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Subject Topic: Brittany Ferries - Economie Service Post Reply Post New Topic
Personthechief
21/3/2019 at 3:07pm
 Location: Teesside
 Outfit: Caravan and XC90 View thechief's Profile View Profile   Reply to thechief Reply   Quote thechief Quote  
Joined: 16/4/2005

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Hi folks

I booked an overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Le Havre a few weeks ago. It was supposed to be a "full service" crossing on the Normandie, but because another (new?) vessel (Honfleur) is going to be delivered late, Normandie will be on a different route and we will be on the Etretat instead.

I've read the blurb on the BF website about "economie" crossings, but wondered if anyone had any real-life experience to share about the differences in service levels, comfort etc?

My gut feeling is that there shouldn't be a massive problem as we depart late (23:30) and arrive early (08:30) so it will be just a case of going to bed and then waking up again....we won't be desperate for food or entertainment etc.

Or am I mistaken? Are there other things that will affect our crossing? Any tales of horror about these "cheapie" crossings?

TC


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PersonNetherton
via mobile 21/3/2019 at 3:19pm
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Have a meal in Portsmouth, go to bed when you are on the ship, snatch breakfast in the cafeteria when you arrive. All will be well. Bon voyage.


Personchrisandsandra
21/3/2019 at 4:04pm
 Location: Somerset
 Outfit: Murvi Morello View chrisandsandra's Profile View Profile   Reply to chrisandsandra Reply   Quote chrisandsandra Quote  
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We've travelled economie to Le Havre last year and it was fine.

The ferries used are smaller than the cruise ferries so don't have a la carte restaurants, entertainment in the bars etc and a choice of 'boutiques'. They do have a smaller self service restaurant, a bar/lounge, a cinema lounge (Etretat only) and only one shop selling a smaller range of goods.

In our opinion the cabins are just as good except that they don't have carpets. In fact the 2 berths, in our opinion, are better than those on larger ships as they   have two singles rather than bunks.

If you need to use a lift do let BF know in advance as not all decks can be accessed by lift from the bottom vehicle decks so they will park you somewhere suitable.

The main difference was that some of the vehicles are carried on a part open deck which can mean that they can get covered in spray. On our trip the crew had hosed the vehicles on the open deck with fresh water but do check and maybe give your vehicle a quick wash at a garage if necessary on arrival.

There is a ships plan showing the layout here


Personthechief
21/3/2019 at 4:43pm
 Location: Teesside
 Outfit: Caravan and XC90 View thechief's Profile View Profile   Reply to thechief Reply   Quote thechief Quote  
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Great information. Thanks Netherton and chrisandsandra.

I wasn't overly concerned, but when the ferry company gave us £80 back I wondered what the main differences were.

TC


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PersonOh so camp
21/3/2019 at 6:14pm
 Location: Bolton
 Outfit: Award Tristar Caravan View Oh so camp's Profile View Profile   Reply to Oh so camp Reply   Quote Oh so camp Quote  
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We are booked on the 25th this month on this service, used it several times (Pet and non pet) it is fine. Just a bed for the night, I suppose it if you really want to nit pick the bathrooms are a little tired but for me I got no complaints.


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Personjjgderbyshire
21/3/2019 at 11:33pm
 Location: Nottingham
 Outfit: Lunar Solaris 524 View jjgderbyshire's Profile View Profile   Reply to jjgderbyshire Reply   Quote jjgderbyshire Quote  
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No complaints. Managed to grab something basic to eat, which was ok. Couple of beers and bed. They put us in a disabled cabin, although we are both able bodied, but it was very spacious. Car covered in spray and not hosed down, so had to wash it myself at destination. I prefer to pay a few quid extra as it's a holiday after all. I don't think you'll have any regrets, but you don't save that much that you'll bother to use it again.

-------------
jjg


Persondubs1978
via mobile 07/4/2019 at 12:07pm
 Location: Birmingham
 Outfit: Pennine Pullman View dubs1978's Profile View Profile   Reply to dubs1978 Reply   Quote dubs1978 Quote  
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We've used this ferry two years on the trot and will be again this year due to the change. First year outbound, last year out and inbound and this year just outbound.

Due to the timing it is fine for a night crossing, even last year we did an evening crossing and it was fine as we booked a day cabin so had somewhere to retreat to.

Only ever used etretat (economy) and bretagne and I thought the economy cabins were nicer tbh.

As for the ship facilities, it's pretty basic. Small shop, small eatery, small bar, but as you'll probably only have a quick drink before bed and maybe a bite to eat in the morning it's fine. We normally eat in Portsmouth then nip to Tesco to refill fuel and buy some snacks to take onboard for breakfast.

First year we were towing and ended up parked in a lower deck next to the lorries (we actually had to drive on, and do a u turn!) It did mean we were pretty much first off. Last year we were on the open deck as not towing. We were the last car to go up, and when we got off had to wait for the others to get off so we could do a turn on the deck. The ramp to that deck is very narrow and can be tricky to judge so take it easy. We also had to wash the car both times after the crossings when on the open deck.

I'm sure there are some vids on YouTube about boarding on the etretat.


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Personthechief
08/4/2019 at 5:54pm
 Location: Teesside
 Outfit: Caravan and XC90 View thechief's Profile View Profile   Reply to thechief Reply   Quote thechief Quote  
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Thanks, ohsocamp, jjgderbyshire and dubs1978.

I suspect that it will be a case of board then straight to bed so I doubt I will get to inspect the bar facilities. So long as the rooms are clean and comfortable I don't really mind aging facilities.

I stumbled on the youtube boarding videos. That open car deck is erm very interesting.

I'll be towing a caravan (total outfit length around 12.5m) so I hope there is plenty of room for the U turn!

I will have to work out where I can refuel in Portsmouth before boarding. I will have the caravan on the back so need a straight "drive through" petrol station if you see what I mean.

TC


Persondubs1978
via mobile 08/4/2019 at 11:22pm
 Location: Birmingham
 Outfit: Pennine Pullman View dubs1978's Profile View Profile   Reply to dubs1978 Reply   Quote dubs1978 Quote  
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Tesco is pretty good, address is Clement Attlee Way, PO6 4SR. You have to come off the M27, and it's a short drive onlong the A27, no more than 5 minutes. Petrol station is drive in, drive out.

The guys loading the ferry seem to know what they are doing and will guide you so don't worry to much.

When are you traveling?


Personbungle
via mobile 09/4/2019 at 6:14am
 Location: Birmingham
 Outfit: 2018 Coachman Pastiche View bungle's Profile View Profile   Reply to bungle Reply   Quote bungle Quote  
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I use Shell Victory, go up to the next exit past the port, come back on yourself around the roundabout and its on your left, just before the entrance to the port.My outfit is over 12.5m,use the pumps on the right hand side, can drive straight through.

-------------
Cheers Bungle


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Personthechief
09/4/2019 at 1:16pm
 Location: Teesside
 Outfit: Caravan and XC90 View thechief's Profile View Profile   Reply to thechief Reply   Quote thechief Quote  
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Thanks for the info guys.

Travelling mid-August, dubs1978. Really looking forward to it. First time on an overnighter out of Portsmouth.

TC


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Persondubs1978
via mobile 09/4/2019 at 2:45pm
 Location: Birmingham
 Outfit: Pennine Pullman View dubs1978's Profile View Profile   Reply to dubs1978 Reply   Quote dubs1978 Quote  
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We're on the crossing on Friday 16th August.



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