We've always booked ferries early and would like to do the same again this year however this year I'm not sure about some of our details. I'd like to keep our return date open (I've got a "probable" in mind but if the forecast is good and the kids are content we could squeeze a few more days in). Also, we're likely to change our car before the summer.
We'll be going Dover Calais - are their flexible fare options on any of the companies that would suit or are we best curbing my natural instinct to have everything organised and book last minute (and if we did last minute could we still get peak time ferries? With little kids unsocial hours would be a nightmare).
Thanks in anticipation of useful replies!
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I never book more than a few weeks in advance, and with the number of ferries crossing the channel, it's never been a problem. However, I generally use Norfolk line to Dunkirk rather than going to Calais, and I always travel at sensible times (between 9:00 and 16:00). On several occasions, I've turned up early at the port and been put on an earlier crossing - no questions, no hassle - just straight on.
The one thing though, is that I always travel midweek (Tue - Thu) which is generally quieter.
You can amend any of the Dover operators fares for £10(provided you keep to same time & don't move from offpeak to peak fare)so your best bet would be to phone & amend if you want to stay longer. Make a note of the French phone number of the ferry company as it might be cheaper to phone from within France.
Seafrance do a flexible fare you can ammend without charge but the fare costs more in the first place. Theres never a problem getting on a Dover ferry even at peak times, there will always be a space but to save money you do need to forward plan a little. You can change your car number at anytime.
As Arthur says, changing your car reg can be done anytime by email or phone and is not classed as an amendment so there is no charge. We have changed cars twice in the past few years after our ferry was booked and not been charged. Flexible fares are very expensive and it will probably be much cheaper to ring up and change your return ferry while in France and pay the ammendment fee. If you stick to similar times there shouldnt be any further cost. Norfolk Line has english speakers at the french end so I imagine it is the same for the other operators.
Carol
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We now always use Norfolk Line and have come back early on a few trips. So book the longest stay possible and if you come back early it should be OK [in our experience].