Comments on: What type of ferry service do you want?

Comments on: What type of ferry service do you want? http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/02/06/what-type-of-ferry-service-do-you-want/ Guernsey News, Sport, Community & Lifestyle Fri, 24 May 2013 21:36:36 +0100 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Mark http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/02/06/what-type-of-ferry-service-do-you-want/#comment-237583 Mark Wed, 13 Feb 2013 13:33:23 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=173802#comment-237583 The States didn't exactly help the situation when they put the route out to tender, and forced the company to put together a very expensive bid to win the licence, before announcing they couldn't actually enforce it, and scrapped the whole thing. Guernsey had a twice weekly service throughout the winter, except January when Solidor 5 was in maintenance, and in any case there was very very low demand in January. It will be interesting to understand if Condor acts and listens. Lets remember that although Jersey still has a better service, they have also lost out heavily on the French route since Condor became the operator. The States didn’t exactly help the situation when they put the route out to tender, and forced the company to put together a very expensive bid to win the licence, before announcing they couldn’t actually enforce it, and scrapped the whole thing.

Guernsey had a twice weekly service throughout the winter, except January when Solidor 5 was in maintenance, and in any case there was very very low demand in January.

It will be interesting to understand if Condor acts and listens.

Lets remember that although Jersey still has a better service, they have also lost out heavily on the French route since Condor became the operator.

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]]> By: GFCFan http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/02/06/what-type-of-ferry-service-do-you-want/#comment-237536 GFCFan Wed, 13 Feb 2013 11:44:58 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=173802#comment-237536 Have to agree with the option of wifi, many other operators offer this so why not Condor? If you charged £5 I would think you would soon make money. Have to agree with the option of wifi, many other operators offer this so why not Condor? If you charged £5 I would think you would soon make money.

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]]> By: GFCFan http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/02/06/what-type-of-ferry-service-do-you-want/#comment-237533 GFCFan Wed, 13 Feb 2013 11:35:23 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=173802#comment-237533 For me better ports with better road connections. Weymouth is a pain to get to and out of. Southampton or Portsmouth would be better. It seems that the schedule is so tight that any slight delay throws it all out. I do like the fast ferry, but perhaps a more reliable slower one that could do the crossing in around 5 hours would be better? For me better ports with better road connections. Weymouth is a pain to get to and out of. Southampton or Portsmouth would be better.

It seems that the schedule is so tight that any slight delay throws it all out.

I do like the fast ferry, but perhaps a more reliable slower one that could do the crossing in around 5 hours would be better?

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]]> By: St Marcouf http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/02/06/what-type-of-ferry-service-do-you-want/#comment-237404 St Marcouf Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:31:36 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=173802#comment-237404 Surely some responsibility lies with the States for not insisting on a proper year round service to France since Emeraude's demise. It's interesting how so many comments concern sailings to France, I wonder whether Condor will listen and act. Surely some responsibility lies with the States for not insisting on a proper year round service to France since Emeraude’s demise.

It’s interesting how so many comments concern sailings to France, I wonder whether Condor will listen and act.

]]> By: Mark http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/02/06/what-type-of-ferry-service-do-you-want/#comment-237349 Mark Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:18:43 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=173802#comment-237349 The days of Emeraude sailing from Guernsey to Jersey and France ended ten years ago this year. Back then you could travel on day trips at 0530 to St. Malo and back at 2030 at a very reasonable cost of £99 for two and a car. Condor then muscled in with their larger wave piercer Condor 10 and forced the company into financial problems which they could not recover from. Condor have now gradually reduced their service to something last seen in the late nineties. Okay, Emeraude had smaller vessels, but I wonder how many islanders pine for the days where they were Guernsey's first choice to France? I would say many wish they were still in existence. I certainly do. The days of Emeraude sailing from Guernsey to Jersey and France ended ten years ago this year. Back then you could travel on day trips at 0530 to St. Malo and back at 2030 at a very reasonable cost of £99 for two and a car.

Condor then muscled in with their larger wave piercer Condor 10 and forced the company into financial problems which they could not recover from.

Condor have now gradually reduced their service to something last seen in the late nineties.

Okay, Emeraude had smaller vessels, but I wonder how many islanders pine for the days where they were Guernsey’s first choice to France? I would say many wish they were still in existence. I certainly do.

]]> By: Oh Dear http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/02/06/what-type-of-ferry-service-do-you-want/#comment-237330 Oh Dear Tue, 12 Feb 2013 16:31:37 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=173802#comment-237330 I agree with you entirely. I've always found Condor to be reasonably priced, the boats are comfortable. If I wanted to get to my destination as quickly as possible, I'd take a plane. I quite like the slow pace of the boat. When I'm going away I like to slow my pace right down, surely that's what holidays are all about. I suppose things would be different if I was incapable of keeping the contents of my stomach inside me once I'm on a boat. I agree with you entirely.

I’ve always found Condor to be reasonably priced, the boats are comfortable. If I wanted to get to my destination as quickly as possible, I’d take a plane. I quite like the slow pace of the boat. When I’m going away I like to slow my pace right down, surely that’s what holidays are all about.

I suppose things would be different if I was incapable of keeping the contents of my stomach inside me once I’m on a boat.

]]> By: Caza http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/02/06/what-type-of-ferry-service-do-you-want/#comment-237319 Caza Tue, 12 Feb 2013 16:15:47 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=173802#comment-237319 I am a Guernsey resident and have been trying to book corporate and personal day trips to Jersey and St Malo on Fridays and Saturdays for the past years but despite complaining to Condor and them saying they would consider the possibility of re-introducing this service, nothing has transpired which makes me wonder if you really want our opinions at all!! I enjoy using the fast ferries and indeed have, on occasions, chosen to ferry to the UK and cab up to London airports instead of flying. Please Condor, remember Guernsey residents needs a day trip service. I believe there are regular day trips offered to Jersey and UK residents. If you feel you cannot service Guernsey adequately then a competitor should be brought in which would also keep prices competitive. I am a Guernsey resident and have been trying to book corporate and personal day trips to Jersey and St Malo on Fridays and Saturdays for the past years but despite complaining to Condor and them saying they would consider the possibility of re-introducing this service, nothing has transpired which makes me wonder if you really want our opinions at all!! I enjoy using the fast ferries and indeed have, on occasions, chosen to ferry to the UK and cab up to London airports instead of flying. Please Condor, remember Guernsey residents needs a day trip service. I believe there are regular day trips offered to Jersey and UK residents. If you feel you cannot service Guernsey adequately then a competitor should be brought in which would also keep prices competitive.

]]> By: A.J. http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/02/06/what-type-of-ferry-service-do-you-want/#comment-237169 A.J. Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:06:43 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=173802#comment-237169 The ship they have at the moment (Commodore Clipper) is definitely up to the job,it's just that it goes to Portsmouth,an extra sixty miles or more than a Weymouth route. If it could be used say, once or twice a week on the Weymouth route, I believe that the journey would be around three and a half hours. Perhaps there is a reason why this is not possible. Mr Fulford ? The ship they have at the moment (Commodore Clipper) is definitely up to the job,it’s just that it goes to Portsmouth,an extra sixty miles or more than a Weymouth route.
If it could be used say, once or twice a week on the Weymouth route, I believe that the journey would be around three and a half hours. Perhaps there is a reason why this is not possible. Mr Fulford ?

]]> By: concerned http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/02/06/what-type-of-ferry-service-do-you-want/#comment-237162 concerned Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:43:33 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=173802#comment-237162 It seems to be contrary to everybody else (judging by most of these comments), but I've always been very happy with the service I've received from Condor. The fast ferry can't sail in rough weather. The planes can't fly in fog. Thats the way it is, not much anybody can do about it. It seems to be contrary to everybody else (judging by most of these comments), but I’ve always been very happy with the service I’ve received from Condor. The fast ferry can’t sail in rough weather. The planes can’t fly in fog. Thats the way it is, not much anybody can do about it.

]]> By: Mark http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/02/06/what-type-of-ferry-service-do-you-want/#comment-236883 Mark Mon, 11 Feb 2013 13:33:07 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=173802#comment-236883 I hate to think what the excess baggage charges would be if I tried to check in my car! ;-) I hate to think what the excess baggage charges would be if I tried to check in my car!

;-)

]]> By: islander http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/02/06/what-type-of-ferry-service-do-you-want/#comment-236863 islander Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:30:06 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=173802#comment-236863 ED Will you test fly it and let us know if you return. ED

Will you test fly it and let us know if you return.

]]> By: Dani http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/02/06/what-type-of-ferry-service-do-you-want/#comment-236804 Dani Mon, 11 Feb 2013 07:15:51 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=173802#comment-236804 Ray No lol! It was more of a case of being so hungry I could have eaten a horse. Ray

No lol!

It was more of a case of being so hungry I could have eaten a horse.

]]> By: Ed http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/02/06/what-type-of-ferry-service-do-you-want/#comment-236758 Ed Sun, 10 Feb 2013 21:59:25 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=173802#comment-236758 I've got this idea for a new way of getting on/off-island. Basically, get a long aluminium tube and shove 70 seats in it. Perpendicularly mount a big sheet of metal on top and put two powerful engines on that. Then whack some people inside and take them to this big strip of tarmac in Sussex. Oops, I forgot. It's called Aurigny. I jest. Obviously you can't take a car, but the prices are reasonable and you get linked into the UK transport network fairly effectively. I’ve got this idea for a new way of getting on/off-island.

Basically, get a long aluminium tube and shove 70 seats in it. Perpendicularly mount a big sheet of metal on top and put two powerful engines on that. Then whack some people inside and take them to this big strip of tarmac in Sussex. Oops, I forgot. It’s called Aurigny.

I jest. Obviously you can’t take a car, but the prices are reasonable and you get linked into the UK transport network fairly effectively.

]]> By: Ed http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/02/06/what-type-of-ferry-service-do-you-want/#comment-236756 Ed Sun, 10 Feb 2013 21:53:57 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=173802#comment-236756 Well now you mention it, there's this place called Gatwick... Well now you mention it, there’s this place called Gatwick…

]]> By: Dave http://www.thisisguernsey.com/news/2013/02/06/what-type-of-ferry-service-do-you-want/#comment-236677 Dave Sun, 10 Feb 2013 10:31:39 +0000 http://www.thisisguernsey.com/?p=173802#comment-236677 If you scan for wifi hotspots when you on the ferry you will find some. They are all secure so you are unable to use them. A number of ferry operators offer wifi now. If you scan for wifi hotspots when you on the ferry you will find some. They are all secure so you are unable to use them. A number of ferry operators offer wifi now.

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