Direct Ferries News

Discounted Liverpool - Belfast/Dublin Ferries!

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:00:00 GMT

Book your ferry ticket to Ireland or Northern Ireland to travel with Norfolkline Irish Sea by 31st March 2010 and you'll get a special discount off the normal fare!

Choose to sail to Dublin or Belfast from Liverpool (Birkenhead) with your car and 2 passengers from £70 each way. See below for our price guide:

Day sailings / Night Sailings

£140 / £245 fare valid from 5 Jan- 29 March & 1 Nov - 18 Dec
£175 / £300 fare valid from 12 Apr - 30 June, 1 Sept - 31 Oct & 19 Dec - 4 Jan 2011
£245 / £385 fare valid from 30 Mar - 11 Apr & 1 Jul - 31 Aug

Easter supplement of £50 / £60 will be added for travel from 30 Mar - 11 Apr.

Additional adults £30 / £35

Additional children £20 / £25

Book now by visiting our Norfolkline Irish Sea, Ferries to Ireland or our Ferries to Northern Ireland page.

Valid for return bookings only completed within 5 days of departure and by Jan 4th 2011. Fuel surcharge of £16 per adult and £2 per child applies to all bookings.

Save Over 25% on Ferries to Holland!

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:20:00 GMT

When you take the car to Holland with DFDS Seaways and return within 5 days of departure you'll get up to 25% discount off the standard fare!

Offer is valid on selected sailings between now and June 2010, with prices starting from £99 each way for car and 2 passengers.

DFDS Seaways operate a flexible pricing structure so book early to take advantage of the best fares.

To book now, please visit our DFDS Seaways page.

Scotland - Belgium Ferries from £113 per person

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:19:01 GMT

Scotland - Belgium ferries start at just *£113 per person based on a 4 people travelling by car and sharing a 4 berth cabin!

Simply book by 19th march for travel up to 30th April 2010.

Norfolkline revived the Rosyth-Zeebrugge ferry route in May 2009 and run 3 ferries from each port every week from Rosyth (near Edinburgh) on Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays, and from Zeebrugge (near Bruges) on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Crossing duration is approximately 20 hours. For more information or to make a booking, please visit the following pages:

- Ferries to Belgium
- Rosyth to Zeebrugge
- Norfolkline

*Offer subject to availability and may be withdrawn at anytime.

Seafrance Dover Calais from just £25 each way!

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:00:00 GMT

Beat the winter blues and book a holiday or break away now (winter, spring or summer!) with this great value offer. SeaFrance has 1,000s of sailings from £25 each way!

On some of these crossings not all of their facilities will be available but you will still be able to grab a coffee or sandwich and relax, and still get great service onboard.

Fare valid for a car and up to 5 passengers, £10 supplement applies for 6 to 9 passengers on standard return ad single fares. Offer is subject to limited availability and may be withdrawn at any time.

To make a booking, please visit our Seafrance page.

How to get the best fares from Dover to Dunkerque

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:59:00 GMT

To improve your chances of getting the best fares with Norfolkline from Dover Dunkerque you should follow these simple steps:

• Take a night departure between 23:59 and 06:00: there are more cheap spaces on these departures.

• Generally sailings from Dover are cheaper in the afternoon and from Dunkerque are cheaper in the morning

• Prices are high at times of peak demand such as school holidays.

• The best prices are available when you book in advance. However we have good last minute deals too.

• Look for our short breaks offers, if you are traveling for 1, 3 or 5 days you might get a special Short Break fare.

• Weekday fares are generally lower than weekend fares.

Prices start from just £17 each way for a car and 4 passengers.

To make a booking, please visit our Norfolkline page.

Ferries to Spain from £97

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:00:00 GMT

You can now travel from Portsmouth or Plymouth to Santander with Brittany Ferries from just £97 each way for a standard car plus 2 for stays of up to 5 days.

Example departures from Portsmouth to Santander:

Month	Depart Portsmouth	Depart Santander	Price
Mar	17/03 (11:00)	22/03 (16:30)	from £105
Apr	14/04 (11:00)	19/04 (16:30)	from £112
May	12/05 (11:00)	17/05 (16:30)	from £126
Jun	09/06 (11:00)	14/06 (16:30)	from £158
Jul	07/07 (11:00)	12/07 (16:30)	from £176
Aug	25/08 (11:00)	30/08 (16:30)	from £206
Sep	15/09 (11:00)	20/09 (16:30)	from £140
Oct	20/10 (11:00)	25/10 (16:30)	from £112
Nov	09/11 (11:15)	13/11 (15:15)	from £97

Example departures from Plymouth to Santander:

Month	Depart Plymouth	Depart Santander	Price
Mar	14/03 (16:30)	18/03 (15:00)	from £105
Apr	18/04 (16:30)	22/04 (15:00)	from £112
May	16/05 (16:30)	20/05 (15:00)	from £126
Jun	13/06 (16:30)	17/06 (15:00)	from £176
Jul	04/07 (16:30)	08/07 (15:00)	from £176
Aug	22/08 (16:30)	26/08 (15:00)	from £206
Sep	19/09 (16:30)	23/09 (15:00)	from £140
Oct	17/10 (16:30)	21/10 (15:00)	from £112
Nov	01/11 (12:00)	08/11 (19:00)	from £162

For more information or to book a ticket, please visit our Brittany Ferries or our Ferries to Spain page.

Prices based on a 5 day return ticket for a standard car plus two occupants, onboard accommodation not included. Departure times subject to change. Price examples represent the lowest fares available during each month as indicated by the (departure times). Fares subject to availability.

Brittany Ferries to France from £66

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Travel from Portsmouth to Caen, Brittany Ferries most popular route on the western channel from just *£66 each way for a standard car plus 2 for stays of up to 5 days.

For more information or to book a ticket, please visit our Brittany Ferries or our Ferries to France page

*£66 fare represent the lowest fare available for travel during the months of March, October and November. Travel in April, May, June and September from £77 each way. Fares subject to availability.

Ferries to Northern Ireland from £69

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:40:00 GMT

In 2010, avoid the airport queues and excess baggage charges by packing it all in and taking your car to Northern Ireland with Stena Line.

Fares are from just £69 single (car + driver) but remember to make great savings you must book early for the best deals!

Single online fares travelling midweek for a car + driver start from:

• Stranraer Belfast Ferry - £69

• Fleetwood Larne Ferry - £85

Additional adults are from £23 and additional children (4 - 15 years) go from £13. Infants (0 - 3 years) go free!

Fares are valid for midweek travel on selected sailings and generally require you to book a minimum of 28 days in advance of travel.

Motorhome supplement for vehicle up to 6m long is £30 each way.

Applies to new bookings and is subject to availability. Conditions apply.

Book now by visiting our Stena Line or our Ferries to Northern Ireland page.

Stena Line Ferries to Holland from £49

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:20:00 GMT

With fares from Harwich to the Hook of Holland from just £49 each way for car plus driver, travelling with Stena Line really is the smart way to Holland!

Additional adult from £12, children (4 - 15 years) from £6 and infants (0 - 3 years) go free!

As you get closer to departure or when space becomes limited, prices will rise. So don't wait, book early to get the best choice of fares.

Book now by visiting either our Stena Line or our Ferries to Holland pages.

Ferries to Ireland from only £69

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:55:00 GMT

Travel to Ireland with Stena Line from only £69 single (car + driver).

Book now by visiting either our Stena Line or our Ferries to Ireland page.

Conditions as follows:

• Single Economy online fare valid for midweek travel on selected sailings until 30 June 2010 and generally require you to book a minimum of 28 days in advance of travel.
• Additional adult from £23 single and child from £13 single.
• Motorhome supplement for vehicles up to 6m long is £30 each way.
• £10 service fee applies to non-web bookings.
• Applies to new bookings and is subject to availability. Conditions apply.

Take your Motorbike for 1 Euro with Superfast Ferries!

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:15:00 GMT

Book a Ferry to Greece with your motorbike travelling with Superfast Ferries for just 1 Euro per motorbike & get 30% discount for passengers accompanying their motorbikes!

Offer is valid on all Adriatic Sea routes:

- Patras - Igoumenitsa – Ancona & v.v. mid day and evening departure
- Patras – Igoumenitsa – Bari & v.v.

Valid for one way or round trip travel completed by 15th June 2010 and booked by 31st March 2010.

For more information or to book now, please visit our Superfast Ferries page.

Please note:
- Limited capacity available
- Passengers and motorbikes must travel with the same ticket
- No other discounts apply (offer is non-cumulative neither with brochure strategic fares and discounts nor with passenger discounts)
- Not valid with any other discount or promotional offer
- Offer is valid for regular motorcycles and motorcycles with Side Car.

50% discount with Superfast Ferries!

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:10:00 GMT

Book a Superfast Ferries ticket by 31st March 2010 and you'll get a 50% discount on all Adriatic sailings!

Offer is valid for single and return bookings for travel up to 31st Decemeber 2010 on crossings from Ancona to Igoumenitsa, Ancona to Patras, Bari to Igoumenitsa and Bari to Patras.

Please note:

- Limited capacity available
- Bookings cannot be cancelled.
- Offer is non-cumulative with any other offer or discount
- Fuel surcharge not included
- Does NOT apply for 'Luxury' or 'Pure' cabins
- Does NOT apply for the Camping onboard Ancona sailings

For more information or to make a booking, please visit our Superfast Ferries page.

Save of up to 30% on Irish Ferries tickets

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Save up to 30% when you book 28 days or more in advance of departure to travel on Irish Ferries services between Britain and Ireland.

Fares start from £69 each way for a car and driver for travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays anytime up to 30th June on the Pembroke Rosslare and Holyhead Dublin Cruise Ferry services.

Add £25 for travel on high speed Ferry to Dublin, £23 for additional adults, £13 for additional Kids, infants (0 – 3 years) go free.

For more information or to make a booking, please visit the following pages:

- Irish Ferries
- Ferries to Ireland

All prices are subject to availability and cannot be used in conjunction with any other special offer or promotions. 30% discount is reflective of maximum selling price.

Hull to Zeebrugge & Rotterdam from £109 each way

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:46:00 GMT

You can now travel to Belgium or Holland for just £109 each way with P&O Ferries.

Price is for a Car and 2 passengers, includes a standard ensuite cabin and is valid for travel completed within 5 days of departure.

Book now by visiting the following pages:

- P&O Ferries
- Hull Zeebrugge Ferry
- Hull Rotterdam Ferry

Dover Calais from £25 each way!

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:40:00 GMT

P&O Ferries are offering Ferries to France on their Dover Calais service from £25 each way.

Travel for any duration with a car and up to 8 passengers from just £25 each way, including all taxes.

Supplements will apply for busier periods and on sailings where space is limited.

For more information on P&O Ferries Dover Calais services or to book now please visit the following pages

- P&O Ferries
- Dover Calais Ferry

New Swansea Cork Ferry due to set sail Friday 5th March

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:00:00 GMT

The initial sailing of Fastnet Lines new service between Cork and Swansea is now scheduled for Friday 5th March. The sailing has been put back because of technical difficulties but the company are confident the first vessel will be shipping out to add another route between the two countries.

Fastnet Lines vessel MV Julia was purchased last year after serving throughout the Baltic using a combination of public money and over £3 million raised from the local Irish and Welsh business communities. She was built in 1982 and her ten decks have been refitted to accommodate over 400 cars and 40 commercial freight trucks.

For more information or to make a booking, please visit our Fastnet Line page.

Ferry blockades lifted as French seafarers end strike

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:00:00 GMT

SNCM and CMN reach deal with union to call off strike that was affecting services at Marseilles and Corsica.

French seafarers voted on Friday to call off a strike that has halted ferry services operated by SNCM and Compagnie Méridionale de Navigation between the port of Marseilles and the island of Corsica since Tuesday.

Agreement was reached between the two companies and the seafarers’ leaders early on Friday morning after negotiations at SNCM headquarters in Marseilles lasting 10 hours.

The blockades that the seafarers had been operating at Corsican ferry ports were lifted as soon as the result of the meeting was known.

The seafarers’ section of the CGT union confederation, which led the strike, said that its principal claims had been satisfied.

It said that SNCM had agreed to drop plans to reduce its fleet from 10 to eight ships, to maintain personnel at current levels and to grant full employment contracts to 40 or so seafarers who had been on contracts of limited duration.

It is also understood to have secured a commitment that the Corsican assembly will not grant subsidies to French Corsican ferry trade newcomer Moby Lines before next month’s regional elections.

Moby Lines is due to start a service to the island from the port of Toulon in April and had been expected to benefit from the per capital “social” subsidies paid to its competitor Corsica Ferries.

The union, which claimed that the public service concession for ferry services between Marseilles and Corsica was under threat, wants changes to the existing subsidy system, which it says is favouring foreign flag operators against the concession holders, SNCM and CMN.

Earlier this week, the French government appointed Senator Charles Revet to investigate the union’s claims and to report back before the end of April.