There’s a lot more to ex-UK ferry journeys than short hops between Dover and Calais. Longer crossings to the Continent and Ireland can be lucrative little earners for agents, especially if they make the most of the extras they can sell, such as pre-booked meals, cabin upgrades and business-style lounges.
There are many types of ferry holidays and breaks on offer, from hotel and touring holidays with the car, to mini cruises, many of them themed, that give clients two or three fun days at sea with good food and lively entertainment. Here’s a taster of what’s on offer this summer.
Mini cruise to Amsterdam
What? A two-night ABBA-themed mini cruise from Newcastle to Amsterdam with DFDS Seaways.
What’s so special? Don your flares and crushed velvet jackets and relive the 1970s with an ABBA tribute band. You’ll get to Amsterdam in time for breakfast and have a few hours there before it’s time for the cruise back to Newcastle.
Sell to? Dancing queens of all ages.
On board: The King of Scandinavia has three bars, a buffet, steakhouse and à la carte restaurant, two cafes, a casino, cinema and kids’ club.
Sample product: From £99 per person for a two-night break departing October 1, including a cabin, transfers to and from the port to Amsterdam, and a city tour. dfdsseaways.co.uk, 01255 244 336
Loire self-drive
What? The six-night Enchanting Loire self-drive tour crossing from Ports-mouth to St Malo with Brittany Ferries.
What’s so special? A leisurely drive of about 420 miles, good food, great wine – oh and the chance to visit some of the most iconic chateaux in the Loire Valley. Who could ask for more? Clients start their tour in Saumur or Chitenay, and also spend nights in Azay le Rideau and Loches.
Sell to? Francophiles who want to discover the country’s aristocratic past.
On board: Bretagne has a buffet-cum-waiter-service restaurant, a coffee shop, bars, wi-fi, two cinemas, live entertainment and a kids’ club.
Sample package: From £724.20 for two people travelling in September, including return ferry crossings with a car, a cabin in one direction and bed and breakfast on tour. brittanyferries.co.uk/agents, 0871 244 1400
Mini jazz cruise
What? A three-night jazz-themed mini cruise from Portsmouth to Bilbao with P&O Ferries.
What’s so special? Jazz singers and swing entertainers Julia Farino, Ian Shaw and Asa Murphy will be performing nightly on this three-night cruise to Bilbao, northern Spain. After a full day at sea, there’ll be four hours in Bilbao, with coach tours visiting the Guggenheim Museum, the sights of Bilbao and a nearby fishing village.
Sell to? Lovers of popular jazz.
On board: Pride of Bilbao has a buffet restaurant, a carvery and the stylish Langan’s Brasserie. Spacious club cabin accommodation is available, with extras including a colour TV, fresh fruit, and tea and coffee-making facilities. There’s also a cinema, disco and kids’ club.
Sample package: From £79 per person for a three-night break departing September 8, including a cabin in each direction. Coach tours cost £12 per person. poferries.com, 08716 646 464
Self-drive on the emerald isle
What? Seven-night South West Charms self-drive holiday from Wexford in Ireland with Irish Ferries, crossing from Pembroke to Rosslare.
What’s so special? This is a gentle drive of just 1,050 miles around some of the top sights in southwest Ireland. Clients can go at their own pace between hotels in Cork, Killarney and Limerick, visiting places of interest on the way such as Waterford Crystal Factory and Blarney Castle.
Sell to? Older clients who like to tour, but hate the idea of a coach holiday.
On board: Isle of Inishmore has a brasserie and cafe, a club-class lounge offering free drinks, snacks and newspapers for £14 per person, an amusement arcade and kids’ play area.
Sample package: From £832 for two people travelling in October, including return ferry travel with a car, and breakfast on tour. irishferries.com, 08705 171 717
Berlin city break with a difference
What? A six-night self-drive city break in Berlin with return overnight crossings from Harwich to Hook of Holland with Stena Line.
What’s so special? Rather than taking a fly-in fly-out city break, this is a way to see a lot of Holland and Germany en route. It’s a 410-mile drive each way, which can be done in a day, or clients can extend the trip with an overnight stay to break up the journey.
Sell to? Middle-aged city slickers who want more than the bright lights.
On board: Travel is either on Stena Britannica or Stena Hollandica. Each has a self-service and buffet restaurant, a Stena Plus lounge (£12 per person) with free drinks, snacks, newspapers and wi-fi, play areas for kids and teens, and a cinema.
Sample package: From £136 per person for four nights at the Tulip Inn with Inghams, including breakfast. inghams.co.uk, 020 8780 7700
Sample package: A return ferry crossing for a car and two adults with Stena Line costs from £192, including a cabin in both directions. stenaline.co.uk, 08705 707 070
