Ports
Newhaven is an easy port to get to, but the last 10 miles, when the A27 dual carriageway ends, are slow.
As there is only one ferry operating from the port there are unlikely to be too many delays.
Signs from the dual carriageway are good.
Dieppe port is on the outskirts of town and is easy to find. It’s quite a nice contrast to Newhaven, which is fairly uninspiring.
Embarkation
Check-in was fast on both sides. Once you are through on the UK side, there is nothing to do but wait by your car. There is a dull-looking terminal with a cafe.
In Dieppe, Hoverspeed’s Grape Shop stocks alcohol, at French tax-free prices, which compare well with duty-free prices.
I was travelling in Hoverspeed 1st – the operator’s premium class. A perk of this service is my car was loaded as a priority so I could get out first at the other end.
Although we departed on time in both directions, an engine fault slowed the return crossing to 2.5hrs.
Service and safety
The service was very friendly and efficient.
The captain did politely apologise for the slightly bumpy conditions on the outward journey.
An announcement was also made about the fact that foot passengers would have to disembark the SuperSeaCat through the car deck, because the foot passenger ramp was not working.
This was much appreciated by those on board and did save a lot of confusion.
The passenger safety awareness video was shown to us on both the outward and the return journey.
It was loud and clear for the English to understand.
The sound was turned down for the French commentary on the outward journey.
On board
Facilities on board the ship are limited. There is a bar and food counter serving hot and cold meals and snacks, and a cafe for sandwiches and baguettes.
The duty-free shop is limited and has a correspondingly small selection of alcohol, perfume, cigarettes and chocolate.
The shop can only open when the ship enters French waters which is about 45mins into the crossing.
The number of passenger allowed in at one time is controlled.
Hoverspeed 1st is on the upper deck and is very nice. It costs £15 per person each way, which includes a continental breakfast of rolls and ham/cheese, croissant and tea or coffee and juice on morning crossings and a main meal at other times.
Conclusion
I was surprised at how unsteady the ship was in what were relatively good sea conditions. It was only about force four, but you could not walk about the SuperSeaCat comfortably.
The ship has plenty of seating on two decks, but the layout, with airline-style seats, looks unimaginative compared to the newer fast ferries that are coming into service.
The first-class lounge was very welcoming – it is nice to have the peace and quiet of a separate lounge and also have priority boarding.
Response
David Stafford,Newhaven-Dieppe routedirector, Hoverspeed,
“It is unfortunate you had the engine trouble on your sailing. We have not lost any crossings due to technical problems and only had to cancel three times due to the weather.
“I travel a lot on the route and have not noticed it to be more bumpy than other ferries unless the weather is really bad. But we are getting a new SuperSeaCat 4 next season which will have the new T-foil that improves stability.
“The new ship will be the same size, but it will be able to carry three 50-seat coaches, which we cannot offer now, and the interior layout will be more imaginative.
“1st has proved very popular – we are booking 600-800 passengers a week. They don’t seem to resent paying £15 for the peace and quiet and priority loading and unloading.
“The terminal at Newhaven is not much to look at and there isn’t much to do because we can’t sell anything there. There is the display of tax-free goods for sale on board where people can browse and I hope this winter to add a 1st motorists’ lounge as well as a children’s play area.”