Very good time to spend, but not cheap trip. Back journey was very long.

firstly it is important to note - this is a freight ferry so the facilities are minimal. I knew this before booking and accepted it as such. Do not expect fancy shops with duty free and lounges - there aren't any. There is one communal lounge for lorry drivers and the few car passengers. It is adequate and is clean and comfortable. The food was a bit dire but you don't have to have it and all the staff were foreign with limited English. It is an old P&O boat so much smaller than those now crossing Dover to Calais and it rolls a bit more, but if you need to get to Belgium it is direct in about 4hrs. Check in means getting out of the vehicle and walking to the booth rather than a drive through - which is a pain in the wet - but it is efficient for all that. would use it again as Ostend is a convenient starting point for journeys to Bruges [only 20mins] and onward to Germany.

Checking in was easy and staff at the port were extremely helpful. Surprised how small the ferry was and this limited the services on offer, no shop, no real choice of places to sit. My other half soon discovered she was allergic to the sea so spent most of the time outdoors concentrating on keeping everything down, seating outdoors would have been really useful. I was fine, and being the supportive kind decided to have breakfast indoors. I never want to be offered chips with a full English breakfast! Food wasn't that special. We did have a return crossing booked but due to Lisa's sickness it was decided for me to get the tunnel back!
All in all its a good value method of crossing if you don't mind the sea. Facilities could be improved on board but the staff are willing and helpful.

A very good alternative to cross the channel. Some of the ferries are pretty basic in terms of facilities, others have a larger choice. However, the price could not be more competitive.

The title says it all. From booking in at Ramsgate to the return from Ostende, the staff were helpful beyond belief, putting other carriers in the shade. Will definitely continue to make them my no. 1 ferry operator.