Easter travel mayhem ‘ruined’ newly-married couple’s honeymoon plans

Easter travel mayhem ‘ruined’ newly-married couple’s honeymoon plans
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Tom Evans

By Tom Evans


Published: 15/04/2022

- 14:27

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 11:48

The couple say their honeymoon plans were ruined after they missed their ferry amid long queues in Dover

Ashley Griffiths-Beamon, 33, and his husband Damian Griffiths-Beamon, 36, got married on Thursday and were due to travel to Belgium to celebrate their honeymoon.

Ashley said: “I’m upset and frustrated.


“We had lovely plans for today which have now been ruined.

“The delays will impact our plans today for our day in Bruges which is a shame as we have both been looking forward to visiting the city."

Handout photo dated 14/04/22 provided by Ashley Griffiths-Beamon of Ashley Griffiths-Beamon (left), 33, and Damian Griffiths-Beamon, 36, on their wedding day. The newly-married couple have said Easter weekend travel disruption has ruined their honeymoon plans after they missed their ferry amid long queues in Dover. Ashley and his husband Damian got married on Thursday and were due to travel to Belgium to celebrate their honeymoon. Issue date: Friday April 15, 2022.
Ashley and Damian Griffiths-Beamon
Ashley Griffiths-Beamon

Queues at the Port of Dover
Queues at the Port of Dover
Ashley Griffiths-Beamon

DFDS initially advised customers on Friday morning to arrive at least at least 90 minutes before their departure time, adding that it is “expecting a busy day through the Port of Dover”.

It later updated this guidance, encouraging passengers to allow at least two hours.

Ashley added: “Considering we have now been here waiting for almost 180 minutes, their advice I would say is misleading."

The pair arrived in Dover shortly after 6am for their 8.30am ferry.

After missing it, they were rebooked onto a 9.55am ferry.

Millions of drivers are expected on the roads on Good Friday in what is predicted to be the busiest travel day of the Easter weekend.

More delays are predicted following travel chaos on Thursday, with passengers at airports, ferry terminals, and railway stations left waiting for hours in long queues.

Amanda Burton, 33, from Peterborough, said she arrived in Dover at 4am on Friday morning, but missed her 8am ferry.

She said the disruption was “ridiculous”, adding that there were “only four people on border control.

Ahead of their trip to Bruges, she added: “We feel frustrated and tired.

“I have no idea why only four members of staff are checking in thousands and thousands of cars.”

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