Ferry First Timer

[zinderella]

Hiya

Anyone got any tips for a ferry first timer? For some crazy reason I booked us onto the 6.40am ferry from Dover (why?????) and I have a Few questions.....

What happens at the ferry port when u arrive? I don't seem to have any documents, is it all automatic number plate recognition? Is 6.00 about the right time to get to the port?

Does it take long to get the cars off at the other end? What time am I likely to be on the road and is it obvious which way to go. I have driven twice before, but from Eurotunnel.

Anything else I should know?

 

[TheTizardFamily:0)]

Hiya

We have gone by ferry a few times, my husband loves it.
We always get a very early ferry, and to be honest it's usually very straight forward, each time we've checked in early and they have put us on an earlier sailing. We had a reference number last time we sailed but that was three years ago so may have changed?

When you arrive you go through in your car, your checked in and your passports are checked. You're then given a lane to go into while you wait to be loaded, you're guided into a parking spot, turn everything off and go on up the stairs for the duration of the sailing.

We have always found getting off the boat to be very quick, from the time you're told to go back to your car to when you can drive off is quick, especially if like us you have children to strap in etc. then you drive straight off and out. We've never been stopped by customs to have our car searched but have seen people being pulled for a search.

I would take a sat nav or map print out for when you get off the boat, it can be a bit confusing.

I hope you have a great journey! Xxx

 

[tennisfan]

Whenever we have sailed we have had a reference number which you hand over when booking in. As mentioned its straightforward and getting off the other end is usually easy and quick as the ferries are usually pretty empty nowadays

 

[Millies Daddy]

Hopefully I have answered all your questions!!

Hiya

Anyone got any tips for a ferry first timer? For some crazy reason I booked us onto the 6.40am ferry from Dover (why?????) and I have a Few questions.....

Good time to go in my opinion. We usually go about an hour later which gets us to the parks in time for the 1500 afternoon parade so this gives you plenty of time to get to your hotel

What happens at the ferry port when u arrive? You will have a reference number but last time they used number plate recognition. Hand over your passports and they will give you a number to hang from your rear view mirror that corresponds with your lane number. Follow the signs to the lane number and wait until called to board. If you have time you can go the terminal to have a look around but it is nothing more than a motorway services really!!I don't seem to have any documents, is it all automatic number plate recognition? Is 6.00 about the right time to get to the port? 0600 is plenty of time!!

Does it take long to get the cars off at the other end? It is a very smooth operation on the other side. Straight off, follow the other cars to the exit. You may or may not get stopped by customs.What time am I likely to be on the road and is it obvious which way to go. For a 0640 sailing you should be in Calais for 0910 local time. Hopefully you will be on the road for 0920.I have driven twice before, but from Eurotunnel. If you go to google route planner http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?aq=&rlz=1T4GZGN_enGB464GB464&q=google&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&sa=N&tab=wlit shows you the route. It is dead easy and straight forward.

Anything else I should know?We love to go by ferry. It breaks up the journey, letting the kids stretch their legs. It is rarely crowded and most importantly it allows you bring more goodies home from Disney!!!

 

[zinderella]

Hopefully I have answered all your questions!!

Thank you everyone for your info. I am much more reasssured !

OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH not long to go!!!!