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

First Up

Getting to the Port at that time shouldn't be a problem. Fosters Avenue, then Booterstown Ave (or the rat run by the UCD flyover), Merrion Road, Strand Rd, East Link bridge and you are there. You'll be well ahead of rush hour.

I haven't been on the WBY yet but from previous experience it can be a surprisingly long way from the port entrance to the ferries. Still, it should be well signposted and its only port traffic.

30/40 minutes from Dundrum should be plenty.

vienne86

I see the Stena Horizon was very late leaving Rosslare on Saturday....it didn't depart until 2330. And it didn't leave Cherbourg until 0030 this morning, having arrived at about 1700. So it's sitting in port for a long time. Anyone know what's up with it?

evolving_doors

MorganIRL wrote: »

Came over on Tues on the OW with IF, I find the the layout of the new ship far better then the old ship. I think the open plan areas are easier to have a large group together that doesn't want to be in the bar area with kids. I over heard some people saying the atmosphere wasn't there anymore, but with 3 kids we create our own away from the bar area.The addition of the pizza area and a pizza and pint for €14 is good value compared to most mainland prices. Food quality and prices are still pricey, but I don't blame them when u have a captivated audience. Quality is good pizzas are very nice. Prices of beer though.... My god, temple bar wud blush.. kids play area is on deck 10, but like the last ship it's entry the area at your own risk... Some parents really do feel the holiday starts once they get on the boat.. sheer abandonment.. Beds in the cabins are defo smaller width and length, 6' 1 and I was hanging off the end. Cabins are smaller but slightly, cots are for small babies, our 2 yr old couldn't fit in it. Sailing was smooth. Getting off was far less of an event this time. U literally were told go the car and everyone walked down at a leisurely pace to their cars, before you were held on deck and certain areas were let go and a mad rush ensued. Used speedy exit this time for the first time and not sure if it's worth the money if getting off was such an effortless event. Weather cracking in vendee.. happy days.

How did the speedy exit operate as ye were told to go to cars. I booked it but not sure if I should have bothered.

Jpvt

Hi all, first time going with eurocamps to Vendee in a few weeks time. We are taking BF from Cork to Roscoff. I think the boat gets in to Roscoff around 7am on the Sunday. Just wondering if we are able to get breakfast On the boat that morning considering it’s so early. We will be stopping en route to campsite but wanted to be able to give the kids something small to keep them going until we stop. Thanks.

evolving_doors

MorganIRL wrote: »

In Clarys plage at the moment, I wud recommend hiring a car, it's just if it rains (like at the mo) the cabins can be very small with kids, at least with a car u can go to many of the attractions around the place. If u don't hire a car, as said earlier large supermarket 3 mins away, beach 10 mins away.

On a side note if u want a quieter stay ask to stay across the road away from pool. Main site can be very loud at night with teens etc. All depends on if u have kids with u.

Can you do that on arrival or before you arrive. We booked with Canvass holidays for August.

tickingclock

Jpvt wrote: »

Hi all, first time going with eurocamps to Vendee in a few weeks time. We are taking BF from Cork to Roscoff. I think the boat gets in to Roscoff around 7am on the Sunday. Just wondering if we are able to get breakfast On the boat that morning considering it’s so early. We will be stopping en route to campsite but wanted to be able to give the kids something small to keep them going until we stop. Thanks.

We arrived in Roscoff yesterday at 7am. Smooth sailing and couldn't fault anything. We didn't have breakfast on board but were beside the restaurant. I saw people leaving with juice and croissants. The wake up call is at 6am French time and the boat docks at 7am so there isn't a lot of time. We had fruit and rice cakes for breakfast and limited the liquids as we didn't want "I need to go to the toilet" as we waited to get off the ship!.

MorganIRL

No Bills wrote: »

Hello. I'm wondering how people have found the experience of accessing Dublin Port for the W.B. Yeats (WBY)?
I'm taking the ferry this Friday at 4pm and wondering how much time I will need to get in to the port. Coming from Dundrum direction and aiming to be at the port for around 2pm. I will keep an eye on Dublin traffic using Google Maps, the AA and Dublin City Council traffic websites.
Any reports/advice from people who have accessed Dublin Port for the WBY would be appreciated.

Got the wby last Tuesday, no issues at all. Straight through to port, around the port is a bit confusing but no problems.

MorganIRL

evolving_doors wrote: »

How did the speedy exit operate as ye were told to go to cars. I booked it but not sure if I should have bothered.

The way it works it seems is just u get priority onto the boat from Dublin, and as a result your one of the first off. But from what I could see it was a quick process loading and unloading anyways. Your in ur room when the last trucks/caravans are loading. My friends don't have speedy on the way back on Saturday and we do so we'll see if it really is that beneficial. My feeling is that if it's there when I book again I'd probably take it but if it's gone or I forget it's no big deal. But going to the cars when exiting the boat is the real plus of this new process.. no rushing no pushing. Just go to ur car and wait.

VintageJelly

Jpvt wrote: »

Hi all, first time going with eurocamps to Vendee in a few weeks time. We are taking BF from Cork to Roscoff. I think the boat gets in to Roscoff around 7am on the Sunday. Just wondering if we are able to get breakfast On the boat that morning considering it’s so early. We will be stopping en route to campsite but wanted to be able to give the kids something small to keep them going until we stop. Thanks.

I don't think there's many places open on Sundays over there. We're getting the Cork - Roscoff too, I'm bringing breakfast bars, croissants and my husband and myself will pick up coffee onboard before we leave. I'm hoping to just get up, get into car and then let the kids snack. I've read on this message forum from others that yes, the restaurant will be open for breakfast but that it's packed.
Also, bare in mind, not many (if any) supermarkets are open on a Sunday. We are going to Carnac and I've done a google search and found that the Super U is open until 12pm. I'm going to bring a frozen homecooked dinner for the first night and do a big shop in E'Leclerc on the Monday as I prefer it to SuperU.

manshay

Jpvt wrote: »

Hi all, first time going with eurocamps to Vendee in a few weeks time. We are taking BF from Cork to Roscoff. I think the boat gets in to Roscoff around 7am on the Sunday. Just wondering if we are able to get breakfast On the boat that morning considering it’s so early. We will be stopping en route to campsite but wanted to be able to give the kids something small to keep them going until we stop. Thanks.

Remember the boat gets in at 7am FRENCH time(6am Irish), wake up is 6am FRENCH time!(5am Irish)
Its important to get everyone in bed early!
We always bring a cool box with frozen milk. It will have melted by the morning and you can have your own cereal(multipacks), which will be soooo much cheaper than on the ferry. If you choose to eat on the ferry get to the restaurant asap as queues start to built quickly.
There is a bakery in Carantec which is open early on Sundays. Fresh Coffee and pastries to start your French holiday.

redmgar

silly question, but what replacement bulbs do you need to bring for the car?

tonkpills

redmgar wrote: »

silly question, but what replacement bulbs do you need to bring for the car?

I just got a spare bulb kit from halfords, it has one of each.

AFAIK as long as you have a replacement bulb in the car to replace the blown one your covered and won't get a fine.

MorganIRL

redmgar wrote: »

silly question, but what replacement bulbs do you need to bring for the car?

Ya the packs in Halfords are the ones to get, just pick ur car and the pack will have a corresponding number. Happy days. Ur local motor factors prob will have a set also.

Icsics

Jpvt wrote: »

Hi all, first time going with eurocamps to Vendee in a few weeks time. We are taking BF from Cork to Roscoff. I think the boat gets in to Roscoff around 7am on the Sunday. Just wondering if we are able to get breakfast On the boat that morning considering it’s so early. We will be stopping en route to campsite but wanted to be able to give the kids something small to keep them going until we stop. Thanks.

Remember all shops in France close at 12 on Sundays

josip

Icsics wrote: »

Remember all shops in France close at 12 on Sundays

I thought Lidls were open all day ?

First Up

Icsics wrote:

Remember all shops in France close at 12 on Sundays

Not all but many; including almost all the big ones.

webpal

20% off July and August with Hello France, use code late2019

treascon

josip wrote: »

I thought Lidls were open all day ?

Nope, not where we’ve been in the Vendee region anyway

Baybay

josip wrote: »

I thought Lidls were open all day ?

There’s a couple near us in the Herault but only one, that I’m aware of, opens on Sunday & I think it’s until 12. It’s one of the newer, bigger types.

The Lidl in Onzain didn't open at all on Sundays. Casino (supermarket) opened til 1230.

54and56

Dónal wrote: »

The Lidl in Onzain didn't open at all on Sundays. Casino (supermarket) opened til 1230.

If you arrive on a Saturday afternoon/evening it's tempting to do the big shop Sunday morning but Sunday mornings can be absolutely crazy busy in Supermarkets during high season so I've been inclined to just use the camp shop for the bare basics on Sunday and leave the big shop until Monday when it's a lot quieter.

VintageJelly

54&56 wrote: »

If you arrive on a Saturday afternoon/evening it's tempting to do the big shop Sunday morning but Sunday mornings can be absolutely crazy busy in Supermarkets during high season so I've been inclined to just use the camp shop for the bare basics on Sunday and leave the big shop until Monday when it's a lot quieter.

Someone suggested on this thread a while back to bring a frozen lasagne, it's defrosted by the time you arrive in France and ready to put in the oven on the Sunday evening. I'll be doing this. I'm also going to bring cereal for the Monday morning and I'll pop to the camp shop that morning for milk and some croissants etc then off to a bi supermarket for the 'big shop'

CelticRambler

Only the smaller supermarkets are allowed open on Sundays, so you have a much better chance of finding one in a small town than on the outskirts of a big town. Those shops will close at midday, or 12:30 at a push. There are some even smaller supermarkets (mostly trading under the Carrefour City brand) that stay open till 9pm, but being smaller, they'll have a very limited selection. I've never seen a Lidl open on Sunday in France, but then I rarely shop there as it usually dearer than Leclerc and doesn't have half the stuff that makes up my regular shop!

CelticRambler

While I'm here: a word of warning - if you're taking the car to France this week and heading to Paris, Strasbourg, Lyon, Annecy or Marseille be aware that stricter-than-usual pollution control measures are in force. You need a Crit'Air sticker 0,1,2 or 3* to enter those urban areas. No sticker, no entry - there are police checkpoints in force.

Similar measures may be enacted at less than twenty-four hours notice in Lille, Rennes, Toulouse and Grenoble.

* Catégorie 3 vehicles are banned in Paris this week.

Icsics

Also freeze a litre of milk & pop in on ur cooler box, very handy for the first day

webpal

Carrefour express in Les becs opens all day Sunday. Handy if youre around SJDM or St Hilaire

John_Rambo

36° in the camper today. Vendée region. Bring gallons of drinking water or you're headed down.

Deeman83

John_Rambo wrote: »

36° in the camper today. Vendée region. Bring gallons of drinking water or you're headed down.

Thanks for heads up!
I guess I will go and buy another fan for the caravan before I set off on Sunday!

Is there much of a sea breeze?

Enjoy your hols.

Baybay

I’m not at home right now but I’m guessing the continental heatwave is getting good press coverage.

In case it isn’t, most of France is going to have very high temperatures over the next couple of days. I’m in the Herault where 36-38 is not unusual but we're being told that a record breaking 42-44 could be possible. Some outdoor events have been cancelled this weekend or moved indoors, some school exams have been postponed until next week & warnings about hydrating, staying inside, eating water rich foods & thermal shock are doing the rounds.

So yes, do buy the fans & the bottled water if you’re travelling in the next little while.

average_runner

Baybay wrote: »

I’m not at home right now but I’m guessing the continental heatwave is getting good press coverage.

In case it isn’t, most of France is going to have very high temperatures over the next couple of days. I’m in the Herault where 36-38 is not unusual but we're being told that a record breaking 42-44 could be possible. Some outdoor events have been cancelled this weekend or moved indoors, some school exams have been postponed until next week & warnings about hydrating, staying inside, eating water rich foods & thermal shock are doing the rounds.

So yes, do buy the fans & the bottled water if you’re travelling in the next little while.

Heading there on Sat. Thank god we have air cond. One of the first things we ensure the mobile has.