DFDS vs. P&O North Sea

[Wicker]

I booked Hull for a holiday in June. Approx £250 less than DFDS our of Newcastle. DFDS really seem to have loaded their fares for the summer season with motorbikes being charged £130-£160 each way.
DFDS fares do reduce in Sept so I've booked with them despite P&O being circa £80 cheaper. The extra fuel and time to Hull outweighed by the convenience of getting to Newcastle.

 

[Neil W]

P &O Ferries ,the gift that just keeps on giving .
Due to my wifes health issues this year we are having to take the car down to Austria, we booked the ferry back in September 2025 and specified speedy disembarkation to be told it was not available at the time but would be from November
We only booked with them as it was guaranteed that this was going to be available ,however, since then we have contacted P and O every 4 weeks to make the alteration to be told it is not available yet.
Rang yesterday to be told that due to the new EU entry regulations it was probably not going to be available in the foreseeable future

 

[Wapping]

P &O Ferries ,the gift that just keeps on giving……..due to the new EU entry regulations it was probably not going to be available in the foreseeable future

If only you had an EU passport or we were still members of the EU….. Brexit, the gift that keeps on giving.

 

[glenn2926]

P &O Ferries ,the gift that just keeps on giving .
Due to my wifes health issues this year we are having to take the car down to Austria, we booked the ferry back in September 2025 and specified speedy disembarkation to be told it was not available at the time but would be from November
We only booked with them as it was guaranteed that this was going to be available ,however, since then we have contacted P and O every 4 weeks to make the alteration to be told it is not available yet.
Rang yesterday to be told that due to the new EU entry regulations it was probably not going to be available in the foreseeable future

We went Hull-Rotterdam in January and there was very little difference in the time it took to go through customs/entry. We had to get out of the car and have a picture taken which took around two minutes. There are a lot of scaremongering stories around but for us it made very little difference. There were a lot of vehicles exiting the ferry so overall to clear the whole ship probably did take a bit longer but not a massive problem.

 

[Neil W]

Just back from a two night "mini cruise" on DFDS Ferries from Newcastle to Ijmuiden , we went as foot passengers , the main reason was to get the new European registration sorted out before our July Holiday and get a day in Amsterdam.

Haven't travelled by DFDS since 2015 at to be honest it isn't that much better , we paid for a cabin upgrade allegedly to the same standard as the cabin we book on the Hull Rotterdam route , it wasn't , the cabin and bathroom are smaller , no coffee and teas in the room and beds were definitely not as comfortable. Evening meals were poor with less choice and no free soft drinks , water and coffee like the P and O route . Hot breakfast choice was even worse.
However , the complete bummer was the fact we were supposed to get 6 hours in Amsterdam but as the passport control was so slow with the new system we did not get through passport control for almost 90 minutes and by the time we got into Amsterdam we had just over 4 hours in the city . It was not just us as you could also see how slow the cars were getting clear of the docks . As our bus was pulling away the last of the cars were leaving the dock which was on a boat that was less than half full according to staff , it will be a nightmare high summer and will severely limit the distances you can get into Germany .
Coming back again we had to be fingerprinted and photographed and our passports stamped for leaving the Schengen area (it was stamped on entering) .
While waiting for my wife I spoke to a customs officer and said that I thought that the full process was only for the first registration in a three year period but was told that they were working a system where on every entry into Schengen and leaving all passports are to be checked and stamped and fingerprints and photographs taken .
Fingerprints were a PITA for many as they (including my wife ) could not exert enough pressure on the pad for prints to be taken . I reckon it is because the fingerprint machines glass plates were f*cking minging (at work the plate on the fingerprint machines were cleaned before any new prints were taken to prevent both misreads and poor results.
We will see in July if Hull to Rotterdam is any better but with a full ship I think it will be a complete clusterf*ck

 

[Doc]

Just back from a two night "mini cruise" on DFDS Ferries from Newcastle to Ijmuiden , we went as foot passengers , the main reason was to get the new European registration sorted out before our July Holiday and get a day in Amsterdam.

Haven't travelled by DFDS since 2015 at to be honest it isn't that much better , we paid for a cabin upgrade allegedly to the same standard as the cabin we book on the Hull Rotterdam route , it wasn't , the cabin and bathroom are smaller , no coffee and teas in the room and beds were definitely not as comfortable. Evening meals were poor with less choice and no free soft drinks , water and coffee like the P and O route . Hot breakfast choice was even worse.
However , the complete bummer was the fact we were supposed to get 6 hours in Amsterdam but as the passport control was so slow with the new system we did not get through passport control for almost 90 minutes and by the time we got into Amsterdam we had just over 4 hours in the city . It was not just us as you could also see how slow the cars were getting clear of the docks . As our bus was pulling away the last of the cars were leaving the dock which was on a boat that was less than half full according to staff , it will be a nightmare high summer and will severely limit the distances you can get into Germany .
Coming back again we had to be fingerprinted and photographed and our passports stamped for leaving the Schengen area (it was stamped on entering) .
While waiting for my wife I spoke to a customs officer and said that I thought that the full process was only for the first registration in a three year period but was told that they were working a system where on every entry into Schengen and leaving all passports are to be checked and stamped and fingerprints and photographs taken .
Fingerprints were a PITA for many as they (including my wife ) could not exert enough pressure on the pad for prints to be taken . I reckon it is because the fingerprint machines glass plates were f*cking minging (at work the plate on the fingerprint machines were cleaned before any new prints were taken to prevent both misreads and poor results.
We will see in July if Hull to Rotterdam is any better but with a full ship I think it will be a complete clusterf*ck

I'm on the Hull crossing end of May so I'll see what it's like.

 

[JonnyBravo]

Hull crossing middle of June (fuel dependant!) and we have resigned ourselves to just grinning and bearing it.
It takes as long as it takes.

 

[glenn2926]

We’re crossing Hull-Rotterdam beginning of May. it’s like the last few times and not like some seem to get it.

 

[Neil W]

Hull crossing middle of June (fuel dependant!) and we have resigned ourselves to just grinning and bearing it.
It takes as long as it takes.

Taking the car this year 700 plus miles range and there may be a 5 gallon jerry can of diesel in the boot , that said Austria has cut duty on fuel in the last couple of weeks to help out their citizens.

 

[wilbjr21]

Taking the car this year 700 plus miles range and there may be a 5 gallon jerry can of diesel in the boot , that said Austria has cut duty on fuel in the last couple of weeks to help out their citizens.

Best of luck Neil W.

My friend and I will be using the Tunnel in September (bikes) - grinning and bearing it as has been said.

I just wish someone would fell me what it's all for.

 

[Neil W]

Best of luck Neil W.

My friend and I will be using the Tunnel in September (bikes) - grinning and bearing it as has been said.

I just wish someone would fell me what it's all for.

Protect Europe from UK citizens or just another slap down caused by Brexit . Who the F knows

 

[J biker]

Protect Europe from UK citizens or just another slap down caused by Brexit . Who the F knows

Its simple really. The UK is no longer part of the EU. So it will be treated the same as other countries, not in the EU.

 

[J biker]

Its simple really. The UK is no longer part of the EU. So it will be treated the same as other countries, not in the EU.

Maybe for another thread..but..
If people want their ‘freedoms’ back, then we will need to rejoin. Though looking at our politicians, past, present and potentially future? I could understand reluctance from the EU. Some of our parties are still hammering on about further severance. Rather dim. Esp considering world events.
As an aside. For those living in France the ‘state’ already has id cards, or residency cards for foreigners. Photos and finger print details are taken. I have a ten year carte. Thanks to article 50 and renewal of a 5 year carte. My details are recorded so will not need to go through the process each time. Also no 90 day restrictions. Very happy to be ‘part’ of Europe. ‘Leaving’ was always going to have consequences.
Just like this forum. Pay a subscription. Have more rights. I dont, so cant post in certain sections. All fair and right. How can I complain?

 

[wilbjr21]

Maybe for another thread..but..
If people want their ‘freedoms’ back, then we will need to rejoin. Though looking at our politicians, past, present and potentially future? I could understand reluctance from the EU. Some of our parties are still hammering on about further severance. Rather dim. Esp considering world events.
As an aside. For those living in France the ‘state’ already has id cards, or residency cards for foreigners. Photos and finger print details are taken. I have a ten year carte. Thanks to article 50 and renewal of a 5 year carte. My details are recorded so will not need to go through the process each time. Also no 90 day restrictions. Very happy to be ‘part’ of Europe. ‘Leaving’ was always going to have consequences.
Just like this forum. Pay a subscription. Have more rights. I dont, so cant post in certain sections. All fair and right. How can I complain?

Steady now - the "brexit Borg" on here will be after you,

"Brussels Death Star", "we never left", "it wasn't done properly", "if only our Nige was in charge" and all the rest of the drivel from the Collective.

I'm off to check out some more of the swashbuckling trade agreements we've signed with our new found freedoms.

 

[JoeBiff]

Maybe for another thread..but..
If people want their ‘freedoms’ back, then we will need to rejoin. Though looking at our politicians, past, present and potentially future? I could understand reluctance from the EU. Some of our parties are still hammering on about further severance. Rather dim. Esp considering world events.
As an aside. For those living in France the ‘state’ already has id cards, or residency cards for foreigners. Photos and finger print details are taken. I have a ten year carte. Thanks to article 50 and renewal of a 5 year carte. My details are recorded so will not need to go through the process each time. Also no 90 day restrictions. Very happy to be ‘part’ of Europe. ‘Leaving’ was always going to have consequences.
Just like this forum. Pay a subscription. Have more rights. I dont, so cant post in certain sections. All fair and right. How can I complain?

Nice thread hijack…. just saying
But, you’ve missed the point by a country mile. Even as a member of the EUSSR, your country still has to implement this megalomaniacal border control disaster; which is a half-baked technically incompetent experiment which most EUSSR countries haven’t yet got to grips with. Experience shows it’s still pure theatrical border comedy farce.

Anyway, back to the P&O -v- DFDS…

 

[J biker]

Nice thread hijack…. just saying
But, you’ve missed the point by a country mile. Even as a member of the EUSSR, your country still has to implement this megalomaniacal border control disaster; which is a half-baked technically incompetent experiment which most EUSSR countries haven’t yet got to grips with. Experience shows it’s still pure theatrical border comedy farce.

Anyway, back to the P&O -v- DFDS…

The Hull crossing is better value. The restaurant was also streets ahead last time I used it. The DFDS ferry is just under an hour for me, Hull around 3. So a small trade off.
There. Back on track.


Clearly something does not sit well with the EU for some folks! EUSSR Prenez un grip. As said by a partly French person..
If you want a border farce. Go to the USA. Tell them where you are staying, for how long. Take your chances with ICE at one of the airports..


You would think people would be happy at tighter border controls tbh.

 

[glenn2926]

The Hull crossing is better value. The restaurant was also streets ahead last time I used it. The DFDS ferry is just under an hour for me, Hull around 3. So a small trade off.
There. Back on track.


Clearly something does not sit well with the EU for some folks! EUSSR Prenez un grip. As said by a partly French person..
If you want a border farce. Go to the USA. Tell them where you are staying, for how long. Take your chances with ICE at one of the airports..


You would think people would be happy at tighter border controls tbh.

It would seem some are desperate for travel to be a problem so for them it is. We’ve travelled exactly as we have always done and we haven’t found it to be much different than it has ever been. Well apart from before we joined the EU, that was a bit more long winded but hey, we’re wanting to get into their country so they have every right to want to know who we are etc.
Those that don’t like it. Well they have an option don’t they?

 

[J biker]

The longest delay I experienced was around ten years ago. DFDS. Ship docked. Took around 3 hours. UK passport control were having a laugh.
Who should I blame for that?
Its part of travelling. Looking at world events, I suggest we embrace it while we can. Some of our complaints seem rather petty, and fit in with grievance politics. We should be more grateful tbh.
Euro tunnel. I have heard so many bad things. Worst was an hour delay. Just avoid peak times. The press reports though…?..they have an agenda. Wether it is political bias or just looking for a story that gets clicks.

 

[wilbjr21]

The longest delay I experienced was around ten years ago. DFDS. Ship docked. Took around 3 hours. UK passport control were having a laugh.
Who should I blame for that?
Its part of travelling. Looking at world events, I suggest we embrace it while we can. Some of our complaints seem rather petty, and fit in with grievance politics. We should be more grateful tbh.
Euro tunnel. I have heard so many bad things. Worst was an hour delay. Just avoid peak times. The press reports though…?..they have an agenda. Wether it is political bias or just looking for a story that gets clicks.

Yes it's always a bummer arriving back at Newcastle with a well loaded ship - never have all the Customs booths manned.

 

[Davey B]

The longest delay I experienced was around ten years ago. DFDS. Ship docked. Took around 3 hours. UK passport control were having a laugh.
Who should I blame for that?
Its part of travelling. Looking at world events, I suggest we embrace it while we can. Some of our complaints seem rather petty, and fit in with grievance politics. We should be more grateful tbh.
Euro tunnel. I have heard so many bad things. Worst was an hour delay. Just avoid peak times. The press reports though…?..they have an agenda. Wether it is political bias or just looking for a story that gets clicks.

It's the age old human condition of moaning about a 1 in 20 event I suppose. I've used the Tunnel dozens of times....5 trips a year for 15+ yrs...only had a proper delay once due to a broken train. So for me (and likely most others)...a 98%+ success rate. Now use the ferries Dover to Calais and the last dozen trips have been trouble free with a few of them being exceptional...book in/customs/loading/crew etc...the only fly in the ointment have been other members of the public...many of whom are morons.