Considering an Upgrade to DFDS's Premium Lounge: Is It Worth It?
Hittin' up that DFDS Premium Lounge: A review for your ferry ride to France
Want to travel in style while keeping your wallet fat? Look no further than DFDS' Premium Lounge on their Dover to France ferries. We'll help you figure out if this upgrade is worth it for your next trip.
Navigating the seas on a budget doesn't mean you have to skimp on the luxury. With DFDS, you can drop some extra cash for a fancy upgrade that'll make your voyage across the channel a bit more special. The Premium Lounge is a prime example.
This upgrade is ideal for those who are embarking on a splurge-worthy holiday or celebrating a milestone occasion. A glass of bubbly to kick things off? Count us in!
Taking a DFDS ferry from Dover to Calais or Dunkirk but longing for some extra comfort? Springing for the Premium Lounge might be just the ticket. Let's dive into the review and find out what you'll get for your cash...
What the heck is the DFDS Premium Lounge, anyways? + What does it cost? + What do you actually get?* On which DFDS routes can you find a Premium Lounge?* Our two cents: Is it worth it? + Go ahead and read more
Our jaunt to Calais was sponsored by DFDS Seaways (including the Premium Lounge upgrade). But DFDS didn't demand this review, and all opinions you read within are our own – and always will be!
So, what is this DFDS Premium Lounge all about?
The DFDS Premium Lounge is an exclusive, private hangout area available on selected ferry routes. It's an optional upgrade you can choose when you travel by ferry between Dover and Northern France with DFDS.
Once you've taken the plunge and upgraded, you'll receive an access code when you check in for the ferry. Once on board, the code is your key to unlocking the lounge – which is separated from the rest of the ship for a nice and quiet nook.
On the inside, you'll find a mix of cozy seats – sofas, armchairs, and table seating – and some of the sofas even boast long-lay, flat chaise sections for a quick snooze after a grueling drive to the terminal. There's also a variety of snacks and hot and cold beverages available, along with a welcome glass of bubbly.
What's the damage – money-wise?
If you book in advance, you can upgrade to the Premium Lounge for €18 per person each way.
So, what's included in the upgrade?
- A glass of bubbly
- Hot and cold drinks galore
- Snacks like pastries, biscuits, and macarons
- Wi-Fi for days
- A large screen television
- Charging points aplenty
Speaking of routes, where can you find this Premium Lounge business?
The Premium Lounge is accessible on the Dover to Dunkirk and Dover to Calais routes with DFDS. Longer routes, such as Newcastle to Amsterdam, are served by larger "cruise ferries" with different facilities and services.
The crossing time from Dover to Calais is roughly 90 minutes, while the voyage to Dunkirk is approximately 2 hours.
Our verdict: Is it worth the cash?
Recently, we took a trip to Calais with DFDS for a holiday with my old man – checking out the Christmas markets and scoring some cheap party juice from the onboard Duty-Free shop.
It was our first time traveling with DFDS, and we were impressed as hell with how seamlessly everything went. Priority Boarding improved our experience tenfold – we were at the front of the ferry and first to depart when we arrived in Calais.
Even without Priority Boarding, the check-in and boarding process was super smooth and easy. Every DFDS employee we encountered was friendly and efficient as can be.
At check-in, we received the access code for the Premium Lounge. Once on board, we headed straight up to scope it out.
The code grants access to a separate section of the deck, making the Lounge feel detached from the rest of the ship and much quieter than the public areas.
The Deets
The tranquility of the Premium Lounge was a major win. Although it's a spacious area, it had fewer guests during our trip. The peaceful atmosphere made it a nice escape from the buzzing public areas.
The welcome bubbly was a delightful touch, perfect for those vacation vibes! Upon seating ourselves, the attendant offered us beverages and brought my dad a cup of tea and a biscuit.
The snacks and drinks were self-serve, with a decent selection: coffee machines, various teas, fruit juices, canned sodas, biscuits, pastries, fruit, and macarons. My personal favorites? The macarons. Obsessed much? You bet!
Another cool benefit of the Premium Lounge is its own lavatories, which are usually quieter than the ship's other restrooms. Lower probability of queuing? We're all for that!
We didn't utilize the charging stations, but they're a handy addition. The TV was tuned to a sports channel, which made for some background noise – personally, I'd have preferred some tunes instead.
In summary, the selling point of the lounge lies in its peaceful atmosphere and comfy seating. It’s definitely a more relaxed hangout spot than the busier public areas on the ship!
The Lowdown: Should you splurge or save?
Whenever we write a review following a sponsored trip, we always ask ourselves one question: "Would I pay for this myself the next time I book?" For the DFDS Premium Lounge, the answer is a definite "Yes."
If you're all about some extra comfort, a chill-out zone, and those free snacks and drinks, we think it's definitely worth the upgrade on your DFDS ferry crossing.
For families and budget travelers, it's probably not necessary. But for a special outing, a romantic vacay, and for business travelers who want to get some work done on the journey... we'd say give the upgrade some consideration.
The rest of the ship is more than serviceable. There's plenty of seating in the restaurant and snack bars, and of course, the onboard Duty-Free shop to keep you occupied! If you're traveling on a budget, you don't need to spring for the upgrade – after all, the crossing is typically under 2 hours, so it's not exactly a long trip.
But the upgrade is only about £15 each way, so it's not a massive spend for access to a cozier and quieter part of the ship – and you get complimentary snacks and drinks to boot.
We honestly enjoyed our time in the Premium Lounge and would absolutely pay for the upgrade again, especially for special occasions.
Keep On Reading
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Ever upgraded to the DFDS Premium Lounge? Leave a comment to share your experience!
- For budget-conscious travelers, the DFDS Premium Lounge upgrade might not be essential as the public areas offer ample seating and facilities.
- If you're interested in food-and-drink offerings, the Premium Lounge offers a selection of pastries, biscuits, macarons, hot and cold drinks, and even a glass of bubbly upon arrival.
- Home-and-garden enthusiasts will appreciate the quieter, more comfortable seating options in the Premium Lounge, which can serve as a peaceful retreat during your journey.
