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A overview of the DFDS Premium Lounge on their Dover to France ferries, that will help you determine if it’s price upgrading.
Taking the ferry could be one of many quickest and most budget-friendly methods to journey between the UK and France. But that doesn’t imply the entire expertise has to really feel funds! With DFDS, you’ll be able to splash out on a few upgrades to make your journey that little bit extra particular. One of them is the Premium Lounge.
This is particularly good if you happen to’re taking a particular vacation or travelling to have fun an necessary event. The welcome glass of prosecco is a very good contact!
If you’re taking a DFDS ferry from Dover to Calais or Dunkirk and like a bit additional consolation, upgrading to the Premium Lounge could be price it. Keep studying for my overview, and to search out out precisely what the improve will get you…
My journey to Calais was supported by DFDS Seaways (together with the Premium Lounge improve). But DFDS didn’t ask for this overview, and all phrases and opinions are my very own – as at all times!
What is the DFDS Premium Lounge?
The DFDS Premium Lounge is an unique, non-public lounge space on sure ferry routes. It’s an optionally available improve once you journey by ferry between Dover and Northern France with DFDS.
If you’ve upgraded, you’ll be given an entry code once you examine in for the ferry. Once on board, you need to use the code to entry the lounge – which is separate from the remainder of the ferry for some beautiful peace and quiet.
Inside, there are many cozy seats, with a mixture of sofas, armchairs and desk seating. Some of the sofas have longer, lay-flat chaise sections – nice if you happen to want a fast energy nap after an extended drive to the ferry terminal! There are additionally a lot of snacks and cold and warm drinks out there, and a welcome glass of prosecco.
How a lot does it price?
If you e book prematurely, you’ll be able to improve to the Premium Lounge from €18pp every manner.
What’s Included?
- A glass of prosecco
- Hot and chilly drinks
- Snacks together with pastries, biscuits, and macarons
- Free WiFi
- Large display screen tv
- Charging factors
Which DFDS Routes have a Premium Lounge?
The Premium Lounge is on the market on the Dover to Dunkirk and Dover to Calais routes with DFDS. Longer routes, resembling Newcastle to Amsterdam, are served by bigger “cruise ferries” which have totally different amenities and providers.
From Dover to Calais the journey time is about 90 minutes, whereas Dover to Dunkirk is roughly 2 hours.
My Review of the DFDS Premium Lounge
I travelled with DFDS from Dover to Calais for a brief break with my dad – testing the Christmas markets and profiting from the duty-free buying onboard to select up my Christmas occasion drinks at discount costs!
It was my first time travelling with DFDS, and I used to be actually impressed with how easily every little thing went. We had been fortunate sufficient to have Priority Boarding, which is one thing that I extremely suggest if you happen to’re travelling at a busy time – we had been proper on the entrance of the ferry, and first off once we arrived at Calais.
But even with out Priority Boarding, the check-in and boarding course of was extremely fast and straightforward. And all of the DFDS employees had been tremendous pleasant and environment friendly.
At check-in, we got the entry code for the Premium Lounge. Once on board, we headed straight as much as test it out!
The code opens a door, then there’s a set of stairs main as much as a separate part of deck. So the Lounge felt fully lower off from the remainder of the ship, and was a lot quieter than the general public areas on board.
The Facilities
I beloved how peaceable the Premium Lounge was. Although it’s a fairly large space, with seating for numerous friends, there have been solely a handful of us in there once I travelled (on a December weekend). So it was beautiful and quiet.
I additionally beloved my welcome glass of prosecco, which I sipped while watching the ship sail away from Dover. It made the expertise that little bit extra particular: good for a deal with vacation!
When we sat down, the attendant provided us drinks, and introduced my dad a cup of tea and a biscuit. But the snacks and drinks are additionally self-serve. It’s fairly a small space however there was a reasonably respectable choice, with espresso machines, teas, a couple of totally different fruit juices, and canned smooth drinks.
In phrases of snacks, there have been biscuits, a small collection of pastries, a fruit bowl, and a big plate of macarons. These final had been my favorite – I ate manner too many!
Another perk of the Premium Lounge is that it comes with its personal bathrooms, that are normally quieter than the others on the ship! So you’re much less prone to have to queue.
I didn’t want to make use of the plug sockets, however these are one other actually helpful contact. I additionally didn’t watch the TV, which was tuned right into a sports activities channel (nor did any of the opposite friends). It was good to have some background noise, however personally, I would favor music.
For me, the most important promoting level of the lounge is its peaceable environment and cozy chairs. It’s undoubtedly a extra stress-free area than the busier public areas on the ship!
Conclusion: Is it Worth it?
Whenever I write a overview for one thing I used to be gifted as a blogger, I ask myself “would I pay for this myself next time I book?”. And in terms of the DFDS Premium Lounge, the reply is undoubtedly sure.
If you fancy a bit of additional consolation, some peace and quiet, and people free snacks and drinks, I believe it’s undoubtedly price upgrading to the Premium Lounge in your DFDS ferry crossing.
For households and funds travellers, it’s maybe not price it. But for a particular journey, a romantic getaway, and for enterprise travellers who wish to get a bit work performed on the crossing… I’d say it’s price contemplating the improve.
The remainder of the ship may be very good. There’s loads of seating within the restaurant and snack bars, and naturally, the onboard Duty-Free store to maintain you occupied! If you’re travelling on a funds, you completely don’t want to pay for the improve. After all, the crossing is normally below 2 hours, so it’s not precisely an extended journey.
BUT – the improve is barely about £15 every manner, so it’s not an enormous splurge for entry to a extra cozy and peaceable a part of the ship! Plus you get free snacks and drinks for that worth.
I actually loved my expertise within the Premium Lounge and would completely pay for the improve once more, particularly if the journey was for a special day.
Read More
How to Plan a Duty Free Shopping Trip to France with DFDS
A Brits Guide to Shopping in France
Best Places to Visit within the North of France
Have you upgraded to the DFDS Premium Lounge? Leave a remark to share your experiences!