Just booked Poole to Cherbourg fast ferry. 5hr trip and £170 return for me, mrs and bike. Good alternative if you are visiting west side of France or riding to Spain.
Just an update on DFDS prices, they are now at what they used to be last year, i have just booked a return from Newhaven, 2 people and 1 motorcycle without a cabin both ways for £91.00.
I have no idea why they were coming up so expensive a week or so ago,