North Sea Ferries Ltd

[Mollington St]

With the Holiday Season now upon us , I thought I would share a few Handbills and Brochures from the 1980s for those who travelled and maybe took the car across the North Sea or Channel.
Real Mix of Companies - North Sea Ferries, DFDS Seaways, Olau Ferries, Sally Viking Line, Townsend Thorsen, P&O and of course Sealink.
All these items are now scanned and listed on my own site at www.transport past times .
I am sure many on the forum will have used these services so I am sure there is a story or two out there. I will list a few more as there is quite a box to sort through.

 

[Gloster]

I made a number of trips between Hull and Zeebrugge in 1988 and 1989. One thing about the ferry service was that the food at dinner (and breakfast) was included in the price, but anything beyond tea and coffee had to be paid for. Presumably they reckoned that travellers were fooled into pushing the boat out on the drink as they hadn’t paid for the meal: I just stuffed myself with food and stuck to coffee. On one occasion I was put on the same table as a Dutchman who was another lone traveller: they got nothing out of either of us. In the four or five trips I made they got 25p. out of me as one hot day I was gasping for a drink as soon as I got on board and couldn’t wait for the restaurant to open. The last time I travelled they had introduced some changes in the restaurants: I can’t remember if it was a limit to the free drinks or a minimum charge.

On a DFDS ferry to Sweden the only other occupant of the four-berth cabin sneaked his girlfriend in: I spent half the night hoping that the clips holding the upper-berth above me in place were solidly made and clipped. I also got locked in the observation area above the bridge once: I lay back in one of the deckchairs to watch the evening sun and whoever was sent to lock up obviously failed to see me. I ended up having to climb over the railings (not those along the side of the ship) and swing round like a monkey to get to the companionway.

 

[Mollington St]

Here is the Fares for 1985/86 North Sea Ferries Hull Rotterdan / Zeebrugge
Yes Dinner, Berth and Breakfast , from a reclining seat ( with pillow and rug ) £25 to a Special Pullman Cabin with shower etc £45