DFDS Seaways Newcastle to Amsterdam overnight

Posted by Sandra (Vancouver, BC) on 05/29/15 04:50 PM

I figure this is a long shot but has anyone done the ferry trip from Newcastle to "Amsterdam"?

I am specifically looking for information on:
1. the comfiness of the overnight crossing in late August/early September;
2. whether the premium cabin is worth the extra cost, why or why not?
3. the cost of the coach transfer to Amsterdam; and
4. whether one can find out which ship one is booking prior to committing to cabin type (amenities vary).

We are committed to this crossing to fit the rest of our itinerary so trying to get a sense of what to expect before picking between £150 and £240 cabin options.

Ta, luvs!

Posted by Monte

Genesee, ID

05/29/15 07:33 PM

1840 posts

We took that ferry ship the other way four years ago. I would reserve the least expensive cabin because you are only going to sleep there and get yourself ready in the morning. The coach from Amsterdam was included in the ferry ticket cost. Your's might be too.

I think there is only one ship that goes back and forth. There was a lot of duty free stuff on board, like liquor and beer. The chasier had a tip jar by thr register. We didn't buy anything.The dining room is programmed to bilk as much money out of the passengers as possible. The meals were fine, dinner and breakfast. The trip is good for a one-time experience. One time!

Posted by Pamela

New York City, NY, USA

05/29/15 07:39 PM

5678 posts

I have a Dutch friend who has done this in the past. He did it with his brother and with his brothers-in-law. However, I don't think he ever took his wife on it. :) He was headed for Inverness and so connected with a train north through Edinburgh. At the time it was a money saver, but now he mostly just flies to Edinburgh directly from Amsterdam. :)

But, note, unlike Monte, Ad did more than once!

Pam

Posted by Sandra OP

Vancouver, BC

05/29/15 08:03 PM

286 posts

That all sound consistent with the TripAdvisor reviews - Except for the rave reviews there! Bless them.

I don't expect to have to do this more than once. Who knew that Newcastle would figure into our trip? Although my daughter said yesterday she'd like to go to York on another trip.

Thank you!

Posted by MC-Glasgow

Glasgow, Scotland

05/31/15 10:22 AM

1687 posts

I'll post in here what I posted in the thread on the transportation page.

You will not find out which ship you'd be on until you book as one will be going over one way, the other the other on that route. That said the overview of the ships, King Seaways and Princess Seaways, are on the DFDS website, and they do give the name of the ship for that night.

As for the cabin, it really depends on what you want. We use the overnight ferry from Hull on a regular basis, and with these ferries you are in the strange combination of a motorway service station, a budget hotel and a cruise ship. The only real difference between the ferries on the Hull Zeebrugge route was at the information office one had the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II of the UK, the other had Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and then her son and daughter in law put over it.

That said, the more luxury cabins will give more room, and the cheap cabins will not have a porthole. With two adults it was sometimes easier for one to go and sit in the bathroom so the other could get ready and vice versa.