Frequently Asked Questions
Special offers & deals change with the seasons, but most ferry companies
offer discounts for advance bookings. If you can plan that far in advance, you
may be able to take advantage of some very keenly priced offers.
When reserving a place for your vehicle you will be expected to provide details
of the vehicle type, length, height & registration number, including any
additional features such as a roof rack or luggage you intend to store on top
of the vehicle. We will also require the names of all passengers travelling in
the vehicle. Make sure you have these details to hand when making your booking.
Prices often depend on the time of day at which the sailing takes place. Peak
season & weekend sailings are generally more expensive, as are overnight
sailings long enough to permit a good night's sleep. Generally on short
crossings the most cost effective time to travel is between 8pm and 7am.
Likewise, short daytime sailings are often more expensive than short sailings
at night. Decide which is your priority, convenience or cost.
If you are not making a straightforward return journey & want to journey
between various countries before returning home, simply give us a call. You
could waste an awful lot of money on single journeys when usually companies
will provide special prices for country-hoppers.
Can I take my pet on holiday with me?
Yes. In the year 2000 the Pet Travel Scheme was introduced which allows
qualified pets to travel from the UK without the need for quarantine.
In order for your pet to be issued with a certificate it must undergo various
processes including micro chipping, blood sampling, vaccinations &
boosters. These must be carried out in the British Isles, the Republic of
Ireland or qualifying country.
European countries qualifying for PETS include: Andorra, Cyprus, France, Greece,
Liechtenstein, Monaco, Portugal, Sweden, Austria, Denmark, Germany, Iceland,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, San Marino, Switzerland, Belgium, Finland, Gibraltar,
Italy, Malta, Norway, Spain & Vatican. Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man
& the Republic of Ireland each have their own PETS certificates &
animals can travel to & from these places so long as they are properly
certified.
An owner travelling with a vehicle must generally accompany pets entering the UK
on a sea crossing. Approved companies & routes are listed below:
- Brittany Ferries: Caen or Portsmouth to St. Malo. Cherbourg to Poole. Roscoff
to Plymouth. Santander to Plymouth.
- P&O Portsmouth: Cherbourg or Le Havre to Portsmouth.
- P&O Stena Line: Calais to Dover.
- SeaFrance: Calais to Dover.
Do I have to take out travel insurance?
Although not a requirement it is however highly advisable to take out travel
insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances whilst travelling abroad.
If you decide not to travel with any travel insurance you can obtain a form E111
from any Post Office. Once completed it will entitle you to medical treatment
in EC countries. It is, however, still advisable to take out travel insurance
as few countries will pay the full cost of medical treatment. Also the E111
does not provide cover for other aspects such as cancellation, personal
liability or personal belongings cover.
Do I need vehicle breakdown coverage?
Once again it is not a prerequisite to travel abroad. However in the event of a
breakdown being able to call on a recognised assistance company is a god send
especially when you are not fluent in the local language. We recommend as our
European breakdown partner the Green Flag and cover can be booked by calling us 7 days
a week.
Is there a limit to the amount of luggage I can take with me?
No. The capacity of your car, caravan or trailer is the only thing that will
dictate the amount of baggage you carry with you. Take as much as you want.
