croftside

I have had another email from Chris Howe-Davis of LD Lines, thought it might be of interest to some of you who like me travel to France fairley regularly but for short periods,anything from 24 hours to 5 days. Geoff, Apologies for not responding to your last email for some time but it has been rather hectic getting things organised. We have today introduced some duration based pricing for 2 and 5 day excursion plus also changed the unlimited stay pricing which hopefully you will find attractive.  Cabin pricing unfortunately has increased due to the limited number of cabins we have available.  Regards Chris   Having looked at these new prices, they do indeed seem to be cheaper than BF and a definate reduction on there initial pricing structure.   However it does seem at least to be a swings and roundabouts situation as some of there unlimited stay fares seem to have risen.   I was a little confused with this new structure, although for me it is good, as I thought that there initial policy was for non durational stay  pricing, which was a definate way forward, at this end of the Channel.   However 10 out of 10, well maybe 9, at least LD are so far prepared to listen to its customers. I can't some how see BF doing that can you?  Anyway have a look at there prices, and see what you think, and please post your thoughts on here. As I will let Mr Howe-Davis know what the consensus is. Geof  

  If it is not cheaper, then what is the point? Why would I travel on a worse, more expensive ferry?   Nick, you rather answered your own question,They have got to be cheaper than BF, but as LD say they are running a no frills service so  dont expect  the same kind of quality you get on the BF boats. All we want is a reliable, reasonably priced service to get us across this end of the channel. From what I understand they came into this late in the game, and I'm sure they did their research, but for obvoiuse reasons it is still ongoing and will be for sometime to guage the market and its requirements. Speedferries seem to have the Idea right, although they have had their problems, they run a no frills service at very competitive rates. And because of them they have forced the price of crossing down at their end of the channel. Competition is the only way we are likely to get a good deal up here! Geof

Nick, Nice Idea as good as BF but cheaper. Just not very realistic I'm afraid. If LD Lines do as they say, a No Frils service at competitive rates I can go with that. They are at least taking notice of what we are saying, Chris Howe-Davies rang me again tonight after their meeting, and they are seriously looking at a discount membership scheme of some kind but may take some time to implement,and they are looking to drop the price of their cabins, he also said they are going to have some inside 2 berth cabins available when the ship gets here which is at present in dry dock in Dunkirk. Its early days for them and I do believe they will respond to honest feedback. In answer to Danglar's post, their fare structure is not based on duration of stay at all, but I do have a problem with giving any company a lot of money up front for tickets, call me old fashened if you like but I would rather pay a small anual fee and then get the discount when I book the fare.  I think we do need to work together on this, Its in all of our interests if LD Lines sucseed, I tried a while ago to contact the boss of BF...... Not a bloody hope you can't get past some smarmy marketing manager, who fobs you off with a load of rubbish.  Lets give them a chance, If they dont come up with the goods  it will be a great shame and a wasted opportunity on their part. Geof

Hi all, first post on this forum, I must admit I usually stick wi Totalfrance, but this is important and I need as much feedback from you lot as possible!... Like me,  I see a lot of you have been in correspondence with Chris Howe-Davies from L D Lines, well yesterday as we live not far from Portsmouth I offered to meet with him, if it would be any help, (at this point my only interest is to get cheaper fares, as we have a house in Calvados which we are in the middle of renovation and we go to on a very regular basis) He emailes straight back and it looks like we will meet up week after next.  He rang me this afternoon, just before having a meeting to run something past me!  One of the suggestions I made to him was that they think about a Loyalty or Frequent Traveller scheme, well it looks like they may well be doing just that, its what they were going to discuss at the meeting.   What I need from you lot is any other ideas or suggestions that may help them and us, Lets face it its in all our interests that Brittany Ferries dont end up with a monopoly. I want to go to the meeting well armed, if you know what I mean.   Anyway looking forward to your Ideas, and lets hope we all end up with a good result.  At least this guy Listens, which is more than can be said for the opposition. Geof