We have just booked a return ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam next summer. We can pre-book meals (with up to 25% off) but it would cost us £180 for dinner and breakfast both ways for 2 adults and 2 children. This seems alot!
I was wondering what options there are to buy food on board if we don't pre-book. I 've looked on the website but there doesn't seem much choice - a couple of overpriced cafes (I suppose they've got a captive audience).
If anyone has been on this route could let us know what's available it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Hopscotch
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Two years ago I went Hull to Rotterdam and pre booked a meal out but not back.
The pre boooked meal was discounted and I can only say it was superb. I have never seen so much food. The number of choices was incredible and for the price was well worth it.
We regretted not booking a meal for the return and used a basic on board cafe. What a let down, Over priced and poor quality.
I would have no hesitation in pre booking again.
Sorry, I can't remember the price but yours does seem a bit dear.
I don't have any experience of this but if it is quality catering as Harryb says it would probably break down to something like 8 dinners at £15 and 8 breakfasts just over £7. This doesn't seem horrendous but I don't think I would book it.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We have not done that route, but on Hull/Rotterdam the sailing is around 8-9pm, docking about 8-9am, so we have eaten dinner in the van in a handy lay-by before going on-board, and stopped for breakfast in the van on the other side.
We have also taken a "picnic" on-board with us and eaten in the cabin.
Last time we came back we had dinner on-board, which was very good. The breakfast is a bit early for me!
We think it's worth getting the evening meal, good value and helps to pass the evening. We don't bother with breakfast....means getting up too early and you can always find something on the other side.
Quote: Originally posted by dickturpin+kids on 27/11/2010
We think it's worth getting the evening meal, good value and helps to pass the evening. We don't bother with breakfast....means getting up too early and you can always find something on the other side.
We're the opposite: always have the breakfast (buffet, as much as you can eat) whereas, whatever the cost, we find the evening meal far too late: we get boarded and go to bed - we have a cheap meal or fish and chips somewhere before boarding.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We have done the Newcastle Amsterdam crossing for the last two years and prebooked meals both times. Both dinner and breakfast are eat as much as you want buffets with an extensive choice. We also preordered our wine this year at a discounted rate and we were also given free coffee after dinner.
The self service restaurants are extremely expensive. About £15 for fish and chips so for more than one course would work out more expensive than the buffet.
I would say the choice is between prebooking buffet meals or taking your own picnic on board. We look on the meal as part of our holiday although I appreciate with a family it does make it pricey.
I would go to M&S and pick up a lovely picnic, a nice bottle of wine, a cool bag, some paper plates and take it all onto the ferry and eat it either in your cabin or find a table somewhere. For the morning, again some croissents(?) from M&S and buy a cup of coffee on board. Certainly would be difficult to spend more than £40 in total and then you would have the balance left for a meal on holiday somewhere far nicer than a ferry.
We went Newcastle to Amsterdam this year - it was a girls weekend away so did not see much of the restaurants. A few people went to the coffee shop in the morning and said it was expensive. We took a travel kettle with a small jar of coffee and a small pint of milk for drinks in the morning (you need your own cups - we used glasses), took croissants, pain ou chocolate and cereal bars for breakfast. We ate before we got on the ferry - pub just up the road at royal quays outlet mall and took crisps and snacks for later on. Then we ate when we were in Amsterdam.
Value for money is difficult to judge - depends on your appetite! Speaking for the buffet breakfast, we thought it was reasonable for my wife who makes the most of breakfast. I thought it was a bit expensive for what I ate (basically, the fry-up and several coffees); on the other hand, for someone with a big appetite it would be a bargain!
It does sound a lot when you say it quickly but broken down it works out a £22.50 per person for dinner and breakfast. On that basis I would say it's not bad value.
Presumably you are being asked to pay full price for the children?
Why not pre-book for two adults each way, and give the children some of yours...........?
Thanks for all your advice. It's certainly given me something to think about!
Our ferry departs at 5pm and we have to check in 2 hours before so we will need to eat on the ferry.
It sounds like the quality of the food will be good so I think we will be booking dinner both ways - we are on holiday after all and it'll be a long night to fill if we just stay in the cabin.
Still not sure about breakfast. We are planning a long drive on arrival so just want to get on with it and not stop until we really have to. So breakfast on board seems a good idea but I don't really want to get up early to get it. Oh the dilemma. Coming back I don't think we'll bother as we'll be home in a couple of hours.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Food on Ferry
