France Ferry & Campsite info (use Search function) mod warning post 1

Munsterbhoy

Looking at stena to France for late June next year. Return for car & the 4 of us with cabin is almost €950. Seems expensive. No IF prices yet. We've flown the last 2yrs but thinking of the ferry for 2019. Paid €530 rtn 2 yrs ago going out with BF and back with IF in middle 2weeks of june.

average_runner

josip wrote: »

Has anyone ever received a speeding ticket in Ireland from an automatic camera in France when driving their Irish reg car?
And if so, did you/didn't you pay and what was the outcome?
Asking for a friend who got flashed this evening by one.

Got flashed but never got the ticket

MorganIRL

Paid €990 this year departed 20th and returned 30th June for 2 ad and 2 kids & 1 baby. Into Cherbourg and home from Roscoff price has gone up to considerably in 3 yrs, pd €550 in '15 for 2 ad 2kids, I reckon price will go up again in '19 so I'm preparing for the worst.

Munsterbhoy wrote: »

Looking at stena to France for late June next year. Return for car & the 4 of us with cabin is almost €950. Seems expensive. No IF prices yet. We've flown the last 2yrs but thinking of the ferry for 2019. Paid €530 rtn 2 yrs ago going out with BF and back with IF in middle 2weeks of june.

josip

average_runner wrote: »

Got flashed but never got the ticket

Were you running or driving at the time ?

AlanG

josip wrote: »

Has anyone ever received a speeding ticket in Ireland from an automatic camera in France when driving their Irish reg car?
And if so, did you/didn't you pay and what was the outcome?
Asking for a friend who got flashed this evening by one.

I was caught 6 weeks ago and haven't received anything yet - only about 5 or 10km/h over. On some UK forums I read they say the cops don't bother with the process if you are not too much over.

average_runner

josip wrote: »

Were you running or driving at the time ?

I refuse to answer that one:eek:

DubDani

I have an IF crossing to Cherbourg booked this weekend. Are the ferries usually taking the full 18.30 hours, or are they docking a bit earlier in decent weather conditions? Haven't taken this long one to France before, usually go via Holyhead and then Dover or Harwich.

Also, any chance on getting a good deal on a cabin on board? When I booked the crossing online only bigger premium cabins were available, but as I am on my own I wasn't willing to spend 150 Euro for a cabin each way. So just took a seat for now.

First Up

DubDani wrote: »

I have an IF crossing to Cherbourg booked this weekend. Are the ferries usually taking the full 18.30 hours, or are they docking a bit earlier in decent weather conditions? Haven't taken this long one to France before, usually go via Holyhead and then Dover or Harwich.

Also, any chance on getting a good deal on a cabin on board? When I booked the crossing online only bigger premium cabins were available, but as I am on my own I wasn't willing to spend 150 Euro for a cabin each way. So just took a seat for now.

I'm on the ferry to Cherbourg on Sunday too. The weather looks OK but there is never much time saved (or lost) and the port is set up for the scheduled arrival time.

Don't worry; its a spacious and comfortable ship and you should find it relaxing - treat yourself.

Well worth asking for a cabin deal when you board. I know they were keeping cabins in reserve until the whole cancellation mess was sorted but wevwere able to upgrade last week for little extra cost so well worth a shot.

First Up

DubDani wrote: »

I have an IF crossing to Cherbourg booked this weekend. Are the ferries usually taking the full 18.30 hours, or are they docking a bit earlier in decent weather conditions? Haven't taken this long one to France before, usually go via Holyhead and then Dover or Harwich.

Also, any chance on getting a good deal on a cabin on board? When I booked the crossing online only bigger premium cabins were available, but as I am on my own I wasn't willing to spend 150 Euro for a cabin each way. So just took a seat for now.

I'm on the ferry to Cherbourg on Sunday too. The weather looks OK but there is never much time saved (or lost) and the port is set up for the scheduled arrival time.

Don't worry; its a spacious and comfortable ship and you should find it relaxing - treat yourself.

Well worth asking for a cabin deal when you board. I know they were keeping cabins in reserve until the whole cancellation mess was sorted but wevwere able to upgrade last week for little extra cost so well worth a shot.

molly dolly

Him indoors reckons the sailing could be done quicker but the times are to get us for dinner and breakfast spends. Such cynacism in one so young.

I'm thinking about hols next year. La Sirene is on my radar. But big boy is refusing to do ANOTHER french campsite so I'm saying spanish french border ;-) Whatever we book HAS to suit teens as I'll have two of them (cheap grog for mum might also be a requirement)!!!

DubDani

On the Oscar Wilde right now and surprised thay Wi-Fi is only available on deck 7 (I.e. the place to spend money) and not anywhere else.

mikerd4

Was on the Ulysses during the week and once busy you can forget about connecting to the wifi, its ridiculous.  I do get that its expensive for them to offer being at sea but it was a joke.  I noticed that on the OW aswell, there are wifi zones but the bars arent inculded in them.  Even in the cabins in the suites that have their own wifi its patchy.  Im guessing its to do with the boats being old and not designed for wifi networks.  Id imagine the newer WB Yeats will be a lot better

Nekarsulm

The trouble is that you are inside a steel shelled boat, with multiple other steel bulkhead and decks all around you.
Hard for a signal to penetrate.

loyatemu

I thought the WiFi worked reasonably well on the OW this year - it had been unusable before. It's only really good for reading the news, twitter etc - it's via Satellite so limited bandwidth and high latency.

First Up

DubDani wrote: »

On the Oscar Wilde right now and surprised thay Wi-Fi is only available on deck 7 (I.e. the place to spend money) and not anywhere else.

Plenty of places to sit on deck 7 without spending money!

mr_edge_to_you

I quite like that Wi-Fi is heavily limited - no harm to be offline for a bit. It’s only 16 hours and you’re asleep for 8 of those. They have Sky Sports on in the bars along with a tv in your cabin (I think Sky Sports was even in the cabin). Found it very easy to go without it!

kippy

mr_edge_to_you wrote: »

I quite like that Wi-Fi is heavily limited - no harm to be offline for a bit. It’s only 16 hours and you’re asleep for 8 of those. They have Sky Sports on in the bars along with a tv in your cabin (I think Sky Sports was even in the cabin). Found it very easy to go without it!

Agree with this.
My expectations of WiFi on moving objects or indeed campsites are relatively low so I tend not to even try access it.
And as you've said, no harm to have a break from the tech every now and again.


We are back from Clarys Plage almost a week now - we had a great two weeks there and plan to book again - thanks to all for their tips and advice earlier in the thread.

MorganIRL

Off topic, but looking towards 2019, and we're contemplating buying a caravan going forward, have many people changed from going from the fixed sites to mobile in the last few yrs, was there much of a cost saving?( have had a caravan b4, but 3 kids now costs of hols beginning to go up as they get older) I just forsee cost of boat going up as landbridge with brexit won't be as easy option anymore. Any thoughts on this?

54and56

MorganIRL wrote: »

Off topic, but looking towards 2019, and we're contemplating buying a caravan going forward, have many people changed from going from the fixed sites to mobile in the last few yrs, was there much of a cost saving?( have had a caravan b4, but 3 kids now costs of hols beginning to go up as they get older) I just forsee cost of boat going up as landbridge with brexit won't be as easy option anymore. Any thoughts on this?

How many more years will you have all 3 kids with you for the duration of the holiday? What ages are they?

My personal experience is that once they hit 16 campsite your holidays struggle to be enjoyable for them, particularly for the full 2 (or on our case) 3 weeks.

I can only imagine driving round from place to place every few days would be even less appealing but I'm working off a very small sample size!!

treascon

MorganIRL wrote: »

Off topic, but looking towards 2019, and we're contemplating buying a caravan going forward, have many people changed from going from the fixed sites to mobile in the last few yrs, was there much of a cost saving?( have had a caravan b4, but 3 kids now costs of hols beginning to go up as they get older) I just forsee cost of boat going up as landbridge with brexit won't be as easy option anymore. Any thoughts on this?

We are thinking along the same lines so following this. Our kids are still quite young so hoping to save on the cost of the holiday over time. As an aside can anyone give an approx indication as to the cost of bringing a caravan on the ferry, 2 adults & 3 kids. We usually go in August. TIA.

molly dolly

I'd agree our nearly 14 for the first week was a mare, then he feel in with a group and it was grand. But definitely making me finding somewhere that works for the unit as a whole more challenging.

I'm another who thought the wifi was really better this year on OW.

MorganIRL

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

How many more years will you have all 3 kids with you for the duration of the holiday? What ages are they?

My personal experience is that once they hit 16 campsite your holidays struggle to be enjoyable for them, particularly for the full 2 (or on our case) 3 weeks.

I can only imagine driving round from place to place every few days would be even less appealing but I'm working off a very small sample size!!

.

@je_suis_jean My kids are 7,5,1, we wudnt be planning on moving to different sites when we go, it's just a saving thing. Wud we save money over 3-5yrs by buying a caravan? with ferry and site costs rising? As someone else asked, wud someone have a current cost of caravan and car & 3 kids for this yr.

shamrock55

We travelled back from roscoff to cork on the pont aven on Fri night and I must say wi fi was pretty good,can't say the same for the constant shuddering in our cabin all night though it was brutal,we stayed at the back of the ship so maybe we were directly above the props or something but I didn't sleep a wink

Agent_47

MorganIRL wrote: »

Off topic, but looking towards 2019, and we're contemplating buying a caravan going forward, have many people changed from going from the fixed sites to mobile in the last few yrs, was there much of a cost saving?( have had a caravan b4, but 3 kids now costs of hols beginning to go up as they get older) I just forsee cost of boat going up as landbridge with brexit won't be as easy option anymore. Any thoughts on this?

You'll save nothing, you will need an appropriate tow vehicle, face increased costs for ferries not mention the upkeep of the caravan and tyres, brakes etc.

Best off to take the boat and rent a house or do whatever campsite you want without the worry of taking a caravan

mr_edge_to_you

While queueing for the boat I spotted a really impressive caravan and out of curiosity I looked it up online.

Bailey Ranger GT60 540-6 Triple Fixed Bunks, 6 Berth Touring Caravan 2009

I found a 9 year old model selling for €12k here in Ireland. Not the biggest amount in the world but you’re still having to fork out for pitch rental which can be pricey enough for the good campsites. Having spoken to some people it seems that availability can be an issue and getting pitches in the better sites can be a challenge.

I’m sure the cost of the ferry will increase significantly considering your effectively taking up an extra 2/3 equivalent car spaces.

The cost of maintenance, an appropriately sized car/jeep......it’s hard to see how it would be cost effective in the short to medium term. Winter storage could be an issue too.

In saying all of that, if I could afford it I would buy a jeep, a nice caravan and take off for a full 3 weeks every summer! You could also use it around Ireland and UK at other times during the year.

dzer2

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

How many more years will you have all 3 kids with you for the duration of the holiday? What ages are they?

My personal experience is that once they hit 16 campsite your holidays struggle to be enjoyable for them, particularly for the full 2 (or on our case) 3 weeks.

I can only imagine driving round from place to place every few days would be even less appealing but I'm working off a very small sample size!!

Went to Parc Val du Loire this year with the family.
While it was a small enough campsite and the pitches were tight, the place was immaculate. The pools were fine and the entertainment provided by the staff excellent.

There was a fabulous mix of young people there Dutch, French, English, German and the only Irish ones were us for the first 3 days then a few more turned up.

The shop was basic but there is a lidl and Casino supermarket in the the next village approx 5 mins in the car. They supplied us with a list of the local vineyards where we stocked up on our wine.

We had a range from 17 yrs to 7 yrs in age and never seen them from morning to night. There was a quiet time from 23.00 to 7.00 but the security would let the older ones hang out around the reception area until 1.00 am.

We had to leave early on the last day departing at 7.00am 3 of the lads friends that they had made over the holiday arrived to help pack the gear.

Will be booking again soon and the lads are looking to go back there.

Juggler101

MorganIRL wrote: »

Off topic, but looking towards 2019, and we're contemplating buying a caravan going forward, have many people changed from going from the fixed sites to mobile in the last few yrs, was there much of a cost saving?( have had a caravan b4, but 3 kids now costs of hols beginning to go up as they get older) I just forsee cost of boat going up as landbridge with brexit won't be as easy option anymore. Any thoughts on this?

We got one a year ago, and used it for France this summer. Our main reason was so that we could tour more easily - which doesn't seem to be a priority for you. We had to pay €100 extra to bring the caravan on Irish Ferries compared to it just being the family (2 adults & 3 children) and a car.

This year on a 2.5 week holiday we did: 1st campsite (2 nights), 2nd campsite (7 nights), 3rd campsite (4 nights), 4th campsite (3 nights).

We usually go away in June, and we found the larger campsites to be very reasonable for renting a pitch - €25-35 a night, and these are the sites with kids clubs and entertainment. We used to do Eurocamp in June, and we were paying ~ €50 per night (and that was with all manner of discounts factored in). High season prices usually start in 1st or 2nd week of July, but I'm not sure how pitch prices compare to mobile home prices then.

Another big advantage of having the caravan is the all year round travelling you can do in Ireland, North and South. We spent 2 weeks travelling Ireland (well, just Munster as it turned out!), this August and had an amazing time. We caravan all through the year, as the caravan is very toasty with a heater.

Also, my eldest is only 7, so I think we have many more years of caravanning left in us

54and56

MorganIRL wrote: »

.

@je_suis_jean My kids are 7,5,1, we wudnt be planning on moving to different sites when we go, it's just a saving thing. Wud we save money over 3-5yrs by buying a caravan? with ferry and site costs rising? As someone else asked, wud someone have a current cost of caravan and car & 3 kids for this yr.

Why not run a simple cost comparison model in Excel and find out?

Option 1: Traditional Campsite where you rent the mobile onsite. Fairly easy to get costs for and perhaps assume inflation of 5% each year for the cost of the ferry and campsite.

Option 2: Buy a caravan and just pay pitch costs onsite. Again it should be fairly easy to get costs for the ferry and pitch costs for sites and you can increase these by5% per annum to forecast total costs for the projected 5 years.

The tricky bit for option 2 is calculating, in a realistic manner, what the cost of ownership for the caravan will be over a 5 year period. What will it cost to buy now? What will storage and maintenance costs be per annum? What will it's residual market value be in 5 years time (what will you sell it for in 5 years time?) and what are the other misc costs associated with owning a caravan rather than renting one onsite e.g. insuring the caravan? Additional costs of fuel towing it over and back to France?

There is of course also another upside to the caravan option in that it will allow you to go away for weekends or short trips in Ireland at little cost.

average_runner

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Why not run a simple cost comparison model in Excel and find out?

Option 1: Traditional Campsite where you rent the mobile onsite. Fairly easy to get costs for and perhaps assume inflation of 5% each year for the cost of the ferry and campsite.

Option 2: Buy a caravan and just pay pitch costs onsite. Again it should be fairly easy to get costs for the ferry and pitch costs for sites and you can increase these by5% per annum to forecast total costs for the projected 5 years.

The tricky bit for option 2 is calculating, in a realistic manner, what the cost of ownership for the caravan will be over a 5 year period. What will it cost to buy now? What will storage and maintenance costs be per annum? What will it's residual market value be in 5 years time (what will you sell it for in 5 years time?) and what are the other misc costs associated with owning a caravan rather than renting one onsite e.g. insuring the caravan? Additional costs of fuel towing it over and back to France?

There is of course also another upside to the caravan option in that it will allow you to go away for weekends or short trips in Ireland at little cost.

We are going to buy a caravan for camping in Ireland. Got a tent this year and it was brilliant. Looking into storage and heading to the rds in Feb to view the caravans.

loyatemu

Increased cost of ferry, increased fuel costs, you have to store the caravan somewhere, and the cost of the thing itself (and all the accessories). You would have to use it in Ireland a fair bit to make it worthwhile - if it's just for France I don't think it makes sense.