Booze Cruising in the news

[fisher]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3874785.stm

Is this going to have an affect on the ferry industry?

[ppauljh]

I'm not sure, but if it does it'll hit p&o harder than bf. I would say a significant about of p&o's passengers are low fare paying booze cruisers so if they leave then a substantial part of p&o's buisness goes with them whereas bf would focus on full fare paying passengers and freight. Maybe the report on p&o ferry buisness will be four words - "were selling to carnival"

[Matts]

I think if it had an effect for P&O it would be positive. The case is about being LESS strict on people bringing tobacco and alcohol into Britain. As is normal, it has taken the European Commission ages to wake up to the issue and the problem is almost solving itself as the French Government gradually increase taxes on tobacco to make the 'fag runs' less and less worth it. I wonder if the case has something to do with Hoverspeed, since I recall that they first brought some judicial action about disproportionate tactics concerning daytrippers via their service.

[Normandie]

I think it is good that in france they have increased the taxes, so it wold be more close to British and other taxes. And I think, among the EU-borders there should not be any restrictions for items to buy as there should not be any borders at all. I have been buying stuff in france myself, although it was not alcohol or cigarettes, but hey, it is EU, so what is that fuzz about controls at border etc. about ? I am living at German-French borders and there are no controls whatsoever if you have a car full of all you can buy at Carrefour. I wonder then, why is that in Britain, and same at Calais-Dover, SO much controls but not between other EU countries ? Also nothing so to say on the ferry from Genova to Barcelona. No one cared what you take with you, in your luggage both ways.