Press Release
DFDS REOPENS ITS TOURIST ROUTES FROM FRANCE FROM 10 JULY
Passengers welcome on Calais/Dunkirk - Dover and Dieppe - Newhaven routes from 10 July
New routes offer UK destinations to French passengers
New on-board measures will allow passengers to respect social distancing while enjoying the fresh air, the sea and the freedom of ferry travel
Ferry operator DFDS will welcome holidaymakers back on board its France-UK routes from 10 July.
The company, which continued to operate services between Calais and Dover, Dunkirk and Dover and Dieppe and Newhaven during the lockdown, will reopen its routes to tourists from early next week. DFDS ferries provide travellers with easy access to the main motorway network and the opportunity to travel to the beautiful coastline of southern England, or to enjoy the fascinating countryside of the Sussex Downs or Kent. DFDS destination ports are conveniently located close to fabulous UK destinations, with crossing times of just 90 minutes or two hours on the Dover routes and four hours to Newhaven. The service provides access to many major cities, cultural and historical sites and country roads ideal for cycling and walking.
Taking the car allows travellers to explore further afield and enjoy a stress-free experience, starting with stretching their legs and making the most of the space and fresh air available on board. Although the travel experience has changed as a result of the COVID-19 situation, passengers can still prepare for their journey with as much luggage as they wish, enjoying a 'home-from-home' experience for their holiday.
Kasper Moos, Head of Short Lines and Passenger for DFDS, said: "We are very pleased to welcome passengers back to our France-UK routes this summer and allow them to enjoy the freedom and fresh air that ferry travel offers. Our teams have been working hard throughout the lockdown to keep essential goods flowing and help passengers get home. Now that we are resuming our tourist service, we look forward to helping our passengers enjoy an easy and relaxing start to their long-awaited summer holiday."
DFDS has put in place a range of measures on board to ensure the well-being of passengers, including the provision of hand sanitisers in passenger areas, the installation of Plexiglas screens at information points and checkouts, and limiting the number of people allowed into on-board shops. The wearing of a mask or face protection is mandatory at all times during boarding, disembarkation and in public areas on board.
The airline also offers a free meal to every passenger who books travel on the Dover routes. These vouchers can be collected at check-in and redeemed at any of the three on-board restaurants and cafés. For extra privacy and space, as well as complimentary refreshments during the journey, passengers can upgrade their booking to the Premium Lounge, an exclusive area away from the main public areas, for just €15 per person per journey. The Relax Lounge, available on our Dunkerque-Dover ships, offers passengers the opportunity to relax in a personal, enclosed space in a quiet area for only €7 per person per journey (access allowed for passengers over 16 years old).
For added peace of mind, DFDS offers a 2020 travel guarantee for bookings on its UK-France routes. Passengers booking directly through the company's website will receive free cancellation on travel bookings until 31 December 2020.1
For more information or to book your summer getaway, visit www.dfds.com.
Proudly named the World’s Leading Ferry Operator
We did it! After being crowned ‘Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator 2024’ at the World Travel Awards earlier this year, we are delighted to announce we have retained our title as the World’s Leading Ferry Operator.
We were also once again recognised as having the best website in our industry – scooping both the European and World awards in 2024.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who voted, and to our passengers, colleagues and partners who contribute to our continued success – we couldn’t do it without you all.