Comments on: We don't sail with Sea France!

By: The Alpine Transfer Company

The Alpine Transfer Company — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:53:53 +0000

Mick How, after the recent incident in the Channel Tunnel – who is going to take the tunnel? Most of my customers fly from the UK to either Turin Airport in Italy or Grenoble Isere Airport in France, to get to Serre Chevalier, Alpe d'Huez or Grenoble. However i do talk to a lot of people and I hear for the 'non flying' people, Norfolkline is the the most positively discussed ferry company.

By: Rick Lomas

Rick Lomas — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 08:23:45 +0000

I just came back from the UK with Norfolk Line who are by far the cheapest, sail at sociable times of the day for good prices and don't mind if you turn up for the wrong ferry! Also – I went there in a Renault Traffic Minibus and wasn't sure what to book it in as – so I called them, they said book it in as a car. £17! You can't moan at that.
Highly recommended.

By: Mark Jones

Mark Jones — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:25:30 +0000

we have sailed with both SeaFrance & P&O ferries and found SeaFrance to be by far the best. I fail too see how they would delay a boat until it is full, i have travelled with them during the day when there has been only a dozen cars on board. The 3 tourism boats the Rodin, Berlioz and Moliere are far better than anything P&O have to offer being the latest state of the art ferries. If you do experience departure delays you can expect the boats to make up up to 15mins on its crossing time. Overall i would recommend travelling with SeaFrance, with my past negatives only being the state of the SeaFrance Cezanne, which has now been replaced with the excellent Moliere

By: Mick How

Mick How — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:17:02 +0000

Dont use any ferry! The future is the tunnel – we have been using it for the past four years ona regular basis, and it is definately the way ahead!

By: terry wilson

terry wilson — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:42:24 +0000

will never use them again.the only good thing is that if you have any drink on your coach you will drink it all befor you get on the ferry. use p&o. Terry Wilson.

By: admin

admin — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:44:29 +0000

I live in The French Alps but I am from the UK and my mum and dad are still alive and well in Stoke-on-Trent. So we have to go backwards and forwards a few times a year so they can see us and their grandaughter.

Our main focus is 'convenient times' v 'price'. This DID used to be Sea France, but they lost all credibility when I turned up at Calais one night and asked to buy a ticket and they wanted to charge 350€ for a single trip. We drove up to the tunnel and they wanted 550€!

Ever since this episode we have referred to Sea France as 'Turpin's Ferrys'.

We haven't used P&O, but we LOVE SpeedFerries and Norfolk Line. The compromise here is SpeedFerries are cheap and fast, Norfolk Line have much more sociable sailing times, still at the sub-twenty quid level!

By: Teddy Noyes

Teddy Noyes — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:57:44 +0000

I sailed with P & O in mid September and had a 150 minute wait on the Calais quayside. The reason (not excuse) given was that the Channel Tunnel fire had increased ferry traffic to such a degree that it had caught them unawares. Thus delaying incoming ferries and the obvious knock-on that creates. They have subsequently adjusted their timetable to accommodate this increase in business.
Although I was annoyed at the delay, the ferry and staff were their usual helpful, happy self and very apologetic for the delays.
The last time I sailed with Sea France (Oct 2006) will be the last time. The crew were sullen and unhelpful and the food in the restaurant was not of the standard I get when on P & O.
Perhaps Sea France were not as quick to respond to the fire situation – which doesn't surprise me.

By: Barry Brown

Barry Brown — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:49:41 +0000

Hello Jon,
I understand that SeaFrance are upset by your comments about the dreadful service on their dowdy boats.
I can only comment on my own experiences of them, when I would MUCH rather sail P&O (or anyone else!) than endure the bleak experience of SeaFrance's rather grubby offerings. They have hardly moved with the times, and seem still stuck in the old BritishRail mentality (I believe they were once owned by BritishRail). The contrast with the bright, clean service offered by P&O is remarkable, considering that they are competing with P&O.
Me? I'd rather travel P&O any day.
Anyone who'd like a cowboy outfit for Christmas could settle for SeaFrance…