Posted on 14/05/2022 15:47
Hi
We are looking at going to France in July 2023 and just wondered if anyone knew how far in advance you can book the ferry and campsite. Previously we have always booked around Xmas for the following July/August but that as always been on P and O which had more daily crossings - This time we are looking at using Brittany ferries and didn't know how far they released dates in advance.
many thanks
Posted on 14/05/2022 16:01
Brittany Ferries sailings for the following year normally go on sale June / July. Last year, they were released earlier, May, I think.
If you want a dog friendly / wheelchair accessible or a “ fancy” cabin, I would book as soon as the crossings are released, they get snapped up quickly.
Otherwise, doubt if there’s any real rush.
Enjoy planning 🙂
Posted on 14/05/2022 16:58
Stu, Look now (May 2022) at Brittany Ferries to see what availability they have for July this year - so two months in advance. That will give you a guide as to whether you can make a similar ferry booking two months in advance next year. B/F operates five routes to France - look at them all and you will see which ones are already fully booked and which ones are not. I suspect that if there is availability two months in advance this year then there also will be availability next year, especially mid week, and especially in the daytime when you don’t need a cabin, rather than overnight when you do.
As for sites it depends absolutely and entirely on where you want to go. The dearest and most elaborate sites fill up fastest. If there is one site that you absolutely must go to then book it, but if your French is good and if you are confident to phone ahead a day or two in advance to smaller sites away from the honeypots then you can tour without booking - even in July and August - provided you are flexible. We did it for half a lifetime.
You will gather I am not keen on advance booking !
Posted on 14/05/2022 22:00
I thought the principle of dynamic pricing was that as you got nearer to sailing date and the boat was filling the price went up.
The latest news on the new TT is June. I would imagine July 23 will be busy and so I would book fairly well in advance, like this June or July. But I like certainty.
Note there are 3 classes of tickets, distinguished by how much you have to pay up front, how flexible they are for making changes to your booking and the charge for doing so and how much you get back if you have to cancel.
stu192
Caravanner