Group Ferry Bookings: Newhaven to Dieppe

Organising a group of 10+ passengers on the Newhaven to Dieppe ferry? This complete group travel guide covers: group booking procedures, group discounts, school trip arrangements, sports team travel, coach party bookings, group coordinator responsibilities, group check-in process, flexible payment terms for schools and clubs, and expert tips for smooth organized group ferry crossings.

Groups of 10+ passengers receive discounted group rates on Newhaven to Dieppe ferries. Benefits: reduced fares, coordinated check-in, group seating where possible, dedicated group coordinator support, flexible payment for schools/clubs, coach parking at port. Must book by phone minimum 4 weeks ahead: +44 33 058 787 87 (ask for Group Travel department). One person acts as group coordinator.

Last updated: December 2025

👥 Group Travel at a Glance

10+

Minimum
Group Size

4 weeks

Book Ahead
Minimum

10-25%

Group Rate
Savings

Phone

Booking
Required

✅ Group discounts available – For 10+ passengers travelling together
✅ Coordinated check-in – One check-in for entire group
✅ Group seating – Seated together where possible
✅ Coach parking – Available at Newhaven port
✅ Flexible payment terms – For schools and registered clubs

Understanding if your party qualifies for group booking.

GROUP DEFINITION:

Minimum 10 passengers travelling together
Same sailing (same date and time)
Travelling together (not just coincidentally same ferry)
One booking (coordinated reservation)

TYPES OF GROUPS:

School Groups

School trips and educational visits
Language exchange programmes
Geography/history field trips
Sports tournaments abroad
Typically 20-50 students + teachers
Best group discounts available

Sports Teams

Football, rugby, cricket teams
Cycling clubs
Athletics teams
Tournaments in France
Typically 12-30 people
Equipment accommodation arranged

Clubs & Organizations

Social clubs and societies
Church groups
Rotary/Lions clubs
Hobby groups (cycling, photography)
Typically 10-25 members
Flexible payment terms available

Coach Tours

Organized coach holidays
Tour operator groups
Coach + passengers together
Typically 40-50 passengers
Coach parking arranged
Coordinated boarding

NOT GROUP TRAVEL:

Family of 8 (too small, under 10)
12 people booking separately coincidentally same ferry (not coordinated)
Multiple families travelling together but separate bookings (not one booking)

GREY AREA: Large family reunion (15+ people) – may qualify, ask Group Travel team. Multiple families booking together as one group – may qualify if coordinator appointed.

How to book your group on the Newhaven to Dieppe ferry.

STEP 1: INITIAL CONTACT (4+ weeks before travel)

Call DFDS Group Travel: +44 33 058 787 87
Ask for “Group Travel department”
Phone lines: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
State: group size, travel dates, organization type

STEP 2: PROVIDE GROUP DETAILS

Number of passengers (confirmed or estimated)
Number of vehicles (cars, coaches, minibuses)
Travel dates and preferred sailing times
Group type (school, sports team, club, etc.)
Organization name and contact details
Appoint group coordinator (your name + phone)

STEP 3: RECEIVE QUOTE

Group Travel team calculates group rate
Discounted fare provided (varies by group size)
Validity period given (usually 7-14 days to confirm)
Payment terms explained

STEP 4: CONFIRM BOOKING

Accept quote within validity period
Provide passenger list (names, ages if students)
Confirm vehicle details
Arrange payment (deposit or full payment)

STEP 5: RECEIVE CONFIRMATION

Group booking confirmation emailed
Coordinator contact details noted
Check-in instructions provided
Special requirements confirmed

STEP 6: FINAL DETAILS (1 week before)

Confirm final passenger numbers
Any changes to vehicles
Special requirements reminder
Check-in process confirmed

BOOKING TIMELINE:

4+ weeks before: Initial contact and quote
3-4 weeks before: Confirm booking
2 weeks before: Finalize passenger list
1 week before: Final numbers confirmed
Day of travel: Group check-in at port

💡 Booking Tip: Book as early as possible, especially for peak season (July-August) or school holiday periods. Group spaces limited on each sailing. Popular dates (Easter, summer breaks) book out months ahead. 8-12 weeks advance booking recommended for large groups.

ONE PERSON MUST BE GROUP COORDINATOR:

Responsibilities:

Main contact for DFDS
Collect passenger information
Manage passenger list
Coordinate payment
Lead group check-in at port
Distribute boarding passes
Answer group members’ questions
Liaise with ferry staff

Coordinator Requirements:

Over 18 years old
Phone number provided to DFDS
Email address for confirmations
Present at check-in (essential)
Responsible for group throughout

For School Groups:

Usually lead teacher or trip organizer

For Sports Teams:

Team manager or captain

For Clubs:

Club secretary or trip organizer

For Coach Tours:

Tour leader or driver

What your group receives for booking as organized group.

GROUP BENEFITS:

Benefit	Details
Discounted Fares	Group rate cheaper than individual bookings (varies by size)
Coordinated Check-In	One check-in for entire group, faster than individual processing
Group Seating	Seated together where possible (ferry capacity dependent)
Dedicated Support	Group Travel team assistance throughout booking process
Flexible Payment	Payment terms for schools/clubs (deposit + balance)
Coach Parking	Coaches accommodated, parking arranged
Number Changes	Small changes to passenger numbers accepted (within reason)

DISCOUNT AMOUNT:

Varies by group size (10-20, 20-40, 40+)
Varies by season (off-peak better rates)
Varies by booking lead time (earlier = better)
Typically 10-25% off standard fares
Larger groups = better per-person rate

EXAMPLE SAVINGS:

School Group (30 students + 3 teachers, minibus):

Standard individual bookings (April): £2,100
Group rate: £1,680

Saving: £420 (20% discount)

Sports Team (15 people, 3 cars):

Standard bookings (May): £630
Group rate: £535

Saving: £95 (15% discount)

IMPORTANT: Exact discounts depend on sailing, season, group size. Request quote from Group Travel team for specific pricing.

Ready to Book Group Travel?

Call our Group Travel department for a quote

Call Group Travel: +44 33 058 787 87

Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

Flexible payment options available for schools and registered organizations.

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

Option 1: Full Payment

• Pay entire amount when confirming booking
• No additional steps
• Suitable for: Small groups, clubs with funds available

Option 2: Deposit + Balance

• Pay deposit at booking (typically 20-30%)
• Pay balance 4 weeks before travel
• Suitable for: Schools, larger groups

Option 3: Invoice

• Invoice sent to organization
• Payment by BACS or cheque
• Net 30 days payment terms
• Requires: Registered charity/school status

PAYMENT METHODS:

Debit/credit card (over phone)
Bank transfer (BACS)
Cheque (schools/clubs only)
Purchase order (schools)

CANCELLATION POLICY:

More than 4 weeks before: Full refund minus admin fee
2-4 weeks before: 50% refund
Less than 2 weeks: No refund
Travel insurance recommended

What happens when your group arrives at Newhaven Ferry Port.

ARRIVAL TIME:

Groups should arrive 90 minutes before departure
Coordinator arrives first if possible
Allows time for group check-in coordination

GROUP CHECK-IN PROCEDURE:

STEP 1: COORDINATOR CHECK-IN

Coordinator goes to check-in desk first
Present group booking confirmation
Provide final passenger count
Receive all boarding passes for entire group
Staff may ask questions about group

STEP 2: DISTRIBUTE BOARDING PASSES

Coordinator distributes boarding passes to group members
Each passenger receives individual boarding pass
Check everyone has correct pass

STEP 3: PASSPORT CHECKS

Staff may check passports (sample or everyone)
Children’s passports verified
Discount ID checked if applicable

STEP 4: VEHICLE PROCESSING

If group has vehicles (coach, minibus, cars)
Vehicles checked in separately but as group
Directed to group boarding lane

STEP 5: GROUP BOARDING

Groups board together as coordinated unit
Priority boarding sometimes arranged
Staff direct to group seating area

IMPORTANT: Coordinator must be present at check-in. Without coordinator, group booking may not be honored and individuals charged standard rates.

✓ Tip #1: Book Early

8-12 weeks minimum for summer/holiday travel. Group spaces limited. Popular dates book out. Early booking also gets better rates.

✓ Tip #2: Over-Estimate Numbers

If 25 people likely, book for 28. Easier to reduce numbers than add last-minute. Small reductions usually accepted.

✓ Tip #3: Communicate Clearly

Send group members clear instructions: arrival time (90 mins before), documents needed, meeting point, coordinator contact number.

✓ Tip #4: Have Backup Plan

What if someone late? What if miss ferry? Alternative ferry times. Contingency budget. Travel insurance.

✓ Tip #5: Arrive Early

90 minutes minimum for groups. Allows time for stragglers, passport checks, coordinated check-in. Rush = stress. Buffer time = smooth.

✓ Tip #6: Take Register

At port, at boarding, on ferry, at disembarkation – check everyone present. Prevents leaving anyone behind. Quick headcount each stage.

How many passengers needed for group booking?

Minimum 10 passengers required for group booking. All passengers must travel together on same sailing (same date and time). One coordinated booking with appointed group coordinator. Typical groups: 10-50 passengers. Schools, sports teams, clubs, coach tours all qualify. Groups over 50 possible with advance arrangement. Must book by phone with Group Travel department: +44 33 058 787 87.

How much discount do groups get?

Group discounts typically 10-25% off standard fares, varying by group size, season, and booking lead time. Larger groups (40+) get better per-person rates than smaller groups (10-20). Off-peak travel (October-April) gets better group rates than peak summer. Early booking (8+ weeks ahead) also improves rates. Example savings: 30-person school group saved £420 (20% off) on April crossing.

How far ahead must groups book?

Minimum 4 weeks before travel, but 8-12 weeks recommended especially for summer/school holidays. Group spaces limited on each sailing. Popular dates (July-August, Easter, half-terms) book out months ahead. Early booking also gets better rates. Can book further ahead if organizing early – no maximum advance booking time.

Can schools pay by invoice?

Yes, schools and registered clubs can pay by invoice with net 30 days payment terms. Requires school/charity registration number. Invoice sent after booking confirmed. Payment by BACS transfer or cheque accepted. Alternative payment: deposit (20-30%) at booking, balance 4 weeks before travel. Purchase orders also accepted from schools.

What is a group coordinator?

One person from group acts as main contact and organizer. Responsibilities: collect passenger information, manage booking, coordinate payment, lead check-in at port, distribute boarding passes, liaise with DFDS. Must be over 18, provide phone/email, present at check-in. Schools: usually lead teacher. Sports teams: manager/captain. Coordinator MUST be present at check-in or group booking may not be honored.

Will group be seated together on ferry?

Yes, groups seated together where possible, subject to ferry capacity. Group seating areas allocated in main lounges. Large groups (30+) may be split between nearby sections but kept generally together. Cannot guarantee every single person adjacent but groups kept in same area. For school groups and coach tours, coordinated seating particularly important and prioritized.

Can we bring a coach on the ferry?

Yes, coaches accommodated on Newhaven to Dieppe ferries. Coach parking available at Newhaven port. Coach boards ferry separately from passengers. Driver travels free (included in coach fare). Provide coach dimensions at booking. Coach groups typically 40-50 passengers. Passengers board via foot passenger route, reunite with coach at disembarkation in Dieppe.

Ready to Book Your Group?

Save 10-25% with group rates – call now for a quote

Call Group Travel Department

+44 33 058 787 87 | Mon-Fri 9am-5pm