61110MIS
Transportation
CROSSING TIME: Approx. 90 mins
- If you are used to procedures at Portsmouth (Portsmouth – Ouistreham), be aware that procedures at the Port of Dover are different.
- It is normal to travel as foot passengers.
- You and PAX remain on the coach throughout the Port procedures at Dover. Your coach is permitted to drive into the Port; progress through all stages of the check-in procedure with you and will deposit you (with baggage) quayside at the ferry Berth.
- Your voucher will state that arrival at Port must be 1hr before the given departure time. Given the size of the Port and the risk of queues as you progress through the Port procedures, best advice is to aim to arrive at Port 90 mins before departure time!!!!
- Be aware that once all vehicles/passengers are boarded, the ferry may depart ahead of schedule.
- PASSPORTS: Border Controls are operated at Dover & Calais – new post Brexit. It is important that all PAX have their Passports and they are accessible.
PORT OF DOVER
The Port is well signposted. Your Coach Driver will likely be aware of the Port procedures. Ferry services use Eastern Docks.
Drive into the Port complex, following the coach/foot passenger signage:
- Ticket Office/Foot Passenger terminal
You may need to stop here to enable your coach driver to obtain a security pass to permit coach and driver entry and exit to/from the Port if he does not already have one. There are parking bays for the coach. Pax remain on coach.
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- Passport Control (France)
This is the next control point you reach.
It is at the discretion of the Officials on duty whether or not they request Passports and, if they do, how they operate the Passport control (e.g. whether they board the coach to do so or whether they request passengers to alight). You may be waved through without any Passport control although this is now very unlikely.
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- Ferry Check-In
Choose the appropriate vehicle check-in booth from the choice facing you. Again, Pax remain on coach.
TM (and if necessary, Driver) alights coach to check-in with Ferry/Port staff: give Booking Reference – confirm group details – confirm baggage arrangements (you should have a baggage trailer awaiting you at quayside when you reach there) – confirm boarding time.
Note: if your Driver has been unable to obtain a security pass before this point, this should be obtained here. See above.
You will be given laminated Boarding Passes for you and the group (1 per person making the crossing) – you will be told which quayside Berth to drive to.
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4. Unloading and Baggage
The coach will drive you to the appropriate quayside Berth area (most probably this will be behind one of the Port service buildings). Here you unload the coach – Pax and bags. Check coach and Tip the coach driver as appropriate. This is where the coach leaves you.
A baggage trailer should be available for you (check with Port staff on hand if unsure). Transfer your bags from Coach to the trailer. You will likely have to do this yourselves without the assistance of Port staff. Ensure the trailer’s canvas flaps are secured when you are done. The trailer will be taken on board the ferry and stored on the vehicle deck for the crossing. Pax keep their ‘carry on’ bags with them.
Walk Pax to a safe point quayside (most likely the best place is the public side of the Port services building you’ve been behind).
NOTE: the Port is busy with vehicle traffic and not particularly pedestrian-friendly. Be aware. Make Pax aware. Keep Pax together and manage them appropriately. To board the ferry, you may be required to cross the vehicle lanes.
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5. Embarkation
You may have to wait for your ferry to offload its incoming traffic & passengers before you are able to board.
Best advice is to make yourself known to the Port staff directing traffic (look for them in fluorescent jackets!) and follow their direction.
Embarkation is via the pedestrian ramps quayside. Ensure each person has a Boarding Pass. Lead Pax up ramps to the ferry. As you board the ferry a crew member will take the Boarding Pass from you. Alternatively, you may be put on a port bus to board the ferry. Port staff will have informed you,
On Board
Once on board, gather Pax together – give instructions – set meeting point for your arrival in Calais (choose one of the lounge areas). Pax are free to roam on board.
On board facilities will include refreshments, cafe-restaurant as well as outside deck, which they can access. Both GBP and EUR will be accepted on board. A Bureau de Change facility is normally available.
Arrival at Calais
Gather your group at the pre-arranged spot on board as the ferry docks in Calais. A crew member will direct you to disembark.
You will disembark directly onto the quayside where your coach should be waiting for you.
Await the arrival of your baggage trailer from the ferry – transfer bags from trailer to coach – exit Port aboard coach.
NOTE: Passport control now happens at Calais on arrival as well – this has changed post-BREXIT