2010RT ON FERRY

[Malcvtr]

I used the ferry from Hull to Zeebrugge and had no problems at all. Beats travelling 300 miles to Dover where you would arrive knackered, have a brief respite and the back in the saddle again. Arrive in Zeebrugge refreshed, fully fueled and raring to go. Piece of cake.

That's a fair point. I overcome this by staying at a B&B about 40 minutes from the terminal (called Foxes Earth). It adds £50 to the overall cost of the trip, but I really like the convenience of the tunnel - 30 minute trip and ride straight on to the Autoroute.

 

[Farmer Palmer]

Those big North Sea ferries hardly move when the seas rough......!

I was on the short 'inter island' ferries in Shetland a couple of months back and it was 'blawin a hoolie'. You're out in the open air hanging onto your bike for dear life getting a 'salt spray shower' every time the ferry hits a big wave, it's a good idea to keep your visor closed and sea spray is a real b*gger to clean off

Deck hand was very helpful.......Told me to 'jam' my bike in a doorway to stop it from getting knocked over it was that rough. The lorry drivers were having a good laugh but I guess they're used to it up there.

Sidestand was best in that instance, in gear with the plastic pannier corner protector wedged between the door and wall.....worked a treat!

FP.

 

[Our Gee]

Whilst I agree with Shipwreck that arriving in Zeebrugge via P and O North Sea Ferries does have it's plus points such as saving around 700 miles a trip and of course the added bonus of a decent meal and a fair night's kip, (depending on sea conditions) it's the "Garaging" of Motorbikes where things could be drastically improved. I too have used this service many times, in fact back to the days before the two Ships had their names changed and where the Norsun and Norsea. Compared to other Ferries we have used the facilities for parking and securing Motorcycles on The Pride of Brugge and The Pride of York are IMHO poor. Still that's just what I have experienced and I respect other folks opinion if they find everything to be acceptable. What we have done for the last two trips is an easy run down to Kent (we take all day), an overnight at The Old Vicarage see www.oldvicaragedoddington.co.uk Tea and Lemon Curd Toast on arrival, Good Pub Grub close by, Cracking good night's sleep, Excellent Breakfast then an easy 25 minutes to the Tunnel. Half an hour later "La Belle France" !!.

 

[Shipwreck]

Whilst I agree with Shipwreck that arriving in Zeebrugge via P and O North Sea Ferries does have it's plus points such as saving around 700 miles a trip and of course the added bonus of a decent meal and a fair night's kip, (depending on sea conditions) it's the "Garaging" of Motorbikes where things could be drastically improved. I too have used this service many times, in fact back to the days before the two Ships had their names changed and where the Norsun and Norsea. Compared to other Ferries we have used the facilities for parking and securing Motorcycles on The Pride of Brugge and The Pride of York are IMHO poor. Still that's just what I have experienced and I respect other folks opinion if they find everything to be acceptable. What we have done for the last two trips is an easy run down to Kent (we take all day), an overnight at The Old Vicarage see www.oldvicaragedoddington.co.uk Tea and Lemon Curd Toast on arrival, Good Pub Grub close by, Cracking good night's sleep, Excellent Breakfast then an easy 25 minutes to the Tunnel. Half an hour later "La Belle France" !!.

Six of one half a dozen of the other, belts or braces, swings and roundabouts. I just find The Hull Zeebrugge crossing best for me with the inevitable time constraints usually involved preventing the more leisurely route you mention above. Yes their could be more room on the ferry but having served in Her Majesty's finest (RN). The cavernous quarters afforded to me on the Hull to Zeebrugge ferry make me feel like all my Christmases have come at once. With the added bonus of putting in heavy mileage on the first day if so desired. Gets my vote.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Six of one half a dozen of the other, belts or braces, swings and roundabouts. I just find The Hull Zeebrugge crossing best for me with the inevitable time constraints usually involved preventing the more leisurely route you mention above. Yes their could be more room on the ferry but having served in Her Majesty's finest (RN). The cavernous quarters afforded to me on the Hull to Zeebrugge ferry make me feel like all my Christmases have come at once. With the added bonus of putting in heavy mileage on the first day if so desired. Gets my vote.

Yep, I'd sooner do my first 300 miles in Europe than all the way to Dover

I can get to the Hull Ferry from my house all on B roads, virtually to the Terminal..............sheer bliss - from there I can be through Brussels in less than an hour of Motorway or down to French N roads via Lille

When compared to the A1/A14/M11/M25/Dartford Queues/M20................yuk, no thanks

 

[Beemerrt]

ferry ride

I will be traveling to Norway this summer. Thinking about taking the ferry from Hirtshals to Kristiansand. Has anyone done this?

 

[stever1]

Maz, I do just as you say in your post, but i also use a velcro strap to hold on the front brakes. If your going on NSF from Hull for instance, they want you to secure the bike yourself but do have lots of straps available. But i personally use my own ratchet strap over the seat,and use a spare pair of gloves under the strap.Remember, you're only strapping it into place so it doesn't rock/move. Its not a test of how tight you can make the strap. The only time I vary this, is if its going to be a rough crossing ill put a strap over the top of the front wheel to help hold it. Incidentally, I've been touring Europe since 2006 and don't recall seeing any bikes falling over using this method.

Incidentally, the comments about the Hull/Zeebrugge ferry are all accurate, but its not scary tight.just a bit snug. If its your first time on a ferry, and going from Hull then go the Hull/Rotterdam route. The bike parking onboard is much easier/roomier.

 

[edzt]

The worst part of the Hull to Zee I find is the queue thro' passport control back in blighty. If your luck's in you'll end up bottom deck at the front of the ship...loads of room