“Absolutely appalling customer service, requested an amendment to a booking, but was informed ( via anonymous email - AI generated?) that our requested departure time not available, but a later one was available - at an extra surcharge! There was an option to cancel which we took, only to find we’d been charged for an amendment that couldn’t be implemented - plus they now wanted an extra charge to change the departure from a departure they couldn’t offer to a time we didn’t want, hence we cancelled. They’re no-one human to engage with. Basically by offering customers a ‘chat’ option is not the way to go. They have lost us as an irregular regular customer.
AVOID AVOID AVOID 🫣”
“We decided to use Direct Ferries instead of a plane for a short 90 min cruise from Santorini to Naxos. The most regrettable thing was that the price to sail was almost equal to the cost to fly. There was no seating presented on the purchased online ticket. On the day of the trip we arrived more than one hour early and checked into the ticket office to show them our online purchase. A very surly Greek man printed out 2 tickets (charging an additional 2 euros). Once the vessel arrived we were hearded in like cattle on the bottom ramp to chaotic direction by the attendants to stow our bags under the appropriate island that we were traveling. At least 500 people stood in a long narrow queue on the ramp without A/C until we finally climbed the stairs to have our tickets scanned to enter the main cabin. The cabin was large and clean with impressive wide leather seats for most. We sat down near the panoramic window and were quite happy until a group of people showed up and declared that these were their booked seats. Bewildered, we got up and made our way to another attendant who pointed us in a direction on the other side of the cabin. Not understanding where to go I insisted that he show us where are seats would be. He walked over and pointed to a narrow row of seats of three, stating that we were assigned to sit one in back of the other. Really?? When I stated that I paid a price almost comparable to flying for these tickets, he just stood there sheepishly and said nothing. Honestly, we just wanted an experience to travel by ferry, but this will not be our method of travel in the future, unless someone shows us how to guarantee seats and moreover, sitting together! The group of people that claimed our original seats we Greek. Maybe they had a better way to communicate what they wanted? So, to anyone reading this: make sure you reserve your tickets with seat assignments (if it’s possible, I did not readily see this on their website) so you don’t get the same outcome that we had. Other than that, we’re happy to be on Naxos!”
“they should get zero star. But it is not possible unfortunately.
I paid for an extra they never delivered and when I told them, they shut the door in front of my face. I cannot recommend this company”
“We purchased a ticket for East Cowes from Southampton. The Ferry Service provider is RedFunnel.When I checked with the Red Funnel ticket counter, the return ticket price for 2 adult and 1 child (6+yrs) is 62.5 GBP ( also there was a discount they added, so the final price 56.5 GBP). But Direct Ferries charged me 80.99 GBP ( it includes 4.99 GBP service charge) . Will not recommend anyone buy ferry tickets from Director Ferries. Instead people can buy from RedFunnel directly. I will add this review in other places also. There is no direct phone number to call Direct ferry.”
“I had a booking that I had to cancel, and since I was able to, I made another one for the same day but at a different time. A few days later, I received an email stating that I couldn't cancel, without providing any reason. Their customer service is awful, and the company is not trustworthy. I've never seen a company that is so unclear on their website.”
“Purchased Ferry tickets and did not receive them, tried contacting Direct Ferries and required a reference number which was not provided. This company is a SCAM, we lost $354.45, do not give them any money.”
“I tried to book a passage to the Scillies from Penzance. Got an email back (which admittedly I did not read at once), telling me that particular ferry crossing was full. I only read it on the night before the crossing and realised that I did not have a ticket. Mild panic. However, on looking at the Scillonian website I was easily able to book my ticket for the next day. So to say the crossing was full was not true.”
“Appalling service. Did an online search for a trip from Symi Island to Rhodes on 21st May 2024. Paid for the ticket - and received confirmation of tickets on 25 May (the day after I'd be back in the UK.) Used the change booking' facility ... but this would only allow changes AFTER 25th. None of the suggested ways of contacting the company worked. In the end I had to cancel (and was informed that my payment had been swallow up in booking payments) ... so I have to book (and pay) again through another company.
Looking at the reviews I see I am one of many who have had a similar experience.
ADVICE: AVOID! (One star is one star too many.)”
“It's easier to book directly through the Bluebridge or Interislander Ferries websites rather than using Direct ferries. Direct booking allows you to communicate directly with ferry staff, who are often more accommodating with ticket changes or refunds compared to third-party platforms. Plus, you can avoid extra charges sometimes imposed by Direct ferries services.”
“Everything! Same comments as everyone else .
Take the customers money and don’t assist on responding g or given an alternative so loose your money due to incompetent staff and cancelling sailings and providing the wrong information-
Unable to speak to someone with knowledge or common sense
AVOID”
““Customer service is so bad. DONT use this website. Go directly to the ferry company Automated email response unable to sort out problem no way of talking to a person. They couldn't give a damn. Changed my return date to a day later. No way of getting anyone on the phone.”
“Bluff. First they charged for cabins they couldn't deliver, then they suggested changes and after I accepted, the card was charged once more. One more change and the card was charged for the third time! No phone, no options to cancel. Beware! Go directly to the ferry's website. Will be cheaper, faster and without the money being blocked.”
“What a bunch of con artists!
Was due to sail on a 14:30 crossing from hook of holland to harwich. Due to a delayed flight from Croatia to Amsterdam I couldn't get to the ferry port until 14:00 which is half hour after check in closes. Due to no inbound phone lines.my only option is to use the online chat facility. I explained the situation and was told late check in was absolutely not an option and my only option was to reschedule to the night crossing at an additional charge of £61.50.
On arrival to the ferry port I was ushered urgently to the check in desk and told I was allowed to check in and sail on the originally booked crossing of which I'm grateful for but since I didn't sail on the later crossing I feel I should be entitled to a refund but the company says no.
I will never book with this company again, I will never recommend them and if anything I will recommend people do not use this cowboy company.”
“Never use this service.
They offer an amendment service that doesn't work.
Then when you contact customer service, they advise you cant, however when contacting the actual ferry company, they advise that direct ferries has to do this. They then ignore your emails.
Their cancellation policy on their website advises that if you request a cancellation, they will advise you how much you will be refunded to ensure you want to proceed.
They didnt do that. They just cancelled my ticket and I lost almost $40 and have no ticket now.
Any attempts to explain or reason with them only ended in them making countless excuses about refunds and different types. Cheats!!”
“hi everyone.... i booked a 3 day promo trip to france.
BUT .... i asked them can i change my outbound date and still return on the promo return as planned. As i wanted to go a day earlier .. after 3 days they said i cant as i would have to cancel the return aswell even though i was coming back on that ferry.. i even said i would pay the difference. so really unhappy to them saying i would have to pay twice for the same return eerrrrrrrrrr”
