After many ferries in which we have embarked our Kucavana today we make this article. We have embarked around very different countries in Europe and today we want to share some learnings with you in this article. Important things you should know before boarding your camper or motorhome by ferry across Europe.
Hold on, waves are coming!
1 Never travel by ferry with mobile data on or a simple WhatsApp can cost you 40 euros.
As is and as you hear it. If you travel and board your motorhome on a ferry, do not forget this. A simple WhatsApp on a ferry in international waters can cost you, what it cost us the first time it happened to us, 40 euros.
Before setting sail from the mainland, our advice is to turn off the data on your mobile until you return to land again.
2 Never leave the motorhome gas on, it is your safety and that of everyone. Either do not take anything in the fridge or ask for electricity when boarding.
Due to international safety regulations, gas cannot be carried on ferries while the flame is on. If you travel and board your motorhome on a ferry, do not forget your safety and that of the entire ship.
In the northern shipping companies, from our experience, directly when you buy the ferry tickets for a motorhome they give you the option to reserve, paying about 5 or 10 euros, electricity. In these cases we advise you to book the electricity directly. For this case, the shipping companies also check the gas closed to the motorhomes and even seal the gas compartment door with an adhesive so that you cannot tamper with it. An example of this experience was the journey we made from Helsinki to Travemunde.
In the Mediterranean companies of southern Europe, on the other hand, there is no such option during the purchase, nor do they usually check or seal anything. In these cases, just when you board, show them the cable to plug in and they will look for a place near the plug so that you can connect at no extra cost. What can happen in some of these cases is that there are no free normal plugs, so you should bring an adapter from the truck plug, just in case.
3 Never forget the biodramine, games and a swimsuit after boarding your motorhome on the ferry.
Of all our experiences on only 2 ferries we have had rough seas, but I assure you that vomiting and discomfort in these situations are exhausting. That is why we advise you to take biodramina for both adults and children, and in case of rough seas, continue the trip decently.
Another essential of the bag that you do to get on the ferry, especially with children, are games, things to paint or write. Finally, if you go with Grimaldi ferries in summer, through southern Europe, you should know that most of their ferries have an outdoor pool on the top deck. But, if they do not have an outdoor pool, many of the ferries have a Spa, some for a fee, or in the Nordic countries they have a free sauna and jacuzzi. So just in case swimsuit to the bag.
4 Never forget to bring snacks and food on the ferry. If you want to save something on the way, this is a must.
On the ferries there is always a restaurant bar service. The food is regular, they are usually self-services and the prices are quite high. They are good to entertain yourself, make a coffee, an ice cream, but maybe if you want to save some money on the way you should think about bringing a small cooler or a bag with food, some sandwiches, something to snack and drink. If you travel and board your motorhome on a ferry, do not forget to bring your food and you will save a little on the way.
5 Never say that you will not have to board your motorhome by ferry in reverse gear.
If you think that it will always be easy and sew and sing, getting on and off the ferry, it may be that in 80% of the cases it will be, but never say that you should not go up or down a ramp of a ferry in reverse, 20% of our experiences have been backwards.
6 Never think that shipping your motorhome by ferry will be more expensive than going by road.
When you see that many truckers use ferries to get around, you begin to realize that the benefits must be greater than by road.
Currently, with the price of gasoline, we have verified that it is always better to board your motorhome on a ferry than to drive on the road, or at most it is the same price.
In addition, we must add that the wear and tear of the vehicle and the psychology of the driver is reduced, that with children the psychological and physical savings are even more acute hehehe.
Children's playroom inside a ferry to Italy
7 Never think you're going to cruise on a ferry. A ferry is a ferry, although sometimes it can come close…
Ferries leave a lot to be desired over the big floating hotels that are cruise ships. A ferry at the end is a means of transport such as a train or a plane. The amenities are fair.
You may see that some ferries have a swimming pool, a children's playroom and some even have activities on board, but the level will never be that of a cruise ship, so wait for what it really will be, a ferry, nothing more.
8 Never buy your ferry tickets at the last minute if you are looking for the best price
The ferries, as happens with the planes, increase the prices as their places are filled and the time with the requested trip is shortened.
That is why our advice is always to buy the ferry as soon as possible if you want to board your motorhome on a ferry for your next trip.
9 Never say no to a loyalty card from a shipping company
The shipping companies, many, like Grimaldi Lines They usually have loyalty cards that give good discounts and that also accumulate points that add more discount for your next trip. Get your card and save.
10 Never buy your ferry tickets without first knowing the route you will take. Optimize your route and resources.
As much as we say that the motorhome is improvisation and freedom, that is overrated if you have limited vacations like us and want to make the most of them. If that is your case, it is important to plan your routes.
In cases where we must also take ferries, this is even more important. Knowing the route you will take before buying your ferry tickets is important to see which ports are the best to enter and leave the country and thus optimize kilometers, fuel savings and time on your route. Plan and you will add.
We hope you have enjoyed this article with all our learnings about ferries and motorhomes from more than 30 years ago in this camper world. If you have doubts, we are waiting for you below in comments. We read you!
To finish we leave you here some of the trips we have made embarking our motorhome on a ferry: Menorca by motorhome, Mallorca by motorhome, Nordkapp in motorhome or Greece by motorhome.
Very good contribution, it is always good to know the experiences of others. Greetings from some “addicts” to the motorhome
Thanks for good comments!
Thank you, it is a pleasure to help you 🙂
Hello. Very good contribution.
One question, do you know if you can spend the night in the motorhome on the ferries from Barcelona to Genoa/Civitavecchia? Thanks!
No, those of us on that route don't know of any that allow it. Only some of the route from Italy (in Bari for sure) to Greece sure they do that we know of, but it's not normal. Not even in those of northern Europe they let them do it.
Very good afternoon. I thank you partilha. It is very important, for those who are new to these motorhome journeys, these informations. Be there precious. It helps a lot in planning, especially when we have little ones on board. Our family of four is studying the possibility of visiting Sardenha, but we have doubts regarding the ferry's, which I would like to know if we can clarify them, given your experience. At first glance, I know, I can't sleep in the motorhome, I know what we pay for the crossing on the ferry includes sleeping in the cabin on the ferry, or it's a separate price. The second question turns on with a simulation that we did, on the Grimaldi site, in which the return price is always more expensive than the outbound price. Is this always the case?
Very grateful. Ana Marques
Good morning Family, I try to answer your questions. The price of the rafts generally does not include a cabin, it only includes an easy chair. When I sleep in a motorhome on a raft, there is hardly a raft that Italy in Greece does not allow, but it is an exception. You generally can't, you have to sleep on the raft in an easy chair or in the cabin, depending on what you book. Regarding the prices, I imagine that it is a demand offer that they agree on the day, I would not know what to say 🙂 I hope that you have helped you, a big hug and a very good trip 🙂
Spanish:
Good morning family, I try to answer your questions. The price of the ferries normally does not include the cabin, it includes only one seat. Regarding sleeping in the motorhome on the ferry, there is only one ferry that goes from Italy to Greece in the south that allows it, but it is an exception. In general you can't, you have to sleep on the ferry in an armchair or cabin depending on what you reserve. Regarding the prices, I imagine that they are on offer depending on the day, I don't know what to tell you 🙂 I hope it has helped you, a big hug and have a good trip 🙂
Hello, very good article. Can you tell me if you can take the fridge connected to the battery in the passenger compartment on the ferry from Barcelona to Civitavecchia? Thank you.
Yes, your motorhome allows it, yes, it is only the gas that is prohibited to be open 🙂
Your explanations are very good, you have solved my doubts that I had about the trip, my wife and I are new to long trips and the fact of embarking with the motorhome has been a bell, that is why so many doubts that you have solved for me in a plis plas so thank you very much
Thank you for your comment David, a pleasure to share with colleagues. A hug.
Pendant la traversé de Marseille vers la corse (10 hours), le frigo du camping car une fois coupé garde il le froid !!
Thank you in advance for your info
Bonne info, merci l'ami.
Hello, Is it possible to access the motorhome during the journey to take something that you have forgotten, food or whatever?
Hello Javier, no, as a general rule in all ferries you must leave the motorhome when parking it and they already close the door of the vehicle decks and do not allow access until the moment of arrival when they reopen and notify you through the public address system that you can go down to the garages.
Thank you very much for answering!!