Good service, slow getting on and off ferry, too much hanging about

Ship was late loading, waiting in car for 2 hours. Limited seating space we were lucky and found table and chairs for 7. Cabins and beds were fine but every passenger has to enter and leave boat by one single file stairway and corridor. Q'ing for ever as a result. Just not a good experiance.

We have been using the Portsmouth to Le Harve crossing with LD lines for some time now, currently one of the cheapest overnight crossings available. Our most recent crossing was very comfortable with excellent service from the staff. I have recommended them to a number of friends who travel to France regularly. It would be fantastic if they could extend their range of crossings, I'm definitely a fan!

This ferry fits neatly between the frenetic activity at Dover/Calais and the longer crossings at (e.g.) Portsmouth/Le Havre. The route avoids the worst of the Channel weather; as a bonus, the forecast rough seas did not materialise on my last journey.

I have used this crossing many times over the last 20 years. It still allows a "car & driver only" tariff, which is extremely good value. Another carrier that I used many years ago stopped the car-and-driver-only ticket, which would have almost doubled my already quite expensive fare. They refused to allow me any concession when I enquired.

Newhaven & Dieppe are relatively quiet ports, having I think only two ferries daily in each direction; the ports are easy to get to, and check-in is very straightforward.

Once on board, there are all the facilities one could reasonably expect; all ages are catered for. The cafeteria provides good wholesome stuff at reasonable prices, and payment can be in £ or ?. All the traveller needs is a good book and/or newspaper (which can be bought on board the ship). On arrival, the formalities are rapidly completed.

Outbound: When the boat arrives without much delay, I do not understand why we leave almost an hour late (with no explanation), cannot get into my cabin because given the wrong code, and thus overnight rest reduced significantly. Cabin clean though and arrived on time.
On return, even though the ferry has been docked all day and the vast majority of travellers have arrived over 90 minutes before a 1700 STD, why loading is only commenced at 1620 with a consequential rushed and late departure is bewildering. Still good value and convenient (for me) though and arrived pretty well on time. Will definitely use again.