By Isle of Wight Observer
The ferry industry is launching its first ever public ballot for free ferry tickets during Big Ferry Fortnight, which runs from March 23rd – April 6th this year.
As part of this celebration of ferry travel, developed by Discover Ferries, the public will get the chance to bid for over 2,000 pairs of tickets including routes across the South West.
Tickets for cyclists, vehicle and foot passengers will be available to destinations such as France, The Channel Islands the Isle of Wight and the Isles of Scilly.
All of Discover Ferries’ 13 ferry members have come together to offer UK residents the chance to discover the ease and joy of ferry travel, with Brittany Ferries, Condor Ferries, Hovertravel, Isles of Scilly Travel, Red Funnel and Wightlink offering tickets on a range of routes such as Portsmouth to Le Havre, Plymouth to Roscoff, Poole to Guernsey, Southampton to Cowes, Portsmouth to Ryde and Penzance to St Marys.
The ballot, orchestrated by Discover Ferries, is aimed at residents from across the South West and the wider UK, inviting them to discover, or re-discover, the convenience and comfort ferry travel provides families, couples and people with a passion for travel and adventure.
During Big Ferry Fortnight (March 23rd – April 6th), UK and Isle of Man residents will have the chance to bid for ferry tickets to travel with friends or family on one of over 50 ferry routes operated by Discover Ferries’ members. Tickets are available for a vast array of ferry trips, from short island-hopping routes across Scotland and larger island escapes such as the Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and Isles of Scilly, to cruise-style ferries across the North and Irish Seas, as well as cross-Channel trips and even scenic river journeys across London.
Pre-registration for tickets is open now at www.bigferryfortnight.com, and the ballot will open for applications from March 23rd.
Emma Batchelor, Director of Discover Ferries, says: “Ferries are one of travel’s best kept secrets – especially if you value ease of travel, so we are inviting South West residents to discover ferry travel for themselves by offering the chance to win a pair of free tickets on a route of their choice. There are a wealth of incredible destinations to explore from the South West coast, and the ballot also includes travel on board some of the most advanced cruise-style ferries on the longer routes to Ireland and continental Europe. A plethora of shorter crossings on smaller vessels that offer unparalleled views of the coastal waters and rivers surrounding our beautiful and diverse collection of Islands and mainland UK are also up for grabs. Whatever ferry route you take, you will feel your holiday has started as soon as you board!”
Discover Ferries members taking part in the Big Ferry Fortnight ballot are: Brittany Ferries, Caledonian MacBrayne, Condor Ferries, DFDS, Hovertravel, Irish Ferries, Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Isles of Scilly Travel, MBNA Thames Clippers, P&O Ferries, Red Funnel, Stena Line and Wightlink.
Isle of Wight Observer