In association with P&O Ferries
1. You can pack as much as you want
Want to bring the bikes? Can't decide which sleeping bag is best? No worries – as long as you can fit all of your gear in the car, you can bring it along. No excess baggage charge whatsoever. The kids get to bring as many toys as they can squeeze in – and you don't have to compromise on your essentials either.
2. There's no need to pay for car hire
Save heaps of money by bringing your own wheels along – there's no need to take out costly car rental, and you know there's room inside for the whole family. It's familiar too: if you've a long drive to your destination you won't have a strange car to contend with. Just make sure your car insurance and breakdown cover include overseas jaunts.
3. Your first night's accommodation? Sorted.
Choose your ferry operator wisely, and you can spend the first night of your holiday in comfy, convenient digs. With the exception of Dover-Calais and Scottish routes, all of P&O Ferries' crossings offer cabins accommodation for every passenger – perfect if you're travelling overnight and want to hit the ground running at your destination.
On the Zeebrugge ferry for example, your cabin is included in your ticket price. Stretch out and enjoy the legroom that plane passengers only dream of.
4. Great food and entertainment
Opt for a dining option on any of P&O Ferries' crossings, and your food is included in your ticket price. Better yet, there are lots of food outlets to choose from on board, so the kids will be happy and you'll find something tasty too.
Add arcade games, play areas and onboard entertainment into the mix, and you've got a really fun start to your holiday. Whether you're taking the overnight ferry to Rotterdam or a short hop ferry to Dublin from Liverpool, you'll never be bored.
5. Your holiday starts early
No red-eye flights, no horrendous queues, and all the leg room you could wish for: when your travel by ferry, the journey is simply an extension of your holiday. There's lots of space for the kids to let off steam – and for you to kick back and relax too.
6. No hidden charges
Sick of the hidden charges and taxes when you book a flight? When you travel with P&O Ferries, you don't even have to pay a credit card fee. Simply choose the package level that's right for you, and you know exactly what's included – from your cabin to your breakfast, and everything in between.
7. Get there feeling refreshed
Once you've swapped flying for ferries, you'll wonder why you put up with the queues and stress of air travel. As soon as you dock, you're free to hit the road – and the adventure really begins...
Main image: Mother and daughter on a ferry (Shutterstock)
