New Rosyth Ferry inaugural sailing a fiasco

[AndyT]

One of the guys who came offshore today told me how he went on the new ferry from Rosyth to Zeebrugge and he said it was a disaster. Apart from the fact that it was delayed due to the poor skipper pegging out with a heart attack he said people onboard were starting to rebel.
Cabins very bland even though brand new, food was attrocious (still frozen in the middle), absolutely nothing to do in the way of entertainment, freeainfg temperatures as the HVAC system not operating properly. He said that alot of people were recieving immdeiate compensation and he has put in a claim so hopeful as it ruined his Silver Wedding trip to Bruge.

The only plus point was the drinks at the bar which he said were cheap but maybe that was a sweetner for that voyage....
Such a shame as I really liked using the Superfast Service

 

[Deleted account rno]

I saw an interview on TV and Alex Salmond (I think) was saying that freight custom was their primary target with holiday makers and short trip passengers their secondary aim. Doesn't auger well for things like entertainment and haut cuisine I wouldn't have thought.

 

[Stanley Knife]

That really is a shame.
The original Superfast service was my all time favourite crossing.
I was waiting for some feedback before booking a crossing for September but it looks like DFDS will be getting my cash again.

 

[garfield]

I understand all of the reasons for the Rosyth crossing and why people might like it, for the life of me, I still can't get it out of my head that Dover's not that far away.....

 

[Deleted account rno]

I understand all of the reasons for the Rosyth crossing and why people might like it, for the life of me, I still can't get it out of my head that Dover's not that far away.....

A' right for you. You dinnae hae Christine sittin' pillion.

Jockgrim in a "oner" on a bike? She'd stab me. If we had to stop for an overnighter, the price of BnB added on to the extra fuel etc, just makes the DFDS ferry the way to go. Rosyth is just too expensive for me.

Another factor is the run south to Dover. What a horrible route.

 

[wully]

Another factor is the run south to Dover. What a horrible route.

Yup. We did it in the comfy van with sleeping area in the back in March and it was a quiet trip down on a Friday night but even that was enough to make us take the Hull ferry back.

Fark driving all that way on the bike.

And back

 

[skinnersscotch]

Just checked prices.

£850 for our motor home from Rosyth

£650 for motorhome and bike on trailer from Newcastle.

Guess where I am sailing from....

Spoke to a freight driver. He said that the crossing is too long. Driver's rest period is 11 hours and crossing is 18, meaning 7 hours downtime. They earn on the move, not sitting on a ferry.

 

[Deleted account rno]

Just checked prices.

£850 for our motor home from Rosyth

£650 for motorhome and bike on trailer from Newcastle.

Guess where I am sailing from....

Spoke to a freight driver. He said that the crossing is too long. Driver's rest period is 11 hours and crossing is 18, meaning 7 hours downtime. They earn on the move, not sitting on a ferry.

Does the saving on fuel (300 miles or so return to Newcastle and nearer 500 to Hull) and wear and tear on the truck not cancel out the driver's hourly rate loss?

 

[deerhunter]

Have sailed oot oh every port in the country and for me rosyth is my favourite. Its a shame to hear that its off to a bad start.Due to sail out from there for the 3rd time on saturday, so will let you know how it goes. It was use it or lose it for me, but if its going to be second rate then ferk it i,ll make the dreaded trip to the shire.

 

[Kaybe]

Been on the ferry the past fortnight, was off to the Black Forest roads.

Back to topic - mixed views to be honest.

Pros
clean and tidy, very friendly staff
cheapish bar.
When landed back in Rosyth, was only hour and half home to Montrose.
easy roll on / off



Cons
Meal on way out was poor for money spent, lesson learned and so on return brought my own cheese / hams / bread from continent and was very nice in the bar.
Well sleep was a non event on the return due to noise, methinks a vent pipe in the roof space occasionally hit a resonance and made a hell of a noise.

Neutral
Cabin bit cramped but there again somewhere to sleep.
Overall price not too bad when split between four.
Bit of hassle getting into Zeebruge ferry park point, as there appeared to be some cock up with the ticket, yet when I went to their HQ a few hundred metres away, there was no problem.


A few who I travelled with said was not as good as previous ferry, as it appears is very much now geared for freight travellers.

Would I use it again? - perhaps but would need to be with 3 others to share cost.

 

[skinnersscotch]

My wife and I have just booked with P&O Dover Calais.

Rosyth : Motorhome, 2 adults only total £868

Dover : Motorhome, trailer with GSA onboard, 2 adults and 2 dogs £270.

Don't care how much diesel I use to get to Dover, the money I save can be spent on cheap wine (the advantage of having a large motorhome!).

Apparently the freight companies aren't so keen on the Rosyth crossing. 18 hours long is too long. They are paying driver's for sitting about.

Drive to Hull, 11 hour crossing, just the right length for driver's rest period.

Anyway, whatever you do, wherever you go, have a good time.

 

[deerhunter]

Hello All, arrived back on tuesdays ferry into rosyth, First class is all there is to say. Smaller boat than previous, clean friendly and the food said to be first class. didn,t have a meal myself, but a couple for Aberdeen who sailed out from Newcastle paying £80 for a second rate meal, payed £40 for 3 coarses and said it was first class.
Can vouch for the breakfast all you can eat for a £10 not to bad i,d say.
Do thou keep an eye on the deck staff, the bikes are parked over chains and strapped down. I landed so my center stand leg was over the chain, dick in the yellow hard hat came along pulled as hard as he could on the strap lifted bike off stand and nearly over into side of Discovery. real lucky i was still there. For sure KEEP AN EYE ON THEM.
Big plus for me 1 hour 20 mins from deck to doorstep.

 

[mr moto]

Still way too expensive'and takes far too long.