26 March 2010

All change Rosslare to Cherbourg ferry crossing

LD Lines are busy ringing the changes. Over the last few months they have dropped the Dover to Dieppe ferry and launched the Ramsgate to Ostend crossing in partnership with TransEuropa Ferries, as well as moving ships around.

Now they have pulled out of the Rosslare to Cherbourg route not many months after changing the route's French destination from Le Havre to Cherbourg.

Fortunately for those of you wanting a direct crossing from South-East Ireland to France the Rosslare to Cherbourg ferry crossing is still up and running, now operated by Celtic Link Ferries, and as Celtic Link are one of our partners you can still book these crossings on the Drive-Alive website. Because we have direct access to the Celtic Link Ferries' booking engine you get the best prices and up to date timetables.
Further information and links to timetables and booking for Celtic Link Ferries Rosslare Cherbourg.

Irish Ferries also offer a ferry crossing from Rosslare to Cherbourg.

25 March 2010

Extra sailings from Portsmouth to Spain from Brittany Ferries

Brittany Ferries newly acquired cruise ferry, the Cap Finistere, has joined their flagship vessel the Pont Aven on the Portsmouth to Santander ferry crossing. This means there are now three crossings weekly from Portsmouth on the south coast of the UK to Santander in Northern Spain.

In addition there is a weekly crossing from Plymouth and customers can mix and match these crossings, so effectively Brittany Ferries are offering four weekly return ferry sailings from England to Spain.

The crossing from Portsmouth takes 24 hours and from Plymouth just 18 hours. Although these ferries enable you to bypass France you can still experience French style on board these two super ferries, with several restaurants, bars, cinemas and shops. Both ferries even have swimming pools, the one on the Cap Finistere being open air and heated.

More about the Portsmouth Santander ferry crossing with links to timetables and booking.
More about the Plymouth Santander ferry crossing with links to timetables and booking.

23 March 2010

Stena Line Fast Ferry rejoins Irish Sea service

The Stena Fast Ferry HSS Stena Express has just relaunched on the Irish Sea after a £2 million refit. As a result she is even faster than previously and completes the crossings from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire in just 1 hour 50 minutes. Dun Laoghaire is just south of Dublin.

The vessel is joined on this crossing during the summer months by the world's largest Fast Ferry, the Stena Explorer and between them they operate three return crossings daily.

The Express even manages to find time to nip down the coast and join the conventional ferry the Stena Europe on the Fishguard Rosslare route during the summer months, adding an additional return crossing to the two offered by the Europe on this popular route.

As well as the crossings operated by the Express and Explorer from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire, Stena Line sail from Holyhead to Dublin port using two conventional ferries, the Nordica and Adventurer, offering four return crossings all year, each crossing taking 3 and a quarter hours.

For more about Stena Line ferry routes across the Irish Sea.

19 March 2010

Irish Ferries Spring Sale for Early Bookers

EARLY BOOKING OFFER PEMBROKE TO ROSSLARE

If you are thinking about a trip to enjoy all the Emerald Isle has to offer then why not take advantage of Irish Ferries' ferry crossings from Pembroke in South Wales to Rosslare in South-East Ireland?

Pembroke is easy to reach, being about 2 hours' drive from Cardiff. Rosslare gives easy access to Cork and the south-west coast of Ireland with its spectacular scenery of rugged coasts, islands, hidden coves and inlets.

Irish Ferries has two return sailings per day from Pembroke with the crossing taking just 4 hours. If you book by March 24th the Early Booking Offer has fares from £89 one way for a car and two passengers, that’s up to 33% off. Each additional adult pays just £23 extra each way and there’s no need for the expense of onboard cabin accommodation.
More about Irish Ferries ferry crossings from Pembroke to Rosslare.

17 March 2010

LD Lines bring Fast Ferry service Portsmouth Le Havre

As from Friday 26th March LD Lines is introducing the Norman Arrow, the largest Fast Ferry on the Western Channel, to their Portsmouth Le Havre ferry crossing from the UK to France.

The vessel will cross the Channel from Portsmouth in Hampshire to Le Havre in Normandy in just 3 hours 15 minutes. By comparison, the LD Lines current conventional ferry, the Cote d'Albatre, takes 5 hours 30 minutes for the daytime crossing and 8 hours overnight.

The outward crossing by the Norman Arrow departs Portsmouth at the convenient time of 08.30, arriving in Le Havre at 12.45 French time, while the return crossing departs Le Havre at 18.30 reaching Le Havre at 20.45 UK time.

There is a price premium for the Fast Ferry service. For example, the lowest current fares for Portsmouth - Le Havre conventional ferry start from £60 for short break returns for a car and 2 passengers, compared to the lowest single fare on the Fast Ferry of £109.
Click to book the Fast Ferry or conventional ferry from Portsmouth to Le Havre

15 March 2010

DFDS Seaways Spring Savings – 2 for 1 Mini Cruises to Amsterdam

2 for 1 DSDS Seaways mini-cruise to Amsterdam

DFDS Seaways are still pushing their mini-cruise concept on their Newcastle to Amsterdam ferry route, and have come up with another attractive offer.

If you live within easy distance of Newcastle this is a good way to have a relaxing break which includes two nights on board the ship where there is live entertainment, and various cafes and restaurants.

2-For-1 Newcastle Amsterdam 2 Night mini Cruise Break
One pays and one goes FREE!

Includes 2 nights onboard ship in ensuite cabin
Coach transfers to and from Amsterdam City Centre
Live entertainment onboard
2 Nights from only £89 for 2 people
2 Nights from only £138 for 4 people
Selected departures in March & April. Must Book by 31st March.
Click for more on the 2 for 1 mini cruise offer

Alternatively you might prefer to spend a few nights in Amsterdam. If so check out the DFDS Seaways Amsterdam Cruise and Hotel Break, essentially offering 35% normal prices and letting you enjoy the many attractions of this wonderful city.
Click for more on the Amsterdam cruise offer

Disneyland Paris - Euro Disney - 40% offer

Disneyland Paris have launched another offer - this is particularly generous, offering 40% off normal prices and in addition children under 7 stay and enjoy the park free of charge. Just book by 30th April for arrivals between 5th April 2010 and 8th November 2010.

As always there are conditions attached, but if you comply this really is a good deal.

Check out the offer and the conditions at the Disneyland Paris website.

The offer doesn't include transport, but there are plenty of deals available on the ferries at the Drive-Alive ferry page with crossings from P&O starting at £30 each way while SeaFrance better that with at £25, but with fewer crossings. And of you want to leave the car at home Eurostar have some great deals.

12 March 2010

Brittany Ferries increase their crossings from Portsmouth to Cherbourg and Caen

There's plenty going on at Brittany Ferries! They've just announced an increase in the crossings to France operated by their state of the art Fast Ferry, the Normandie Express.

The Normandie Express takes just 3 hours to reach Cherbourg and 3½ hours to Caen so passengers can board in Portsmouth in the morning and still be in France in time for an early lunch.

The Normandie Express sailings from Portsmouth to Caen only operate on Fridays and Saturdays, departing Portsmouth at 7 am. There are more departures on the Portsmouth Cherbourg route, so visit our page about the Brittany Ferries Portsmouth Cherbourg route to find out more.

9 March 2010

Brittany Ferries - enjoy a free night in France or Spain

BRITTANY FERRIES IS OFFERING 7 NIGHTS FOR THE PRICE OF 6 WHEN YOU BOOK BY 15 MARCH

Brittany Ferries is much more than just a ferry company operating ferry crossings to France and Spain. They offers holidays throughout France and Spain ranging from exciting activity holidays for the family to a quiet break deep in the French countryside.

And if you book any kind of holiday accommodation before 15 March, you’ll save 14% on the week’s rental, paying for only 6 nights of a 7 night stay! And there are no restrictions on when you travel – the offer even applies to peak and school holiday periods.

To book or for more information visit Brittany Ferries and click the "Offers" link at the top of the page.

More about Brittany Ferries ferry crossings to France and Spain.