We were driving from London, toward Belgium, Holland and France and needed to get across the English Channel. We were planning to take the Eurostar car train, but not booking in advance, were shocked at the cost and decided to take the ferry instead. The ferry was costly too, but less so. Maybe because we waited until the last minute? Who knows. As others have said, I've been on smaller, local ferries, but nothing this size... it was massive like a cruise ship! On board was something else, plenty of comfortable seating, a lounge, a coffee shop, a brasserie. It wasn't cheap but the options are there. From waiting in line to drive onboard until we drove off in Calais was over 2 hours. The crossing itself was about an hour and a half and was very pleasant. We didn't have a lot of interaction with the staff, but what little we did was friendly. read more

I went through this ferries service on my way to France and it was what it was. Our shuttle bus did stop at a small office to go through security and get our passports checked. It was fine since we were just there for about 20 minutes. I was on a shuttle bus so we waited to load the boat and then we were able to get off he boat and explore. There were lots of announcements made when we boarded so we knew what was going on the whole time. I did not buy any of the food from there nor did I buy anything from their duty free shop. The facilites were ok for what it was. I did go to the top deck outside to "take in the view" but it was not much to do up there and it was cold. The trip over the channel did not take long and there were plenty of windows to see out of. read more

It's time for P&O to be honest that they simply don't want foot passengers. I'm sure the experience was fine if you're bringing a car, but this was a nightmare for me and about 20 other purely foot passengers. I normally take Eurostar between the UK and Paris but I was staying with a friend in Kent. Eurostar no longer stops in Kent so the ferry seemed like a viable option. It was not. They have you show up some two hours before departure at the Port of Dover, so they could shunt me and 20 other people onto a little bus that proceeded to snake it's way back and forth in the cue with all the lorries and private cars. The bus would pull into a customs depot and we'd then line up again. A distance from the entry shack to the ferry was maybe a six minute walk. Instead, I was on this idiotic bus idling in traffic for at least an hour (mind you that's for a 90 minute crossing). The crossing itself was fine and I paid for cabin class. But when we got into Calais the nonsense started again. First we were kicked out of cabin class and all 20+ of us sat in some area of the ship and forced to wait in port while every truck and car drove out. Then finally we were lead down several flights of stairs (with our luggage) back onto the bus. This time we were done with customs. Instead, the bus zoomed across the exit ramps and stopped at some steel and glass building surrounded by nothing by miles of tarmac. We got out and the bus drove off. So where were we? The P&O site says you can walk to Calais Ville in 20 minutes from where they leave you. It also promised a connecting bus to the train station. Not so. We were at least 50 minutes away from the station by foot, with no apparent pavements/walking paths. No Sunday bus service. There was a P&O Employee there who said it wasn't their problem, the city of Calais decided not to provide buses on Sundays. And I responded "What about the damn bus that just dropped us here--the one driving away!? Couldn't it take us some place with connections?" Apparently not. The staff tried to phone us cabs but there were none to be had. No Ubers either (must be geo-fenced). No exaggeration: I was left trying to flag down random cars begging someone to give me a lift to the station so I could continue my journey. It was utterly insane. One family, left without options, started booking ferry passage BACK to England, since there didn't seem any other way out of this Black Mirror/Twilight Zone madness. Finally, an outbound passenger was dropped off by a cab and I ran up to the driver and pleaded with him to take us to Calais. He drove off, but came back 15 minutes later and picked up me and two other people. 15BPS later I finally got to the train station, having wasted some 90 minutes more in that ridiculous P&O trap. Frankly, it was kind of scary standing there with no obvious way out of that building in the middle of nowhere (sorry I don't have a photo, I was just too flustered to think to take one). I don't how a company get's so messed up that they think this is all okay, and not their responsibility because the city stopped running some connecting bus. Of course it's their responsibility to bring people someplace where they can continue their journeys. Or they have to refuse to take foot traffic. I will NEVER step onto another P&O Ferry. Never. read more

P&O Ferries - I'm surprised P&O didn't just dump us overboard in the channel for having the nerve to show up on foot - Transportation Near Me - Dover, KEN

Located beneath the famed white cliffs of Dover (in reality, concrete gray and dismal) is the P&O Ferries port where we bid adieu to the U.K. and excitedly awaited our passage across the English Channel to France. Our group was instructed to get off the motor coach, walk through a small office to present passports to the officials, get a stamp, then cross a tarmac-like area to the rest-stop where we had a half-hour wait before boarding the ferry. Getting on and off the ferry does require walking up and down stairs or a ramp, which was not easy for the oldest member of our tour group who used a cane. Once on board the huge vessel, I was struck by one thing: a smell reminiscent of moldy rags. Combined with the swaying motion of being on rough seas, I started to dread the roughly 1.5 hour crossing ahead while the feeling of being trapped only intensified. We choose to sit inside on a high deck lounge area with faded carpets and upholstery that may once have been red but now appeared pink. Following us, a wave of youngsters flooded in and took over the lounge. Needless to say, the weird odor and food smells wafting from the onboard cafeteria, the bob-and-sway motion of the vessel, and the rising cacophony of kid voices combined for one big headache with a nauseous lump in my throat. Going outsideonto the deck was out of the question with the freezing air and sea spray washing board. Best to note that this is purely transportation with decent amenities but its no luxury cruise to your destination. For me, on a dreary day with no view to speak of, this is a less than exciting way to depart ole England and catch the first glimpse of France. read more

You pay cheaper here, that's one and the only plus. I don't recommend them to anyone, i was amazed that a big boat like that can shake like a leafy-bug, and lots of loose compartments making nice music for your 1hr trip over the infamous channel. read more

P&O Ferries - Transportation Near Me - Dover, KEN

I was shocked how huge the P&O ferries are. I was only used to the small ferries I took from Long Beach to Catalina Island or the SuperCat in the Philippines. The P&O ferries are like cruise ships. The trip from Calais to Dover is only 90 minutes, so there is plenty to do to kill the time. The only complaint is that there isn't a deck in the front of the boat that you can take decent pictures and the windows are kinda filthy so it's not worth taking photos of the outside. It's too bad because the white cliffs of Dover are a pretty spectacular site to behold. I'm not sure how much the prices are since it was part of our tour package, but I think it would be cheaper than taking the high speed train. read more

Yes they are cheap and yes you get what you pay for. They have a main canteen area that serves English breakfast fry ups, hot and cold beverages and cold snacks at cheap prices, games arcade, slot machines, duty free shopping hall, outside deck (not much), tax free Bureau de Change , Costa Coffee shop and a Club Lounge (which you have to pay extra for). Not bad for a 90 minute journey but do avoid the snack vending machines..its a rip off! read more

If I ever get a last meal, I will ask for a last breakfast, last lunch, and last dinner. My last breakfast will come from here. Who would have thunk that the best breakfast I have ever had would come from a ferry ship? Fried toast. There was someone out there that believed that it wasn't enough to just toast a piece of bread. They took it one step further. They fried it in some delicious fat oil. Refried beans. It's the one side that I long for that none of the diners I go ever seem to have. Perfect companion with fried eggs and fried sausage. Fryking awesome. The shop is great for stocking up on some last minute gifts. The ride itself is great. Doesn't take long and the view of Calais beach is breathtaking. read more

This ferry really surprised me. It is very big and was so spacious. There is a bar, restaurant, casino, cafeteria and duty free with lots of nice things. There is plenty of seating and wifi in the waiting area. read more

Cheep and cheerful way of crossing the channel. The ships are looking a bit tired, a major refurbishment is needed. Food and drinks available are adequate but nothing special. Still a good alternative to the tunnel. read more

Ive booked a ticket from dover to calais and as there was a terrible traffic from london all throughout last Saturday ive decided to call them and ask for reschedule of the time. Ive been notified that they can do it on the phone at £20 or in port at £60 so from obvious reasons chose 1st option and paid extra for 15.40. Arrived in port at 15.12 and been notified that i can not go on this ferry despite it being so early and will let me go on next one at 16.40 without charhes. Happily agreed to it and proceed. Now here is the best part of this whole JOKE the ferry did not leave the port for at least next 2 HOURS making me late for my appointments in Calais... no appology or mention from the company about refunding even part of my costs cause why would they. So please go ahead and book with P & O ferries if you like flushing your money down the drain. Absolutely aweful service and customer manners. Very dissatisfied with overall experience definatelly wont be coming back as travel on regular basis, so many better companies to choose from. read more

Had a rack of ribs for £15 in the brasserie. The meat fell off the bone - just how it should be. Served with fries and rocket (usually also with tomato and onion rings). The portion was very big, but I was very hungry! read more

After an uneventful night in London, our tour bus cross the sea via ferry. P&O Ferries is extremely efficient and on time. Once everyone was onboard, the ship opens up the upper floor which includes shopping, dining, and an arcade. The gift shop was fairly large with a good selection of souvenirs, beauty, fragrances, and alcohol. The cafe was very basic and the lines were really long so I just got the sandwich instead of the hot food. The sandwich was pretty bland but decent. The bathrooms on the ship however were very cramped and needed to be serviced more often. If you can race your way to the front and nab a table overlooking the ocean- its not a bad way to travel. I have a very weak stomach and did not get motion sickness, although one girl on our trip did get very sick. read more

Woohoo. done this one a few times, and after a few weeks on the continent, it is great to have a proper English Breakfast. The ride, about an hour and a few, approaching Dover, beautiful. enjoy the ride. read more

We booked to travel on the 21.50 service from Calais to Dover on 20.08.2011. We arrived an hour early as advised, only to find the whole of the border control and ferry check-in areas full of other cars queuing for service. At border control we were told (and it was obvious to see) that the hold up was with P&O and while Brittany ferries costumers drove through to their ferry we we're stuck in queues. By the time we got to the check-in kiosk our ferry had gone and we were told the next one was at 2.00 a.m. This all came at the end of a long day driving across France, we didn't get home until 6 a.m. the next day. We have contacted P&O who have only offered us apologies and 25% off another crossing. This is such poor service from such a big company. I would advise anyone with pre-booked tickets to arrive 2 hours early at peak times as it seems that cars are allowed through on a 'first come, first served' basis and booking ahead gives you no certainty of a place. We're going with Brittany ferries next time. read more