New Scotland Ferry in Spring 2009

[Shinyface]

hull

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.

Another vote for Hull - Zeebrugge, we have two bookings made for May and Sept next year with food and a fridge full of alcohol...................and all for the above cost, a relative bargain.

Shinyface

 

[skinnersscotch]

You can't beat just getting off the ferrya nd being home. I used Superfast a few times and it was great thinking we didn't have that long haul up the east coast.

Then I lived in Edinburgh so the journey home was 21 miles. I am now in Dunfermline and the drive is 6 miles! That's a saving worth taking on.

Mind you, Superfast has the airline type seats so we never booked a cabin, big saving.

 

[Deleted account rno]

Hull is an added two hours ride or drive for me so I'll just be sticking to Newcastle and DFDS.

Why can't Rosyth operators pitch their prices more competatively?

Someone mentioned an aircraft seat. I can't think of worse ways to spend a sea crossing TBH. I did it once (funnily enough from Hull) many years ago and it was fecking horrendous.

 

[Diamond Blade]

It's been interesting following this thread from the beginning, some of you guys are amazing in gaining info that people like me struggle to find. A group of us held off booking our ferry until a couple of weeks ago because of the lack of clarity. When it came down to it, DFDS got the dough from us, and for the first time, I'll use their service. On that point, a bloke in the pub (honest officer) said that the route from Ijmuiden into Germany is a nightmare, lack of roadsigns and too many changes of route. We're heading for Baden Baden first day. Anyone got an opinion on this route.

 

[Montrose Sun]

I used to love Rosyth - Zeebrugge with superfast - their pineapple in the buffet was something else!!

And ahem, the hungarian man gave a lovely massage!

Im so chuffed that this is gonna be up and running again but DFDS from newcastle to amsterdam is how ive been going last two times and its almost as good.







What was the last song on in the disco on the 'herald of free enterprise'?...........................................'oh what a feeling, im dancing on the ceiling' by lionel rich tea

 

[Deleted account rno]

It's been interesting following this thread from the beginning, some of you guys are amazing in gaining info that people like me struggle to find. A group of us held off booking our ferry until a couple of weeks ago because of the lack of clarity. When it came down to it, DFDS got the dough from us, and for the first time, I'll use their service. On that point, a bloke in the pub (honest officer) said that the route from Ijmuiden into Germany is a nightmare, lack of roadsigns and too many changes of route. We're heading for Baden Baden first day. Anyone got an opinion on this route.

I go to a place about 45 kms north of Baden Baden every year.

The trip from Ijmuiden to there is no problem (other than being boring). It's no longer or more difficult than say the trip from Zeebrugge

 

[AndyT]

Hull is an added two hours ride or drive for me so I'll just be sticking to Newcastle and DFDS.

...

Ron, I wish it was only 2 hours but its 250 miles (500 return) from Dunfermline to Hull which is a fair hike and £40 in fuel alone per bike. I am so disapointed about the ferry pricing structure and will write to them again as its crazy. How will the average lorry driver cope, what about a family with 3 kids as thats 2 cabins...Its crazy. If there are 4 of you on bikes its definately the way to go.

AndyT

 

[Deleted account rno]

Ron, I wish it was only 2 hours but its 250 miles (500 return) from Dunfermline to Hull which is a fair hike and £40 in fuel alone per bike. I am so disapointed about the ferry pricing structure and will write to them again as its crazy. How will the average lorry driver cope, what about a family with 3 kids as thats 2 cabins...Its crazy. If there are 4 of you on bikes its definately the way to go.

AndyT

Hi Andy, I meant two hours further than Newcastle. Should have explained it a bit better.

I'd love to be able to go from Rosyth but the cabin pricing and the arrival times are crazy. Looks like I'll be sticking with DFDS

 

[AndyT]

Hi Andy, I meant two hours further than Newcastle. Should have explained it a bit better.

I'd love to be able to go from Rosyth but the cabin pricing and the arrival times are crazy. Looks like I'll be sticking with DFDS

Ah that explains it. The Hull Ferry is great but I wish it was in Rosythe (or even Aberdeen

We always tend to rush home on the last day and its not enjoyable, I'm so pissed about the Rosythe deal The arrival time is late as you say but to be honest I thought Hull was too early and you couldn't have a good swally without being over the limit the next morning...not alot we can do about it anyway.

Andy

 

[Diamond Blade]

I go to a place about 45 kms north of Baden Baden every year.

The trip from Ijmuiden to there is no problem (other than being boring). It's no longer or more difficult than say the trip from Zeebrugge

Cheers Ronno

 

[Deleted account rno]

Cheers Ronno

DB, from the ferry terminal, follow signs for Eindhoven. Then pick up the road to Venlo. You cross the border there and are on the A61 which takes you down to Karlsruhe. Baden Baden is just south of Karlsruhe. I'll check my maps when I get home tonight and give you road numbers.

 

[Deleted account rno]

Im so chuffed that this is gonna be up and running again but DFDS from newcastle to amsterdam is how ive been going last two times and its almost as good.

Almost as good and half the price

 

[Rambling Sid Rumpo]

I go from Ijmuiden down towards Karlsruhe - actually Speyer, but it's all the same route bar the last few miles - each year and always found it very civilised. The Dutch roads are busy and can be slow but they're well signed and once you cross the border near Venlo and turn off onto the E31 the main issue is NOT being in the overtaking lane as some bastard comes charging up behind you at 140mph or so. 6 hours or so'll get you where you're going. Boring road though!

 

[Deleted account rno]

I go from Ijmuiden down towards Karlsruhe - actually Speyer, but it's all the same route bar the last few miles - each year and always found it very civilised. The Dutch roads are busy and can be slow but they're well signed and once you cross the border near Venlo and turn off onto the E31 the main issue is NOT being in the overtaking lane as some bastard comes charging up behind you at 140mph or so. 6 hours or so'll get you where you're going. Boring road though!

Sid, would I be right in thinking that the E31 and A61 are the same road (taking you past Koblenz)? The European road numbering is confusing...

 

[Deleted account rno]

Toe In The Water At Rosyth

I had a trial booking for dates in July for me and Mrs Ronno and the bike.

£569 No meals included in that price and travelling at weekends would have meant a £50 surcharge each way!

That's madness

 

[Zundapp]

It's been interesting following this thread from the beginning, some of you guys are amazing in gaining info that people like me struggle to find. A group of us held off booking our ferry until a couple of weeks ago because of the lack of clarity. When it came down to it, DFDS got the dough from us, and for the first time, I'll use their service. On that point, a bloke in the pub (honest officer) said that the route from Ijmuiden into Germany is a nightmare, lack of roadsigns and too many changes of route. We're heading for Baden Baden first day. Anyone got an opinion on this route.

We use this route pretty often - plenty of roadsigns, clear routing, no probs. Though a sat-nav is always useful!

Do watch out though for plenty of speed cameras for the first few miles after coming off the ferry. I'm told the Dutch authorities always follow up offences in the UK...

Take your own beer on the DFDS ferry - their prices are a rip-off. The food's dear as well and if you're a veggie the selection's poor. Buy Greggs pasties in Newcastle and eat them on board! The grub wasn't even very warm when we were on the boat earlier this year.

 

[always 100]

Venlo

I heard there is a shop in Venlo that sells all manner of "animal related adult literature" even has it arranged in alphbetical order. Bit weird if you ask me but worth a laugh it's just off the market square if your interested been 10years since I was shown it but still livens up a dull road.

 

[Blackal]

Take your own beer on the DFDS ferry - their prices are a rip-off. The food's dear as well and if you're a veggie the selection's poor. Buy Greggs pasties in Newcastle and eat them on board! The grub wasn't even very warm when we were on the boat earlier this year.

You could economise further, by taking your own tapwater from home - saves on buying all that expensive bottled water in France/Belgium/Netherlands

Do you really enjoy your holiday when you start off penny-pinching?? Or do you wish you'd gone to Alloa where the Greggs' pasties would still be hot when you opened the bag?

Al

 

[Rambling Sid Rumpo]

Sid, would I be right in thinking that the E31 and A61 are the same road (taking you past Koblenz)? The European road numbering is confusing...

Yep, same thing. One's the EU designation and one's the German. Don't (please) ask me which is which.... but I'd guess at E = European. The Europols enjoy their vanity. Goes straight down from Venlo to Speyer, passing Koblenz. A quick look at Google Map says it's the something-9 (D9?) from Speyer to Karlsruhe but I don't know the road beyond Speyer anything like as well.