In just 10 minutes, you are on the Isle of Wight! this amazing service is offered by Hovertravel, the company operating Hovercrafts across the solent. Hovertravel provides fastest crossings from Southsea (Portsmouth) to Ryde.

With crossings offered every 30 minutes each way starting from 06:30 in the morning, Hovertravel is ideal for day trips or weekend trips to Isle of Wight.These hovercrafts are highly efficient, capable of reaching speeds of upto 45 knots and can survive even in rough weather.

Designed to provide utmost comfort for the passengers no matter what the weather is,these hovercrafts also provide great airline style seating in spacious interiors and can carry about 130 passengers each time.

Prices start from just £8.00 per person each way, so why not give it a try!

The Cross Channel ferry operator LD Lines has been able to expand its portfolio of routes with the takeover of the popular Dover to Boulogne route when the rival operator Speedferries went into administration. LD Lines haslaunched the Dover to Boulogne service on the 6th of June with their flagship vessel, the Norman Arrow

which is the first ever diesel powered fast catamaran, capable of reaching speeds of upto 40 knots, carrying about 1200 passengers and about 400 cars onboard.

This new vessel is 112 metres long and furnished to very high standards. LD Lines are currently offering upto 6 crossings per day between Dover and Boulogne with the sailing duration of just 1 hour on this high speed vessel. Prices start from just £27.50 each way for Car + 4 passengers, which we believe is a bargain!

It seems that, thanks to the recession, the ferry industry is receiving an upsurge in popularity this summer. Families forced to cut their holiday budgets are having to turn their back on flights to far-flung holiday destinations, and cross-Channel ferry operators are seeing a bumper crop of bookings as a result.

The continued strength of the Euro against the pound is also contributing to an increase of passengers from mainland Europe, further boosting ferry ticket sales.

The ferry industry is responding to the increasing popularity of the cross-channel routes not only with welcome relief, but also with investment. LD Lines have just launched the Norman Arrow, the world’s largest fast-ferry catamaran on the route between Dover and Boulogne. The Norman Arrow will make the crossing four times a day, taking the total number of crossings on the route offered by LD Lines to 6. Not to be outdone P&O Ferries have invested a reported £282 million in two new super-ferries for the Dover to Calais route. These huge ships will have double the capacity of the ships they are replacing.

Speaking to youthanet.co.uk P&O spokesman Brian Rees commented: “Even though we are in this awful recession our passenger numbers are a little up on last year.

“The adjustments in the holiday industry suit us. Instead of paying hundreds of pounds each for long-haul flights for a family of four or five people, people are saving cash crossing with us instead. At times like this shopping around for the best value for money is important.”

Also speaking to yourthanet.co.uk Nick Stevens, spokesman for LD Lines explained how the new services from the Norman Arrow have created 80 jobs to crew the vessel and that: “We expect the number of staff in the Port of Dover to increase from 20 to around 100 over the summer, meaning a total of 160 new jobs…We expect people will favour short breaks over long-haul holidays in this economic climate and we are expecting a busy summer.”

Meanwhile Ellie Philpott of SeaFrance also spoke to yourthanet.co.uk and commented that the firm had noticed an increase in late bookings as the public shop around for the cheapest breaks this summer:

“For a family-of-four to travel to the Ardennes region it would cost £90 per person with EasyJet, more than £200 per person with British Airways, but just £17.50 per person with us.”

She also stated: “There are several factors which are making it more attractive to go to the Continent – the euro is going back up, tourist attractions over there are often cheaper than they are here and there are lovely sandy beaches in northern France which are free… Also, from July, restaurant tax in France is being reduced from more than 19 per cent to just over five per cent as they try to stimulate the industry.”

This is obviously excellent news for the UK ferry industry, managing to increase sales at a time when much of the public is naturally having to cut spending. Many of the ferry companies are also offering excellent deals to really pull in the punters this summer. Now is the time for the ferry companies to provide excellent value-for-money in order to convince these customers to use them again in the future.

P&O Ferries are offering some smashing prices this summer starting from just £99 each way for a CAR + 2 Passengers on Hull to Zeebrugge or Rotterdam routes. Hurry sale ends at 10pm on 10th June 09. So, why not take this oppurtunity to grab a fantastic deal and book yourself a wonderful holiday, you just need to book before 10th June and can travel until Dec 09.

checkout www.aferry.co.uk for more details.

Recently, Isle of Man Steam Packet Ferries have decided to reduce their fuel surcharge from £5 per head to £3.50 per head. This will bring down the freight charges substantially as well. We hope this is some good news in the wake of fuel prices shooting up again. At least someone is behaving responsibly!

Pentalina, the new Catamaran of Pentland Ferries is on its way to the Orkneys. This new catamaran was built in the Phillippines but has to undergo a final refit once it is in the Orkneys. This new ship has a capacity to carry around 350 passengers, 58 cars and 9 Lorries and will be replacing the older ferry between Orkney and Caithness along with the reducing the journey duration to 45 minutes.
The crew had to be extra cautious while navigating through the Pirate infested waters of the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden but fortunately, they’ve got through the risk and islanders can now look forward to the new ship.

Christmas markets are a great way to get into the mood of Christmas and have an enjoyable day out with family and friends, not to mention an opportunity to stock up on unique Christmas presents along with traditional and homemade local delicacies.
France has always been a great host of these various Christmas markets not only because of its local touch and character but also because it is easily accessible by ferries.
You can simply catch ferries to France from the various ports of England. The popular ferry routes to France are from Dover to Calais serviced by P&O Ferries and Seafrance, Dover to Dunkerque by Norfolkline, from Newhaven to Dieppe by Transmanche ferries and from Portsmouth to LeHavre and Dover to Boulogne/Dieppe by LD Lines and of course various Eurostar and Eurotunnel links.
Here are some of the famous French Christmas Markets:
Lille Christmas Market: This is the largest in Northern France and is open 7 days a week from 19/11 to 30/12 in Place Rihour. You will be surrounded by festive lights and aromas of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts all along the markets streets. There are over 80 chalets selling local arts and crafts, traditional decorations and toys to regional delicacies.
Christmas markets in Paris: Paris comes alive during Christmas with various Christmas markets during the season; many streets are lined up with bright and colourful stalls offering a great range of seasonal produce and unique presents.
Strasbourg Christmas Market: Strasbourg is one of the largest and the oldest Christmas markets in France. Held in front of the Strasbourg Cathedral for over 430 years, Strasbourg Market is the picturesque of the French Christmas Markets. You can choose from the various stalls selling Christmas delicacies to decorations to local handicrafts.
Mulhouse Christmas Market: Set in traditional historic heart of the city, Mulhouse Christmas Markets are famous for local cheeses, Christmas breads, biscuits, wine and spectacular fabric displays from the Mulhouse textile museum. You can definitely find some impressive shawls, scarves or napkins as gifts for your loved ones.

Adverse weather could pose many dangers such as heavy snow and fog and ice glazed roads. All of these conditions can cause severe visibility problems and can cause vehicles to skid leading to dangerous accidents if enough care is not taken.

Motorists are being advised to take extra care when driving through these treacherous conditions during winter months. Drivers are advised to always keep a safe distance from the car infront, use dipped headlights, to keep even speed and avoid overtaking vehicles as much as possible, use fog lights only when the visibility is severely impaired but not in mild foggy conditions. Lastly, the best you can do is to be always prepared and have stock of food and drinks for any unpredictable circumstances.

Norfolkline (operating ferries between Dover and Dunkerque) is the latest cross channel ferry operator along LD Lines (operating Portsmouth/LeHavre and Newhaven/Dieppe routes) to offer discounted fares to customers who suffered the demise of SpeedFerries.
LD Lines are offering upto 75% discount off the fares on all of their routes excluding any onboard accommodation to customers with a valid SpeedFerries ticket. Customers holding a valid SpeedFerries ticket can simply turn up at the port atleast an hour before the departure and purchase a discounted ticket in exchange for their SpeedFerries ticket up to the 17th of December 08 and then contact the call centre in Dieppe (0800 917 1201 in the UK or 0800 650 100 in France or by email reservation.tourisme@transmancheferries.com) from the 18th onwards to arrange their booking and for further information.
Whereas Norfolkline is offering a 20% discount on their ticket prices for customers who are able to show the proof of their existing SpeedFerries reservation. However, please note that this offer is only available to be booked till the 12th of December 08 for all departures till the end of 2009 and is subject to availability.
It is good to see ferry operators taking such responsibility and build confidence in their customers. Well done LD Lines and Norfolkline!

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, the lifeline of the Manx community has recently made a significant investment in a new ship and named it “Manannan” after the Celtic God of the Sea, believed to be the protector of Isle of Man. This name was carefully selected following a competition launched by the Steam Packet Company.
Commenting on the new ship’s name, the company’s chief executive Mr. Mark Woodward said “Manannan, while not a traditional Steam Packet name, is nevertheless clearly identifiable with the Isle of Man and reinforces the vital lifeline relationship between the company and the island.”
This new ship, currently undergoing a major refurbishment is a 96 metre long catamaran purchased in Tasmania. Manannan will replace the Viking on the Liverpool to Douglas route.
The Steam Packet Company prides itself on being the world’s oldest(est.1830) continually operating passenger shipping company. The IOM Steam Packet company runs two fast catamarans along with a conventional freight and passenger ferry between Isle of Man and Liverpool and Heysham in UK as well as between Belfast (Northern Ireland) and Dublin in the Republic of Ireland.

Various regions of France are easily accessible as there are a number of Ferry Operators who provide crossings between UK and France. Ferry operators such as Seafrance, P&O Ferries, LD Lines, Transmanche, Norfolkline and Brittany Ferries provide crossings from major UK ports such as Portsmouth, Dover, Plymouth and Newhaven to Dieppe, LeHavre, Calais,Dunkerque,Caen and St.Malo.

The number of ferry crossings available per day along with cheap competitive prices offer even more choice and flexibility to customers, not to mention the savings.

Also, most airlines are now charging for every bit of luggage you take, so although on the face of it, they look cheap, they are not ultimately. With Ferries there is no such hassle, take as much as you can carry.

Based on all these advantages and of course the place itself , we are predicting France to be a popular holiday destination for 2009 if not the most popular.

Ferry travellers will be pleased to know that various ferry operators are taking steps towards bringing down the ticket prices owing to the falling fuel prices.

 Ferry operators such as Condor Ferries who operate between the Channel Islands, England and France and Wightlink who operate between England and Isle of Wight have already announced a reduction in their fuel surcharges which in turn will reduce the ticket price.

 
Most of the other operators are also expected to follow suit with respect to this aspect. Ferry travel not only adds to the excitement of the holiday but is also being sought as an alternative to other means of travel owing to economical and competitive pricing.

The new ferry service from Portsmouth to Santander onboard the luxury cruise ship MV Pont-Aven will be the fastest direct ferry service from UK to Northern Spain.This new service will commence on the 18th of March 2009 with 1 crossing per week each way. The average crossing time will be 24 hours but Brittany Ferries are making every effort to make the crossing itself a wonderful holiday experience with new levels of comfort and convenience onboard their new cruise ferry Pont-Aven.

After all the gloomy news about credit crunch, here’s some good news for you – don’t cut back on the festive fun and frivolity this Christmas but just be a savvy spender instead. Shopping on the continent is not only good value for money but also the best way to get great deals.

   Here are some of the best day trip ferry deals to France along with some handy tips:

• Dover to Calais day trip with Seafrance from just £25.00 for a car + 4
• Dover to Calais day trip with P&O Ferries from just £29.00 for a car + 4
• Dover to Dunkerque day trip with Norfolkline from just £30.00 for a car + 4
• Folkestone to Calais day trip with Eurotunnel from just £50.00 for a car + 4

Try www.aferry.co.uk , this website allows you to compare all of the above short sea crossings in one go with its compare price feature, so that you can choose the best deal that suits you.

Anyway here are some useful shopping tips for you to make the most of your trip:

• Be on time for your ferry crossing otherwise you’ll end up paying more unnecessarily.
• Allow the petrol to be quite low in the tank so that you can fill on the continent where it is cheap.This way you can offset the cost of the ferry.  
• Make sure to check out the prices at home before you shop abroad.
• Be aware of customs limits to avoid any unnecessary questions at all –  3200 cigarettes, 3 kilos of tobacco, 110 litres of wine, 10 litres of spirits and 20 litres of fortified wine.
• Check out the guidelines at Customs and Excise website.
• Ring your credit card company so as to avoid being turned down. This could happen because they might think it’s a fraudulent transaction because of deviation from normal spending.

Enjoy guilt free shopping!

Norfolkline has been honoured with the “Best Ferry Company” award at the 2008 Observer Travel Awards.
Norfolkline offers ferry crossings between Dover and Dunkerque and from Liverpool to Dublin and Belfast. It has also recently announced the revival of the Rosyth to Zeebrugge route which was previously operated by Superfast Ferries.

The award was handed out on the basis of more than 17000 questionnaires completed by the Guardian and Observer readers.
Kell Robdrup, the managing director of Norfolkline’s Ferry division said, “I am very pleased to learn that Norfolkline has received this prestigious award this year.”
“This is the fruit of the continuous effort of our dedicated teams in the English Channel and Irish Sea. Norfolkline has always been a committed ferry operator and we will stay customer-focused in order to deliver quality service to our customers.”

Commenting on this award, the Observer said that the problems in the aviation industry could have prompted a raise in the in the ferry travel, with a 3 percent rise in the passenger figures since February supporting the comment.

With the ski season soon approaching, we just wanted to draw your attention to a recent study published  by the ferry operator; Seafrance, which outlines the real cost of travelling with a low cost airline as opposed to travelling on a ferry when you go on a ski holiday carrying heavy ski gear and equipment.

The study points out the typical baggage allowances offered by these airlines in most cases is only 15 – 20kg, which does not allow much room for anything else once you’ve packed your ski boots.  Ski passengers would also have to pay an extra £30 - £50 for a return flight just to take their ski equipment. The complexity does not end there; some airlines insist on pre-booking the skis while others refuse to pre-book them, as well as the fact that the skis are carried at your own risk despite paying heavy fees to the airlines.

By comparison, if you travel by ferry, there is no restriction on how much you can carry and you don’t have to pay any extra to carry your ski equipment as long as you can fit them into your car boot or roof rack and your skis are kept safe in the car. Self drive ski holidays to France mean you can also travel in the comfort of your car and avoid the stress of chaotic airports and missing luggage.

Here’s a table for comparison:

The Club Class service was until now available only on the Irish Ferries’ Holyhead / Dublin route but this service will also be available on the Pembroke / Rosslare route from mid November.

For an extra £14.00 or €18.00 club class passengers will now be able to access exclusive benefits such as Priority boarding, a reserved lounge for club class passengers, complimentary drinks and snacks as well as newspapers, exclusive lounge bar serving fresh food and drink, charging facility for laptops and mobiles along with a 10% discount in the onboard shop.

Prices start from just £59.00 for a Car + 1 one way

Now, this is a lot for £14.00, let’s go for it.

LD Lines, who operate the existing services between Portsmouth / LeHavre, a seasonal Newhaven / Le Havre and Newhaven / Dieppe in conjunction with their sister company Transmanche Ferries have announced the addition of a new route, Dover – Boulogne.

Until now they have been waiting for the go ahead from the Dover Port Authority to operate their services from the eastern docks of Dover. As they have now been given the go ahead, LD Lines has announced that the new service will commence from the 1st of July 2009. This service will cater to both passenger and freight services.

Initially there will be upto 4 sailings per day with the sailing time of approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. Norman Spirit, the ship currently used on Portsmouth / Le Havre route will be replaced by a new ship and Norman Spirit will be used on the Dover/ Boulogne route.

Norman Spirit has the capacity to carry 1850 passengers, 700 freight vehicles and 110 cars and is equipped with all mod cons.

The Dover / Boulogne route will not only introduce LD Lines to the short Sea Channel crossings but is also expected to create 150 more jobs and of course bring more competition on the route.
Keep your eyes peeled for the introductory fares!

As the festive season approaches, many people will be looking for bargains to stock up on booze, food and other sundries. This is of special importance especially for people with big families and one of the ingenious ways to bag some these best bargains is to hop on a ferry to France across the Channel and choose from among the fantastic range of hypermarkets and wine warehouses available there.

Ferry Operators like Seafrance and P&O Ferries offer frequent and regular crossings from Dover to Calais or you can choose to go by Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais. Fares for the Dover - Calais day trips start from as little as £30.00 for the return crossing for a Car + up to 5 Passengers, although you need to book early to get these fares.
Once you are in Calais, you will be amazed at the choice of outlets available on the door step of the Ferry Port. Wine and Beer World in Rue du Judee, just 5 mins drive from the port is undoubtedly the most popular outlet. Other popular Calais beer and wine warehouses within easy reach of the port are Boozers, Cheers and Pidou superstore.
And if you are looking to stock up on items other than booze, then Cite Europe in Calais which is directly accessible from the Eurotunnel terminal and Calais ferry port, has a number of outlets offering everything you will ever need from groceries and snacks  to clothes and electrical items. Another popular hypermarket is the Auchan hypermarket where you can find a host of special offers and discounts any time of the year.
You can find some spectacular cheeses in La Maison Fromage et des Vins in Rue André Gerschell which is less than a kilometre from the ferry port.
Unlike air travel, ferry travel doesn’t pose any problems to bring your shopping back as long as everything you buy is for personal use and there is no weight restriction either. But just in case you want to absolutely avoid any kind of questions from the customs officers, then it is best to ensure that you don’t exceed the following amounts : 3200 cigarettes, 3 kilos of tobacco, 110 litres of wine, 10 litres of spirits and 20 litres of fortified wine such as port or sherry.
So, what are you waiting for?  Go ahead and plan your shopping trip to the France, it’s as easy as heading to your local supermarket with ferry crossings every hour but probably more fun than that!

Instead of always suggesting that ferries are cheaper alternatives, we thought we’ll just give you a glimpse of how cheap they are, here’s a few.

P&O (Dover to Calais)
Car + up to 9 passengers (any duration) from £32 each way, icing on the cake is that it includes a FREE Disney ticket (only one though, you need to buy the rest)

There is also a day return offer from £29.00 return for Car + up to 9 passengers.
Seafrance (Dover to Calais)

Car + up to 4 passengers (any duration) from £25.00 each way and A day return trip from £25.00 as well!
Norfolkline (Dover to Dunkerque)

Even better, they are offering crossings from just £19 each way for Car + up to 5 passengers.
LD Lines (Portsmouth to LeHavre and Newhaven to Dieppe)
5 Day return from just £37.50 each way for Car + passengers (valid till 11/11/08)