Norfolkline Ferries.www.norfolkline-ferries.co.uk

- Protect my Holiday. This company offers insolvency cover. www.protectmyholiday.com

Port of;

Dunkirk Port Authority. www.portdedunkerque.fr

Dover Port Authority. www.doverport.co.uk

Ferry news from the Ferry industry magazine. www.interferry.com/news

Ferry news from Ferry Publication magazine. www.ferrypubs.co.uk

Ferry news from Lloyds List. www.lloydslist.com

Weather. france.meteofrance.com

Weather. www.meto.gov.uk

Shipping Forecast - Met Office. www.metoffice.gov.uk

- Say NO to 0870. www.saynoto0870.com

All About Dunkirk - hotels, shopping, restaurants etc.

Norfolkline Ferries

This company is keen to attract motorists and short stay visitors to France. With a crossing time of just under 2 hours they are clearly worth considering.

They has modern, spacious, state of the art ferries, sailing from Dover to uncongested Dunkirk. Particularly suitable if you are taking the northern route (via Belgium and Germany) to the Alps. Dunkirk is just 15 minutes drive from Calais, and the tobacco shops in Adinkerke, Belgium.

There is a self-service restaurant and satellite television on board. Tobacco and alcohol are available at French duty-paid prices in the gift shop. A bureau de change is also provided.

With superb viewing windows which are kept clean (as is the ship) this will prove to be an enjoyable journey for anyone who enjoys high standards.

In 2003/2004 Norfolkline dropped all supplements for weekend and peak time travel and fares are now banded in whole months rather than the pervious practise of banding by date. Both of these initiatives simplifies their pricing policy, and no doubt will enhance Norfolkline's value for money reputation with the travelling public.

Norfolkline Passenger Tariffs - BOOK ON LINE

Short breaks in Dunkerque and French Flanders from 67 euros

Themed short break programmes for stays in Dunkerque and the French Flanders region, have been launched by the Tourist Offices of Dunkerque and French Flanders. Programmes include;

- a "Maritime Discovery Weekend" includes a Tourist Pass to museums, free public transport to discover the history of Dunkerque, one night bed and breakfast in a 2 star hotel and (Saturday night) dinner.

- "Golf and Ramparts Weekend"; weekend package includes an 18 hole green fee at the recently re-landscaped 27 hole golf course and half-board accommodation in an intimate and very comfortable 2 star hotel in the picturesque fortified town of Bergues.

- a "Dunkerque Gourmet Weekend"; includes wine tasting, a visit to Dunkerque’s renowned pastry shop, a gourmet dinner (Saturday night) and one night bed and breakfast.

For more information visit: www.flandrecotedopale.com

How to get there: Dunkerque town centre and the French Flanders region are just a short drive from the Port of Dunkerque served by Dover – Dunkerque ferry operator, Norfolkline, providing 24 sailings daily. Fares start from just£19 one way for a car and passengers. To book: www.norfolkline.com or 0870 870 10 20.

Travelling Tips

If you are coming off the ferry late at night, the nearest budget Hotels are the Premiere Classe and Campanile about 1km from the port (off the first roundabout). Book before you arrive. (Dunkirk Hotels).

The nearest cheap petrol is at the Auchan Hypermarket (easy for LPG as well). Turn left at the first roundabout, direction Dunkirk Centre, for about 4km. The A16 autoroute is close by - if you are returning and want to fill up and stock up before boarding, the exit to take is 54A. Otherwise Junction 53 on the A16 will take you straight back to the ferry terminal.

Information About Dunkirk

Check In Procedure

Dover - Eastern Dock. Follow the signs for the book in kiosks. The Norfolkline kiosk is in the same line as the SeaFrance & P & O Ferries kiosks.

Dunkirk. From the A16 motorway follow signs "Norfolkline Car Ferry" (Exit 53). Follow the check in sign at the Norfolkline Terminal.

Executive Travel -First Class Executive Travel

For that extra level of service and comfort, why not upgrade to the First Class Executive Lounge?

You can save 20% by upgrading to our First Class lounge when booking for just £9.60 per person, each way (£12 per person, each way when purchased on board)!

The First Class lounge is not accessible to children under the age of eight.

Our special guests are entitled to a number of extra benefits:

▪ Exclusive seating area, spacious and luxuriously appointed

▪ Perfect for business or relaxation

▪ Complimentary newspapers to read

▪ Priority load and discharge, ^restrictions apply

▪ Complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits

▪ *Full bistro menu with the addition of open top sandwiches will be available for purchase and served to your table. Please note hot food will not be available on night sailings

▪ Complimentary 1/4 bottle of wine is included with all meals purchased

*La Veranda Bistro is open for Breakfast from 07.30-11.30, Lunch/dinner is served between 11.30-19.30, Light options available from 19.30-07.30 All times are United Kingdom time.

Priority loading and discharge is available for cars (under 2.4m in height) only. Vehicles must be checked in and waiting to board 1 hour prior to departure; first arrivals will be the first to board. In the event of a VIP requiring the use of the lift, you will be given a choice to either park where you will receive priority discharge or be parked near a lift

NEW FERRY

Norfolkline, the Dover – Dunkerque passenger ferry operator, now has three brand new ferries of new generation RO-PAX ferries in operation. They have allowed for a considerable increase in on board facilities and comfort.

There are now dedicated lounges and playstation areas for example, as well as shops and childrens play areas.

Restaurant facilities have also expanded. Two can be found on board; The Rumble Tums are modern, comfortable restaurants with a great choice of tasty, convenient food. Whether you’re looking for a great value family meal or just a quick snack, there are options to suit every taste. The more up market Panorama Restaurant, offers an extensive range of hot and cold dishes. This counter-service restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In addition to serving wholesome food at affordable prices, the emphasis in this spacious, light and airy restaurant is on enjoying the uninterrupted sea views from the unique, panoramic windows.

There are also other areas to get a coffee and a snack. The Lounge Cafe Bars are in elegant surroundings where you can enjoy a refreshing cup of tea or coffee or something from the bar accompanied by a light snack. The La Veranda Bistro serves an exclusive range of specially prepared dishes, and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sample a fine selection of delicious food in a refined setting. This is the perfect place to dine, drink and relax and is available for all passengers onboard our new vessels the Maersk Delft, Maersk Dover and the Maersk Dunkerque.

The new ferries each have capacity for 200 cars, 780 passengers and up to 120 freight vehicles. With a service speed of 25 knots, berth to berth crossing times between Dover and Dunkerque is just 1 hour and 50 minutes.

The new ferries are built to meet the highest environmental standards and fulfil Lloyds registers Environmental Protection notation with low NOx emission, no visible smoke from any engines, low noise impact and environmental friendly cooling system. Furthermore, the vessels are equipped with an environmental friendly waste disposal system and optimised protection around the oil tanks in order to avoid possible oil leaks.

New on board features will include separate and exclusive decks for passengers and freight drivers respectively. For the tourist market, the company will continue to focus on the needs of the motorist by carrying only cars, caravans, motor homes and motorcycles.

Pets

Norfolkline, the Dover – Dunkerque passenger ferry operator, has been granted "Passports for Pets" status.

This official clearance will now enable passengers to transport their pets between the ports of Dover Eastern Docks and Dunkerque, whilst travelling with Norfolkline.

As with the scheme previously introduced via other port destinations linking France and the United Kingdom, pet owners are required to make all necessary veterinary and administration arrangements in advance of travel. Pets remain in the owners’ vehicles during the crossing.

For passengers wishing to take their pets abroad the cost is £30 return, in addition to the cross channel fare for a vehicle and up to five passengers.

For more information about the scheme please call us on 0870 870 10 20 between the hours of 8.00am - 8.00pm, Monday to Friday.

Carriage of Guns

This is from Norfolkline;

CARRIAGE OF WEAPONS & AMMUNITION

Customers must observe the following guidelines if they wish to transport weapons and/or ammunition.  You will need to advise Norfolkline of all the following information:

1.  ‘Make’ of weapon and quantity.

2.  Have ‘bolts’ been removed to render the weapon temporarily useless (where applicable).

3.  ‘Type’ of ammunition and how many rounds.

4.  Do you have valid ‘gun license’s’?

5.  Full names of all persons travelling and to whom the weapons belong, CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER.

6.  Will weapons/ammunition be transported in a locked case?

7.  Reason for carrying weapons i.e. gun club, competitions etc.

8.  Make, model, colour and vehicle registration, this must be accurate, if the vehicle changes NFL must be informed prior to travel.

9.  Dates and times of booking for both legs of the journey, this again must be accurate, should they wish to travel on either leg at a different date and/or time, NFL must have prior notification, they CAN NOT turn up earlier or later.

Information above will be taken in addition to the details we would normally take for a confirmed reservation.

ALL THE ABOVE INFORMATION MUST BE THEN PASSED TO Norfolkline reservations office.

Also be advised that the vehicle keys MUST be surrendered to a crewmember on loading the vessel.

Norse Merchant Ferries

Norse Merchant Ferries was created in October 1999 when Cenargo, the owners of Merchant Ferries purchased Norse Irish Ferries. The companies operated separately until February 2001 when Norse Merchant Ferries was officially launched.

Norse Merchant Ferries operated the following routes across the Irish Sea; Liverpool (Canada Dock) - Dublin / Liverpool (Brocklebank Dock) - Belfast / Heysham - Dublin (Freight only) / Heysham - Belfast (Freight only).

Cenargo filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code[1]. The shipping subsidiaries of Cenargo emerged from administration in December 2003 as Norse Merchant Group aquired by Maersk and integrated into Norfolkline.

Source; www.wikipedia.org