New Scotland Ferry in Spring 2009

[AndyT]

I've just seen that Norfolk Line have taken on the route between Rosythe and Zeebrugge starting in the spring of next year. Thats the best news I've seen since I've just looked at my Barclays shares which are up 100p today

Norfolk line are normally very competetive in the pricing so hopefully it will remain the same. Its a joy to have a ferry running so close to home, Den and Ronno will be over the moon

AndyT

 

[doyle]

+1

 

[Uinneag]

There still building it, hope it's competitive with DFDS

 

[simemus]

There was word in local rag that it could be goin to norway once a week too. Bring it on's what i say!!!

 

[(RIP) Nakambale]

There was word in local rag that it could be goin to norway once a week too. Bring it on's what i say!!!

That would be ace

 

[Deleted account rno]

Sounds good

 

[Gecko]

Excelllent news - let's hope they don't price themselves out the market like Superfast Ferries did !

 

[rlmr]

Used the Superfast twice... not the cheapest, but with the ferry terminal about 35 miles from home its a quick way to get on holiday... even better when on the homeward leg. Get off ferry... phone home... ask "boss" to put the kettle on... ride home... coffee waiting

I await with interest to see what the fares will be like. If they are reasonable... Austrian Alps here we go again. Great fun on the K1200S and can't wait to ride the passes on the GS

 

[always 100]

Easy

Rosyth will make a massive difference, roll on the roll on I say lets hope it lasts this time. I would defo vote for a Rosyth/Aberdeen -> Bilbao/Santander overnighter prob get it staffed with lap dancers now I'm dreaming, the weather is nice in cuckoo land

 

[Deleted account rno]

Rosyth will make a massive difference, roll on the roll on I say lets hope it lasts this time. I would defo vote for a Rosyth/Aberdeen -> Bilbao/Santander overnighter prob get it staffed with lap dancers now I'm dreaming, the weather is nice in cuckoo land

A Rosyth/Aberdeen overnighter? That's only aboot 110 miles

Ask arcboutant tae gie you a "backie". He rides just aboot slow enough

 

[The Stimulator]

See the Norfolk Line prices are out for Rosyth - Zeebrugge.

Peak season, it's only £65 return for the bike Then you have to pay for the cabin, which is compulsory, only £490 Of course, if you're travelling on a Friday or Saturday night, then its an extra £50 for each Friday or Saturday journey. Don't forget the £40 supplement each way if you want an outside cabin.

Don't think DFDS have to worry too much.



Iain

 

[simemus]

How many people in a cabin tho? If its a four berth that would only be around 175 quid per person

 

[Coolcarbon]

Not exactly a flying machine...disembark times in Zeebrugge...14.00hrs...

 

[Deleted account rno]

See the Norfolk Line prices are out for Rosyth - Zeebrugge.

Peak season, it's only £65 return for the bike Then you have to pay for the cabin, which is compulsory, only £490 Of course, if you're travelling on a Friday or Saturday night, then its an extra £50 for each Friday or Saturday journey. Don't forget the £40 supplement each way if you want an outside cabin.

Don't think DFDS have to worry too much.



Iain

Iain, Where did you get the info? Do you have a link? I can't locate anything on line for Norfolk Ferries. Maybe their website is down

Edit: Got it now

 

[The Stimulator]

How many people in a cabin tho? If its a four berth that would only be around 175 quid per person

Unlike a lot of other crossings it doesn't appear that you get the option simply to pay for a berth in a cabin and share - I've just tried a trial booking and would have had to take a whole cabin myself.

Booking cost worked out at £645 from Rosyth against £322 from Newcastle for identical journeys including single occupancy outside cabin - no real contest.

Iain

 

[cunning fox]

when will these people learn , it's not about being mean, we just dont like being fecked over. 2 years and they'll go the same way as superfast

 

[AndyT]

I can't believe you have to book the whole cabin... thats just crazy. I am thinking of a week away in Late May/early June and if there are 4 of us in a cabin mid week with my RBOS 10% discount that will be £136 each return with a bike each. I can live with that but if I was to travel alone and need to book the whole cabin that is just nonsense.....

I've sent a note asking for clarification

Good find by the way Iain, I was only talking about this a few days ago with a friend.

Andy

 

[Zundapp]

If the numbers are correct, it's too dear for me, same as the Superfast was. I don't mind the run down to Newcastle, and I'd rather go into Ijmuiden than Zeebrugge anyway. Depends where you're travelling on to of course.

The grub on the Hull boat's lots better than DFDS, but I nearly missed it the last time...

 

[AndyT]

I got clarification from the Norfolk line and you do have to book the whole cabin so unless there is a group of you its a no brainer (don't use it). If I was to go on my own with my bike it would be the best part of £5000

 

[Rambling Sid Rumpo]

Norfolkline ferry division managing director Kell Robdrup said: “Apart from the commercial interest, we find linking Scotland to the continent a very meaningful endeavour, as it brings people and business on both sides closer.”

He stressed that Norfolkline did not take into account any subsidy as a source of revenue. “A service which can only operate based on subsidy is not viable and sustainable in the long run.” However, there are some incentive schemes available within the EU, and the company said it would be looking into these to assist the start-up of the service.

It'd be interesting to see the structure of the arrangements here. There are broad hints that some sort of subsidy is being made available (like the bit above) and certainly Slippery Salmond has talked about the "importance" of the route and the "building on the success of the Rosyth - Zeebrugge route" (Gawd, that was success?)

The nasty cynical bit of me can see some complicated way in which the Scottish taxpayer ends up forking out for some of Norfolk's nice new boat on a route which - oh quelle surprise! - isn't viable because of the costs, the competition 2.5 hours away and the recession. So they wander off and use the boat on a more profitable route elsewhere.

Although it looks as though recession and exchange rates will put paid to a Yurpean tour this coming year, Hull Zeebrugge is £280 return (outbound June 09, return Jul 09) inc 2 berth cabin each way. No brainer, really. Docks at 0830 in Zeeb, too.