Brittany Ferries have announced that they are withdrawing the mv Barfleur from the Poole to Cherbourg route in the spring. The news will come as a blow to many of its regular passengers, who enjoy the relaxed crossing to Cherbourg. Brittany Ferries blamed the move on declining passenger numbers, and said they had been losing money on the route for several years.

The Barfleur will be withdrawn in February 2010 having operated on the route for 17 years. From February, the Armorique will take over until March 8th 2010, when the service will withdrawn.

It’s not all bad news though, the Poole to Cherbourg route will still be operated by Brittany Ferries high speed ferry, the Normandie Vitesse running from May to September. The crossing on the high speed ferry takes just over two hours.

We will of course update AnyFerry.com with the changes when the time comes.

Popularity: 14%

DFDS, the Danish ferry operator, has bought Norfolkline from AP Møller-Maersk in a deal worth €346M.

The deal will enhance DFDS’s network with the Rosyth to Zeebrugge and Dover to Dunkirk, plus Liverpool to Dublin and Liverpool to Belfast routes previously operated by Norfolkline added to DFDS routes from Harwich to Esbjerg (Denmark) and Newcastle to Ijmuiden (Holland). DFDS also operates Copehnagen to Oslo.

DFDS has an excellent reputation for its passenger ferry services, so the news should be good for consumers. It comes at a time when ferry operators are reporting strong results in a turbulent economy. The combined income of DFDS and Norfolkline are expected to be €1.5Bn in 2009 with operating profits of €139M.

We will update AnyFerry.com with any changes required as we find out more from DFDS. You can read the full press release here.

Popularity: 6%

Really need to cross the Channel before Christmas? Eurotunnel and Eurostar are still experiencing sever problems and delays. But, there are alternatives.

1. Dover to Calais (P&O, SeaFrance) have capacity, but are obviously busy. P&O have put in place their lowest foot passenger fare of just £14 to help out, but we’re not sure how long this will last.
2. Another alternative to consider is Norfolk Line which operates on the Dover to Dunkirk ferry route. They have plenty of capacity available, and you can arrive at the port and purchase tickets on arrival.
3. If you’re travelling further afield, there is always the Hull to Rotterdam and Hull to Zeebrugge services operated by P&O Ferries, and at the time of writing these too still have capacity. There’s only one sailing per day though (overnight departing 9pm).
4. Brittany Ferries operate routes to Northern France from Portsmouth, Plymouth and Pool on both high speed and conventional ferries. Our fare checker will give up to date quotes and booking facilities on all ferries to France.
5. Finally you can consider Harwich to Hook of Holland (Stena Line) if you have access to transport to the ports (train or car).

With a bit of persistence you should be able to end up where you intended – good luck!

Popularity: 5%

Check here for the latest DFDS sales and offers – updated daily.

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2 night Valentines Mini Cruise Break from £99pp – Offer Expires 2011-01-30 23:59:59

Valentines Mini Cruise Break to Amsterdam from Newcastle

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2 night St. Patrick’s Day Mini Cruise – Offer Expires 2011-01-18 23:59:59

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2 night Mini Cruise Break Amsterdam – Newcastle – Offer Expires 2010-12-31 23:59:59

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Early Bird Offer 2 night Mini Cruise from £59pp – Offer Expires 2010-12-31 23:59:59

2 night Mini Cruise to Amsterdam from Newcastle – Early Bird Offer from £59pp
Enjoy a mini cruise break to Amsterdam throughout October-December & save 15% when you book 60+ days in advance. Book online & save. 2 nights from £59pp.
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2011 departures for Mini Cruise breaks now on sale – Offer Expires 2010-12-31 23:59:59

Departures for 2011 Mini Cruise breaks are now available to book, meaning you can plan ahead for a unique short break from Newcastle or Harwich.

Booking early will also help you take advantage of our flexible pricing structure and get the dates and cabins to suit you, at the best price. Plus, if you use our early bird discount you could save up to 15%.

There’s a range of trips available from our ever-popular Amsterdam and Esbjerg Mini Cruises, to on board themes and special destinations.

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40% off mini cruise breaks to Amsterdam – Offer Expires 2010-09-30 23:59:59

Save up to 40% on mini cruise breaks this summer, and discover some of Holland’s most famous cities including Amsterdam, Alkmaar and Haarlem on selected dates between July and September.

Headline offers:

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Cruise and hotel break Amsterdam/Newcastle 25% off.
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Mini Cruise to Amsterdam from Newcastle 30% off – Offer Expires 2010-09-30 23:59:59

Book early for late Summer and save up to 30% off ferries and cruise breaks from DFDS Seaways till the end of September

2 night Mini Cruise to Amsterdam from Newcastle, from £62pp – Save up to 30%

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40% off Mini Cruise to Amsterdam from Newcastle – Offer Expires 2010-09-30 23:59:59

40% off Mini Cruise Break to Amsterdam from Newcastle. Cruise to Amsterdam for less with this summer and enjoy fantastic Amsterdam at its best. Save 40% on selected July to September departures.

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3 night Cruise/Hotel Break to Amsterdam from £97pp – Offer Expires 2010-09-30 23:59:59

Book early for October to December and save up to 30% off ferries and cruise breaks from DFDS Seaways till the end of September.

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Mini Cruise to Amsterdam from Newcastle 15% off – Offer Expires 2010-09-30 23:59:59

Book early for October to December and save up to 30% off ferries and cruise breaks from DFDS Seaways till the end of September.

2 night Mini Cruise to Amsterdam from Newcastle, from £59pp – Save 15%

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3 night Cruise/Hotel Break to Amsterdam 20% off – Offer Expires 2010-09-30 23:59:59

Book early for late Summer and save up to 30% off ferries and cruise breaks from DFDS Seaways till the end of September

3+ night Cruise & Hotel Break to Amsterdam from £109pp – Save up to 20%

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2 Night Amsterdam Mini Cruise from £49pp – Offer Expires 2010-09-30 23:59:59

Enjoy a relaxing summer break to Amsterdam, and save up to 40% on the normal price. A 2 night Amsterdam Mini Cruise Was from £89pp Now from £49pp.

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2 night Amsterdam Family Mini Cruise from £170 – Offer Expires 2010-09-30 23:59:59

A 2 night Amsterdam Family Mini Cruise KIDS GO FREE Was from £320 for a family of 4. Now from £170 family of 4 Saving you OVER 40%.

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2 night Amsterdam Artis Zoo Mini Cruise from £254 – Offer Expires 2010-09-30 23:59:59

2 night Amsterdam and Artis Zoo Mini Cruise – Was from £370 for a family of 4. Now from £254 saving over 30%.

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2 night Alkmaar Mini Cruise now just £62pp – Offer Expires 2010-09-30 23:59:59

2 night Alkmaar Mini Cruise – Was from £102pp Now from £62pp saving you over 30%.

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Save 25% on 3 night Amsterdam Cruise & Hotel Break – Offer Expires 2010-09-30 23:59:59

3+ night Amsterdam Cruise & Hotel Break – Was from £136pp Now from £96pp saving you over 25%.

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Check for P&O Discount Codes.

Popularity: 7%