Bobby B-H
Registered user
Anybody used the LD lines ferry Portsmouth to Le Havre
Brittany Ferries are an aweful lot of money
Brittany Ferries are an aweful lot of money
Ferries to France
- Thread starter Bobby B-H
- Start date
Bateman
Registered user
I've used it. You get what you pay for, which is fine by me. Its not Brittany ferries standards but it is good enough, the cabins are clean and tidy and the three times i have used them have been fine and well worth the savings over Brittany.
I used them last summer: in the car so cannot comment on how they deal with bikes. My son lives in Portsmouth so that was a big factor in choosing them.
If you want a cabin then book very early: there aren't many to go around.
The seats in the lounge are okay and they don't seem to mind people taking on sleeping bags and kipping on the floor.
They take a very long time to load the ship: they use suspended floors and there's a lot of faffing about with hydraulic ramps. We were on one of the top floors so had to wait for the lower deck to be emptied before being let off the boat. I imagine bikes would be on the lower deck anyway, filling in the gaps too small for cars at the pointy end. The ship arrived on time which is the important bit really.
On board catering is expensive but as the boat leaves very late from Portsmouth you can get a meal before you board. Likewise, get breakfast in France: it will be nicer and cheaper.
On board facilities are minimal: there is a very small kids play area inthe corner of the main lounge. It gets very noisy on the return crossing. I've no idea if club class is better.
Compared to BF the service is inferior. There again, you would expect it as there is a huge price differential.
If I had to collect the sprog from Portsmouth or was heading to Western France then I'd certainly use them again. However, if I was travelling solo on the bike to the south or east then I'd probably zip down to Dover or the Tunnel and get a crossing late afternoon and stop in a McHotel in somewhere like Arras or Cambrai. I think this would be more peaceful and maybe cheaper.
If you want a cabin then book very early: there aren't many to go around.
The seats in the lounge are okay and they don't seem to mind people taking on sleeping bags and kipping on the floor.
They take a very long time to load the ship: they use suspended floors and there's a lot of faffing about with hydraulic ramps. We were on one of the top floors so had to wait for the lower deck to be emptied before being let off the boat. I imagine bikes would be on the lower deck anyway, filling in the gaps too small for cars at the pointy end. The ship arrived on time which is the important bit really.
On board catering is expensive but as the boat leaves very late from Portsmouth you can get a meal before you board. Likewise, get breakfast in France: it will be nicer and cheaper.
On board facilities are minimal: there is a very small kids play area inthe corner of the main lounge. It gets very noisy on the return crossing. I've no idea if club class is better.
Compared to BF the service is inferior. There again, you would expect it as there is a huge price differential.
If I had to collect the sprog from Portsmouth or was heading to Western France then I'd certainly use them again. However, if I was travelling solo on the bike to the south or east then I'd probably zip down to Dover or the Tunnel and get a crossing late afternoon and stop in a McHotel in somewhere like Arras or Cambrai. I think this would be more peaceful and maybe cheaper.
Trevor Phillips
Registered user
Used LD this last Bank Holiday. Booked & went out on the Saturday. Came back on the BH Monday. Got thoroughly soaked & lost in France (do I hear a song coming?) but the ferry was great. No cabins at that notice, of course. The regular transChannel bikies reckoned they're better than BF - you don't get choked on fumes putting the bikes into tube fitments (no I don't know what they were talking about either - I haven't used BF for a bike for 25 years).
And the look on my daughter's face when I turned up at the campsite where she was working - priceless!
And the look on my daughter's face when I turned up at the campsite where she was working - priceless!
Bilks
Registered user
YEp........
Ive used 3 times, much cheaper than Brittany, mainly staffed by italian's.
Also if you get realy bored. Inter-net cafe( level 8 i fink) - for 8 quid.
Foods basic, plenty of Tele- visions, i just find La Harve a pain to get to, but a good saving on cross channel prices!
Bilks.
Ive used 3 times, much cheaper than Brittany, mainly staffed by italian's.
Also if you get realy bored. Inter-net cafe( level 8 i fink) - for 8 quid.
Foods basic, plenty of Tele- visions, i just find La Harve a pain to get to, but a good saving on cross channel prices!
Bilks.
Bobby B-H
Registered user
Thanks everyone I will have to give them a try and save some money.
BF will lose custom prices shot up after P&O gave up western crossings.
BF will lose custom prices shot up after P&O gave up western crossings.
Hector
Guest
Yes o.k for the money.Three bikes ,over to Brittany last year.I booked cabin (fine) other two on seats complained of cold as aircon system not controlled due to fault.On time and bikes strapped down by the crew.
Polar
Guest
Breakfast in Honfleur anyone?
Used LD back in June with some friends - 5 bikes, all well looked after
Recommend a brief detour to Honfleur for brekky if you have time - just across the Pont de Normandie... You can sit right on the harbour-side, watch the world go by and enjoy a great French breakfast for nonepence...
Used LD back in June with some friends - 5 bikes, all well looked after
Recommend a brief detour to Honfleur for brekky if you have time - just across the Pont de Normandie... You can sit right on the harbour-side, watch the world go by and enjoy a great French breakfast for nonepence...
BOB UK
Registered user
The same as all the rest say
Nice and cheap and good value
Top Tip
If you don’t have a cabin and you have camping gear on the bike take your sleeping bags on with you then get right to the front of the seating area where there is plenty of room to lie down then after about an hour on the night crossing the lights get dimmed its in with the ear plugs and a good nights sleep is had by all
Nice and cheap and good value
Top Tip
If you don’t have a cabin and you have camping gear on the bike take your sleeping bags on with you then get right to the front of the seating area where there is plenty of room to lie down then after about an hour on the night crossing the lights get dimmed its in with the ear plugs and a good nights sleep is had by all
JFC
Registered user
what is the price difference?
Bobby B-H
Registered user
Ferries To France
L D Lines Portsmouth to Le Harvre £165
Brittany Ferries Portsmouth to Caen £578
Same day same cabin out none back
May be worth riding to Dover son lives in Folkstone
L D Lines Portsmouth to Le Harvre £165
Brittany Ferries Portsmouth to Caen £578
Same day same cabin out none back
May be worth riding to Dover son lives in Folkstone
BOB UK
Registered user
It cost me about £75 on LD lines for both of us on one bike in july
No cabin and sleep on the floor
No cabin and sleep on the floor
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