Heads up on Newcastle ferry

[Malki]

We recently travelled to Europe on the King of Scandinavia ferry from Newcastle to IJmuiden in Holland.
This ferry is a nightmare for motorcycles, especially the LT.
The bike storage is on a 'half level' where they lower a ramp and you ride up it, fair enough you say, but I found it scary.
Steep wet metal surfaces at an incredible angle that prevents you from putting a foot down. bike parking is extremely narrow, with two bikes side by side, which is fair enough, until you realise that the passengers from 15 cars they throw on behind you have to pass between your bikes carrying all their luggage. while you are trying to strap the bike down. NOT funny.

My left mirror was knocked off 3 times with passing passengers, while I sat on the bike, thankfully it was 'tied' as mentioned earlier on this site. I also had to hold the aerial aside to stop any damage to that as they passed.

I've used DFDS more than 20 times, but this is the first I have used this bike unfriendly 'King' on this crossing.

My advice, if you wish to take it, is, don't let them rush you, line the bike up to the ramp, stop completely, then take a run at it with the clutch full out. Don't let them force you over to the metal more than you want to go when parking. Depends on which side of the boat you go, leave loads of room on the sidestand side even tho the guy wants to force you closer to the metal, just plead ignorance and refuse.
I complied first time round and regretted it, could not get the bike on the sidestand, panniers too close to the metal, kinda hard to shift the LT with bikes 4 inches front and back apart. Not normally in my nature, but I was sweating blood and ready to kill somebody.
Oh, and never use the front brake, easier said than done I know, but deadly on wet metal.
Same on the way off, we saw experienced German bikes getting it all wrong when they tried to use the brakes on the way down the ramp, they ended up ploughing into the path of the stream of cars going off. Wait for your space and let it roll in first gear.

The above only applies to tall wide bikes like the LT, not so much of a problem with cruisers or sports bikes.

Ferry is a good one apart from the bike parking.

[Woolly]

..sounds Irish, but I'll reply 2morrow AM.

[simoncharles]

Malki,
Entirely agree with you about not being rushed.
I ALWAYS wait for the vehicle in front of me to embark or disembark before going up OR down any incline on a ship, even when the crew are waving me on due to the pressure on them to get the ship sea worthy again.
Have you sent a copy of your post to the company ?.
Unless we bikers complain more about parking and strapping down conditions on ferries, they will not take a blind bit of notice of us as individuals.
Simon

[TheBigOne]

Hi Malki,
Completely agree with you, I wonder under health and safety and duty of care how the ferry company stands using those little half decks which they lower. We used the Harwich ferry a few times and it used those half decks, when the bikes are tied down there is not a clear walk way. This year we used Plymouth to Santander, what a differance, the crew were on hand to assist in putting the ratchet straps on, foam pads to put on the seats etc, vote with bike power, dont use a bike unfriendly ferry, they will soon get the message.
The Big One. 04 K1200LT

[Thor1340]

First used it a month ago, going back hopefully on Thursday. Quick convenient, if you pick your time carefullyt its cheap and no or very little queing. Worth a look, only downside is you have to stay with the bike for the duration and there is nothing to do onboard, but for 30 mins, its not that much of a hardship. By the way our return crossing cost £79

[simoncharles]

BigOne,
Which company did you go with ?.

[TheBigOne]

Simoncharles, Brittany Ferries, by far the best, Regards The Big One

[Woolly]

We recently travelled to Europe on the King of Scandinavia ferry from Newcastle to IJmuiden in Holland.
This ferry is a nightmare for motorcycles, especially the LT.
The bike storage is on a 'half level' where they lower a ramp and you ride up it, fair enough you say, but I found it scary.
Steep wet metal surfaces at an incredible angle that prevents you from putting a foot down. bike parking is extremely narrow, with two bikes side by side, which is fair enough, until you realise that the passengers from 15 cars they throw on behind you have to pass between your bikes carrying all their luggage. while you are trying to strap the bike down. NOT funny.........



Totally agree with you Malki. Took that ferry on my recent Northern Europe /Scandinavian tour, and was not impressed by facilities for bikes. In addition, we turned up for dinner, about 35 minutes before the restaurant closed , and they did not want to let us in - the waiting staff were more interested in getting away. The rest of the ferry was good, though.

However, we came back via Kristiansand (Norway) on the "Princess of Scandinavia'', and the bike facilities were superb. All bikes were on the main cardeck, up forrard. No cage drivers around, and loads of space. There must have been 50-60 other bikes on our voyage, and yet we could have as much space arround our bikes as we wanted. No problems this time in the restaurant, and again, the rest of the ship was very good, - it must have recently had a refit.

I'm using it again, on Sept 7th for a six day tour of Norway (by myself this time (Billy !!)), so I shall see if it is still as good.