Irish Ferries has begun daily sailings on its new route from Dover to Calais providing ferry passengers with an even wider choice of crossing options.
The Isle of Inishmore ship has undergone extensive refurbishments for the new service – including an upgraded Club Class Lounge, with 360-degree sea views, and refreshed spacious passenger areas. The 90-minute crossing offers plenty of amenities onboard. Passengers can use free WiFi, re-fuel in Boylan’s Brasserie or Café Lafayette, or let kids enjoy a soft play area. There are now new duty-free allowances post Brexit in the Duty-Free shop and passengers can pre-order ahead on purchases, with an online Click & Collect service. Freight drivers can also enjoy a drivers lounge and dedicated new showers.
Andrew Sheen, Managing Director at Irish Ferries, said: “Our newly-launched route between Dover and Calais brings even more choice for freight customers who can now experience our outstanding service while travelling between the UK and France. We’re delighted to bring a little bit of Ireland to this route, and after months of travel limitations, we know that people are very eager to see family and friends, re-ignite business relations, and escape their everyday life and take a much-needed holiday. We are in the business of connectivity and want to enable those special memories to be created once travel is permitted again.”
Doug Bannister, Chief Executive of the Port of Dover, said: “We offer a very warm welcome to Irish Ferries and are delighted to see their operations commence from the UK’s busiest international ro-ro port. There has been considerable work by Port of Dover and all parties associated with this new service launch to get prepared for this day, and we are pleased to see all of those efforts come to fruition. We wish Irish Ferries every success for their new venture with us”
Ferry travel makes for a more relaxed holiday option, with the freedom to pack the car with unlimited luggage, bring pets along, and travel exactly where you want in the comfort of your own car. The Flexibility Option from Irish Ferries also offers additional peace of mind if customers need to change bookings at the last minute. With Irish Ferries ‘Travel Safe’ programme, customers can also travel in confidence; checking in from the security of their own car, sailing with plenty of space in communal areas for natural social distancing onboard, and take in the fresh, sea air from outdoor decks.
Fares start from £69 for a car and up to nine passengers, and ferries will operate with up to 10 daily crossings. For more information and bookings visit www.irishferries.com.
Had a nightmare crossing to Calais on 31/3/22. This company is run on a shoestring with much smaller ferries than DFDD and P&O so after the initial frustration of our 1905 crossing being cancelled and waiting 3 hours on the docks at Dover we then spent 11 hours on the ferry not being able to dock at Dover or Calais due to high winds. I estimate at least 50% of the passengers ended up vommitting (ship was only around 20% full which is probably why the 1905 and apparently the previous crossing was cancelled). The Captain ended up taking us across the English Channel 7 times back and forth to try to re-dock despite us witnessing the larger DFDS ferries docking without a problem at Calais. When we did finally dock at Calais the final announcement didn’t even include an apology. Never again will I save £25 for a crossing with this organisation, it just isn’t worth the risk. I’m just thankful we only booked one way due to the flexible length of our holiday. DFDS or tunnel home!