Topcat47
Well-Known Member
I've heard mixed reports about the LD Lines service. Any first hand experiences?
Portsmouth - Le Havre Ferry
- Thread starter Topcat47
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Cloven
Well-Known Member
Used to use LD regularly when travelling to Southern Brittany. Pretty basic and food not good - more like a school canteen. Switched to Brittany ferries 3 years ago and never looked back. Food good, good timings and much more pleasant allround although more expensive. Join Brittany Ferries Club Voyage and you save 30% on every crossing, free breakfast & half price cabins so you can save the cost of membership on one journey.
However, it does to some extent depend where in France you are going to. Our boat is about 2 hours from St Malo - no road tolls & can be at the boat by 11am from the overnight ferry. From Le Havre, it was 5 1/2 hours with some €20+ in tolls. Add in the extra fuel etc and the price difference was very little plus far less driving.
However, it does to some extent depend where in France you are going to. Our boat is about 2 hours from St Malo - no road tolls & can be at the boat by 11am from the overnight ferry. From Le Havre, it was 5 1/2 hours with some €20+ in tolls. Add in the extra fuel etc and the price difference was very little plus far less driving.
Topcat47
Well-Known Member
Thanks, I'm used to Brittany Ferries. Very comfortable, excellent food in the restaurant. Any more on LD? BF are cheaper to Caan but it's further by road as I'm going East.
Sans Bateau
Well-Known Member
If you are travelling East do LD Newhaven to Diepe, as others have said LD are not a patch on BF but do the job and are comfortable.
slipknot
Well-Known Member
I use that route with LD lines once or twice in the summer months. Mainly because the crossing with a motorbike has been about £45 return. We get to Portsmouth about 9pm and I think it sails at about 10. Veeerrryy slow crossing allowing a bite to eat in the very average restaurant, followed by several beers and either a cabin or sleeper seat for a few hours kip. Arrive at about 7am and Normandy awaits.
Trip back takes less time, about 5pm to 10pm ish. Boats are ok but not overly posh. Great value!
Trip back takes less time, about 5pm to 10pm ish. Boats are ok but not overly posh. Great value!
dunedin
Well-Known Member
Depends on your priorities. We used them when we had a car with double trailer, and much cheaper than any alternatives. Food and decor was a bit low rent, but only on for a short time and fair for price paid
Hoolie
Well-Known Member
I came back to the UK in December and I was impressed that they had really cleaned up/renovated the ship. I didn't eat as the food was "canteen" and I had my own anyway, but the seats are comfortable. Much more so than Ryanair.
It suits me as it's only 12 minutes to home from Portsmouth and 200 miles shorter than crossing Calais-Dover.
I would recommend LD Lines, especially in the summer when they run the "Norman Arrow" - an aluminium cat built in Australia - with much quicker crossings.
It suits me as it's only 12 minutes to home from Portsmouth and 200 miles shorter than crossing Calais-Dover.
I would recommend LD Lines, especially in the summer when they run the "Norman Arrow" - an aluminium cat built in Australia - with much quicker crossings.
laffinskip
Well-Known Member
used them many times newhaven --dieppe & pompey /different routes to france,always found them to be very good value for money & the food was fine.
Greenheart
Well-Known Member
My sister/brother-in-law regularly drive from Dordogne to Somerset, and despite a longer trip than necessary via Caen, they're completely happy with LD lines.
I get the impression the company is rather like a lot of cruise lines used to be, before they set out to attract noisome X-factor-addicted clientele with short attention spans...so, simple, ample fare, nothing flash, and resultant low cost.
Considering how any ferry's motion in a gale instantly makes a malodorous mockery of attempts to glamourise the crossing, I'd think the more bare-essential a ferry-operator, the better.
I get the impression the company is rather like a lot of cruise lines used to be, before they set out to attract noisome X-factor-addicted clientele with short attention spans...so, simple, ample fare, nothing flash, and resultant low cost.
Considering how any ferry's motion in a gale instantly makes a malodorous mockery of attempts to glamourise the crossing, I'd think the more bare-essential a ferry-operator, the better.
oldharry
Well-Known Member
Brittany Ferries are mini cruise ships with all the bells and whistles with on board night clubs etc
LD Lines are simply ferries. Perfectly comfortable, and adequate for getting you from one side of of the ditch to the other.
You pays your money and takes your choice. If you want to get there cheaply and efficiently go with LD, if you want to be pampered with posh restaurants shops and bars, go BF and pay a whole lot more for the privilege.
As somebody said, if its blowing a hooly the extra facilities are unlikely to be appreciated anyway.
LD Lines are simply ferries. Perfectly comfortable, and adequate for getting you from one side of of the ditch to the other.
You pays your money and takes your choice. If you want to get there cheaply and efficiently go with LD, if you want to be pampered with posh restaurants shops and bars, go BF and pay a whole lot more for the privilege.
As somebody said, if its blowing a hooly the extra facilities are unlikely to be appreciated anyway.
