Cross channel ferries, a warning!

[simon]

Well, it was a much truncated trip, we went Sunday morning and were back tuesday night! Miserable bl**dy weather for three whole days (camping) took it's toll so we headed back suitably pi**ed off.
We travelled on our previous trips via Norfolk Line. EXCELLENT!, crew who knew what they were doing, proper tie downs for bikes, REALLY secure even in the toughest crossing. (as well as nice big comfy reclining seats on the ferry, a byproduct of catering for JUST professional drivers and NOT screaming kids)
Seafrance....well thats a WHOLE other story, we arrived on the boat to be met by a non-english speaking crew member (now forgive me if I'm wrong, but you would think on a boat that travels ONLY between the UK and France, english MIGHT be a requirement for employment???) with a handful of blue "washing-line" type rope, the LT wouldn't stand upright in the bike "slot" provided (where he tried to tie the footrests to a ring in the floor just below them!!!!) so had to be stood on it's sidestand and lashed to a railing! fortunatly the sea was glass smooth or I wouldn't have even gone.
Luckily on the way back, we had a boat with better loops in the floor (although still the blue rope) and we were able to secure the bikes better.
I would advise anyone using seafrance to take their own tie down straps.
Don't even get me started on the screaming bl**dy kids running everywhere!

[Mark_C]

I have just had the same experience with SeaFrance. It was like going back ten years! No proper straps, just rope (very dirty), no pads to protect the seats and paintwork. I caused a big fuss and was told that someone with responsibility would come and sort out my problem but was left standing around waiting. Pathetic, especially considering they just put the bikes in the unusable spare spaces. SeaFrance - wake up!

[simoncharles]

More or less the same with Brittany Ferries, great service dockside in the UK, but once on board, a complete disregard for anything with 2 wheels.
I always carry a cloth to cover my seats, as that is where the generally dirty ropes or, if more organised, proper tie downs, go over.
It does seem a bit much to have to take things with us to tie a bike down due to a total lack of customer care as far as bikes and bikers are concerned.
But it´s not only ferries. The channel tunnel train has no facilities for bikers either. I know it´s only 25 minutes, but having to stand or sit on the floor after paying € 120 one way !!! is a total rip off and just shows how we are considered, even when, in our case, our bikes cost more than most family cars.
Having said that, I must put in a good word for this www.trasmediterranea.es company, which always have clean straps and tie downs and treat bikers in a civilised manner, with proper places for bikes to park in. I have NO commercial interest in them !.

[Stobie]

Similar experience with SeaFrance, got the bike into the slot then it was attacked by an idiot with 4 brand new bike straps. He tried to fasten the rear end down using the sidecase handles. Of course sitting on the bike and trying to use hand signals to indicate the proper tie down points is very difficult so I attempted to swing my leg over so that I could show him what to do and was litterally pushed back into the sitting position. Fortunately another biker pulled up behind and helped. That was October last year.
I've only used Norfolk Line since as they seem to care. I find they are slightly cheaper if booked in advance and as I normally go to Belgium it saves a few miles on the other side.
Speed Ferries (I laugh at this one) have a very fast crossing compared with the other ferries, that's great BUT it takes them another half hour to negotiate the way to the dock side when they get to France so there's no time saving at all.

Stobie

[c00k1e]

I stick with Norfolk - they also tend to be the cheepest too!