BRITTANY FERRIES CANCELLED

[sidestand]

Oh dear !

This could decimate the Moto Piston Rally - there's no way a lot of those old bikes could be ridden all the way down to Santander.

 

[craig10]

Hi Chaps

We've had our Sunday evening Ferry cancelled so are now looking at an early morning blast down France on the Monday. Can anyone recommend any good hotels to stay roughly halfway down or a tad more thats a little more characterful than the Novotel in Bordeaux that I've done before.

Thanks

Simon

Stayed here on a tour to the Pyrenees in 2007, about 15 miles southwest of Bordeaux http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/res...id=1;srfid=03b878e6fd4f91da1add4010e33d4e14X1

 

[craig10]

Either they lower their standards to reduce costs, reduce profit margins for shareholders or reduce staff salaries.

From experience, shafting the staff by replacing them with whoever is the cheapest at the moment is the usual way in the marine industry...

Does that make me sound bitter??? he he he...

 

[Blackal]

From experience, shafting the staff by replacing them with whoever is the cheapest at the moment is the usual way in the marine industry...

Does that make me sound bitter??? he he he...

Not at all - the marine industry was probably the first industry to suffer from "Globalisation" - decades before the term was invented.

Those UK citizens who went to sea, were told "you are competing on the international market", by the people in the offices who had nothing to fear from Filipinos, and Indians (not the "red" kind )

If the French are prepared to fight for their standards - good luck to them. No UK government has ever given a toss.

Al

 

[craig10]

Not at all - the marine industry was probably the first industry to suffer from "Globalisation" - decades before the term was invented.

Those UK citizens who went to sea, were told "you are competing on the international market", by the people in the offices who had nothing to fear from Filipinos, and Indians (not the "red" kind )

If the French are prepared to fight for their standards - good luck to them. No UK government has ever given a toss.

Al

+1 on that Al!

 

[iftikartaxis]

Motopiston

Oh dear !

This could decimate the Moto Piston Rally - there's no way a lot of those old bikes could be ridden all the way down to Santander.

My friend has gone he was gutted when the ferries went on strike
He's gone Dover to calais and is riding with an elderly gent and wife
Both on Vincent black shadows
So give him a wave if you see him name of bob from bury lancs

 

[Bugbear]

Its over

http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/routes/sailing-updates

 

[bladerunner]

Due to go out Portsmouth/Caen overnight Saturday. Back Santander Plymouth 17th.

Thank F***, Jo & I work hard enough, we could do with a holiday!

 

[Dave h]

Hurray the eurotunnel will be empty now


Dave

 

[Blue Sweeper]

Got the news about the ferry when I was in Morocco. So, Saturday morning 27th September, left Algeciras determined to not use the Peage. Got home today (Monday 1st) late afternoon, quite a pleasant 1566 mile ride really. Crossing the Pyrenees was particularly nice, what a way to spend a Sunday. Will be getting half the price of my ferry ticket back, plus £200 travel expenses from Brittany Ferries.

 

[Sea Lion]

This has been a bloody nightmare for us.

Me and wife were cycling around the Picos. Arrived at Santander the night before the crossing home to Plymouth, blissfully unaware what had been going on.

Turn on the phone to find a voicemail message saying crossing cancelled, so call their call centre, which was closed. Also recieved a text and email telling us to make our own way to calais. Great. With two fully loaded touring cycles with camping kit etc.

Spent half the night on a smart phone booking a flight with Ryan air. Then all next day rushing around santander looking for packing materials, tools etc to dimantle and pack bikes.

Ryan air flight went with no hitches. Well impressed.

Trouble is we were now in Stansted. Car was near Exeter, we live near Manchester.

We rode as far as Oxford, all we had time for. Stayed at the YHA overnight and then caught the train to Exeter.

I should get a refund for the ferry crossing, but with the extra for the flight, accomodation for Stansted and Oxford, train ticket to Exeter, We are about £250 out of pocket.

Never had to claim in such circumstances before. Any advice would be appreciated. Who do I claim off, the travel insurance company or the ferry company?

Any help much appreciated.

Ta

 

[Blackal]

This has been a bloody nightmare for us.

Me and wife were cycling around the Picos. Arrived at Santander the night before the crossing home to Plymouth, blissfully unaware what had been going on.

Turn on the phone to find a voicemail message saying crossing cancelled, so call their call centre, which was closed. Also recieved a text and email telling us to make our own way to calais. Great. With two fully loaded touring cycles with camping kit etc.

Spent half the night on a smart phone booking a flight with Ryan air. Then all next day rushing around santander looking for packing materials, tools etc to dimantle and pack bikes.

Ryan air flight went with no hitches. Well impressed.

Trouble is we were now in Stansted. Car was near Exeter, we live near Manchester.

We rode as far as Oxford, all we had time for. Stayed at the YHA overnight and then caught the train to Exeter.

I should get a refund for the ferry crossing, but with the extra for the flight, accomodation for Stansted and Oxford, train ticket to Exeter, We are about £250 out of pocket.

Never had to claim in such circumstances before. Any advice would be appreciated. Who do I claim off, the travel insurance company or the ferry company?

Any help much appreciated.

Ta

Check your travel insurance policy document first - it is likely that their wording and cover is going to be more beneficial.

If it covers you to your satisfaction - claim there (as long as they don't mention that carrier's insurance has primacy)

Al

 

[Blackal]

Due to go out Portsmouth/Caen overnight Saturday. Back Santander Plymouth 17th.

Thank F***, Jo & I work hard enough, we could do with a holiday!

Just remember that the Ferry crews deserve their holidays too

Al

 

[Richie B]

Check your travel insurance policy document first - it is likely that their wording and cover is going to be more beneficial.

If it covers you to your satisfaction - claim there (as long as they don't mention that carrier's insurance has primacy)

Al

Have you spoken to Brittany ferries about covering your costs ?? I got them to cover my fuel costs for the extra miles and a friend of mine got fuel and accommodation costs on top of the free ferry from Calais and refund for the cancelled crossing.

 

[bladerunner]

No doubt
I have no axe to grind, just grateful they are back working. I much prefer ferries to planes.
Always willing to pay top dollar for good service.