Red Funnel has confirmed its timetables for the upcoming Christmas period (19th December 2022 – 2nd January 2023).
Notably, Red Funnel will once again be the only ferry company crossing the Solent on Christmas Day, offering 2 departures from each side via their vehicle ferry service on Sunday 25th December:
- Departing Southampton: 09:00 & 12:00
- Departing East Cowes: 10:30 & 13:30
Red Funnel invests heavily in the maintenance of its vessels, with most of the major works taking place during the winter season. Red Eagle is currently undergoing repair works to replace key engine components and has recently departed to its maintenance facility in Falmouth.
In the absence of Red Eagle, the schedule will be maintained by Red Osprey, Red Falcon and Red Funnel’s dedicated freight ferry, Red Kestrel throughout the Christmas period.
Fran Collins, CEO, Red Funnel said:
“Keeping the Island connected over the Christmas period is a top priority. We are also very proud to continue our longstanding tradition of being the only operator to run a cross-Solent service on Christmas Day. We very much look forward to welcoming everyone on board and bringing friends and family together during this special time.”
Red Funnel’s Christmas timetable runs from 19th December to 2nd January. Customers travelling on these dates should check sailing times, here: https://www.redfunnel.co.uk/en/isle-of-wight-ferry/timetables/
Customers planning to use Red Funnel’s vehicle ferry service over the festive season can still save 1/3 off ferry travel via the company’s Black Friday sale. The operator recently announced that it is extending its Black Friday sale for so long as England remains in the football tournament.
To book, see here: https://www.redfunnel.co.uk/en/isle-of-wight-ferry/special-offer/black-friday-sale/
So I want to visit family in Soton. I get the 10:30 Ferry, say hellow to my family waving at the dockside in Soton and head back to E cowes on the same ferry.Happy Xmas.
Why the down ticks? That service is not a lot of use to anyone… It should be one out of E Cowes 9:30/10:30 and one back later in the day. Same for those wanting to visit from Soton…
Who exactly do they think can possibly use this service?
Islanders who aren’t staying away until next day don’t even have time to get out of the car park at Southampton because, as Martin quite correctly points out, they arrive at 11:30 and have to immediately check in to go back on the one remaining service at 12:00.
Without an additional return service later in the day there are no usable services for Islanders again.
It could be the downvotes are because they think Red Funnel should be praised for providing Christmas day crossings but, with that timetable, they basically aren’t providing any service for most (if not all) Islanders.
The headline should really read “Essential ferry services suspended yet again this year”.
I think I’ll give you a down tick for agreeing with me. A pointless service paying lip service to someone to look like they are doing the Island a big favour. Not.
The World don’t revolve around you, you know.
I think you are lucky to have any service on xmas day.(imo)
why should the staff be expected to give up their xmas dinner and family time just to accommodate you – travel on another day to see family and stay over, or move closer to them, if it matters that much.
typical selfish attitude martin – you expect others to sacrifice their xmas day just so that you can have a wide selection of ferry sailings to choose from
To Ting Tong and IOwighter.
I’m not interested in going to the mainland on Xmas day, or any other time, I’m thinking of others. I’m not being selfish . The facts speak for themselves. If you can fit in a stayover, then a Xmas day sailing is a bonus. I would think most people will have alrady planned their mainland visits ( or reciprocal visits) and they won’t involve a Xmas day cossings as they are pointless. RF are just looking to score brownie points IMO.
Father Xmas doesn’t have any fare paying passengers, but he runs every year… RF are paying lip service to someone and no doubt the crews will be paid tripple time + day off in lieu. Maybe that’s how RF are paying their Xmas bonus !
You make no sense at all and WHAT point are you TRYING to make.
Nothing but moaning for moanings sake.
Merry Christmas and have a nice time in Southampton with your pretend family.
wrong martin
I recall working in london some years ago and travelled back to portsmouth on xmas eve – due to a delay, I arrived at the harbour not that long after the last fastcat had already left. I was advised that wightlink were operating one car ferry on xmas morning to the island at 10am with no other sailings that day and no fastcat – this was an absolute godsend to me. Whilst i did have to find overnight accomodation in pompey, which was easy with all the b and b’s, i managed to get to the island on xmas morning and meet up with family.
may be you should consider that point martin – there are some, who really do benefit from that one service.
you are the worst kind – whinging on behalf of imaginary affected people
‘Red Funnel invests heavily in the maintenance of its vessels’
So why are they always breaking down?
Unknown why so many negative ticks to the answers below.. just look at the times, there are only two ferries leaving East Cowes, one at 10:30 the next 15:30… yet the return two ferries from Southampton are 09:00 and 11:00 so if you get the ONLY morning ferry from East Cowes…. you would only have half an hour before last ferry returns to East Cowes… If leave East Cowes on the 15:30 ferry, you will need some4place to stay as no more returns until next day !!!
Asshole company…. what idiot thought of these times ????
Little sign of intelligent life in these responses. Red Funnel have operated a similar schedule at Christmas for many years. It must be worthwhile for them to pay their staff, so there must be fare paying passengers.
They probably won’t run anyway, I wouldn’t risk it