Brittany Ferries Launches 2005 season

Cruise fares offer competition to airlines for family holidays

Many accommodation prices lower than last year

15 December 2004
Brittany Ferries Ireland has announced that information on its full range of 2005 self drive holidays and its sailing schedule on the Cork-Roscoff route will soon be on-line at www.brittanyferries.com.

The hard copy  - The French Collection Holidays Brochure with a Holiday from Ireland insert is now available.  It is packed with hundreds of holidays across France to suit every taste and budget, including an unrivalled selection of holiday villages, cottages/gites, apartments, villas, chalet camping, river cruises, hotels, theme parks and golf courses.

In addition, The Ferry Guide: Ireland-France lists sailing schedules and guideline prices for all Brittany Ferries crossings from Ireland. 

Brittany Ferries Sailings
Good news for Irish holidaymakers is that sailings from and to Cork next year will revert to the original overnight sailing schedule which has proven so popular over 25 years with Irish holidaymakers. These sailing times allow lots of daylight travelling time to get to the Cork and Roscoff departure points and still make the most of holiday time abroad.

Departures will be from Cork on Saturdays at 17:30 and arrive in Roscoff at 7:00 a.m on Sundays. Return sailings will depart from Roscoff at 22:00 every Friday evening and arrive in Cork at 10:30 a.m on Saturday.

In 2005, sailings from Cork start on 19th March and run every Saturday until 5 November.

This year, families are invited to compare Brittany Ferries' competitive travel fares with other means of transport to France and beyond.

Examples of travel fares value:

Brittany Ferries reiterates its Price Promise whereby it pledges to quote all customers their lowest available fares for all sailings.

Ferry prices start from €90 per person each way, based on saver return fare for car and 2 adults with reclining seats on board. Cabin extra. Available on departures between 19 march and 21 May 2005.

Easter '05:

Car + 2 adults, 3 children (incl. std.4 berth cabin)
7 day return = €578.00 (€115 p.p)

April '05:

Car + 4 adults (incl.std. 4 berth cabin)
7 day return = €585 (€146.25 p.p)

Anyone unable to get specific dates on direct routes from Cork to Roscoff can consider Landbridge i.e. taking Stena Line from Ireland to the UK and then choosing from one of  Brittany Ferries UK cross channel routes to France.

The Pont Aven, Brittany Ferries' fast, new, and most luxurious cruise ship operate the Cork -Roscoff route. Amenities include a superb pool area with leisure bar, stylish shopping malls, two cinemas and a choice of dining offering French and International cuisine.  And all four levels of cabin are air-conditioned with en-suite facilities. All, apart from standard cabins, have flat screen TV and comfortable seating. The luxurious Commodore cabins feature wide patio doors that offer panoramic views and lead directly onto a private balcony.

The Pont Aven is also one of the fleet's fastest vessels - a service speed of 27 knots has allowed for a significant reduction in crossing times.

Brittany Ferries Holidays Value

There is a Brittany Ferries holiday to suit everyone, from families and couples to groups of friends and individuals.  Because of the huge range of options - ferry routes, date and time of travel, type of accommodation, etc. - The French Collection Brochure gives the holidaymaker the freedom to tailor-make their own package.  

And the best news is many accommodations are available at lower prices than in 2004.

Examples of holiday value:

Easter '05:

Car + 2 adults, 3 children
7 day return, + gite (cottage) in Brittany = €788 (€157.60 p.p)

First week in July '05 :

Car + 2 adults, 2 children
7 day return, ferry + apartment in St. Briac sur Mer, Brittany = €1,617 (€404.25 p.p)

First two weeks in July '05:

Car + 2 adults, 2 children
Ferry + chalet in St. Philibert, Brittany = €2,577 (€644.25 p.p)

First two weeks in July '05:

Car + 2 adults, 2 children
Ferry + gite (cottage) in Morbihan, Brittany  = €2,543 (€635.75 p.p)

Holidaymakers can also save 15% on sailing fares and cabin costs if they book holiday accommodation with Brittany Ferries.

Other opportunities to save on holiday costs include:

§ Savings for early bookings and longer stays at Holiday Village or Apartments in Pierre et Vacances resorts
§ This year many hotels are offering 7 nights for the price of 6, or free stays for a child under 12.

So confident is Brittany Ferries that you won't find a cheaper holiday that they have a Price Match Guarantee. This means that if you find an identical holiday for less, they will match that price and give you dining vouchers worth £30 (stg) to use in the main restaurant on board the Pont Aven.

Please note: Accommodation prices in The French Collection Holidays brochure are in pounds sterling. To convert to Euros multiply by 1.5.

Those wishing to beat the holiday rush can order a copy of The French Collection Holidays brochure and the 2005 Ferry Guide: Ireland-France by phoning 021 427 7801 (callers from Northern Ireland should call 00 353 21 427 7801) or visit www.brittanyferries.com where they will soon be able to check availability and book many of the holidays online. Please note that The French Collection  Holidays brochure should be read in conjunction with the insert  Holidays from Ireland brochure.

Photographs available on-line or by request.

-ends-

For further information please contact:
Claire Guiney, WHPR @ 01 669 0030
claire.guiney@ogilvy.com

Released 16 December 2004