The first, new Mersey Ferry in more than 60 years has taken to the water in Liverpool where sea trials will begin next year. The Royal Daffodil, the new £26m Mersey Ferry, was moved to the River Mersey on 6 November for basin testing, where the vessel first touches the water to test propulsion, steering, [...]
The Port of Dover has launched a phased introduction of the new European Union Entry/Exit System (EES). The new system requires all coach passengers travelling through the Port of Dover to attend the new coach facility at the Western Docks for EES and border processing. Port of Dover advises that all coach drivers should arrive [...]
The Government of Jersey has appointed DFDS to operate UK and French passenger and freight ferry services from 28 March 2025. The 2025 timetable of services will be published this month with DFDS operating ferries to Jersey from Poole, Portsmouth, and St. Malo. For coach operators, DFDS will transport foot passengers to the island. The [...]
Hovertravel, providing year-round crossings between the mainland and the Isle of Wight, as well as hovercraft tours, has announced the addition of French and German translation services for group bookings across its wide range of offerings. The new translation services apply to Hovertravel’s group travel between the Isle of Wight and Southsea, as well as [...]
European river cruise operator CroisiEurope has opened bookings for its 2026 river cruise season, offering more than 170 itineraries on 55 ships across 39 waterways in 37 countries. The 2026 programme includes traditional routes on renowned rivers like the Rhine, Seine, Danube, and Douro. Groups seeking less-travelled waterways can also explore rivers such as the [...]
Hovertravel has announced the launch of its 2025 calendar of Hover Days, offering day trips for island residents. Hover Days include a hovercraft journey across the Solent and a coach transfer from its Southsea terminal. Building on the success of the past two years, Hover Days 2025 features a diverse selection of trips, with destinations [...]
Caledonian Macbrayne reports that fares on the Clyde & Hebrides ferry network will be frozen for six months. Ticket prices will be held at current levels from April until the end of September to help people and businesses from Scotland’s remote rural and island communities. Caledonian Macbrayne operates 33 ferries to mainland and island ports [...]
Mersey Ferries has launched its full programme for the year ahead including a varied range of cruises for groups of all sizes. Manchester Ship Canal cruises offer a six-hour round-trip along the historic waterway. Cruises depart from either Seacombe Ferry Terminal, Wirral or Liverpool Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal (Pier Head). There is stunning industrial architecture [...]
Ambassador Cruise Line has opened registrations for a UK-wide ship visit programme for trade partners and agents. The initiative offers the opportunity to sample the ‘Ambassador experience’ on board either Ambience (currently in service) or Ambition (launching May 2023), at a port that is convenient. From 12 May 2023, Ambassador will sail from seven UK [...]
Coach trips to France with DFDS have just got even better. Not only are there great benefits for drivers and discounts for groups, now there is the added bonus of Duty Free shopping onboard and at the ports. Shop Duty Free onboard DFDS’s ferries to France and save up to 50 per cent compared to [...]
Following the First Minister’s confirmation that Scotland has moved beyond Level 0 of the Scottish Government Coronavirus protection measures, CalMac has confirmed the following changes to operations across its network from 9 August 2021. Capacity Official physical distancing guidelines will be lifted on 9 August 2021. This means that the number of passengers carried on [...]
CalMac’s Neil Hunter reports with great sadness that after 18 years of service with CalMac, Ian Fox has decided to weigh up anchor in preparation for his new journey in retirement. “I would like to thank Ian for his contribution over the last 18 years and wish him well in his upcoming retirement,” says Neil. [...]
Irish Ferries’ Isle of Inishmore is setting sail on its new Dover-Calais route to offer a new choice for travelling across the Channel - once travel restrictions are lifted. The Isle of Inishmore ship has undergone extensive refurbishments for the new service – including an upgraded Club Class Lounge, with 360-degree sea views, and spacious [...]
While Scottish Government travel restrictions are still in place, CalMac Ferries reports that it continues to have restrictions on the number of coaches and passengers on each of its vessels due to social distancing. CalMac has been reviewing the capacity on services and now advises that a total of 35 passengers (including driver and guide) [...]
It’s great to welcome Irish Ferries as a new member of CTA. They are a leading ferry operator in Ireland and operate ferry services between the UK (Holyhead to Dublin, and Pembroke to Rosslare) and Ireland, plus a new English Channel route between Dover and Calais (launching June 2021) giving access from the UK to destinations across Europe. Irish Ferries has [...]
