We had a bit of an argument with the ferry operators at Newhaven. Could have been a one off, but the staff were not exactly helpful.
We had a van for support, and the plan was to ride to the terminal and then put the bikes in the van for the crossing. When we got there, and were putting the bikes in the van, a staff member came over and told us to go, with our bikes to the foot passenger queue.
Fair enough, we did. We waited in line as the van was in the vehicle queue and got to the check in pretty much as the van did, only to be told we couldn't board as foot passengers for some obscure reason. They wouldn't let us go through to reload them into the van, which left us with no real option but to hold everyone up, and pack them in the van, which by now was at the booth, blocking everyone else.
Despite us pointing out it was them that changed our initial plans, the staff were rude and uncooperative. I'm quite chilled, it was none of my doing, so was finding the whole ridiculous scenario funny. It was proper comedy jobsworth stuff. Others in the group were irate. It was hard to say if my smile or the others anger annoyed staff more. I think one of our lot tipped the balance when he kept calling the ticket booth operator mate and pointing out, "he said to do this", mainly because it turned out "he" was a she, which made me guffaw, and seemed to annoy them more.
I've no idea if that helps, but it could be worth checking that your plans fit their system. Then again, our original plans did anyway.
The original guy that moved us in the first place, even had the nerve to come to us in the departure lounge, saying whoever it was from their end didn't have a clue. I took great delight in totally agreeing with him, and elaborating on the cock up and watching him getting more uncomfortable before making it clear, it was him that had screwed it up.
I'm still none the wiser as to what the problem was, as bikes, van and people all went aboard. I can only assume it was a space thing, but that didn't fit with the gaps on board.
