UK. Must see about setting it up for France. I have it about a year.

nkay1985

Qwerty? wrote: »

There is a whole thread on this in bargain alerts. It's called the lebara SIM. There is also the option of three.Co.uk but you need the three SIM for a month beforehand.

superscouse wrote: »

I ordered that lebara sim and it never turned up.

However, I do have an english 3 sim card in a spare mobile I use for data in the UK. Must see about setting it up for France. I have it about a year.

Yeah I saw that when I was reading around but I'm sailing today so it isn't an option. It's my first time going to France. Do they not allow you buy a pre-pay sim the way you do over here, no?

MidlandsM

nkay1985 wrote: »

Yeah I saw that when I was reading around but I'm sailing today so it isn't an option. It's my first time going to France. Do they not allow you buy a pre-pay sim the way you do over here, no?

Id say they are available. Iv not interest in being contactable whilst away. Ill pick up my email thru the wifi, and viber back home if needs be.

Im on my hols after all. Nice to switch off.

nkay1985

MidlandsM wrote: »

Id say they are available. Iv not interest in being contactable whilst away. Ill pick up my email thru the wifi, and viber back home if needs be.

Im on my hols after all. Nice to switch off.

Yeah I agree about switching off but I reckon I've become too reliant on the Internet to do without for two weeks!

Not really but I just think it's very handy for finding restaurants and attractions while on the go.

If I see an Orange shop or whatever I'll check it out but won't go out of my way.

Qwerty?

nkay1985 wrote: »

Yeah I agree about switching off but I reckon I've become too reliant on the Internet to do without for two weeks!

Not really but I just think it's very handy for finding restaurants and attractions while on the go.

If I see an Orange shop or whatever I'll check it out but won't go out of my way.

I had a quick look for a Pay As you Go equivalent SIM over there, but couldn't find anything. Maybe if your French is good you might be able to source something, but TBH I don't think they have the same PAYG no contract SIMs as here.

Also be warned Wifi on some of the sites can be quite expensive, and only available near the main reception/bar areas.