Ferry to Belgium without cabin?

[Luke]

I'm planning a short riding holiday with a mate in April, both leaving from the Sheffield area and for about 5 days. I've been looking at the Hull-Rotterdam/Zebrugge ferry but whilst the crossing is cheap enough the addition of the cabin puts it at about £300 each. Without going via dover and france is there a cheaper way of doing this? I don't think you can book without a cabin on that route but would love to know if there is a way.
2 bikes each with solo rider.

Anyone got any experience with this?

 

[TallPaul_S]

Coming out at £140 for me, for a single bike, one way?

That's a single crossing, return is about £250. Cabin is included in the price, no way not to have one.

If you want to save some money, you'd be looking at £70 return on the eurotunnel, plus 500 miles worth of fuel (there and back to the tunnel) which is about £70, so £140 all in, plus about 4 hours riding each way.

 

[Luke]

It's annoying as I just don't want the cabin. I'm happy dozing in a chair!
So far the best option looks like Harwich to Hook for £160 return.

 

[Sagalout]

You should be able to get a cheaper deal if you ring them and say it's 2 bikes, 2 passengers sharing one cabin. Their online system can't cope with that combination but I did the same last year when I went over with my son on his own bike.

I do Hull Zeebrugge frequently and have also done Dover Calais etc. The overnight from Hull is by far the best option. Cost wise it won't be much different by the time you've added the petrol on top and it saves the crappy ride down south. It might be a bit more expensive but you're on holiday, so enjoy the back roads over to Hull (it's quite a good ride if you avoid M62) then get settled in at the bar for a good nights entertainment!

 

[Semple]

It's annoying as I just don't want the cabin. I'm happy dozing in a chair!
So far the best option looks like Harwich to Hook for £160 return.

Don't know if there is a quick ferry crossing from Hull to Zeebrugge, but the ones P&O do are overnighter, hence the need for a cabin.

Also from what i recall (haven't been on one in a fair few years now) there is no "public" seating, it's all in the canteen/bars/cafe's etc. So i'm not sure one of them, nor your fellow passengers will want to see you snoozing on one of those.

 

[Luke]

Just called them and the total is £330 for two bikes and a shared cabin. Far better price and saves the trek south!