Looking for money saving tips on ferry travel this year?
Discover Ferries Launches ‘Save or splash out?’ value-packed breaks to make 2022 the year for ferry travel
Ferry industry association, Discover Ferries cites value holiday breaks as driving industry recovery and passenger bookings in the domestic and European travel market this year. While two years of restricted travel has left Brits eager to enjoy a break away, rising inflation and household costs mean some wanderlusters are keeping a tight hold on the purse strings making value a priority.
Keen to help holidaymakers enjoy the luxury of travel without having to go overboard, Discover Ferries has released its top money-saving booking tips. It has also compiled a number of holiday ideas to show consumers how different ferry destinations can offer a taste of the high life or suit a shoestring budget.
Discover Ferries’ tips for getting the best value ferry trips on your travels this year
1. Book early
Saver tickets sell out early, so take advantage of low rates on your preferred travel dates by booking as ferry companies release their new season timetables. Go for flexible ticketing options for the freedom to change travel plans later at no extra charge
2. Travel off peak
Choose less popular sailing times such as midweek and, on routes with overnight crossings, opt for daytime departures to make even greater savings on your ticket price
3. Squeeze into the shoulder season
For a summer getaway that doesn’t break the bank, holiday mid-June to early July or in early September. Holidaymakers benefit from the warmer weather, lower cost accommodation and quieter tourist attractions
4. Save across every part of your holiday
A car crossing ticket includes carriage for at least two passengers, often up to four, or in some cases nine passengers and includes as much luggage as you can fit in, without incurring excess baggage fees. You can even take bicycles and paddleboards. It also saves on vehicle rental and means you have everything you need for your perfect holiday with you.
5. Consider combination tickets
Many ferry firms partner with local attractions, hotels, caravan and camping clubs and transport services such as rail and sail offers to pass on bigger savings to customers.
Abby Penlington, director at Discover Ferries, says: “Value will be a key consideration for so many holidaymakers this year and we have launched our Save or Splash Out guide to highlight the versatility and amazing value offered by a range of popular ferry destinations in British and European waters. Whether travellers are looking to keep costs low or splurge on luxury experiences, they don’t have to travel too far to enjoy a memorable holiday.
“Low-cost sailings, flexible tickets and great savings on duty-free shopping make ferry travel an affordable way to travel. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a premium travel experience with many services offering opportunities to upgrade your journey. As well as priority boarding and access to VIP lounges, you can also indulge in à la carte dining, relax in a private en-suite cabin and enjoy spa treatments on board.”
The full guide is available by clicking on: DiscoverFerries – SaveorSplashOut Guide at DiscoverFerries.com but here is a taster for you...
Save
Pitch up and save on your stay
Staying at campsites can provide inexpensive accommodation for all the family, with a fortnight’s family stay on the Isle of Wight during the summer holidays costing as little as £250 (price from The Camping and Caravanning Club). Simply hop across the Solent with Hovertravel, Red Funnel or Wightlink. Ferry travel makes it easy for caravans and motorhome owners to reach their favourite destinations and, for campers, tents and equipment can be transported within the price of your ticket, whether going as a car or foot passenger.
(Photo Credit The Camping and Caravanning Club)
Sites often provide free or low-cost entertainment and sports facilities to keep everyone busy and being in the great outdoors gives direct access to nature’s beauty. In Dark Skies areas such as the Isle of Man via the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company and Channel Islands, which can be reached by Condor Ferries, stargazers can observe the best sights in the Milky Way.
Visit free attractions
So many museums, public artworks and heritage sites can be visited for free, enabling visitors to soak up local culture without having to open their wallets. It’s worth picking up destination information booklets on board or using the crossing to research interesting attractions online. Ferry favourites include Isle of Man’s Manx National Heritage sites, which are accessible with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. Art lovers can travel between the Tate Modern and Tate Britain on Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ river bus services.
Home-stays off the beaten track
Self-catering and holiday homes offer fantastic savings when compared to hotels and can provide richer experiences. Travellers to France with Brittany Ferries, DFDS, Irish Ferries and P&O Ferries can benefit from the government-sponsored scheme Bienvenue à la Ferme, which offers great value accommodation on farms and often includes homemade meals made with home-grown ingredients.
Cut accommodation costs completely
By eliminating the need to overnight, day-trippers can experience travel without hefty hotel bills. Ferry routes open access to a range of destinations that can be visited in one day and allows you to enjoy the crossing as part of the experience. Day trips to the Isles of Scilly on the Scillonian; to Guernsey with Condor Ferries; to Scotland’s western islands and peninsulas with Caledonian MacBrayne; to Northern Ireland with P&O Ferries and Stena Line; and to the Isle of Wight with Hovertravel, Red Funnel and Wightlink, make it easy to take in the beauty on our doorstep across the British Islands while relaxing, taking in spectacular views and spotting marine life.
To take in the best views of London’s iconic sights, travel around the city with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. From £18.40 the River Roamer ticket allows visitors to hop on and off the frequent river services all day to stop at many top attractions. River views, fresh air and space guaranteed!
Jaunts across the Channel for the day are back on the menu with travellers able to indulge in duty-free shopping and save up to half-price on souvenirs and goods including alcohol, perfume and chocolates. Day return car crossings are available from Dover with DFDS and P&O Ferries. For an extended break, DFDS and P&O Ferries run two-night mini cruises to Amsterdam and Rotterdam, so travellers can overnight on board and spend the day exploring the city.
Splash out
Gloat-worthy gastronomy
Ferry travel helps foodies to really push the boat out when it comes to indulging in some of the finest food on the planet. On board Brittany Ferries, passengers can enjoy a three-course meal in the fine dining restaurant before disembarking in Bilbao, just a stone’s throw from San Sebastian, a city that holds 19 Michelin stars and is renowned for its pintxos bars. A three-night stay at the Hotel Silken Amara Plaza, San Sabastian costs from £365 per person and includes ferry travel.
Every year Cowes welcomes glamourous guests to the world-famous sailing and yachting competition, so it’s no surprise that in nearby Newport, Thompson’s serves an exclusive tasting menu from £99 per person using the best produce from the Isle of Wight.
Splendid spas
For the ultimate pampering experience, splash out on a luxury spa break. One of the best spa resorts in Northern Ireland, Galgorm boasts a thermal spa village, sail to Belfast with P&O Ferries or Stena Line. If you can’t wait to start relaxing, Stena Line passengers can book into the onboard Pure Nordic Spa.
The Netherlands boasts a culture of wellness resorts, with high end spas offering Scandinavian-style sauna and massage experiences, such as the exclusive Hotel Thermen Bussloo, which is only 90 minutes from DFDS’ ferry port near Amsterdam and less than two hours from P&O Ferries and Stena Line docks in Rotterdam and Hook of Holland.
Travel in style
With ferry travel, the holiday starts as soon as you step on board so there is plenty of opportunity to upgrade your journey and enjoy a premium experience. Many services offer priority boarding, club-style lounges with complimentary food and beverages, free WiFi and comfy seating in stylish surroundings. On longer sailings, passengers can book a cabin or suite for total relaxation and privacy.
Stylish stays by the sea
With exclusive bars, a reputation for great music and some opulent city centre hotels, Dublin is a great destination for hedonists and epicures looking to enjoy all Ireland’s capital has to offer. A private powerboat tour gives an exclusive view of Dublin Bay and neighbouring Dalkey Island and adds an extra touch of class. Sail with Irish Ferries, P&O Ferries or Stena Line.
The islands on Scotland’s West coast offer a choice of well-appointed hotels, guest houses and glamping sites. The Beach Bothies at Uig on the Isle of Lewis offer a private cosy hideaway right by the sea. Accessible via Caledonian MacBrayne, a two-night break in mid-April for two costs £300.
A popular holiday spot for Coco Chanel, Deauville’s vintage glamour is still evident in its belle epoque architecture. Take a stroll along Les Planches, the 1920s boardwalk before visiting the grand casino or taking in a cabaret show. Travel to Caen or Cherbourg with Brittany Ferries, to Dieppe with DFDS or to Calais with DFDS, Irish Ferries or P&O Ferries.
For more information visit: DiscoverFerries.com
