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Latest Good Value Deals to/from France
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 19/06/2007, 23:49
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Will
 
Joined on 22/09/2004
Sussex & 50 (Mortainais)
Posts 4,727
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Re: Are BF getting the message at last?
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20/06/2007, 11:04
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S
Joined on 19/06/2007
Posts 170
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Re: Are BF getting the message at last?
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Because they claim that they are running the Portsmouth/LeHavre service at a substantial loss.
S
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20/06/2007, 11:35
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Nick Trollope
Joined on 23/08/2004
Broons, Dept 22
Posts 2,449
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Re: Are BF getting the message at last?
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 S wrote: | | Because they claim that they are running the Portsmouth/LeHavre service at a substantial loss. |
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They do? What is your source on that?
Nick www.aplaceinfrance.com
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20/06/2007, 11:43
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Nick Trollope
Joined on 23/08/2004
Broons, Dept 22
Posts 2,449
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Re: Are BF getting the message at last?
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I have just booked our holidays (UK, I'm afraid in July). BF St Malo-Pompey-Cherbourg £284. LD LeH-Pompey return £275. OK, I am not exactly comparing like-for like, but BF is alot less driving (I am using our large van) and everything about the BF boats is nicer.
Sorry LD, with whom I actually have an account, you are now a waste of space.
Nick www.aplaceinfrance.com
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20/06/2007, 11:50
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Will
Joined on 22/09/2004
Sussex & 50 (Mortainais)
Posts 4,727
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Re: Are BF getting the message at last?
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I haven't seen that claim. LD itself claims to have two-thirds of the traffic that P&O had on that route, despite running one ship rather than two, so even if it is making a loss, the sum will be much smaller than with P&O. As LD Lines is part of a very large shipping group, that has interests in many other industries, I think it knows what it is doing. has a sound financial base, and if it came down to financial trickery is arguably more able to survive than Brittany Ferries. Not that either company is likely to be interested; both make a lot of money primarily from freight operations and my understanding (being involved in maritime publications) is that each sees itself as offering a different, complementary, service rather than being in direct competition. So I would be interested in the source of the BF claim.
Will
intentionally blank signature
http://www.vienormande.com
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16/07/2007, 22:53
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mmaddock
Joined on 27/08/2006
Vienne
Posts 183
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Re: Are BF getting the message at last?
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Just to add to this thread a bit late...I used LD Lines last week after defecting from BF for only the second time in 4 years (despite their higher prices, the BF trip works out better on the whole for me) I used the Eurotunnel last time - superb and at 60 euros return I thought I couldn't go wrong - but the 8 hour drive up to Calais and an extra 1.5 hours on the otherside just works out at too much driving, especially as you can't avoid London! and if you start adding hotels it gets expensive again.
My LD Lines outbound (Fr-UK) crossing was hideous - nowhere private to go, kids everywhere you looked and not a space in sight to sit in peace. The food was so rediculously expensive that I only got a main course and a water (the main course being pretty awful IMHO). I found a lot (not all) of the crew very off-hand, almost to the point of being rude on occasion. The return journey was better as I was booked into Club class (and then upgraded to Sleeper) - different world, finally some private space - tho note you do have to pay extra for this! After paying again to upgrade to Sleeper I was horrified to find that you have to pay (at least a deposit - I didn't ask further) for a blanket to sleep under! In short I would equate LD with Ryanair/Easyjet - cheap crossings* but you pay through the nose for everything else. Brittany may be a bit more costly on the crossing, but then you get - to continue the anaolgy - 'BA' service, private seating without having to pay, good [reasonably] cheap food, and as many free blankets as you can carry! Plus the huge advantage of three crossings a day - to me a big bonus when I only spend 1 or 2 days max in the UK) I guess it all depends on what you are after.
EDIT: forgot to mention, the unloading on LD was appauling, took absolutely ages and there was no-one to guide you out if you were near the rear, resulting on one person crashing their horse box straight into the upper level - sheer incompetence on the part of the crew who should a, never have put the vehicle in that place to start with and b, been there to help guide them out.
*I was all ready to book LD Lines this week again because of the cost difference, but on checking - LD Lines 280-odd euros, BF 290-odd euros. Guess who I'm going with! Tho what I can't understand is that on the BF 'Summer Fares' page it worked out more expensive?!
Matt
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08/11/2007, 12:54
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Mozman
Joined on 23/08/2004
Posts 65
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Re: Are BF getting the message at last?
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I think the point with LD Lines is that you should know what to expect and plan accordingly. Obviously one of the main drawbacks is lack of cabins. We always take our own pillows and quilts/or sleeping bags. We have earmarked several places around the ship where it possible to bed down in comfort. Last time we took two inflatable matresses plus pump!:LOL Worked like a dream. Got a good night sleep with no fuss in one of the club-class lounges. With sleeper seats I don't see a problem...how much trouble IS it to bring a small quilt and pillow with you in the car??? I usually take my own pillow with me as a matter of ourse because it ensures a good night's sleep.
Second...if you really get organized you can get a cabin on standby. We try to get to portsmouth early so we can get onto the boat early....it doesn't always work like that of course. However, one of us beetles off to the reception desk with all possible speed to make sure we are on a standby list. About 6 out of 10 times we are successful. I always stay within earshot of the reception desk until I am sure all cabins are allocated...on a couple of occasions we have been given cabins because we are 'there' and the person on the list who should have had it was slow on the uptake and the crew simply wanted them booked.
All in all...a cheap crossing well worth gtting organized for. And, as for food....I find it OK as ferry food goes but again, nothing to stop you getting a picnic together and bottle of red.
With you all the way on the loading/unloading of the boat though. One plonker last year loaded the car deck so tightly that several passengers couldn't get out of their cars! They had to have a rethink over that.
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08/11/2007, 20:12
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Llwyncelyn
Joined on 14/06/2006
Posts 703
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Re: Are BF getting the message at last?
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Yesterday I was sat in the Clinique at Avranches and picked up a magazine and read an article on BF. Of course the veg scenario came in and the history of the organisation was expanded upon.
They then went on to say they supported the local economy and at times from say the end of September through to early March there was no real need for them to do so?
However they then went further and commented that the various Prefets supported them in that they brought in tourism to the area. This is shorthand for saying that the taxes in France and in those areas who are nearest to the coast subsidise the BF organisation.
Again they then argued that the new President would possibly support them against the swinging social security costs in France and which do not apply to other EU member states in relation to the ferry operations. For this I presume it means that the vessels are on the high seas and thus not accountable for either taxes or social security contributions. They also argued against the benefits that low cost airlines enjoy out of Dinard but said they enjoy competition?
Finally and as to the future they threw some bombs into the air and said that perhaps they would attack the Dover Calais short crossing.
BF is akin to a UK organisation and which is based upon a myriad of support mechanisms and with sieges being based in overseas countries and thus not paying much if any UK tax. You will never ever get to the bottom of the financial basis of BF.
How can the Mont St Michel run on just 40 cars and 60 heavy goods vehicles and that is what happened last week when I travelled.
However in travel terms in takes me some ten hours from door to door to get from Caen to our home in South Wales.
Despite all of this I enjoy travelling BF especially on the Portsmouth St Malo route and the restaurant and for which there continues to be substantial demand.
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11/11/2007, 16:01
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Framboise
Joined on 29/11/2006
At home in the Orne
Posts 475
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Re: Are BF getting the message at last?
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Booked yesterday.
Travelling next saturday night, two persons, pick-up truck and trailer, cabins both ways - £240.oo
We thought that reasonable compared with peak fares.
And like you Llewncelyn we like BF - lower prices are a bonus.
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France Forum » Travelling to/f... » Latest Good Val... » Are BF getting the message at last?
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