As ever it all depends on your circumstances. We live in Cornwall so prefer BF due to convenience but over the years have used most routes with cost being the main factor but never assume that a deal you,or anyone else has had, will be as good next time.
We usually book BF via the Caravan Club as part of a package with Camping Cheques and the savings can be very large. Prices have gone up since 1/1/16 but still good BUT it depends on when the date/time/route that you choose.
CC website lets you price up crossing, with or without, cheques or sites, so you can compare with the BF website full prices which your Club Voyage will give a discount on.
CC are also doing a 7 for 6 deal on cheques over the phone and the total price is also a tiny bit cheaper.
------------- Allan
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Thanks all for your advice on this. I booked yesterday and ended up using a code from someone above which worked out the cheapest way to do it as we booked their economie ferries....the club voyage discount is not as great on economie ferries, so despite the code not giving much money off, it was still better than nothing and made it the cheapest way. We are doing night crossings so the reduced services on economie hopefully won't bother us :-)
Is their a certain month which is best to book by to get the discounts?
Is the club membership per year?
We do the BF crossing every year and only just found out about any discounts, either 10% family discount or the 30% voyage one.
I can't believe we never knew about this!! 😊
There is no single ideal time to join as the membership is per year. It's really down to how and when you use the scheme and if you intend to keep your membership.
We joined last year and went to France twice saving well over the cost of the joining plus the membership fee in the one year. This year we have only been once but still saved more than the annual fee on the return crossing. The savings are only on the fare itself and not on any additional costs such as cabins etc. though.
In addition to the fare reduction you get money off other things like meals, free or reduced day cabins on some daytime sailings and free breakfast allowance if using a cabin on most night sailings. You have to read the T&Cs quite carefully to work out what you do get on which sailings though.
You can also nominate an associate member for £35 so that two families can share the benefits, but once again you meed to look at the T&C.
Finally for every booking made by others using your friends and family code you get a credit of £10 credited against your account to redeem on your next years fares (up to £150) providing you remain members, so a win for both parties.
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Quote: Originally posted by sunshinetours on 17/12/2015
Do a quote via Caravan Club overseas travel aswell to compare. Sometime seven cheaper if you add a site even for a stopover on way for instance
Or add 7 Camping Cheques to your booking. Extra £104.65 but plenty on here will buy them off you.
------------- Mother Nature always wins in the end.
You don't have to join before you book as long as you are a member and booked on line you can make the adjustment anytime up until you pay he final balance, downside is you can;t share your code until you join.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!