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

54and56

If you want to try booking direct with a mobile home owner on one of the managed sites it's well worth trying http://www.directholidayhomes.co.uk/french_lets_1.html. You deal directly with the owners and agree everything with them. Lot's of Irish owners on there which can be a good/bad thing.

Advantages are the mobiles are generally furnished to a higher standard and contain more equipment, some even include bikes, Sky TV etc and I've even seen one with a moped plus you can often agree custom arrival and departure dates eg arrive Wednesday leave Friday.

Disadvantages are you really haven't any idea who you're dealing with so no practical comeback if you are scammed in anyway or the mobile isn't as good as described, management on site won't be able to help much if there are any problems with the mobile home and private rentals generally don't include access to the pool complex or kids clubs so you have to purchase access to these separately onsite so bear that in mind when comparing prices.

redmissb

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

If you want to try booking direct with a mobile home owner on one of the managed sites it's well worth trying http://www.directholidayhomes.co.uk/french_lets_1.html. You deal directly with the owners and agree everything with them. Lot's of Irish owners on there which can be a good/bad thing.

Advantages are the mobiles are generally furnished to a higher standard and contain more equipment, some even include bikes, Sky TV etc and I've even seen one with a moped plus you can often agree custom arrival and departure dates eg arrive Wednesday leave Friday.

Disadvantages are you really haven't any idea who you're dealing with so no practical comeback if you are scammed in anyway or the mobile isn't as good as described, management on site won't be able to help much if there are any problems with the mobile home and private rentals generally don't include access to the pool complex or kids clubs so you have to purchase access to these separately onsite so bear that in mind when comparing prices.

We booked with directholidayhomes in 2013, stayed in Les Charmettes. We got 5 bikes and sky tv, it worked out fine but if it's Siblu don't forget to add on passes to pool etc. Some owners will include them but they're expensive enough if you have to buy them.
My mum booked the same year with http://www.holidayinsouthwestfrance.com/ they have some lovely mobiles and they're Irish.

Redderneck

Munsterbhoy wrote: »

SusanC10 wrote: »

Thanks everyone ! So....

Eurocamp
Kelair
Canvas
Yelloh Village
Al Fresco
Siblu
Lifestyle Holidays
Venue Holidays
Vacansoleil
Quest en France
Roan Holidays
MS Vacances
Sunelia
Les Castels
or
Direct with an Individual Campsite.

Alan Rogers is an excellent site also

Add Hello France to that list. Have used them 5 or 6 times and always happy.

j_mo

Hiya guys,

Just wondering if anyone else has booked there ferry with Irish Ferries yet and intend on using the Tesco vouchers? We booked ours yesterday and it's saying that we've to pay the balance by next week. I thought you could pay it 42 days before you were to sail?

redmissb

j_mo wrote: »

Hiya guys,

Just wondering if anyone else has booked there ferry with Irish Ferries yet and intend on using the Tesco vouchers? We booked ours yesterday and it's saying that we've to pay the balance by next week. I thought you could pay it 42 days before you were to sail?

Did you book over the phone or online? You need to book by phone if you want to be sending in vouchers until the balance is due.

j_mo

I rang them up to make sure of that but there was no mention that the balance had to be paid off that quick. I rang Irish Ferries this morning and they said that it was the clubcard vouchers that needed to be sent in by the 6th and not the full balance. Did anyone else have a similar experience?

redmissb

Are you paying the deposit with vouchers? Anytime I've booked I've been able to send in vouchers until balance was due. I'd try ringing back and getting someone else, see what they say.

SusanC10

j_mo wrote: »

Hiya guys,

Just wondering if anyone else has booked there ferry with Irish Ferries yet and intend on using the Tesco vouchers? We booked ours yesterday and it's saying that we've to pay the balance by next week. I thought you could pay it 42 days before you were to sail?

I booked with Irish Ferries last week, paid the €100 Deposit with Card and the Balance is due 42 days before departure. I booked on the phone and intend to use some Tesco Vouchers towards the Balance. Irish Ferries confirmed that I can pay a mix of Tesco Vouchers and Card from now until 42 days beforehand.

I phoned again now after reading your post above just to be sure and was told the same again.

Did you say that you were paying the Deposit with Tesco Vouchers ?

redmissb

That's what I was wondering, if you pay the deposit with vouchers you have a week to send them in.

j_mo

I rang them up a short while ago and they confirmed what was said by the last few posters in the thread and added that there is a glitch in their system. They take the vouchers up to 42 days prior to departure so happy days. Thanks for the replies.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Redgirl82

After much talking we are nearly ready to book......

Have Stena Line or IF but Stena is 100 cheaper

Just wondering for rooms are you better inside or outside? Do you actually see anything via the window?

First Up

Redgirl82 wrote: »

After much talking we are nearly ready to book......

Have Stena Line or IF but Stena is 100 cheaper

Just wondering for rooms are you better inside or outside? Do you actually see anything via the window?

Not really. Problem with some windows is people out on deck looking in!

54and56

Redgirl82 wrote: »

After much talking we are nearly ready to book......

Have Stena Line or IF but Stena is 100 cheaper

Just wondering for rooms are you better inside or outside? Do you actually see anything via the window?

We always prefer to have a window, it is less claustrophobic and nice to be able to see the weather and how close to land you are etc I wouldn't pay a massive premium for it though.

Redgirl82

What is the Irish Ferries Epsilon like? It is going from Dublin to Cherbourg......

First Up

Redgirl82 wrote: »

What is the Irish Ferries Epsilon like? It is going from Dublin to Cherbourg......

It looks to be similar in design to the Stena ship but I haven't heard any reports from anyone who has used it.

paddydriver

Redgirl82 wrote: »

What is the Irish Ferries Epsilon like? It is going from Dublin to Cherbourg......

As above, think it's more or less same boat to the Stena Line out of Rosslare. Not too bad, but not a huge amount of entertainment. Rooms are OK though but that's assuming IF have kept them in good condition. Other's that went on it may have more experience.

paddydriver

Redgirl82 wrote: »

After much talking we are nearly ready to book......

Have Stena Line or IF but Stena is 100 cheaper

Just wondering for rooms are you better inside or outside? Do you actually see anything via the window?

We've booked IF out without a window and Stena back with a window. Think a tenner in difference on Stena but €40 on IF.

We ended up close to the kennel's on our home trip this year on Stena and one dog barked the whole night - I complained the next morning and asked would they sort us with free brekkie to compensate but they just told me I should have come to them at the time - 1AM! All I wanted to do was pull the pillow over my ears.

Brois

Hi All,

We are looking at trying to book a group of about 50-60 people on a ferry from Cork to Roscoff at the end of next July.
Brittany Ferries cannot offer us a discount?
I find this very strange. Has anyone else tried to make a group booking with them? They will offer if we all jump on a bus, but if people want to take their cars then its EUR1,200+ per family.

Although Irish Ferries have more awkward sailings we might just go with them as they are willing to play ball at least!

Any help/advice appreciated.

Thanks,
Brois

munchkin_utd

the reason would be that you are looking to take up 30+ car lengths worth of limited parking space which they can then sell @1400 per family.

The ship running from Cork can take an incredible 2415 passengers BUT "only" 600 cars.
So their issue is not lack of capacity for passengers but rather a quite large passenger capacity (which you can get a group discount on account of) but relatively low car carrying capacity.

They can take 1000 more passengers than the Oscar Wilde but 100 less cars.

BailMeOut

Brois wrote: »

Hi All,

We are looking at trying to book a group of about 50-60 people on a ferry from Cork to Roscoff at the end of next July.
Brittany Ferries cannot offer us a discount?
I find this very strange. Has anyone else tried to make a group booking with them? They will offer if we all jump on a bus, but if people want to take their cars then its EUR1,200+ per family.

Although Irish Ferries have more awkward sailings we might just go with them as they are willing to play ball at least!

Any help/advice appreciated.

Thanks,
Brois

I'd say the simple answer is that they do not need to as they will fill this ship regardless at full price. It is a common question here about getting discounts on BF and I have yet to see anyone posting any.

The most surprising thing is that another ferry company has not come into Cork and try compete with them.

The Wife

Looking at booking Stena last week in July, coming back Aug 7th for family of 4. It's coming in at €869 compared to €1000 with IF. I'm wondering am I doing something wrong! I've put in Flexi fare. Granted, I'm going Rosslare Cherbourg rather than Dublin Cherbourg (live in Dublin) but a drive to Rosslare seems worth it! First time on a ferry. I'm a bad traveller. Two kids of 7 and 5. Booking a 4-berth outside cabin. Does that all sound ok? No campsite booked at all but I'm thinking ferry is more urgent. I will use some Tesco vouchers too I hope..
Any advice appreiciated.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

First Up

The Wife wrote: »

Looking at booking Stena last week in July, coming back Aug 7th for family of 4. It's coming in at €869 compared to €1000 with IF. I'm wondering am I doing something wrong! I've put in Flexi fare. Granted, I'm going Rosslare Cherbourg rather than Dublin Cherbourg (live in Dublin) but a drive to Rosslare seems worth it! First time on a ferry. I'm a bad traveller. Two kids of 7 and 5. Booking a 4-berth outside cabin. Does that all sound ok? No campsite booked at all but I'm thinking ferry is more urgent. I will use some Tesco vouchers too I hope..
Any advice appreiciated.

By bad traveller I assume you mean prone to sea sickness. You would be unlucky to get a bad crossing at that time of year. Personally I would pay the extra for IF as its a better ship but you should be fine.

BlazingSaddler

It'll be interesting to watch the pricing and availability of crossings to France in June/July if Ireland qualify for the Euros on Sunday! Euros begin on June 10th

First Up

mattb74 wrote: »

It'll be interesting to watch the pricing and availability of crossings to France in June/July if Ireland qualify for the Euros on Sunday! Euros begin on June 10th

Northern Irish customers will already be driving up prices.

Redgirl82

I hope this is ok to ask here or am I better off starting a separate thread as not about ferries, I am thinking going to Perpignan now just to make sure I get the weather. Bit of a trek I know but love my sun....

Is there any recommendations for campsites down there? there is a couple of friends going to fly in so we will have kids from 1-7 age range....

Beach would be nice and ability to cycle etc.,...I checked on Eurocamp and I guess I pick the area Roussillon?

What's the best way to go about this?

Group of lads in there late 20's early 30's
Advice from people who have done it before would be great.
What's the cheapest option:

Fly to France, rent camper there?
Costs: flights, rental, insurance, petrol.

Ferry to France or England, rent camper there?
Costs: ferry/s, rental, petrol, insurance.

Rent camper in Ireland, ferry to France or England?
Costs: ferry/s rental, petrol, insurance.

Buy Camper in Ireland, Ferry to France or England?
Costs: camper, petrol, insurance.

Pitfalls to be aware of, things to avoid, things to make sure to do.

Any help would be much appreciated!!

Thanks!

ger664

We have not qualified yet.

ger664

ger664 wrote: »

We have not qualified yet.

I knew that was coming, just cause we haven't qualified doesn't mean we can't go.

Newonhere

Redgirl, have a look at Calagogo in St. cyprien it has direct beach access and plenty of opportunities for cycling. It has a really good pool complex which is suitable for all ages.

Munsterbhoy

Redgirl82 wrote: »

I hope this is ok to ask here or am I better off starting a separate thread as not about ferries, I am thinking going to Perpignan now just to make sure I get the weather. Bit of a trek I know but love my sun....

Is there any recommendations for campsites down there? there is a couple of friends going to fly in so we will have kids from 1-7 age range....

Beach would be nice and ability to cycle etc.,...I checked on Eurocamp and I guess I pick the area Roussillon?

Hi heading to La Sirene for 12 days in early june which is i think 30kms from Perpignan airport, fantastic site with the biggest water park within a campsite in Europe. Eurocamp has places there but we booked with lifestyle holidays and got an incredible deal 11 nights in 3bed with a/c +decking for €405.

Atlantic Dawn

From previously looking in to it no company in Ireland would rent me one that I could leave the country in for insurance reasons on their standard cover plans.

If there's say 4 lads if you were to buy one here for say €10k and then bring it back in one piece you should be able to sell it on for a good 80% plus of more with little hassle. You won't be able to park within a good 10 miles of each stadium so factor in parking at an official site and transport to and from.

redmissb

Munsterbhoy wrote: »

Hi heading to La Sirene for 12 days in early june which is i think 30kms from Perpignan airport, fantastic site with the biggest water park within a campsite in Europe. Eurocamp has places there but we booked with lifestyle holidays and got an incredible deal 11 nights in 3bed with a/c +decking for €405.

That was some bargain!

Redgirl82

Munsterbhoy wrote: »

Hi heading to La Sirene for 12 days in early june which is i think 30kms from Perpignan airport, fantastic site with the biggest water park within a campsite in Europe. Eurocamp has places there but we booked with lifestyle holidays and got an incredible deal 11 nights in 3bed with a/c +decking for €405.

Thanks, they are about half the price compared to Eurocamp

There houses seem to be different, I would guess they would be similar quality?

Munsterbhoy

Redgirl82 wrote: »

Thanks, they are about half the price compared to Eurocamp

There houses seem to be different, I would guess they would be similar quality?

pretty much unless you go for the aspect which is fab but pricey. The fact your so far south your almost guaranteed hot weather so you don't spend much time in the mobile anyway . Having enough bedrooms,a half decent kitchen and good decking is all you need really. Sitting out having a nice red with the kids in bed after a day of activities is heaven for us.. lifestyle hols will knock 10% off your quote if you pay in full at the time of booking.

Redgirl82

Munsterbhoy wrote: »

pretty much unless you go for the aspect which is fab but pricey. The fact your so far south your almost guaranteed hot weather so you don't spend much time in the mobile anyway . Having enough bedrooms,a half decent kitchen and good decking is all you need really. Sitting out having a nice red with the kids in bed after a day of activities is heaven for us.. lifestyle hols will knock 10% off your quote if you pay in full at the time of booking.

Thanks, was going to get the Ruby 2 bedroom as it looks a bit bigger, it will be for 2 adults and 2 kids, throw the kids into the bedroom and sorted....

The Wife

On the booking agent issue:
I have Le Clarys Plage priced with Eurocamp and Kelair at much the same price. Would there be a difference in terms of mobile quality, kids clubs etc between the two agents? Does anyone know?

eabhaniamh

Just to let you know that you are still not guaranteed the sun even driving down that far. Went end of June for 2 weeks 2014 and weather was disappointing. Stayed in Le Brasilia. Nicest weather we got was when we drove back up 5 hours and stayed in Sequoia Park for 3 nights! Maybe we were just unlucky but has happened to us twice now in France so not going to chance it again.

Baybay

eabhaniamh wrote: »

Just to let you know that you are still not guaranteed the sun even driving down that far. Went end of June for 2 weeks 2014 and weather was disappointing. Stayed in Le Brasilia. Nicest weather we got was when we drove back up 5 hours and stayed in Sequoia Park for 3 nights! Maybe we were just unlucky but has happened to us twice now in France so not going to chance it again.

We spend a lot of time in France & summer 2014 was just one of those years where even the accepted good weather spots in the south were hit with thunderstorm after thunderstorm & grey days. Normal service resumed this summer though!

munchkin_utd

Baybay wrote: »

We spend a lot of time in France & summer 2014 was just one of those years where even the accepted good weather spots in the south were hit with thunderstorm after thunderstorm & grey days. Normal service resumed this summer though!

north of italy was the same in 2014 too if its any consolation.

Last year then was the hottest summer on record in France..... so avoiding france because of an alleged pattern of rain is wrong on so many counts.

Stone Deaf 4evr

yeah, 2014 was a disaster, had about 10 days of rain over the 2 weeks, we got rain on 2 days in july of 2015 which didnt interfere with us in anyway, but it was enough for my wife to insist we drive double the distance south next year. we were previously in St Jean De Monts, but this year its on below Perpignan we're heading.

Munsterbhoy

eabhaniamh wrote: »

Just to let you know that you are still not guaranteed the sun even driving down that far. Went end of June for 2 weeks 2014 and weather was disappointing. Stayed in Le Brasilia. Nicest weather we got was when we drove back up 5 hours and stayed in Sequoia Park for 3 nights! Maybe we were just unlucky but has happened to us twice now in France so not going to chance it again.

We were in Le Brasillia for 1st 2 weeks of June in 2014 and weather was ok but nothing like it normally would be for that time of year, and my god was the main pool cold!! Went to the Ardeche the previous year and it was beautiful. We have been fairly lucky with weather in France but one year in Normandy we got a crap mobile and worse weather, its was like that scene in Father Ted with the caravan..

manshay

Redgirl82 wrote: »

Thanks, they are about half the price compared to Eurocamp

There houses seem to be different, I would guess they would be similar quality?

What mobile home you get is random luck, you can get a brand new one(as we did this year) or one at least 5 years old(last year), it made no material difference to our holiday.

If there is no difference in price I would always go with Kelair, in fact I would pay more to go with them. We have travelled with both Eurocamp and Kelair. Kelair mobiles have been better cleaned on our campsites than the Eurocamp ones. Our children preferred the Kelair kids club.

Generalisation alert!!!!!
The following was our experience, someone else may have found differently!

We found Kelair staff to be better than Eurocamp staff. Kelair staff(especially the senior staff on site) are often teachers who spend their holidays in the sun, they have been with the company for several years, often in the same resort. Eurocamp staff seem to be uni students out for a laugh for the summer, they don't greatly care, hence the state of cleaning in the mobile homes.

Stone Deaf 4evr

manshay wrote: »

What mobile home you get is random luck, you can get a brand new one(as we did this year) or one at least 5 years old(last year), it made no material difference to our holiday.

If there is no difference in price I would always go with Kelair, in fact I would pay more to go with them. We have travelled with both Eurocamp and Kelair. Kelair mobiles have been better cleaned on our campsites than the Eurocamp ones. Our children preferred the Kelair kids club.

Generalisation alert!!!!!
The following was our experience, someone else may have found differently!

We found Kelair staff to be better than Eurocamp staff. Kelair staff(especially the senior staff on site) are often teachers who spend their holidays in the sun, they have been with the company for several years, often in the same resort. Eurocamp staff seem to be uni students out for a laugh for the summer, they don't greatly care, hence the state of cleaning in the mobile homes.

I've never been to any camp other than siblu ones, but am I right in thinking from your description there that there are camps where certain operators are responsible for certain mobile homes? as in the parc itself is one big communal area, and eurocamp have 20 mobiles, x has 20, y has 30, and then the privately owned ones as well?

54and56

Stone Deaf 4evr wrote: »

I've never been to any camp other than siblu ones, but am I right in thinking from your description there that there are camps where certain operators are responsible for certain mobile homes? as in the parc itself is one big communal area, and eurocamp have 20 mobiles, x has 20, y has 30, and then the privately owned ones as well?

Spot on, Siblu operate the entire park but allow private owned mobiles also, in fact selling private mobiles is a key part of their business plan as it provides rental income for them all year round.

Other sites are individually owned and the owners will wholesale e.g. 20 mobiles to Kelair, 30 mobiles to another company and so on.

That's my understanding of it anyway.

manshay

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Other sites are individually owned and the owners will wholesale e.g. 20 mobiles to Kelair, 30 mobiles to another company and so on.

That's my understanding of it anyway.

As Kelair and Eurocamp mobiles are decidedly different I assumed Kelair/Eurocamp/Al Fresco own, install and operate their own mobile homes. I think they just rent the site from the campsite. In Le Clarys Plage this year we had a new Kelair mobile, the surronding mobiles from Al Fresco, Eurocamp and privately owned were not new and had a significantly different layout.

loyatemu

Yeah - Eurocamp, Canvas etc just rent pitches from the site owners and install their own model mobile homes.

nkay1985

Hi all,

So I'm finally going to pull the trigger on France 2016 tomorrrow. Just a couple of questions regarding the Tesco tokens. If I ring up tomorrow to book, am I correct in saying that I can pay a €100 deposit by card. I just have to tell them I plan on using the Tesco tokens as part payment for the crossing.

How much of a surcharge above the online price will I pay? I assume the FRANCEC16 discount still applies for phone bookings? So it should be €20 each way for using the Tesco tokens, which is €40. But what is the surcharge for booking over the phone. I've seen two different figures on the Irish Ferries website.

And can I then "pay in" on the booking using tokens up to 42 days in advance of the sailing?

Just want to make sure I'm doing this right. The last two years, I've just booked outright!

Thanks.

insullation

I don't think you will get the FRANCE16 discount if paying full/part using tesco tokens but I could be wrong.