Big Ferry Fortnight Ballot opened from March 23rd – April 6th, 2019 with 2,300 ferry tickets across UK, Ireland, British Isles and Channel Islands, worth a total of around £75,000
All of Discover Ferries’ 13 ferry members, which operate more than 80 routes across the UK, Ireland, British Isles and Channel Islands, came together to enable UK residents to discover the large selection of ferry routes on their doorstep.
The celebration of ferry travel, orchestrated by Discover Ferries, was aimed at UK residents, inviting them to discover, or re-discover, the comfort, convenience and freedom ferry travel provides families, couples and people with a passion for travel and adventure.
During Big Ferry Fortnight, UK residents had the chance to bid for ferry tickets to travel with friends or family on one of over 80 ferry routes operated by Discover Ferries members. Tickets were available for a vast array of ferry trips, from short Island-hopping routes across Scotland and larger Island escapes such as the Isle of White, Isle of Man and Isles of Scilly, to cruise-style ferries across the North and Irish Seas, as well as cross-Channel trips and even scenic river crossings across London.
Emma Batchelor, Director of Discover Ferries, says: “Ferries are one of travel’s best kept secrets – especially if you value comfort and freedom, so we are inviting UK residents to discover ferry travel for themselves by offering them the chance to win a pair of tickets on a route of their choice. That includes travel on board some of the most cutting-edge 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 included: Brittany Ferries, Caledonian MacBrayne, Condor, DFDS, Hovertravel, Irish Ferries, Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, MBNA Thames Clippers, P&O Ferries, Red Funnel, Stena Line and Wightlink.
“We are delighted that all of our members agreed to take part in the Big Ferry Fortnight campaign, giving a truly unique opportunity for UK residents to try ferry travel, perhaps for the first time, and experience the joy and ease of travelling by water,” added Emma.
The latest industry figures show that more than 38 million passenger journeys are made by ferry to UK islands, the Isle of Man and Ireland, France, Spain and Holland.