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[whole diary]

[LiskeardRich]

You mention connection Bilbao to santander.

Brittany ferries operate Bilbao to portsmouth as well. They don't let footies book online though for Bilbao to portsmouth so a call to their booking office in plymouth is required.

[ChrisB]

Why on earth not?

[LiskeardRich]

Why on earth not?

To do with the capacity of ship, it can take a lot more vehicles than passengers and there is more money in vehicle bookings. A vast majority of people wouldn't bother calling..


Talking of the clause earlier mentioned here is an example attached relating to the brittany ferries ^12.50 pp 24 hour return offer.

[Worcester_Passenger]

On the small print, I think that the earlier paragraph is the one that covers it - that itineraries are only valid starting in the country that they're booked in. I would've thought that people with holiday homes must fall foul of this regularly.

Meanwhile, on the subject of foot passengers on ferries, Dover/Calais aren't working hard enough. On overnight runs (OK, Dover-Calais isn't) as a foot passenger, I've been taken on and off the ship on a minibus on several occasions. Most recently when travelling from Belfast to Birkenhead. First time was Dublin - Birkenhead, where it turned out that the minibus was also tasked with leading the cars onto the ship.

Downside about the minibus is that they have to empty the car deck (or at least some of it) before the arrival port's minibus can come and collect you. But it's entertaining when you're the only foot passenger and the purser has to hand you over to the minibus driver.

[stuving]

Talking of the clause earlier mentioned here is an example attached relating to the brittany ferries ^12.50 pp 24 hour return offer.

That's in their general Ts & Cs, but if you look at day trips they have a different set (though some of the wording doesn't reflect that):

Promotional Ferry Booking Terms and Conditions of Carriage

These conditions apply to all ferry bookings with Brittany Ferries. Bookings for ferry travel form a transport contract between yourself and BAI SA, through the agency of its UK^▸ (United Kingdom) subsidiary, BAI UK Limited ('Brittany Ferries'), at the time we confirm your booking by providing your booking reference.

FARES AND GENERAL INFORMATION

Fares are based on travel dates and times and may require you to return to the UK within a specified period. Documents are only valid for the sailing dates/times indicated. Open return tickets are not available. Fares are only valid for itineraries commencing in the country they are booked in. We will not carry passengers under the age of 16 unless an adult of 18 years or over accompanies them. Children travelling with an adult other than, their parents or legal guardians must have a letter of consent.

So where it says "Fares are based on travel dates and times and may require you to return to the UK within a specified period", the conditions for the actual booking will presumably say that with the specific duration or return date specified.

However, I don't think that is made as clear is it ought to be.

[grahame]

You mention connection Bilbao to santander.

Brittany ferries operate Bilbao to portsmouth as well. They don't let footies book online though for Bilbao to portsmouth so a call to their booking office in plymouth is required.

Yes ... but (alas) the boat from Bilbao only runs on certain days ... even less often than the train to Roscoff ... although more than the train from Piling.  I just thank goodnesss I no longer have to use a calendar to work out the last let to Melksham too - how we have come forward!

[grahame]

In the end, it turned out that singles came to an acceptable fare level; I have been known (in the distant past) to chuck out return halves but certainly some ferry companies have been know to charge back the difference between a (lower) return fare and a single.

Is such a surcharge legal?

If it was an internet booking, then surely there would have to be an explicit small print warning?

From the Irish Ferries web site ... http://www.irishferries.com/uk-en/offers/fares-offers-ireland-from-britain/

Motorist Minicruises

Stay away for up to 24 hours after arrival from only ^135 for a car & driver when booked 7 or more days in advance. A supplement of ^10 applies when booked within 6 days of travel. Motorist Minicruises must be booked by phone (08717 300 400) or at the port by credit/debit card.  This fare is only valid when both legs of the journey are used, otherwise an additional supplement of ^150 will be automatically charged to your credit/debit card. Fares apply to cars, campervans and car derived vans only.

[LiskeardRich]

In the end, it turned out that singles came to an acceptable fare level; I have been known (in the distant past) to chuck out return halves but certainly some ferry companies have been know to charge back the difference between a (lower) return fare and a single.

Is such a surcharge legal?

If it was an internet booking, then surely there would have to be an explicit small print warning?

From the Irish Ferries web site ... http://www.irishferries.com/uk-en/offers/fares-offers-ireland-from-britain/

Motorist Minicruises

Stay away for up to 24 hours after arrival from only ^135 for a car & driver when booked 7 or more days in advance. A supplement of ^10 applies when booked within 6 days of travel. Motorist Minicruises must be booked by phone (08717 300 400) or at the port by credit/debit card.  This fare is only valid when both legs of the journey are used, otherwise an additional supplement of ^150 will be automatically charged to your credit/debit card. Fares apply to cars, campervans and car derived vans only.

I've never looked at Irish ferries, but that is very expensive for a day trip. For day tripping Brittany ferries who are known for being expensive charge ^12.50 per person (min 2 people, sole traveller has to pay for two) plus ^25 for the car.