DFDS
Denmark
North Sea and Channel ferries — Dover, Newcastle, Copenhagen and Oslo routes
Learn more → EU maritime passenger rights Ferry delayed or cancelled?
Ferry delayed or cancelled?
Claim your refund
Under EU Regulation (EU) No 1177/2010 you may be entitled to compensation when your ferry departure is delayed by 1 hour or more — or when your sailing is cancelled. We help passengers on international cross-border routes across Europe.
- 25–100% refund of ticket price
- DFDS, Stena Line, Brittany Ferries & more
- Filed in minutes
European ferry operators we cover
From Channel crossings to Baltic and Mediterranean routes — if EU maritime passenger rights apply to your international ferry journey, we can help.
P&O Ferries
UK/France
Channel and North Sea crossings — Dover, Hull, Liverpool and Cairnryan
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Stena Line
Scandinavia/UK
Irish Sea and North Sea ferries — Holyhead, Harwich, Hook of Holland and Scandinavia
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Brittany Ferries
France/UK/Spain
Western Channel and Bay of Biscay — Portsmouth, Plymouth, Santander and Bilbao
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Irish Ferries
Ireland
Irish Sea and Celtic routes — Dublin, Holyhead, Cherbourg and Pembroke
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Viking Line / Tallink
Baltic
Baltic Sea cruise ferries — Helsinki, Tallinn, Stockholm, Turku and Mariehamn
Learn more → How it works
Your compensation in 3 steps
1
Check your eligibility
Was your ferry departure delayed by 1 hour or more, or was your sailing cancelled? EU rules may entitle you to compensation, rerouting or a full refund.
2
Submit your claim
Upload your ticket and sailing details via our secure claims portal. It only takes a few minutes.
3
Receive your payout
We handle the process with the ferry operator. If your claim succeeds, you receive your compensation. No win, no fee.
Your rights
EU maritime passenger rights
EU rules on maritime passenger rights apply to most international ferry journeys within the EU, including cross-border routes between EU countries and the UK. Operators such as DFDS, P&O Ferries, Stena Line and Brittany Ferries must inform you of your rights when disruptions occur.
If your ferry departure is delayed, you may be entitled to compensation of 25% of the ticket price (1 hour late), 50% (2 hours), 75% (3 hours) or 100% (4+ hours). Compensation is based on scheduled departure time, not arrival.
If your sailing is cancelled, you have the right to rerouting to your final destination at the earliest opportunity, or a full refund. You may also be entitled to snacks, meals and accommodation during long port delays. Time limits for claims vary — submit as soon as possible.
Compensation amounts
| Departure delay | Compensation |
|---|---|
| 1 hour | 25% of ticket price |
| 2 hours | 50% of ticket price |
| 3 hours | 75% of ticket price |
| 4+ hours | 100% of ticket price |
| Cancellation | Rerouting or full refund (plus compensation if rerouted with delay) |
Based on EU Regulation (EU) No 1177/2010
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When am I entitled to ferry delay compensation?
You may claim compensation if your ferry departure is delayed by 1 hour or more compared to the scheduled departure time. Unlike rail rules, maritime compensation is based on departure delay, not arrival. If your sailing is cancelled and you accept rerouting, compensation may also apply depending on the delay to your rerouted departure.
Which ferry operators are covered?
EU maritime passenger rights apply to most operators on international routes within the EU, including DFDS, P&O Ferries, Stena Line, Brittany Ferries, Irish Ferries, Baleària, Grimaldi Lines, Corsica Ferries, Viking Line/Tallink, TT-Line and Finnlines. Some domestic or tourist services may be exempt — we assess each claim individually.
How much compensation can I receive?
Compensation is a percentage of the ticket price based on departure delay: 25% for 1 hour, 50% for 2 hours, 75% for 3 hours and 100% for 4 hours or more. This is separate from any full ticket refund you may receive if you choose not to travel after a cancellation.
What are my rights if my ferry is cancelled?
If your sailing is cancelled, you can choose between rerouting to your final destination at the earliest opportunity (or later, at your convenience) under comparable conditions, or a full refund of your ticket. If rerouting causes a departure delay of 1 hour or more, the same compensation percentages apply.
What if I missed my sailing due to a port delay or long queue?
Missing a sailing because of port congestion or check-in delays does not automatically entitle you to compensation — the operator must have caused the disruption. However, if the ferry itself was delayed or cancelled, EU rules apply. Keep boarding passes, port announcements and app notifications as evidence.
Can bad weather exempt the ferry operator from paying?
Under Regulation (EU) No 1177/2010, operators may be exempt from paying compensation in extraordinary circumstances beyond their control — such as severe weather conditions that make a safe departure impossible. Even then, you still have the right to rerouting or a refund, and the operator must provide assistance during long waits.
How long do I have to file a claim?
You should submit a complaint to the ferry operator within 2 months of the disrupted sailing. National limitation periods for court action vary by EU country. We recommend filing as soon as possible.
What does it cost to use FerryRefund?
Checking your eligibility and submitting a claim is free. We only charge a commission if your claim is successful — no win, no fee.
What documents do I need?
Your ferry ticket or booking confirmation (with booking reference), and any proof of the delay or cancellation if available — such as port departure boards, operator app screenshots or email notifications. You can upload these directly via our claims portal.