Hoverspeed Ferry Company - Ferries Crossings to Europe
Introduction - Brittany - Condor - DFDS - Hoverspeed - Irish - Isle of Wight - North Sea - P & O - Red Funnel - Seacat - Sea France - Speed Ferries - Stena Line - Superfast
Visit their site - http://www.hoverspeed.com/
Hoverspeed Ferries first came in to being in 1981 when Seaspeed and Hoverlloyd merged to become one company. They became pioneers in the use of hovercraft for quick and easy channel crossings and in 1990 they were also the first to use the now famous catamarans as a radical new form of cross channel transportation.
Hoverspeed pride themselves on speed, efficiency and style and promise good service and a quick, comfortable ride on their cross channel sailings. They offer services from Dover to Calais and New Haven to Dieppe on their range of Seacat and Superseacat vessels.
In peak season there are as many as fifteen return trips per day, and up to 1.5 million passengers are ferried across the channel every year. All you have to do is drive your car on board, settle in to your seat and enjoy the sensation of what amounts to sitting on a giant powerboat for an hour and before you know it you've arrived.
Because Hoverspeed vessels are relatively small in comparison to standard ferries, it takes a lot less time to load and unload cars and consequently queuing times and journey times are greatly reduced making the whole experience markedly less stressful. The Seacat takes the popular route from Dover to Calais, holds 654 passengers and 140 vehicles and travels at a speed of 35 knots, taking around an hour to complete its journey.
Hoverspeed are the only company who currently offer a high speed service from Newhaven to Dieppe. Crossing time is around two hours on the Superseacat which holds 674 passengers and 148 vehicles and travels at a speed of 37 knots taking around two hours to complete its journey. There are up to three crossings a day from Newhaven to Dieppe in peak season.
Calais is probably best known as a destination for duty free shopping and a great way to buy beers, wines, spirits and tobacco at reduced prices in the French hypermarkets. The town of Calais itself however is also fascinating, and worth visiting are the Musee des Beaux Arts, the old city and the Calais war museum.
If you're looking for cut price tickets the internet is a good place to begin and if you're prepared to travel out of peak season you could make some great savings with some of the last minute sites or phone the Hoverspeed call centre on 0870 240 8070 and they will inform you of their best current prices. Prices start at around £39.00 for a single from Dover to Calais and from £78.00 return but may vary during peak season.
The Hoverspeed experience is all about comfort and speed and if you wish you can upgrade to first class where you can get seats with more leg room, an at-seat shopping service, a free newspaper and a choice of soft or alcoholic drinks and a selection of snacks.
Ferry Destinations & Tips
