Message Forums

Hi everyone

just wondering has anyone travelled on this line - - we are just wondering about the cabin size  - - we are a party of 5 we have booked the crossing got really great deal  but you can only book for a maximum of 4 persons per vehicle and the 5th person has to go on as a foot passenger - the cheapest way to do this is to book into a shared cabin but as it will be my sons 16yr old friend not happy about them being on their own so was wondering if there will be enough room in our 4 berth cabin for one to sleep on floor between the beds?

any other info on the ferry would also be appreciated

thanks

alyson                     

That is all true but be aware that

If you book the AT ferries the full cost is lost on change or if you need to cancel for any reason. You lose the lot even through the CC. As I have changed dates and last year cancelled the crossing the night before for £10 I have booked PO. Booked via the CC web site in Nov 06 £950ish. Noted over Christmas the same crossing had lost £110 to £840. Out mid Aug and back beginning or Sept. Caravan and cabin. So for £10 I saved £100. Still about £130 more than AT quoted via the CC web site but I feel the flexibility is worth it. With AT you are stuffed and unless you are certain think before you book is my advice.

Oh Yes. First time on this route but works out as £130 more than driving there and back with two nights each way. My daughter who served in the RN for some years said as she had crossed the Bay or Biscay many times nothing in this world would get her to pay for crossing it after some of the crossings she has had.

We have booked this crossing and it is about half the price of P & O and 1/3 less than I was quoted by Caravan Club.

I don't know about cabin sizes but will let you know.

We have taken cancellation / change insurance for an additional £9.50 (payable at time of booking) available and advertised on the wweb site.

Booking through http://www.ferries.co.uk/ferry_companies.html saved me a further £40.00 on the AT & T web site price.

Most helpfull and thankyou.

There is one small other differance that may come into some consideration in which route to chose.

The AT ferry route via the CC is it seems from my look non changable and only so on taking out an insurance policy via the direct booking site. CC seems to be cheaper with a membership number.

PO via the CC are much cheaper than the prices quoted here or so I have found. £850 return and cabin August 2007 and is changable which I have allready done when i found the cost had dropped from £1000 to £850 and it cost £10 on the CC and a phone call. Still £130 higher but also for us 2 and 1/2 days shorter due to the ferry times.

Seems to me you takes your choice but you will have to make a claim on the insurance policy it you cancel or change the dates as there is no refund from AT that I can see on the booking conditions. On the CC web site it is very clear about that.

Which ever way you go lets hope there is a quiert corner to read my book?

Regards

We have recently booked AT & T and it was considerably cheaper than P & O both on their own website http://www.acciona.ferries.org/?gclid=CIK6zoLJv4kCFQ47EAodHVvgQA and also booking through http://www.ferries.co.uk/ferry_companies.html which was around £30.00 cheaper than the AT & T site.  Insurance to cover change/canecellation was £9.50

Thanks

after having read the pros and cons we have booked with AT ferries all you have to pay at the time of booking is £75 deposit if you book quoting your Caravan Club membership no and the discount is excellent we are paying £586 for family of 4 with caravan and cabin return out July back Aug whilst our friends are paying £599 for family of 4 on same crossing with no caravan or trailer..........

after having pushed them on the phone they have stated that amendments can be made to the booking but there is £25 charge for this although they wouldnt clarify what amendments you can make.

After reading the fors and against which are very helpful I will make sure the kids have a well packed bag to keep them amused and luckily we are travelling with another family with kids of similar ages so they can all amuse each other and I will have a well packed coolbag.

Again thanks for the advice.

Alyson..........  

I have now again spoken to AT booking office and they are not over helpfull, as said above they were unwilling to give what amendments they are willing to allow? But he did say that they never accept cancellations "At CC Discounted prices" When I pushed him re the insurance cover. He replied you would have to make a claim and see, but would not confirm or deny if the insurance cover allowed cancellation. "Look at the conditions and the conditions when you get the cover document" was his parting comment when pushed. For me that is a bridge too far.

As I said before you pays your money and takes your choice but because I have cancelled and changed ferry times many times I am staying with PO for now.

Thanks to all parties for an informed thread.

I don't understand why people are having problems with cancellation insurance.If you book either with the AT&T Site http://www.acciona.ferries.org/?gclid=CIK6zoLJv4kCFQ47EAodHVvgQA or with http://www.ferries.co.uk/ferry_companies.html (who are actually slightly cheaper) both offer Cancellation Insurance quite clearly before the booking is completed. I amt rave4lling in February and my cancellation insurance for the round trip was £9.50 which in my opinion is hardly excessive nor difficult to find. Terms and Conditions are spelled out on the web site.

I am not sure how P & O justify much higher fares but it is certainly not on the basis of easier cancellation. The prices on both these web sites were below those quoted by the Caravan Club Travel Service.

Great. But what price are you getting would be helpfull to know on what dates so people can judge.

The terms and condition you talk about are for direct booking on the two web sites you mentiuonand not via the CC which some may wish to stay with to benifit from all in package deals for sites etc. In my case a saving over direct booking of £85.

In my case it is I get 2 and a half days longer with PO and as that adds up in my case to less than £130 that I think is worth it. But it is no longer the case that PO in Aug are £1000+. Out Aug 16 back Sept 1 + state cabin is £850 Tug and large 7+m caravan.

Terms on the AT web site are:-

SECTION 1 - CANCELLATION

(Benefit: As stated in summary of cover. Excess: £35)

We will reimburse you for your proportion of the irrecoverable loss of travel and accommodation deposits or charges (paid in advance or irrevocably contracted and which are forfeited) in the event that you cancel the planned Trip as a result of an event listed as an 'unforeseen occurrence' happening during the Period of Insurance to you or your Travelling Companion (provided that your Travelling Companion cancels his Trip).

In the event you cancel your Trip in accordance with the conditions above and such Trip was for the sole purpose of carrying out your business and the cost of such Trip is otherwise not recoverable, we will reimburse up to the specified limit of cover the cost of a replacement colleague. In the event any travel arrangements are paid for in Air Miles or any other form of redeemable vouchers, reimbursment shall be the reinstatement of the Air Miles or redeemable vouchers to their original account. Should it not be possible to reinstate such Air Miles or vouchers, we shall reimburse the lowest advertised fare by the airline for the flight in question.

Specific Exclusions to Section 1: 1, 2, 7 and 8.

SECTION 1- CANCELLATION AND CURTAILMENT

YOU are covered for:

1. WE will pay up to the amount stated in the Schedule for loss of irrecoverable deposits or payments for unused travel and accommodation paid in advance or contracted to be paid as a result of YOUR necessary and unavoidable cancellation of the TRIP due to:

1.1 The death, injury or illness of YOU, a CLOSE RELATIVE, CLOSE BUSINESS COLLEAGUE, travelling companion or person with whom YOU intend to stay.

1.2 YOUR presence being requested by the Police following YOUR HOME or business premises being rendered uninhabitable during the TRIP or in the 7 days prior to departure.

1.3 YOUR presence being requested by the Police following burglary or attempted burglary at YOUR HOME or business premises.

1.4 Redundancy for which a proper redundancy notice has been supplied by YOUR employer in respect of permanent employment (redundancy in accordance with current United Kingdom employment laws where these are different to those in YOUR COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE).

1.5 A call for YOU to be a witness or for jury service where postponement has been denied by the Court.

1.6 Official requirements for YOU to attend emergency duty in Military, Medical or Public Service.

1.7 A Government regulation following an epidemic or natural disaster that stops YOU from travelling.

1.8 In respect of CURTAILMENT, WE will pay up to the amount stated in the Schedule for the proportionate amount of YOUR irrecoverable pre-paid costs of the TRIP which will be based on the complete number of days YOU are at HOME or hospitalised as an IN-PATIENT.

YOU are not covered for:

1.The first part of each and every claim as shown in the schedule (the EXCESS) - but 20% of the EXCESS amount in respect of loss of deposit only claims.

2. Any expenses payable by the tour operator, hotel, airline or other carrier.

3. Any delay in commencement of the TRIP (see Section 11 Missed Departure).

4. Any surcharges levied by the tour operator which increase the brochure prices.

5. Any losses arising from YOUR failure or delay in notifying the travel agent, tour operator or provider of service immediately it may be necessary to cancel or curtail YOUR travel arrangements.

6. The costs of CURTAILMENT not approved by the Medical Emergency Service.

7. Any loss arising from the financial failure, insolvency, bankruptcy or default of the tour organiser.

8. YOUR disinclination to travel or YOUR loss of enjoyment of the TRIP.

So my point is what if you just change your mind? Or the car breaks down or the caravan falls apart? Also £35 excess and max payments for days before travel etc. It may well be covered somewhere but they don’t want to cover you changing your mind at any time.

This is today’s cost for that route or as close as I can get it is £914 or £64 more than PO. Seems they have been reading our postings?

The total price of your tickets will be 1,262.42 EUR

In all honesty Peter, I am not sure what point you are trying to make, but don't want to bore other members by continuing this discussion.

I have booked with AT & T having found the prices considerably cheaper than P &O following checking web sites and Caravan Club Booking Agents. I also found the Insurance Conditions clear and easy to understand.

If you or anyone else chooses to travel with any other Ferry line thats fine. The original post was asking for information which has been provided so I'm not sure of your motivation in answering every post that suggests AT& T offers a cheaper and perfectly adequate service.

You don't work for P & O do you or do you just like the last word?

No don’t work for PO. Or the CC.

But I know a lot about insurance cover and travel cover in particular sadly.

You say,

“In all honesty Peter, I am not sure what point you are trying to make, but don't want to bore other members by continuing this discussion.”

Well I do and here is the answer.

The point is you are frankly wrong to say there is cancellation cover when it’s very limited indeed. Try claiming. With CC you phone up and pay £10. With AT you get told call this company, fill in this and that form, Send this bill. Prove this and that and if you tick all the boxes you get some money but by no means the full amount.

You still don't post the costs of the trip or explain why you claim that cancellation is possible when it plainly is not unless you break a leg or go to prison.

Please travel with who ever you want and please why not tells us all what booking early cost.

I am sure they are cheaper, fact. Or were? But why is it. What I am trying to get clear are the facts, not just a statement with no proof that AT is better because you claim it is.

OK Its better, OK have the last word be my guest, but prove your point rather than say:-

"I don't understand why people are having problems with cancellation insurance."

When it is a minefield, it’s meant to be, that’s why they tell you in rather large lettering NO CANCELATIONS. When the facts of what you are covered for if you pay the extra are rather different to just plain Cancellation cover.

Did you read the terms before booking? I did hence my post last week.

I will not be posting again on this matter as like you it gets nowhere.

Enjoy your holiday and your crossing.