As a family with 5 and 7 year old we have taken this journey a number times. The journey is always relaxing with extremely streamlined boarding. My major gripe is that there is no adequate food you ca... See more
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Unfortunately Dunkirk border control is a joke - diversions signs fallen on the ground to get there, 5 border stops (the first one hadn't got a clue about needing a share code for an EU passport to UK... See more
Fabulous buffet in Explorers Kitchen. Huge choice and all delicious. A huge improvement could be made if guests were informed which deck their buffet booking was made for - lots of guests (including... See more
Company replied
Service on board was excellent, we liked the buffet style diner, well organized Our return ship had a room with a faulty airco, was quickly handled by the guest service What we did not like was the... See more
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Company details
About DFDS
Written by the company
Your Gateway to Europe
Explore Europe with DFDS, the world’s leading ferry operator. Whether you’re planning a road trip across France, a mini cruise to Amsterdam, or a city break in Bruges, DFDS offers a range of travel options to suit your needs.
- Ferry crossings from the UK to France and Holland starting from just £35pp.
- Special autumn mini cruise discounts of up to 50% off – perfect for your next getaway!
- Duty-free shopping with up to 50% savings on premium products.
- Tailor-made European city break packages with handpicked hotels.
- Experience the freedom of the open road with DFDS's exclusive caravan and motorhome offers. Enjoy up to 20% off on selected routes and explore Europe at your own pace.
Exceptional Customer Service
At DFDS, we are committed to providing you with the best travel experience. Our customer service team is readily available to assist you with any queries or concerns. Whether you're checking your booking, preparing for your trip, or traveling with pets, our resources are designed to ensure your journey is seamless.
- Explore our comprehensive FAQs for quick answers.
- Stay informed with Live Travel Updates and navigate with ease.
- Receive dedicated assistance for passengers with reduced mobility, ensuring a comfortable voyage for everyone.
Your satisfaction is our priority. Reach out to our team for any assistance you need.
Contact info
DFDS House, Marmorvej 18,, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
- dfds.com
4.2
Great
21k reviews
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Replied to 98% of negative reviews
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All ran to time and ship had all the…
All ran to time and ship had all the facilities we needed. However, the £10 priority boarding we paid for didn’t give any advantage compared with others in our group who didn’t sign up for it.
Nevertheless, overall a very good service.
13 May 2026
Reply from DFDS
Good afternoon John
We're glad you found our service on your Dover-Calais journey very good overall and that the ship met your needs. We appreciate your feedback regarding the priority boarding experience. We'll look into this to ensure it provides the advantage expected. Thank you.
Monika
Customer Interaction Shift Leader
All good un time and clean ships
All good un time and clean ships. Food was OK for the cost. Duty Free is more expensive than P&O.
13 May 2026
Reply from DFDS
Good afternoon James
We're happy to hear that you found our ships clean and punctual on your Dover-Calais journey. We appreciate your feedback regarding the food and duty-free prices, and we'll consider it.
Monika
Customer Interaction Shift Leader
Lady in lounge was so helpful and would…
Lady in lounge was so helpful and would praise her for the service she gave .
10 May 2026
Reply from DFDS
Dear Jason,
Thank you so much for your kind feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a positive experience in our lounge and that our team member made a great impression.
We’ll be sure to pass on your praise to her – she’ll be thrilled to know her service made a difference. Providing friendly and helpful support is something we pride ourselves on, so it’s lovely to see this recognised.
We look forward to welcoming you again soon!
Kind Regards,
Hayleigh
A refreshing Break
We enjoyed our time on board. Cabin, although small, was adequate for the couple of nights, clean with plenty hot water. Breakfast ok, could have done with having hot milk and perhaps different style of eggs instead of just scrambled. Ate in the A la Carte restaurant, food was delicious, presented well and first class service from the waiters. Other staff on board also offered great service. Found the wine to be a bit expensive in the bar and even more expensive in the restaurant. However, didn't have to have it I suppose. Coming off the ship onto the coaches for Amsterdam was quite straight forward as was disembarking at the end of the trip.
12 May 2026
Reply from DFDS
Dear Janice,
Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback. We’re so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your break with us and that you found your cabin clean and comfortable for your stay.
It’s great to know that you had a positive dining experience in our à la carte restaurant and that both the food and service from our team stood out. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind comments to our staff, who will be delighted to hear they made such a great impression.
We also appreciate your constructive feedback regarding breakfast options and pricing. Your suggestions around hot milk and a greater variety of egg choices have been noted, and we will certainly take them into consideration as we continue to improve our offering. We understand your comments about wine prices and value your honesty.
Finally, we're glad to hear that both embarkation for your Amsterdam trip and disembarkation were smooth and straightforward.
Thank you again for your feedback, and we hope to welcome you on board again soon for another enjoyable trip.
Kind Regards,
Hayleigh
Quiet ok but can be better.
I like that you rebook me to an earlier ferry when I reached the check-in in the harbour. I dislike that the ferry is all the tome to late. The food id horrible, reduce the price and offer the food as option.
12 May 2026
Reply from DFDS
Dear Peter,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us.
We’re pleased to hear that our team were able to assist by moving you onto an earlier ferry at check-in — we’re always happy to help where we can to improve our customers’ journeys.
We’re sorry, however, to learn about your experience with delays and the food on board. We understand how frustrating this can be, and we truly appreciate your honest comments. Your feedback regarding food quality, pricing, and offering more flexibility is valuable, and we will ensure it is shared with the relevant teams for review.
We are continually working to improve both our punctuality and onboard experience, and insights like yours help us focus on where we need to do better.
Thank you again for your feedback, and we hope to have the opportunity to provide you with a much-improved experience in the future.
Kind Regards,
Hayleigh
We traveled with bicycles ……
We traveled with bicycles …you made everything super stress free! And a special mention to David from the Lounge. He was simply perfect. Thank you David
12 May 2026
Reply from DFDS
Dear Robert,
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that travelling with your bicycles was such a smooth and stress-free experience — that’s exactly what we aim for.
A special thank you as well for highlighting David from the Lounge. We’ll be sure to pass on your kind words to him — he’ll be thrilled to know he made such a positive impression on your journey!
We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and hope to welcome you on board again soon.
Kind Regards,
Hayleigh
lovely stay
11 May 2026
Reply from DFDS
Good morning Marcus
Thank you for your kind review!
We’re delighted to hear you had a lovely stay with us on your Dunkirk - Dover journey and hope to welcome you back again soon.
Monika
Customer Interaction Shift Leader
Reply from DFDS
Dear Mohamed,
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re really pleased to hear you had a good experience and found our team friendly. Providing great service is really important to us, so it’s lovely to know we made a positive impression.
We hope to welcome you back again soon!
Kind Regards,
Hayleigh
My son and I had a really smooth and…
My son and I had a really smooth and pleasant experience travelling with DFDS. Boarding was organised, the staff were friendly, and everything felt calm from start to finish. The ferry was clean and comfortable, and the whole journey felt easy and stress‑free. We’d happily travel with DFDS again.
3 May 2026
Reply from DFDS
Dear Miss Martins,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your lovely feedback! We’re delighted to hear that both you and your son had such a smooth and pleasant journey with us.
It’s great to know that our organised boarding, friendly team, and calm atmosphere helped make your trip stress-free from start to finish. We’re also really pleased you found the ferry clean and comfortable — that’s exactly the experience we aim to provide.
We truly appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming you both on board again soon!
Kind Regards,
Hayleigh
Reply from DFDS
Good afternoon Craig
We're glad you enjoyed everything on your Calais - Dover journey, including the food and price. Thank you for your positive feedback; we appreciate it very much!
Monika
Customer Interaction Shift Leader
Easy checkin
Easy checkin, seamless embarkation and disembarkation, and good food and coffee on board. The staff were all very friendly and helpful onshore and inboard, thank you so much.
9 May 2026
Reply from DFDS
Good afternoon Melanie
We're happy to hear that you found the check-in process easy and the embarkation and disembarkation on your Dover- Dunkirk journey seamless. We appreciate your positive feedback regarding the food and coffee. Thank you!
Monika
Customer Interaction Shift Leader
Not enough staff serving food.
1) Not enough staff serving food in the restaurant. You used to have three, now only one. This meant waiting a long time when not very busy, and food getting cold waiting at till. 2) Not boarding or unloading cars according to arrival time at port. Quite simple to have boarding by lanes in order and loading boat correspondingly. A car now could arrive late and be one of the earliest to leave. Staff are always friendly and helpful, employ more!
11 May 2026
Reply from DFDS
Good afternoon Chris
We appreciate your feedback on your Dover-Dunkirk journey. We're sorry to hear about the long wait times at the restaurant and the car boarding process. We will review staffing levels and boarding procedures to improve efficiency. We value your comments about our staff's friendliness.
Monika
Customer Interaction Shift Leader
Dover Calais with DFDS
I recently took a return day trip on the DFDS ferry from Dover to Calais and was very impressed. For a very competitive cost, the ferry departed on time, the staff were consistently helpful and friendly throughout the journey. The vessel itself was clean and well-maintained, making the trip comfortable and enjoyable. Overall, it was a smooth and pleasant experience. Highly recommended for anyone looking to travel between Dover and Calais.
11 May 2026
Reply from DFDS
Good afternoon Kathryn
We're happy to hear that you were impressed with your recent day trip on our ferry from Dover to Calais. It's great to know that you found the cost competitive, the staff helpful, and the vessel clean and well-maintained. We appreciate you recommending our service!
Monika
Customer Interaction Shift Leader
All the staff and crew were very…
All the staff and crew were very courteous and helpful. We were very comfortable for both outward and returning journey. Breakfasts had plenty of variety and were tasty.
Announcements were informative when required.
As a foot passenger disembarking was a bit of a scrum. And the bus journey from Newcastle was a grumpy shoving session. Contrasted very differently to the transfer experience in Amsterdam.
10 May 2026
Reply from DFDS
Good afternoon Frazer
We're happy to hear that our staff and the breakfasts enhanced your journey. We appreciate your positive feedback on your Newcastle - Amsterdam journey. We'll review the disembarking process and bus transfer from Newcastle to improve the experience.
Monika
Customer Interaction Shift Leader
99 pounds for 5 min. late
I’ll tell you what when wrong!
I booked ferry Dover-Calais on 09/05/26 at 0.35am.
Because I did come in to late, and next ferry to Calais was available at 4.40am which means that gaps was 4 hours and 5 minutes and not exactly 4 hours the staff on check in asked me to pay extra 99 pounds for gaps mentioned above was wrong. The staff should ask me first why I didn’t make it on time and then make decision about charging me because I come in
basically for 5 minutes late.
9 May 2026
Reply from DFDS
Good morning Jan
Thank you for your feedback, and we’re sorry to hear about your experience.
We’d like to clarify that check-in closes one hour before the scheduled sailing time. This is a strict operational requirement to ensure that all essential safety and security checks are completed before departure, which is crucial for the safety of both our passengers and crew.
Regarding your request to transfer to a later sailing, our terms allow a free transfer within a 4-hour goodwill window. In your case, the next available departure was 4 hours and 5 minutes later, which unfortunately falls outside of this policy. For this reason, the additional charge of £99 was correctly applied in line with our conditions.
We do understand that the difference was only a few minutes, and we appreciate how frustrating this must have felt. However, our staff are required to follow these guidelines consistently and are not able to make exceptions beyond the defined policy.
We appreciate your understanding and thank you for travelling with us.
Monika
Customer Interaction Shift Leader
They were too noisy
They were too noisy. It was impossible to rest.
They ran around and acted like they didn't care about anything.
10 May 2026
Reply from DFDS
Good Morning,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback regarding your recent journey on our Dover to Dunkirk route.
We’re sorry to hear that the noise levels on board made it difficult for you to rest. We understand how important a comfortable and calm environment is during your journey, and we regret that this was not your experience.
While we aim to create a pleasant atmosphere for all passengers, we appreciate you highlighting this issue and will share your comments with our onboard team to help improve the experience going forward.
We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back on board for a more relaxing journey in the future.
Kind Regards
Natasha
Customer Interaction Specialist
DFDS
😊🛳️
Not very forthcoming with voucher codes and not easy to redeem
I have rated a 3 because, as I had a free day trip to redeem, I had to phone up to book as the link you book through for this didn't accept the voucher code. The member of staff I spoke to was very helpful when booking. As I , again spent over €150, have just qualified for another “free” trip I tried the QR code link, which sent me to the app, on the leaflet given with my receipt. It didn’t work, not the first time! I then put all my required information into the weblink which then stated “thank you for your details. A member of staff will be in touch with your instructions...”. I have not yet received a link. I didn’t last time either and had to call. DFDS don’t seem to make it very easy to get hold of the “free day trip” code, or redemption for that matter. I think they hope people will forget or go away as they don’t receive/can’t redeem the voucher code. I am still waiting for my new redemption code.
8 May 2026
Reply from DFDS
Dear Leigh,
Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback with us.
We’re really pleased to hear that our colleague was helpful when assisting you with your booking — we’ll be sure to pass on your kind comments. However, we’re sorry to learn about the difficulties you’ve experienced when trying to redeem your free day trip and access your voucher code.
We understand how frustrating this process has been, particularly when links and QR codes have not worked as expected and you’ve needed to follow up multiple times. This is certainly not the experience we want for our customers.
To provide some clarity, our dedicated team manually reviews submitted receipts and generates the voucher codes, which can take up to 14 days from submission. We appreciate that this may not have been clearly communicated and will ensure your feedback is shared to help improve both the process and communication moving forward.
We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience. If you are still waiting beyond this timeframe, please do reach out again as we would be happy to look into this further for you.
Thank you again for your feedback — it’s invaluable in helping us improve our service.
Kind Regards,
Hayleigh
Very nice ferry experience with the best guest service
Very nice ferry experience from IJmuiden to Newcastle and back. Good entertainment (love the live music in the Columbus Club), good food and friendly staff in general. I would like to highlight Ilse and Remi from the guest service on board (Princess Seaways 6 May '26, and King Seaways 8 May) as they helped us to change our cabin to a much quieter one.
8 May 2026
Reply from DFDS
Dear Joost,
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful review of your recent sailings with us!
We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your experience on board, from the live music in the Columbus Club to the food and friendly service from our team. It’s especially lovely to know that Ilse and Remi made such a positive impact on your journey — we’ll be sure to pass on your kind recognition to them, they’ll be thrilled to hear it.
We’re also pleased we could assist in finding you a quieter cabin to make your trip more comfortable.
Thank you again for your feedback, and we hope to welcome you back on board again soon for another great crossing.
Kind Regards,
Hayleigh
All ok except the meal
All ok except the meal, it was expensive and not nice at all. Senior managers should try it incognito.
8 May 2026
Reply from DFDS
Dear William,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We’re pleased to hear that overall everything was okay, but we’re very sorry to learn that the meal did not meet your expectations. We understand how disappointing it can be, especially when you don’t feel it represents good value for money.
Your comments are really important to us, and we will make sure they are shared with our catering team for review. We also appreciate your suggestion regarding senior management experiencing the offering first hand — insights like this help drive improvements.
Thank you again for your honest feedback, and we hope to provide you with a much better dining experience on your next visit.
Kind Regards,
Hayleigh
Reply from DFDS
Dear D. Walker,
Thank you for your fantastic review!
We’re so pleased to hear that you had a great trip and enjoyed both the food and your accommodation. It’s wonderful to know these key parts of your experience made such a positive impression.
We really appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback and hope to welcome you onboard again soon for another amazing journey.
Kind Regards,
Hayleigh
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